New Music on the Radar AUG 8 (Maandy, Savara, 8th Street Gang and Harry Craze)

New Music on the Radar AUG 8 (Maandy, Savara, 8th Street Gang and Harry Craze)

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 […]

August 13, 2025 9

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New Music on the Radar JUL 18 (Bien, HR the Messenger, Noisey Boi and Kethan)

This week’s selection of standout Kenyan releases invites listeners into a world of emotional honesty, romantic reflection, and hard truths. Across the board, artists explore love in its most complex forms—love that heals, love that hurts, love that never quite arrived. These songs are soaked in longing, quiet epiphanies, and the sting of past disappointments. Some tracks feel like letters unsent, while others are declarations finally spoken out loud. There […]

July 18, 2025 39

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New Music on the Radar JUL 11

This week’s new releases arrive like a refreshing breeze on a scorching afternoon — vibrant, layered, and bursting with stories that feel both intimate and universal. From witty bro codes to soul-stirring freedom chants, dance floor anthems to dreamy coastal escapes, Kenyan artists continue to redefine what it means to blend tradition with modern sound. Our roundup for July 11 dives into songs that refuse to sit quietly in the […]

July 12, 2025 33

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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 27

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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 46 2

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New Music on the Radar MAY 30 (Chimano, Zawadi, Llumi, King Kaka & More)

New Music on the Radar MAY 30 Zawadi Mukami is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Fresh off the Musings EP — released just earlier this month and already becoming a fan and critic favorite — the singer dives headfirst into the world of rap, delivering a strong, unexpected verse over a KiliHippie beat alongside BoiBlacc. What’s striking is how this release fits into a larger trend in Kenyan […]

May 30, 2025 33

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New Music on the Radar MAY 23(Breeder LW, Femi One, Dezel Kong, Vic West)

You would be forgiven for thinking we are in February after going through the songs we have highlighted today. The meme has been about recession indicators recently, but quickly ask your preferred chat bot if the release of love songs is any way related to recession. The brash no nonsense Femi One of all people is surprisingly in her lover girl era and recruits the reigning queen of love […]

May 28, 2025 23 2

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New Music on the Radar MAY 16 (We are Nubia, Nviiri, Clark Keeng, Dufla & Femi One)

Dear reader, welcome to this week’s edition of New Music on the Radar, MAY 16. This week, we highlight the turn to vernacular lyricism: a complete one by dancehall star Dufla Diligon in Adok Ebei and a partial one by Nviiri the storyteller in Mwana wa Mubi. The Jinja born artist has spent much of his adult life in Kenya and shaped its urban culture so much that few fans […]

May 16, 2025 159