Kenyan Albums That Stay On Rotation

Conversations with people has made me realise that people will listen to an album once, hype it and then NEVER listen to the album again.

To me, that is not a good album.

MY OPINION.

To me, albums that are considered classics are those with listening value over and over again, pushed boundaries, defines an era, had influence on the people among other things.

And I think we need to push Kenyan artists to move from dropping singles to actually releasing full length projects.

I asked on Instagram what albums people thought would be considered classics (without including compilation albums like Ogopa 1 etc) and got the following responses:

  • Ismarwa – Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
  • Siku Njema – Ukoo Flani
  • Necessary Noize I and II
  • Pulpit kwa Street – Juliani
  • Scratch to Reveal/82 – Just a Band
  • Baisikeli – Valerie Kimani
  • Jeshi ya Katululu – Sewer Sydaa
  • Mtaa Mentality – Juliani
  • Fenamenal – Fena Gitu
  • Twende Twende – Eric Wainaina

And in no particular order, Kenyan albums that I replay over and over.

Some new, some old, ALL VIBES.

  • Winyo – Benga Blues
  • Kevin Samuel Mbugua – Queen of Hearts (I have the actual CD since the music is not on streaming)
  • Jivu – Hayawi Hayawi
  • Kwame Rigii – Cama Wendo
  • Kato Change, SURAJ, Winyo – Sazile EP (Yes it is new. Yes it is 4 songs but I cannot get enough. So So Good)
  • Valerie Kimani – Baisikeli
  • Mutoriah – Dive In
  • Eric Wainaina – Sawa Sawa, Love and Protest
  • Ayrosh – Murasta, Fire EP

If I was to talk about compilations, I’d speak about Waithaka Ent, EA Wave etc

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My Top Kenyan Songs 2020

I know you all read the MY in that title.

Now, to make it to this list, it is more than I thought it was a nice/fun/dope jam. It is songs that I went back to and listened to more than ten times.

Because I find, it is easy to say something is the best song but you only listen to it two times and never again.

Waithaka ft Wendy Kay & Jivu – More

I cannot count how many ways I love this song. So good.

Ayrosh – Fire EP

Yes I know it’s technically four songs but please you must listen to all four at the same time so yeah. So good.

Adasa x Benzema – Najikakamua

Her voice? Her voice???

Kemboi – Unanibamba

I really cannot wait for this album.

Trio Mio ft Renata – Niko Busy

Kahu$h x Chris Kaiga – MaStingo

Ayrosh – Nuu (ft Muringi)

Just Imagine Africa – BANGI

This song makes me so happy.

Lisa Oduor-Noah – Jahera

Her voice??? Yum.

Karun – Catch A Vibe

Addendum

I’ll probably do a “honourable” mention post sometime soon.

Also, If you have been here long enough, there are certain bands/people I don’t listen to for personal reasons so yeah.

MY Top 10 Kenyan Slow Jams

Firstly, because people like to say things – this is MY list. Please make your own list with songs you like.

Don Ngatia – Solitude

Mwewe – Sema

Ayrosh – Wendo

Phy – Taboo (Taabu)

Ukweli ft Karun – Roses

Kwame Rígíi – Reke Ngwende

Jivu – Nakupenda Bado (this was hard to choose because this album is a minefield of dope slow jams)

Wendy Kay-Maybe

Valerie Kimani – Nguga ĩĩ 

Karun – Need U The Most ft. Joseph Kiwango (Prod. By Nu Fvnk)

Secondly, these are songs I listen to TILL TODAY. I wanted to give shine to songs that REMAIN on rotation.

Notable mentions

#Murasta, Lwanda Rockman and Weekend Shenanigans

Murasta

Ayrosh did the damn thing on Friday, you hear me? The Murasta EP Launch is so far the best thing I have attended this year. WOW. I wasn’t even sure I was going to write about it because WHAT ARE WORDS? I don’t know if I can fully describe what it was to be there. To experience what we experienced.

And let me just give props to the band, Tha Movement. They are so talented honestly. I am in awe. They deserve it all. ALL!!!

Listen to Murasta on all streaming sites. Support the fave.

Lwanda Rockman

On Saturday we went to watch Lwanda Rockman at Kenya Cultural Center. I loved it so much. If you are reading this before the weekend please go watch it. Search for tickets here.

Weekend Shenanigans

This past weekend was absolutely glorious!!! Play Kenyan Music. Support Kenyan Art. Drink Kenyan Alcohol.

HALLELUJAH.

Week 8: Music I’m Listening to

This is a special listing because it features only one artist. This week, one of my faves announced that he is releasing an EP in June and I could not be more excited. I think his vocals are absolutely stellar, his music enjoyable, fun, vibey and I’ve mentioned him on this blog and on the podcast a couple of times. He has my support and I cannot wait to listen to the new stuff.

Anyway, some songs:

Ayrosh – Love, Respect, Repeat

Ayrosh – Shuga Mami

Ayrosh/Kwame Rigii- Guuku

Ayrosh – Commoni

Ayrosh – Maheni

Buy a ticket to his EP Launch by clicking here.