1. STOP – CLEF AND BANDANA It has been almost a year since this Atwal produced track was released and it has not seen the rotation it deserved. The duo of Clef and Bandana hit the listener with a pop-rock number that has shades of Maroon 5 all over it and in this Gengetone dominated market the song can only be described as a breath of fresh air.
2. MTOTO WA KIDELTA – WAKHALIF Gengetone is big business, what was once DIY has become the industry’s latest cash cow. While Gengetone is approaching it’s critical mass and waning stars use it to remain relevant its easy to forget how the subgenre came about. Sex, drugs and the enjoyment of youth are the building blocks of Gengetone and Wakhalif have it here in plenty.
3. COLD WEATHER – GUGA We all can relate to the cold weather and the need to have someone warm next to you. This track is taken off Guga’s Kabaridi EP and is a fitting introduction to him as an artist and his style. Also his EP features a very distinct Craig David sample that everyone should enjoy
4. NIAMBIE – XENIA MANASSEH In what can be described as her coming out single, Xenia delivers a masterpiece. Niambie is both a wonderful song and a statement of intent. Xenia is not here to play, she stuck her foot in the door and with the release of her new EP she is clearly here to stay.
5. BAD THING – LOSTINSAVANNA Bad Thing isn’t the typical Kenyan song, I’ve done blind tests where some people thought it was an artist from the US. Bow aka LOSTIN$AVANNA takes trapsoul and makes something that is undeniably his. It is ironic that the song is called Bad Thing when there is nothing bad about it.
6. MSAFIRI – KAA LA MOTO The fluent kiswahili, the laid back beats and the effortless rhyming ability of Kaa La Moto make this one of the most pleasing rap songs to listen to. While the top of the Kenyan rap scene is dominated by generic one tricks and clowns who revel in their own antics, there is a new class of rappers who are more than ready to take their place, look out for Kaa La Moto.
7. EXPOSURE – STEPH KAPELA No one has ever paid rent using exposure, that’s pretty much what Steph is saying on here. Also he’s reminding everyone of that he still got the sauce and that he’s only getting better with time. Exposure is the crown jewel of the Free Steph EP and one of the most underrated songs to come out this year.
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