2019 was the year of gengetone, the young kids came into the game and completely changed how the music industry operates. They came in swinging and even had more established artists working with them to get the rub. It was not all gengetone though, 2019 had a lot more to offer from Kenyan artists in a variety of genres. Here are my picks for the 7 best kenyan songs that came out in 2019.
If there ever was a textbook definition of Kenyan pop this would be it. Nadia Mukami draws comparison with a young Amani here, with her lyrics about lovers who love listening to their favorite songs on the radio together. With a beat that was made for the dancefloor and a heavy rotation in the nightlife scene, radio love has established Nadia Mukami as Kenya’s princess of pop
6.El Shaddai by H_art the Band
2019 has been a renaissance year for the trio that are famous for asking their shoes. After taking a hiatus they returned this year by releasing a multitude of singles and their debut album, Made In The Streets.Their biggest accomplishment this year has been releasing El Shaddai. A heartfelt gospel song that has captured the hearts of many, El Shaddai continues the trend of secular artists releasing better gospel songs than gospel artists. With pure conviction behind the lyrics and a message that anyone can get behind El Shaddai is undoubtedly the best gospel sing released in 2019
Wabebe is 2019’s Kenyan sleeper hit, released to litte fanfare and slowly gaining traction as the year progressed. It moved from strength to strength until become the monster that it is today. Wabebe is played everywhere and no party is complete without it. It success is fully deserved and it has created the perfect gengetone template, a catchy beat, competent rappers and a DIY attitude. Wabebe is at the same time what gengetone aims to be, what it is and what it should become.
In the midst of the rise of gengetone the chosen apostle of debe, Chris Kaiga, was forging his own way. Zimenice is a breath of fresh air in the music industry, a light hearted take on Kenyan party culture that is bouncy and airy all at the same time. Chock full of quotable lines, Zimenice represents everything good about having fun and celebrates the feeling. Zimenice is the ultimate feel-good Kenyan song of 2019 and a track that is assured to lift the mood at any party.
While Niambie was Xenia’s introductory party See Me is confirmation that she is here to stay and that the whole industry should take notice. A love song that draws similarities to artists like Summer Walker, See Me is slow and calculated in it’s approach. Understanding that less is more, the song finely meshes Xenia’s vocals with the production to give us on of the songs of the year. See Me is the first single off Xenia’s Fallin Apart EP and also her first step towards industry domination.
2. Morio Anzenza by Wakadinali
Scar and Mad Munga, the duo that makes up Wakadinali, had a banner year. They released multiple projects and Morio Anzenza was the pick of the bunch. The thumping hiphop track allows Scar and Munga to weave tales of the ghetto, their gangs and success all while maintaining the same menace and delivery that has made them the industry standard. They’re joined on the track by Dyana Cods who matches them bar for bar and holds her own. The best Kenyan hiphop song of 2019 and an indicator of what Wakadinali have instore going forward
1. Madam by Boondocks Gang & Wakali Wao
Gengetone dominated the year and it’s only fitting that a gengetone song would be number 1. There was no better song this year than the crown jewel of gengetone that is Madam. Boondocks Gang and Wakali Wao joined their powers to release this absolute monster of a track. Catchy, fun, raucous and authentic it represented everything that led to the explosion of gengetone, if the essence of gengetone could be distilled it would sound like this track. Madam is the yardstick by which all gengetone songs are measured and the best track to be released in Kenya in 2019
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