It appears as though every other day, a Kenyan loses their life in the hands of the Kenyan police. As Radio 254, we believe that one life lost is too much as nobody should have to lose their life for speaking up but that is the sad reality that Kenyans are facing under the regime of William Ruto. It has not been even three years since this government came to […]
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 […]
To the Government of Kenya, We, the people, would like to inform you of what is going on in the country because you seem to be so oblivious and tone deaf to the situation. On June 25th, the people of Kenya, Gen Zote, came out both mourn and honor the living of the many Kenyan youths that have lost their lives as a result of your government’s actions. Unfortunately, the […]
In Greek mythology, Pandora, driven by curiosity, opened a forbidden box, unleashing plagues, sorrow, and chaos upon humanity, leaving only hope trapped inside. Once opened, the box’s evils could not be contained, a cat irrevocably let out of the bag. On June 17, 2025, the Kenyan state, through its response to protests in Nairobi and Mombasa, appeared to open its own Pandora’s box, unleashing anarchy that spiraled beyond control. The […]
At Radio 254, we’re always excited to celebrate our Kenyan culture in fresh and creative new ways. When Kenya Cane launched the new Lemon and Ginger flavor, we were able to create a campaign that brought the vision to life through music, stories, and our culture. It was a chance to connect with our audience in a real way, highlighting what makes us proudly Kenyan while introducing a bold new […]
Welcome to the June 20 edition of New Music on the Radar, where we track the pulse of Kenya’s evolving soundscape. This week’s roundup offers a diverse sonic buffet — from the sharpened symbolism of Buruklyn Boyz’s Machete, to the heartfelt vows exchanged in Jovial and Otile Brown’s wedding anthem I Got You. Toxic Lyrikali rides a Jamaican riddim into Nairobi’s lived reality on Backbencher, while Gwaash teams up with […]
Kenya is witnessing a resurgence of widespread protests, dubbed Maandamano Season 2, a powerful echo of the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Sparked by the brutal death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody, these protests shifted focus from economic grievances to a searing demand for justice against police brutality. The organic movement returning to the streets was aptly captured by an X user going by […]
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 […]
