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.
Unless you’ve been living on an island with limited Internet connection (then I wish I was you) you must have heard of this song. It’s the new talk of the town. Every cool kid in Nairobi, and probably the whole Kenya knows about it.
If you haven’t, then you might need to be wary of your company.
If you didn’t know by now, let me tell you a secret. There is a huge difference between singing and SINGING. Almost anyone can sing as long as they have a voice. They can belt out tunes, and even make top-charting music.
But fewer people can do the latter. Really SING. Dazzle other human beings with their exquisite voices. Or shut a room up simply by opening their mouths.
In the Kenyan music industry, these guys are way less than the singers. They are almost a rare commodity that deserve to be preserved like a national treasure. That is why this post is here – to appreciate some of the superb Kenyan vocalists right now, who just happen to be female. But don’t worry fellas, your time will come.
From her first single “So Alive” with Octopizzo, I immediately knew that Sage aka Barbara Ng’eno was something special. True to this, years later she still wows crowds with her musical prowess and simple yet deep lyrics. And her voice mahn is just, heaven.
Current situation: Listening to her debut album Expose Yourself.
Since the best way to witness true vocal talent is through a live performance, here she is with one of her biggest songs – Maskini.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5LB9kbVIUM]
Ever since she made her music comeback in 2015, Dela has proven to us why she belongs in the music game. The Kenyan female singer has undeniable talent that led her to release an Afropop album called Back To Public Demand in 2018. Which is quite different from her soulful debut Paukwa in 2010.
Check out this Swahili song that has completely won over my heart, and say Hello again to Dela.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo9MZVz88Ro]
Sanaipei Tande or Sana if you like, is the only remaining singer from Kenya’s musical trio “Sema” of Coca Cola Popstars. If you remember this group, it might be time to look out for white hairs.
Even though they broke up in 2005, Sana has successfully managed to stay relevant in the industry through music and radio as well. It’s also helped that she is so effortlessly sexy #wcw. Luckily she not only has the looks, but also the voice. This music video confirms both.
Atemi is a diva and she knows it. I mean, what else would you call someone who has so much soul and charisma in her?
I can personally attest to this after watching her performing for the first time in 2015. She has been in the music industry since her teenage years, and she doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Carol Atemi Oyungu is famous for being the diva who just loves to sing about love. If you haven’t seen her perform live yet what are you waiting for here’s a little sneak peek for you.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5TaIPnCzr4]
Oh Mayonde… This lady is one of those precious gems that NEEDS to be shared with the whole world. Fortunately, Mayoyo is slowly making a name for herself. The sweet and saucy artist even collaborated with Kagwe Mungai, Muthoni Drummer Queen and Fena Gitu to make one of the biggest Kenyan songs of 2017.
From her Magic in the Air album, here’s your chance to groove to her Isikuti Love.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_ISNsMXN8]
There are so many other gifted female musicians in Kenya that I probably haven’t mentioned. But if I were to go through all of them, it would surely take a whole day.
Now that you’re in on the big music secret, feel free to share other Kenyan female musicians you know who can SING.
If you didn’t know by now, let me tell you a secret. There is a huge difference between singing and SINGING. Almost anyone can sing as long as they have a voice. They can belt out tunes, and even make top-charting music.
But fewer people can do the latter. Really SING. Dazzle other human beings with their exquisite voices. Or shut a room up simply by opening their mouths.
In the Kenyan music industry, these guys are way less than the singers. They are almost a rare commodity that deserve to be preserved like a national treasure. That is why this post is here – to appreciate some of the superb Kenyan vocalists right now, who just happen to be female. But don’t worry fellas, your time will come.
From her first single “So Alive” with Octopizzo, I immediately knew that Sage aka Barbara Ng’eno was something special. True to this, years later she still wows crowds with her musical prowess and simple yet deep lyrics. And her voice mahn is just, heaven.
Current situation: Listening to her debut album Expose Yourself.
Since the best way to witness true vocal talent is through a live performance, here she is with one of her biggest songs – Maskini.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5LB9kbVIUM]
Ever since she made her music comeback in 2015, Dela has proven to us why she belongs in the music game. The Kenyan female singer has undeniable talent that led her to release an Afropop album called Back To Public Demand in 2018. Which is quite different from her soulful debut Paukwa in 2010.
Check out this Swahili song that has completely won over my heart, and say Hello again to Dela.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo9MZVz88Ro]
Sanaipei Tande or Sana if you like, is the only remaining singer from Kenya’s musical trio “Sema” of Coca Cola Popstars. If you remember this group, it might be time to look out for white hairs.
Even though they broke up in 2005, Sana has successfully managed to stay relevant in the industry through music and radio as well. It’s also helped that she is so effortlessly sexy #wcw. Luckily she not only has the looks, but also the voice. This music video confirms both.
Atemi is a diva and she knows it. I mean, what else would you call someone who has so much soul and charisma in her?
I can personally attest to this after watching her performing for the first time in 2015. She has been in the music industry since her teenage years, and she doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Carol Atemi Oyungu is famous for being the diva who just loves to sing about love. If you haven’t seen her perform live yet what are you waiting for here’s a little sneak peek for you.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5TaIPnCzr4]
Oh Mayonde… This lady is one of those precious gems that NEEDS to be shared with the whole world. Fortunately, Mayoyo is slowly making a name for herself. The sweet and saucy artist even collaborated with Kagwe Mungai, Muthoni Drummer Queen and Fena Gitu to make one of the biggest Kenyan songs of 2017.
From her Magic in the Air album, here’s your chance to groove to her Isikuti Love.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_ISNsMXN8]
There are so many other gifted female musicians in Kenya that I probably haven’t mentioned. But if I were to go through all of them, it would surely take a whole day.
Now that you’re in on the big music secret, feel free to share other Kenyan female musicians you know who can SING.
Hey Ya! If no one has done so already, let me be the first to welcome you to October (also known as my birthday month!). And being a new month, I come bearing gifts. Not gifts like iPods, shoes or free DVDs, you can get those offline. What I bring, is something way cooler.
