Banter
The Mathree Chronicles: The Art of the Matatu False Start
We have all been there. You are crammed into a 14-seater matatu, cheek-to-cheek with a stranger, sweating out your life choices. You have been sitting at the stage for forty-five minutes. Suddenly, the engine roars. The driver engages the gear and rolls the vehicle forward by exactly two inches. Your heart leaps. “Finally,” you think, […]
The 15-Second Curse: How TikTok is Killing Longevity in Kenyan Music
The Kenyan music scene is experiencing a fast-paced evolution, but it comes at a steep cost. Walk into any studio in Nairobi today, and the conversation rarely centers around timeless storytelling or complex instrumentation. Instead, the ultimate goal has shifted: “Is this catchy enough for a 15-second TikTok challenge?” While the platform has undeniably democratized […]
North London Forever: Kenyan Artists Celebrate Arsenal’s Historic Premier League Title
The 22-year wait is officially over, and North London is painted red! Following Arsenal’s crucial 1-0 victory over Burnley and Manchester City’s dramatic 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta’s squad has clinched the 2025/26 Premier League championship with a game to spare. Across Kenya, the celebrations are deafening, but nobody is louder right now than […]
The Steel Wall: Navigating the Music Industry in 2026
Pursuing a music career in 2026 often feels like a grueling physical feat: spending ridiculous amounts of energy and resources every day to push against a concrete-and-steel wall, praying that one day, it might finally budge. Between the saturated algorithms, the high cost of production, and the noise of a million daily uploads, the barrier […]
“Si once we leave jobbo tunapiga sherehe?”: A Salute to the Cheers Baba Era
There was a specific time in Kenya, roughly around late 2018, when the air smelled of designer perfumes, expensive whiskey, and the infectious beat of King Kaka’s “Dundaing” featuring Kristoff and Magix Enga. It was the peak of the “Cheers Baba” culture—a time when Kenyan English took a hilarious, posh turn, and everyone was suddenly “dundaing” after […]
Setting the Standard: Why Virusi Mbaya’s Transparent Rate Card is a Game Changer
In an industry often shrouded in “DM for inquiry” mystery, veteran Kenyan rapper Virusi Mbaya just did something revolutionary: he gave the public a receipt. By openly sharing his professional rate card, the lyricist has sparked a vital conversation about the business of music in Kenya. The Numbers Behind the Talent Virusi Mbaya’s rates reflect both his […]
“Ask Fally or Diamond”: Khaligraph Jones Sets New Vetting Rules for His DMs
In the world of Kenyan entertainment, few artists command as much respect—or stir as much controversy—as Khaligraph Jones. Known as “The OG,” the rapper has long been a vocal advocate for the Play Kenyan Music movement. Recently, he took his stance a step further by revealing a strict new “vetting process” for anyone sliding into his Direct Messages […]
When Legends Align: BLOGA FLANI X UKOO FLANI Finally Meet Up at the Historic ‘Ndio Hii’ Album Launch
Last night was one of the most important nights in my career as a music journalist. I got to meet the legendary group that has something to do with this brand name. When I picked this name I referenced the group because most of my content revolved around rap music. Sitting side by side with […]
The Sheng Supremacy: Why the “English Flow” Struggles to Rule Kenya
In the heart of the 254, the debate over linguistic authenticity in hip-hop has raged since the days of Kalamashaka. Today, Khaligraph Jones stands as the undisputed “OG,” but his path to the throne was anything but a straight line. When he first emerged, he arrived with a polished, rapid-fire USA “twang” that left many […]
The Colloblue Conundrum: Why the Sol Generation Publishing Deal is Not a Mistake
The Kenyan music scene was set abuzz this week when Colloblue, a popular dancer and choreographer known for the viral hit “Up Burukanga,” officially signed a deal with Sol Generation Publishing. While many fans celebrated the milestone, others were left confused, questioning why a dancer with only a handful of songs would be signed to the […]
