Have you ever been blown away by a song? So much that you keep going back to it every other day? And even though you’ve been there 10 times already, it still feels fresh and brand new?
“Tell Me This” by Asili Dub is that song.
Category: Music
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The reason why “Kasyoki Wa Mitumba” by Serro went viral
There have been a lot of great Kenyan songs released in 2019, but not like this one. I have never seen a song pick up that fast other than Extravaganza or Khali Cartel 3. Which to be fair, featured a cluster of Kenyan music superstars.
But what is it about Kasyoki Wa Mitumba that made Serro suddenly blow up?
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How to own your culture with Ayrosh’s music #Murasta
It’s embarrassing to not know your own language. Especially at a family gathering and you’re the only one who can’t join in the lively conversation. Or even get to know your grandmother.
I almost did though.
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Let Vallerie Muthoni impress you with her latest EP Pisces SZN
It’s Pisces SZN again! That’s how Vallerie Muthoni’s nu project blasts off in your ears. Bold and fierce like Sasha Fierce, the young black queen is back to show us some new drip and flow in 2019.
If you’re like me, then you secretly listen to new music to learn about the artist and find things you can relate to. Well step aside and watch as Brown Suga flexes her different sides in her latest EP. Which she released on her birthday – 14th March 2019 – as an ironic gift to us.
Her debut project the Wavey Soul was not even a year old yet. In August 2018, she introduced us to her soulful R&B side as well as her hardcore hip-hop vibe: Vallerie Muthoni is a singer, rapper, and deep thinker.
The 5-track EP is a declaration of who she is – the wavey soul who is as deep as the ocean and as beautiful as the sea. You could say she has fully embraced her zodiac water sign.
That’s why Pisces SZN is the perfect continuation.
In her new project, she explores her versatility as a young Kenyan musician through four distinct chapters. Legendary Shit (with a clean version for radio) is for the true hip-hop fans. On top of a bouncy trap beat, she declares she’s the hip-hop queen and her crown still fits. Why? She’s been working hard and never plans to quit.
In the energy-packed verses, she shouts out Zazibar for their natural organic drinks. And reminds you about her opening performance at Burna Boy’s Thrift Social concert in Nairobi. Just in case you forgot.
In the second chapter, she transforms into an R&B diva. New Flex is about moving on after a love gone wrong. She sinks deep into her emotions like a true Pisces baby. Thank God she’s found some New Flex as her waves never die – a clever reference to her first EP.
The R&B track also has a future bass outro just like her 2018 hit song Brown Suga. Where she confessed she might take your man though it’s not the plan.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCyU9otlGg?rel=0]
She couldn’t help herself. Brown Suga finally hops on the Afrobeats bandwagon in Spicy Szn. The third chapter carries a Masego sax vibe – she’s a huge stan according to her Twitter. There are rumours that he performed in Nairobi on May 2019 thanks to her fervent tweets and prayers.
Back to Spicy SZN; this groovy jam is sure to send you to the dancefloor. It features Kenyan rapper/ producer TAIO with his slick lines and the sultry songstress LE RU with her honey vocals. Meanwhile, Vallerie flexes about being a goddess who lives lavish and only likes finer things, including men.
But to be honest, she only got time for the dough.
Directed by the talented Natasha Ayoo, Spicy SZN won best music video of the year at the UnKut Africa Hip Hop Awards 2019. And you can see why when you watch the fun video filled with some of your favourite Kenyan artists.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbLqBCirgF0&rel=0]
A Milli Refix is a special one. You do not anticipate the live instrumentation by Victor Kimetto on the legendary Lil Wayne beat. Brown Suga spits some more confident bars on the familiar instrumental and sprinkles some Gikuyu spice to honour her Kenyan roots. She even pays respect to conscious Kenyan rapper Jason Kali cause he was a lion.
She performed this unique hip-hop refix live for the first time during her birthday party at MUZE club on Friday 15th March. To be honest, I didn’t know how banging it was until I heard it at home on my speakers.
That night at MUZE, I was too busy admiring her all-black outfit and bold confidence on stage. She’s so sure of herself you just want to watch her all night and vibe. And it translates into her fresh NuNairobi music.
KrissiO, YonasKbeats and Ransom Beatz made this short and sweet EP too spicy. It was recorded, mixed, mastered and co-produced by the audio master himself Jaaz Odongo. Yup, this is legendary shit. So go low and download Piscez SZN on Mookh to support a Kenyan queen and her new drip.
It’s technically no longer Pisces season (Feb 18 – March 20) but it’s still spicy szn. And what a spicy year it has been for Brown Suga. I mean, she’s performing at Kilifi New Year 2020! What more could one need?
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How Mayonde is already killing it in 2019
From the beginning, she’s been killing it. First as Diana Nduba as she tried to find her unique sound. She then settled with Mayonde, a fitting name for this Kenyan goddess who believes she was once an ancient Mayan ruler.
In 2015, you would have classified her as an indie soul singer just from listening to her debut album Magic in The Air. She charmed her way into our hearts with the uplifting Rise, heavenly Angels and the dancey Isikuti Love. But this was only a teaser.
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5 Afrofusion Albums That Will Make You Proud To Be Kenyan
What is your favourite music genre? I bet you’ve been asked that question one too many times. Usually, I mumble reggae, R&B, or house music. But I always end up with one solid answer: Afro-fusion.
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Discover your Roots and Wings with IMI’s Acoustic EP
The first time I heard about IMI was because of Dala Vol 2. She was one of the Afro indie-soul musicians performing at the live acoustic session in Nairobi, organized by one Junior Nyongo (If you know you know).
I was this close to going, even though I didn’t know who she was, or whether she was Kenyan or not. But the soulful singer-songwriter eventually caught my attention with her debut acoustic EP in October 2018.
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Love Respect Repeat is the NU Theme by Ayrosh and Ythera (Video)
You knew this was coming, yeah?
After that hilarious yet genius cover of Sauti Sol’s Short N Sweet, Ayrosh is back with another one. Two times in one month. Man’s not stopping.
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Let’s Fall In Love – Kenyan Style
I don’t get Valentines Day. So much red yet there’s so little love around. Every year, we’re expected to show our love on a specific day of a specific month, as if romantic love comes with a limited offer. Can’t we send flowers on other days of the year?
So once again, we have to brave through this strange February holiday. Rebel tactfully against the red capitalistic system that seems to drive sales more than love. Even my friends are tired of it.
Or maybe it’s because we’re single.
Anyway, last year at a time like this, we were wondering whether or not we should fall in love. All because some attractive people seem not to know how to like us back.
Like seriously, what’s up with that? Do they need a comprehensive manual on how to love a woman? Or a famous dead scientist to spell out the chemistry in the air?
Okay. Let’s all take a deep breath in.
But this year will be different. We shall love ourselves and we shall be loved – naturally, without begging or longing. Love will hang around us like a best friend, and we shall freely administer a dose to anyone who needs it. Which is everyone.
Starting right here in the 254.
Are you ready to fall in love with these Kenyan love songs?
*cues playlist*
Speaking of love, I would LOVE to know which Kenyan artist you’d like to know more about. Someone cool you think we should interview on the radio show/podcast or here on the blog. We might not be able to go higher than Biko, but there must be other funny creatives in Kenya.
Right?
Now say it with me: Less red, more love.
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Music of The Month – January 2018
It’s been a good month, clearly when you see this post. After many months of absence without leave or notice, the music bug has finally caught up with me. It’s time to administer a heavy dose of great new music to you music junkies.