Sharon Onyango-Obbo wants to heal your inner child with EP “Nyathi Par An”

After an impressive track-record of working with Sol Generation, Ugandan producer and engineer Sharon Onyango-Obbo kickstarts her musical journey with a debut EP that  solidifies why the new school of East African producers is women-led. 

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. As we journey into the themes captured through the 5-track EP, Sharon embraces the duality of appreciating the non-linearity of growth given that confronting our pain and vices may earnestly inspire healing. 

Though most listeners may be familiar with Sharon through Vallerie Muthoni’s Durag, the EP’s first track “three much” is a departure from the upbeat, trap-inspired beats to a more somber, lo-fi tinged R&B. As she finds her footing with exploring new sounds, this track allows Sharon to embrace her prowess in sampling as evidenced by shrilling sounds of laughter at a distance. As we listen to the haunting “Fodi Ku Bino”, translating to “has not come yet”, Obbo explores emotions such as grief in a delicate yet entrancing matter that appeals to the trials and tribulations of soul-searching. Yet, with “Sacred”, Sharon reminds us that even though confronting sorrow or doubt risks revisiting our pain, the possibility of freedom is on the brink of the horizon. As the arguable, stand-out single, Sharon enlists the musicianship of upcoming Kenyan producer and vocalist Nabalayo whose airy vocals cascade around the punchy beat by beckoning us to give power to the “beast” in us, which could be analogous to parts of ourselves that the status quo would typically deem “ugly” or “shameful”.

In sum, Sharon’s pursuits on Nyathi Par An is more than just a feat of production or engineering. It speaks to her clarity of vision and ability to explore heavy-handed subject matter without leaving listeners fatigued. Moreover, the project is a testament to her vibrant future of crafting music that transcends genres with the palpable freedom of being someone who’s got nothing to prove.