As the nation takes a reflective pause on Mazingira Day—a moment to meditate on balance, renewal, and our place in the ecosystem of life—Kenyan artists have responded with music that mirrors the same introspection. From Khaligraph Jones peeling back layers of bravado to reveal a rare vulnerability as he publicly speaks on Sagini for the first time, to Wameyo continuing his steady rebellion against genre boundaries with unflinching precision, the […]
From day one, we promised to push Kenyan music and culture to the world—and this year we’ve been doing exactly that. Here’s a spirited round-up of what we’ve launched, who we’ve amplified, and where we’re headed next. Spoiler: September is about to be a movie. 🎬 🚀 February: Website Glow-Up We kicked off the year by upgrading our website, making it easier for artists, DJs, and show hosts to plug […]
With two years left to Kenya’s next general elections, we have already begun to see different candidates declaring their interest in the country’s top job. The constitution of Kenya outlines very clearly what the requirements are to be eligible to run for office. Despite these requirements being enshrined in the constitution and gazetted by the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), every election cycle, we see many people declare their […]
Welcome to the August 8th edition, where the week’s playlist feels like a sonic kaleidoscope. 8SG return with a modern concerto that stitches together traditions centuries apart yet united by the same percussive heartbeat — a rallying cry for their self-declared mission to breathe fresh fire into Kenyan drill. Maandy, meanwhile, turns the mirror inward with a dose of uncharacteristic introspection, proving even the baddest can have soft shadows. On […]
Hip-hop, at its core, has always been more than just beats and rhymes; it is a potent, unfiltered voice of the streets, a chronicle of societal triumphs and tribulations, and a powerful catalyst for change.1 Globally, from Public Enemy's searing critiques of systemic injustice in the US with anthems like "Fight the Power," to Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer-winning reflections on race and identity, the genre has consistently provided a platform for […]
Welcome to the July 4 edition of our music deep-dive, where we explore the beats, bars, and brilliance defining Kenya’s ever-evolving soundscape. From fearless street anthems to introspective protest psalms, this week’s selections remind us why Kenyan music remains both a mirror and a megaphone for society. Whether it’s Wakadinali’s sharp urban commentary, Mnaya’s spiritual defiance, or the playful yet defiant wordplay of MASTAR VK and Toxic Lyrikali, these songs […]
After nearly two months of cryptic tweets, late-night Instagram Lives, and snippets shared in dingy studio corners, Wakadinali’s Victims of Madness 2.0 has finally dropped — and it lands like a concrete slap on Nairobi’s underground rap scene. The Rong Rende collective, known for transforming street slang into anthems and drill cadences into cultural phenomena, teased this project as a return to their roots while simultaneously promising sonic reinvention. Fans […]
This week’s picks are for the real lovers—four songs that stretch genre lines while staying rooted in local narratives. From soul-stirring Afro-Indie reflections and raw Swahili rap confessions to playful coastal ballads and high-energy dancefloor anthems, the JUN 13 edition of New Music on the Radar celebrates both musical experimentation and emotional honesty. Whether it’s Njerae reaching across continents, Asum Garvey switching cadence, Fadhilee Itulya revisiting ancestral grooves, or Malosh […]
Last Thursday, Nairobi buzzed with creativity as the U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum 2025 kicked off at the plush Emara Ole-Sereni hotel. Organized by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (AmCham), this landmark event brought together over 300 industry heavyweights, policymakers, and artists to unlock the potential of Kenya’s creative sector. For Kenyan music lovers, the forum’s ripple effects could reshape the industry, with stars […]
