Entertainment
Paid in Exposure: The Silent Struggle of Nairobi’s Artists
In Nairobi’s vibrant creative scene, talent is abundant, energy is unmatched, and ambition runs deep. Yet beneath the surface lies a persistent and troubling reality—artists are still being asked to perform for “exposure,” meals, or a few complimentary drinks instead of fair monetary compensation. For many emerging and even mid-level artists, this has become an […]
“Anitah” Is a Reminder That Replay Value Still Matters in Kenyan Music
At a time when the Kenyan music industry feels increasingly driven by the chase for instant hits, “Anitah” offers something refreshingly different—longevity. The track, a collaboration between duo Jivu and Khaligraph Jones, leans into a quality that has become rare: replay value. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just grab your attention once—it keeps […]
Careem: The Unwavering Voice of Boom Bap in Coastal Hip Hop
In an era where Kenyan hip hop continues to evolve—often leaning into trap, drill, and Afrofusion influences—Careem stands as a deliberate outlier. Hailing from Mombasa, the rapper has built his identity on a foundation many consider nostalgic: old school boom bap. While trends have pulled artists toward more commercially viable sounds, Careem has chosen consistency […]
JRoz: Crafting Power, Identity, and Resilience in Nairobi’s Rap Scene
Janet Rose Oloo, professionally known as JRoz, is steadily carving out her space in Nairobi’s ever-evolving hip hop landscape. Since beginning her music journey in 2015, the rapper has built a brand rooted in authenticity, resilience, and self-definition—qualities that are increasingly rare yet deeply necessary in today’s industry.Her stage name, JRoz, is more than just […]
NILOTIC to Global Stages: The Rise of Elsy Wameyo
Four years ago, Elsy Wameyo quietly released NILOTIC, an EP that would mark the beginning of a remarkable journey. What made the project stand out immediately wasn’t just the sound, but the process behind it—she wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered the entire body of work herself. In an industry where artists often rely on large […]
Hits Without Wealth: The Financial Literacy Gap in Gengetone
Have you ever asked yourself why Gengetone artists, even after releasing hit songs and racking up millions of views, still seem stuck in the same environments they came from? It’s a question that keeps coming up, especially when you compare them to artists in other genres who appear to translate similar or even smaller success […]
Hype vs Legacy: Is Mejja Reinventing or Reaching?
Rumors surrounding Mejja allegedly paying influencers and bloggers to push his latest album Mtoto wa Khadija have sparked a familiar debate in Kenya’s music scene. But in reality, this is less of a scandal and more of a strategy. Across the global music industry, paid promotion has become a standard roll-out tactic—artists are no longer […]
22K Masterclass: How Msichana wa Jirani Built a 1.5M House Before We Built Discipline
There’s always that one story that humbles your entire financial existence. This time, it’s msichana wa jirani—gross salary ya 22K per month—who somehow managed to build a 1.5 million house for her parents in just six months. Six. Months. Naturally, the neighborhood investigative unit (read: nosy but concerned citizens) had questions. Because math was not […]
Away Haiwezi: The Day I Became a WiFi Salesman to Save My Life
There are bad decisions, and then there are jioni plans that should have stayed in the drafts. So this girl calls me, all casual, “kuja away.” No red flags, no disclaimers, just vibes. I show up thinking I’m about to enjoy soft life… only to walk straight into a live episode of “Wrong Place, Wrong […]
DJ Shinski Hits 2 Million YouTube Subscribers, Cementing Status as the Most Subscribed African DJ
Renowned international DJ and digital music innovator DJ Shinski has reached a historic milestone, becoming the first African DJ to surpass 2 million subscribers on YouTube. This milestone caps years of consistent output across afrobeat, amapiano, old school, soul, hip hop, R&B, and reggae mixes. Alongside his growing global audience, he has built a dedicated […]
