2021 found me in Kilifi. And not because of Kilifi New Year Festival – which was postponed and later rebranded.
Still I was living my best life: attending beach parties, swimming in nature’s free swimming pool aka the creek, and eating all the viazi karai I could get my hands on.
And then shi(f)t happened.
Like Sam Smith, I know I’m not the only one. This year changed a lot in us – and about us. We made mistakes, we learnt, we grew.
Same thing happened to the Kenyan music scene.
While going through our internal shifts and struggles, Kenyan musicians put in the work! They blessed us with beautiful projects every single month. Soothing soundtracks to the different phases of our rocky lives.
And like some of us, they broke up, made magic and won recognition.
Just like in 2020, I compiled my top Kenyan music projects of the year for you. These 2021 Kenyan albums and EPs are so unique that they’re either your favourites or you’ve not heard of them – yet.
If you don’t know YABA, he’s half of the Kenyan rhumba trap duo Red Acapella later baptised Red A.k.a.fellaz – before they broke up in 2020.
His new sound and EP Rhumbacane is a sweet fusion of rhumba, trap and benga music that is both nostalgic and futuristic. My favourite track is Mashujaa which celebrates our African music legends, from the famous to the forgotten, from Tanzania’s Remmy Ongala to the King of Kenyan Twist John Nzenze.
Talk about trippy downtempo music that blends tribal and jungle sounds with futuristic electronic music.
What else would you expect from Karim Mwondi, the Kenyan DJ producer who took me on my first ever psy-trance journey? With 3 tracks only, this EP is a short and sweet trip featuring a remix of Udulele’s beloved Lamu Tamu.
Shindu Shi is the sophomore album by Omutibo Man after his groundbreaking Afrofusion album KWETU. You’ll fall in love with the soulful Amina featuring fellow mwana wa Ingo Lulu Abdalla.
And in Pombe, Fadhilee takes us round the country for a good time, even kuosha rungu in Masaku (get it?)
It’s not every year you get a full studio project from a Kenyan guitarist, let alone a female one.
Ivy with the good hair enlists vocalists Noel Nderitu and Wambura Mitaru, and producer friends EKM, Rigga and Victor Kimetto to add musical layers to her strings. From the mellow Infinite to the jazzy Kenyan National Anthem remix, this former Coke Studio girl really knows how to rock on her guitar.
After the high-octane single Rhumba and gengetone-vibed Kula Tatu, the award-winning Kenyan vocal group finally released their debut album in November. Their self-titled album is full of funky tunes, soulful anthems and crossover gospel songs.
I bought this 2021 Kenyan album after Sigu’s Showcase Wednesday performance at Alliance Francaise (which was also the album release date) and what a treat!
The 11-track album sounds like a proper live show with classic benga guitars, on-beat drumming, and wild sounds by the deep baritoned Dholuo storyteller who is not afraid to use his strongest instrument. Even though I could barely understand what he was saying, except osiepna, you feelhis soulful Afrofusion music – a testament music is a universal language.
Now, who would have expected a full album from the famous Sauti Sol guitarist who never sings – unlike Kenchez of H_art The Band? Father Studies is Fancy Fingers’ surprisingly sweet ode to his infant son – and Burundian wife – with the help of fellow Kenyan musicians Dela, Nyashinski and Mordecai.
Wielding his guitar on his shoulder and baby Sulwe strapped on his back, dad of the year award goes to…
As cosmic as the artist, Purge features Bakhita’s honey vocals harmonising their signature tenor with a smooth soprano. This EP is funky, jazzy, with a little bit of badass hip hop.
Longtime collaborator and music producer LEMI came through with the keys; they have great chemistry as seen from their live performance at The Terrace Kilifi.
What happens when you combine music, spoken word and storytelling? Well, you get an emotive album that speaks to your soul as young Kenyans tell their stories of hope, pain and loss in an unfair and unequal society.
Led by Dorphanage, one of the Kenya’s best spoken word artists, this moving message is worth listening and paying attention to.
Probably the most unique Kenyan album you’ll hear this year, Rebirth is simply cinematic music – from ambient piano ballads to melodic dubstep to progressive house tracks that could have been made by Skrillex.
While only Midnight Therapy has his vocals, the rest are soundtracks ready and ripe for the big screen, video games, and high budget ads. They sound like they belong in a Nest Collective film – if the Kenyan collective didn’t make their own already.
Dope Projects that Didn’t Make The List
I couldn’t end this list without sharing some special mentions recommended by fellow music junkies. Can you relate?
Kitenge EP by Nviiri the Storyteller
Catch a Vibe EP by Kenyan R&B queen Karun
Medicine EP by Bensoul the medicineman
Simple Man by our favourite band H_art the Band
A Side of Me EP by our very own Ariana Grande ~ Nikita Kering
Sherehe EP by AFRIMA Awards’ Best African Jazz Band Hornsphere
City on a Hill by crossover gospel artist Noel Nderitu
Bald Men Love Better EP by the bad and bald Bien and Aaron Rimbui
River by the genre-bending Muthoni Drummer Queen
Life Before the Apocalypse by Brother Tetu Shani
So which was your favourite 2021 Kenyan album or EP? Let me know in the comments.
As I usually say, discovery is a forever gig as a music junkie – like you or me.
Whether shi(f)t happens or not.
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For a year that felt like gloom and doom, there have been so many Kenyan music projects released in 2020. Too many in fact.
So which ones should you listen to?
In the spirit of resilience, most Kenyan musicians did not let this unprecedented year mess up their plans. As Tetu Shani once said, I got plans for 2020… Corona will not stop me.
The lack of live gigs only seemed to fuel their creative fire. They’ve been busy cooking in the music kitchen.
And every other week, another Kenyan artist would announce on Instagram they have a new project out. Meaning more music to chill with as we worked (and played) at home.
Because of this, I have sampled plenty of new Kenyan albums and EPs in 2020. And there are many more I haven’t listened to yet.
If I were to name them all, this article would turn into a book.
So let’s cut to the chase. The following albums and EPs impressed me from the first listen. Here are my top 10 – in order of release date.
The first thing that enticed me to this Kenyan album was the Voguesque black and white cover art. Serro was determined to release her debut album with a bang! (no pun intended)
3 years in the making, KUWE is a clear display of Serro’s versatility as an Afrofusion artist. Whether it’s sampling benga, bango, reggae, Afrosoul, or singing in 5 different African languages, Serro has done it all.
Mwanzo might still be our favourite Sauti Sol album but Midnight Train pulled up in 2020 to steal the show. The globe-trotting Kenyan band have cemented themselves as African legends with this classic Kenyan album which pays homage to the past while looking towards Babylon.
Between tantalizing Afropop records, fusing rhumba with trap music, surprise international features, and even putting Luhya on an Afro-house record, what’s not to love about Midnight Train.
After an electrifying opening performance at Kilifi New Year 2020, The Kaya Collective transferred their explosive energy into the studio. Theireponymous debut album is a mchuzi mix of punk rock, benga, jazz, reggae, and everything in between. It’s like hearing the Kenyan-British band live for the first time.
Favourites: Nairobeat, Tell Me, The Beast Was Slain
I first knew about this female Kenyan musician through a Reform Radio Nairobi Connect mix by DJ Lasta. And after hearing the chakacha laden Mwana wa Gorofa ya Nabalayo, I was hooked!
You will be lured in by her honey vocals, Swahili lyricism, and wild experimentation with all kinds of sounds that will surely changanya you.
Favourites: Mwana wa Gorofa, Cry me a river, Gari ya moshi
What a blessing we got from Bensoul while we were dealing with constricting curfews and being locked down at home. Qwarantunes was made during the quarantine season and it includes everything we love about Papa Soul: soulful ballads, 420 anthems, and naughty references from the big Dzaddy of the year.
After a whole year of releasing one song a month in his OSAM challenge, Tetu Shani finally released his debut EP in 2020.
JBWFDMWB is the epitome of Kenyan alternative rock that might remind you of those X FM days – with a touch of AfroLatin. It was recorded at Fadhilee Itulya’s Nairobi penthouse, where the Omutibo King also recorded his second album Shindu Shi.
Favourite: Just Because We Fight Doesn’t Mean We’re Broken
Now, this is what you call music therapy for the soul. Njoki Karu’s heavenly voice and ethereal melodies swept me away from planet earth and took me to bliss in 22 minutes. This autobiography of her heart will do the same for you.
FIRE is that project we never knew we needed. Ayrosh seduces both you and your lover in Gikuyu while DJ Mura lays down the most sensual R&B and lo-fi beats ever. Basically, this 4-track EP is absolute fire!
This Gondwana label EP closes the year as the golden sunset does to a glorious day. Winyo’s sweet voice, Kato Change’s signature guitars, and Suraj’s superb production combine to create authentic Kenyan house music that will make you dance! What else do you expect from the musicians who made the Kenyan house anthem Abiro?
Since they couldn’t fit in this top 10 list, here are some special mentions:
My Way by Wendy Kay – Four tracks, four producers, one lead singer. My Way is our official introduction to the soulful songstress who keeps on reinventing herself.
Nairobass by XPRSO– The NuNairobi producer collective gave us an eclectic and bass-driven project in 2020. From the club popping Party to the conscious track Thinking, it has something for every youngin.
Odes by Queens andBLK2541 by Waithaka – The US-based prolific producer broke a record: two albums in one year. While Odes is an all-female Kenyan album, BLK2541 features both boys and girls from Afrika and the diaspora.
Vikky Secrets by Steph Kapela – Steph’s sultry R&B side comes out to play on his debut album. Expect plenty of Trey Songz’ Trigga vibes on this one.
Njaa ya Nai by RIZE – They say there’s a certain hunger for success when you’re living in the fast and furious city of Nairobi. Rising star RIZE puts it out there in Gikuyu, Swahili, and English while featuring Steph the rapper (who also released her own Change EP in 2020).
I know I have barely scratched the surface with this list. They are too many gems lying underneath.
If your favourite project isn’t mentioned here, share it in the comments with a short and sweet synopsis.
So, which 2020 Kenyan album or EP took you through this gloomy year?
In part 1 of Waithaka’s story, the former athlete reconnected to his first passion in the States. He started by playing piano in a Pan-African band and later evolved into the music producer we know him as today. From running track to making tracks.
In 2010, he came back to Kenya for the first time in 10 years. And met a plethora of Kenyan musicians, thanks to Provoke. But he found the perfect partner in Kwame Rigii and they made sweet sweet music together.
Two collaborative EPs later, Waithaka met his next big artist.
Ididn’t know how I was getting to Kilifi. I mean, I’ve been there before so I should know the drill.
However, the SGR train to Mombasa was fully booked. And the only available buses from Nairobi to Kilifi would arrive on the second day of Kilifi New Year.
I was stuck. If only I had booked that night bus before Christmas.
I have been to Kilifi New Year twice. Both times it was magic. I was so enchanted by the bush beats and bass in 2018 that I had to go back for the 2019 countdown. But I have a feeling this year’s edition will be the most epic one.
June 2019 has been a special month, especially for Kenyan music. In just four weeks, four music launch parties happened in Nairobi. I attended 2 of them, and I already told you about the first one.
The second one had the same musicians on stage. Because Mutoriah is everywhere!
One of my favourite things about being an events junkie is discovering new artists and music I probably wouldn’t have heard of. This is why I attend so many events, for those who’ve been asking. And that is exactly how I met Mr Jemedari.
