Where Are Kenyan Rappers When We Need Them ? Our Favorite Rappers Have Their Mics on Mute

Where Are Kenyan Rappers When We Need Them ? Our Favorite Rappers Have Their Mics on Mute

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 […]

July 7, 2025 3

Featured

New Music on the Radar JUL 4(Ochiko & Mbithi, Mnaya, MASTAR VK and Wakadinali)

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 […]

July 5, 2025 9

Album Review

Victims of Madnes 2.0 Early Impressions by Otieno Arudo

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 […]

July 3, 2025 6

Article

New Music on the Radar – JUN 13(Njerae,Asum Garvey, Fadhilee Itulya,Malosh)

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 […]

June 13, 2025 14

Article

U.S. Kenya Creative Economy Forum 2025: A Game-Changer for Kenyan Music

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 […]

June 11, 2025 55

Article

New Music on the Radar JUN 6 ( Matata, TheLuchi, Willy Paul, An21 KE)

Welcome dear readers to the first weekly music round up of June 2025.We feature a punchy raw rap single from An21 KE and Karis from the Recipe EP that debuted earlier this week on radio 254 exclusively. Two Alternative or (Odi Pop if you love genre names so much) have released songs with almost similar titles, Tiki Tako by Matata and Tikitaka by TheLuchi, what are the odds of that? […]

June 6, 2025 49

Article

Recapping Bien’s U.S. Tour: A Month of Sold-Out Shows, Viral Roosters, and Bold Conversations

When Bien, the charismatic, bald-headed superstar from East Africa, announced his worldwide tour at the end of April, anticipation shot through the roof. Fans across continents waited eagerly to see how the Kenyan artist, fresh off the success of his album Alusa Why Are You Topless?, would take his infectious charisma and genre-bending music global. The first leg — a whirlwind across eight American cities in May 2025 — delivered […]

June 3, 2025 24

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Article

Vibes of Love and Sensuality by Moran

Kenya’s music scene is buzzing with diversity. We’ve got everything from the laid-back vibes of Afrosoul to the high-energy beats of Gengeton. But there’s one thing that often makes people sit up and take notice, the lyrics. Two artists Benzema and Bensoul have become popular for talking about love, sensuality, and relationships, yet the way their music is received couldn’t be more different. Benzema known for his bold, in-your-face style, […]

June 2, 2025 14 2

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Article

June 25th: Octopizzo Recalls History Through Sound

On May 30, 2025, Kenyan rap heavyweight Octopizzo released June 25th, a searing protest anthem that turns raw memory into art, recounting the youth-led anti-finance bill protests of 2024 and the brutal government crackdown that followed. Known for his evolution from braggadocious street rapper to a master of layered, socially conscious production, Octopizzo uses this latest release to craft a sonic historical record. This article offers an in-depth exploration of […]

June 2, 2025 33 2