They became more involved in the music industry in order to escape the violence they had observed growing up; as much as it originated from passion, it also arose from a desire to create music that would elevate the youth and encourage better avenues of release such as music, art and sports.
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor’s rise to fame within the Kenyan (and African) literature world began after her original story “Weight of whispers” was published in Kwani? - a Kenyan literary magazine in 2003. After this, various pieces of work by Yvonne Adhiambo were published and turned into short films - such as “The Knife Grinder’s Tale” in 2007. Yvonne has not been a stranger to the spotlight, nevertheless, it was her novel “Dust” that catapulted her to fame in 2014.
The journey of a Ugandan creative can be frustrating and isolating. This is tenfold for alternative musicians, who are up against a pop-music landscape that is notoriously hostile towards niche sounds and aesthetics. This is the concrete from which Xpressions UG has sprouted. Founded in February 2021 by Keith Lubega and Shari Mwanika, this collective has pledged to fill this void and be the go-to platform for music discovery and artist support for the new wave scene.
UnKut is an organization championing mental health and Hip Hop as it supports upcoming Hip Hop talent. From Ball4Health to the UnKut sound check series, the organization has been working overtime. Catapulting new voices in the scene, they have been on a forward-leaning momentum culminating into a secure spot at the crescent of the Hip Hop scene
Sharon’s drive and tenacity in the pursuit of her career embody the philosophy of shooting your shot.
Buruburu (or Buruklyn) as known to some nowadays, is leading an outstanding musical movement. Some have called this movement "Buruklyn" or "The East". It is a different flavor of Kenyan Drill that is nothing like British drill in it's outright sound. One Label is leading all of this, and it's Lus Music. Based in Buruburu and working with artists from the same locale, the stable is slowly but surely becoming a tastemaker in the Kenyan music scene.
Kenyan composer Nyokabi Kariuki was named the winner of the SA Recordings’ prestigious ‘Recompose’ competition. We caught up with her regarding her experience entering the competition, her career journey so far and her inspirations.