There’s something magnetic about Musings, the five-track EP from Clark Keeng, Zawadi, and Chris Barr. The five-track collection feels like an intriguing cinematic odyssey and the soundtrack to an old-school film noir lost to time. Desire, that most human of threads, is the linchpin here, pulling at each track and linking them to form a clearly cohesive body of work.
Njoki Karu’s debut album Mwihoko: Utheri wa Ngoro, Kikuyu for Hope: Light for the Heart, feels like a sacred offering. It is deeply spiritual, deeply human, and deeply healing.
Odes by Queens is more than just an album; it is a defining moment in Kenyan music history. As the first all-female album in the country, it showcases the talent and diversity of Kenyan women in music.
From the celebratory Tuliwano to the sultry Whine Slow V2, Soundlykbb has put together a project that’s made for movement, for feeling good, and for embracing the moment. Whether you’re celebrating a win or simply vibing with the crowd, this EP is the soundtrack for living in the now.
From the sultry exploration of desire in Tangerine, to the haunting reflections of MP4 Player, Turunesh showcases her remarkable ability to articulate the dynamism and complexities of modern relationships
The Goethe Institute’s latest installment of The Jam was nothing short of spectacular, providing a vibrant evening that once again celebrated Kenya’s diverse musical talent.
After consciously taking a few steps away from music, Bakhita has signalled their intention of getting back into the scene in a big way this year.
Chuki, which translates to ‘Hate’ in Swahili, is a 6 track EP composed of African contemporary and Afro House music alongside a slew of artists from around the continent. Despite its title, this EP is a body of work with an abundance of love at its core and bliss at its crest.
Having a lineup of producers and artists like NDOVU KUU, Afamefuna, Scar Mkadinali and Buruklyn Boyz on his debut shows how earnest he is about honing his craft beyond what people expect of him. Lil Maina might be able to make us all laugh, but he’s proving that we can also always count on him to keep us dancing and maybe sometimes put us all in our feelings.
Released in September of 2023, “Conversations We Should Have Had” is a project that delves into ideas of vulnerability and openness in romantic relationships.
Shawn describes his EP as a tender message for black men undergoing romantic hardships, affirming the significance of allowing oneself to weather through difficult emotions because as sure as the sun rises and falls, the tunnel is always followed by the light.
Under a cloudy Nairobi sky, a united drill community gathered at The Alchemist, a renowned bar in the heart of the city’s party district, for rising social media platform New Comma’s “Common Ground” event.
Jodye Faneto is one of Kenya’s burgeoning drill acts. His discography features both solo and collaborative projects including fan favorites such as Postman Pat, Tembea Na Kidungi, Damu, and No Likes. Since launching his career, the MAD Records signee has been keen on hardcore rap. However, earlier in the year, he announced his intention to experiment with dark and eerie music, and his latest EP, Bigger Than Biggie (BTB) lived up to this commitment.
Dope-I-Mean, also known as Shambala Boy, is a versatile vocalist signed to the ADF music label, the home of Boutrous, Jovie Jovv, and Groovy Jo. His ability to rap with a punchy shrap cadence or sing softly has seen him incorporate a number of melodic sounds into his pop-leaning music, as evidenced by his 2018 project Shambala. One of the most consistent ADF musicians with regards to releasing music, Dope-I-Mean teamed up with Boutrouss to produce the club anthem Smash
“You Never Learn” is a concoction of feeling. Written over the period of a couple years, Zowie admits the hurdles she faced whilst putting the project together, often losing sight of what she wanted to communicate in favour of catering to other people’s desires. Nonetheless, time and discernment proved her closest friends, as it soon became clear that she desired a project that showcased her talent and reflected her reality; in essence, a body of work that she could call her own.
Wild experimentation tempered by a steady, sure-bet inclination seems to be his guiding force, a humble gamble that has paid off time and time again. In case anyone doubted it, ‘From Uganda with Love’ has set MAUIMØON apart as a flag bearer for East Africa’s burgeoning RnB Alt scene.
INSHA has been a beautiful moment for these Nairobi artists to take time and reimagine our history, as well as to relevantly allow younger generations access to our cultures and demark time in a way that is pertinent to them.
