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 EP Takes East African Music To New Heights
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.
Lil Maina Proves He's Here To Stay With Hard Hitting Debut Album
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.
Exploring Love & Vulnerability with Razor Man's Latest EP "Conversations We Should Have Had"
Released in September of 2023, “Conversations We Should Have Had” is a project that delves into ideas of vulnerability and openness in romantic relationships.
‘When The Sun Sets’ - An Ode To Saying Goodbye To What Was Once Beautiful
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.
New Comma Brings Common Ground Series To Nairobi
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’s Bigger Than Biggie Marks A New Era in His Experimental Drill Career
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.
Smash (or Pass): Dope-I-Mean and Boutrouss Bring the Game to Life in New Club Anthem
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
Breaking the cycle of Toxic Relationships with Zowie’s Debut EP, “You Never Learn”
“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.
MAUIMØON is here to stay with new EP ‘From Uganda with Love’
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: A Nairobi Time Capsule
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.
Sharon Onyango-Obbo wants to heal your inner child with EP “Nyathi Par An”
Directly translating to “my child” from the Eastern-Ugandan dialect Dhopadola, Nyathi Par An beckons listeners to embrace introspection to reconcile their inner child's needs.
Just A Band’s Triumphant Return
Still beloved and already legendary, this comeback is not merely a nostalgic trip but rather the beginning of yet another iconic cultural shift by a group that has honed its skill and seen enough stories to tell.
Trust The Vibe with Kibra on Her Latest Track, “Nile”
Eritrean/Canadian artist Kibra impresses with strong effortless vocals that perfectly peak through this song’s mix. Never once losing our attention or focus as the song progresses, Kibra’s voice expertly weaves in and out of the instrumental, delivering her message with calm confidence.
Taste the Rainbow with Uganda’s Bero in her latest track “Colors”
Uganda’s Bero's latest track “Colors” is a song that instantly fills you with joy. From its groovy percussive patterns, to its earworm of a chorus, we’re warmly welcomed into Bero’s brilliantly lit up world of love.
Caleb Awiti - “All To My Own”, Is It Simping, If It Sounds Good?
In the last few years, Caleb has established himself as an RnB prodigy. His musical style is reminiscent of some of the 2010’s greatest international RnB and hip hop stars. His innovative production choices and simple, repetitive lyrics that clearly define his feelings and musings put him in the excellent position of capturing his audience's attention from the moment they press play. “All To My Own”, is an instant bop that had us grooving from minute one. No doubt Caleb has found his groove and we’re excited to be witnessing this young RnB marvel grow.
East Mpaka London - Buruklyn Boyz Punchy Style Wins Over Fans
Buruklyn Boyz’ debut album has been long anticipated by hip hop fans. The charismatic duo are the de facto leaders of the Nairobi drill scene, a fact cemented by critical acclaim within Nairobi and beyond the Kenyan borders.
Get Intimate With mau from nowhere On His Latest Single, Fireflies
In this sombre yet hopeful track, mau from nowhere tells the tale of a young man finding his way in a time of extreme fluctuation.