In the music highlighted this week , romance seems to be on the mind of the artists with them exploring the tension that comes from being unsure in the face of unrequited love. Nikita Kering' unites with Vic West and a whole ensemble to put out an Afro house song that is rich in production techniques to show the tension of love but the narrative ends without a major decision […]
This week’s edition of New Music on the Radar captures a cross-section of sounds that define where the culture stands: intimate storytelling, sharp lyricism, and fearless experimentation. From the unlikely tenderness of Steph Kapela and Fena Gitu’s Say Less, to the charged lyrical warfare of Buruklyn Boyz and Younglouie58’s Digida, and the soulful vulnerability of Hildah Watiri’s Woman, each song reveals an artist in conversation with love, rivalry, and the […]
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 […]
