2019 is in the books and we saw a lot of new artists who defined the zeitgeist and ruled the airwaves. Well a new year is upon us and with it an opportunity for a new crop of artists to make a name for themselves. The artists listed below aren’t unfamiliar if you are into Kenyan music and like to scratch below the surface. They are all active in the industry, some more than others and are well placed to move to the next step of their careers. The late Mac Miller once said that he was tired of being internet famous and wants to be actually famous, where people can immediately recognize you in the street. These seven are the most likely to become actually famous in 2019.
Also this list isn’t a ranking so don’t take it as such.
7. B. Razor
The boys out of Donholm, 34 Gvng had a good year in 2019 with very solid releases that were in constant rotation. While the previous year saw the rise of Vuva and Hitman Kaht as the faces of the group and the increased visibility of Shagwah in their projects 2020 seemed poised to be year of the Razor. Already featured on the monster hit that is Wabebe along with Teleza and Ka Ni Mtam, B Razor has solidified himself as the most technically gifted rapper within the group and also the most remarkable. His consistent collaboration with Hitman Kaht will turn them into a tag team tour de force within the industry. 2020 is the year that Razor goes off the edge and carves out his own niche
6. Vallerie Muthoni
While Vallerie’s 2019 didn’t really pick up steam until August it definitely was a good year for the fledgling artist. She released her second EP, Pisces SZN ( Which I reviewed) and performed on a few big stages. Her year was defined by Spicy SZN, the video release pushed the song into the collective consciousness of the internet and helped to elevate Vallerie as an artist. With talent clearly in abundance and a knack for clever marketing (The ubunifu space thing was something out of the box) it is clear that 2020 is still going to be Spicy SZN and Vallerie is gonna bring the heat.
5. Mutoriah
Mutoriah is ready to step in the limelight. The producer and singer has been working behind the scenes and was behind the boards for one of the biggest songs of 2019, Lucy by Bensoul. He released his debut album, Dive In, in 2019 and it was one of the better projects of the year. It featured a distinct sound and direction that can only get better with time. Mutoriah’s ability to bend genres and mix them together is impeccable and with the lines between genres getting blurrier with the passing of time it is an opportunity for him to go from an industry darling to a household name. Go listen to Maasai Power Trap right now, I mean it.
4. Kappy
Hapana Tambua Lawama is one of my favorite gengetone songs. From the stolen dancehall beat to the nonsensical lyrics and finally the extremely budget video shoot, it is what gengetone started as. Team Ganji have had a decent 2019 but Kappy , one of the members, had an even better year. He built on the success of Team Ganji online and transitioned into one of the better solo acts in gengetone. In a genre that is dominated by groups he has elevated himself above that and featured on street anthems like Nyonya and Pu Pu Pu. With a sheng lexicon that is broader than almost anyone else in Nairobi and the ability to seamlessly fit into any gengetone track 2020 might be the year that Kappy becomes one of the first solo gengetone superstars.
3. Dyana Cods
If you’ve seen the video of Jinx being utterly dumbfounded when Dyana does her freestyle at HBR then you know why she is on this list. The Wakadinali cohort spent 2019 releasing singles, propping up other artists on their rise in the industry and going viral because of her freestyle. She didn’t just feature on other people’s tracks though, she released her EP, Late Night Kneeler near the end of 2019 and was part of King Kaka’s all female cypher. With a smooth flow and quotable lines, Dyana Cods is shaping up to be in control in 2020 and if tracks like Gagula Agugu are anything to go by we’ll all have a good time while she’s doing it..
2. Mbithi
Mbithi has been bubbling under for a while, just outside the reach of the mainstream. He has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names while building his own brand. By all logic Mbithi should already be a superstar, he has a look and sound that is ready for the crossover market and morning radio show rotation. He’s had his wins in 2019, most recently performing at the end of year Blankets and Wine but 2020 looks to be a bigger year for him. In an industry that is currently dominated by gengetone and with a looming oversaturation of the genre Mbithi is the breath of fresh air that Kenyan music fans will turn to when they need something different yet familiar to listen to. 2020 is the year Mbithi goes from supporting act to top billing.
1. Karun
10 years ago I was in a shitty cyber cafe using the worst internet connection in the world to download Camp Mulla songs onto my Nokia (It was at this cyber cafe where I saw a Camp Mulla Facebook post of some lyrics that were really dope. I googled them, turns out they weren’t their lyrics and that is how I came to know of Mac Miller). That’s how long ago Karun started in the music industry. Yet through all the ups and downs of a music career and life in general we are here. 10 years since her debut and after re-inventing herself we are again at a point where Karun is expected to be a dominant force in the industry. Time brings change, Karun long ago abandoned her pop-rap beginnings and her music has morphed into something more personal, slower and more in tune with her life experiences. 2019 she gave us Glow Up, a song that is both about sisterhood and a reference to her career and also dropped the wonderful Hit Me Up. While some people might be saying welcome back she never actually left. 2020 is the year that Karun will have us A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D again
P.S.
We need a Camp Mulla reunion show in 2020
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