May 12, 2026
The Arbantone Illusion: When Nostalgia Replaces Innovation
For the past year, the Kenyan airwaves have been dominated by a “new” sound. It’s energetic, it’s everywhere, and it’s labeled “Arbantone.” But if you peel back the layers of heavy bass and high-energy music videos, a uncomfortable truth emerges: Arbantone isn’t a genre—it’s a remix strategy. We have reached a point where the Kenyan […]
The Great Chiromo Exodus: A Quest for a Dignified Throne
In the annals of the University of Nairobi’s history, many battles have been fought. Students have braved teargas, “comrade’s power” chants, and the legendary toughness of Sukuma wiki. But Ciru Muriuki recently reminded us of a different kind of struggle—one that took place not in the lecture halls of Chiromo, but in the stalls. Ciru’s […]
From Watchdogs to Mouthpieces: The Weaponization of Kenyan Music
Historically, Kenyan music served as the ultimate check on power. During the Moi era, Eric Wainaina’s “Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo” became an anthem for a nation exhausted by corruption, and Ukoo Flani Mau Mau used hip-hop to voice the struggles of the disenfranchised. These artists acted as the conscience of the people, demanding accountability through […]
