The Most Impressive Kenyan Albums and EPs of 2022

If 2020 was amapiano’s year, 2022 was for Afrobeats. The Nigerian sound single-handedly swept over the whole continent, and the world. So where did that leave Kenyan music?

Well, Kenyan musicians did what they do best. They adapted.

And they made the most out of it.

You could say 2022 broke the record for the most Kenyan music projects ever released in a year. Every month welcomed multiple Kenyan albums and EPs from all calibres of artists. You simply couldn’t keep up with them – unless you’re Sanaa kwa Sana. 

That means we were spoilt for choice, both in terms of quality and quantity. We met new musicians and reconnected with old ones. And they mashed up Kenyan sounds such as kapuka, twist and benga with international sounds such as R&B, hiphop, and drill. 

And of course Afrobeats.

Picking these top 10 Kenyan albums and EPs of 2022 is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make this year. Even after asking for suggestions from my music junkies community. But someone has to do it, right? 

And so in order of appearance, here are the top projects you need to listen to:

1. Misimu EP – Serro

2 years after her debut album KUWE, this 2022 Kenyan EP is as beautiful as the Kenyan  female musician herself. Life is about seasons and like us, Serro has gone through them all. Uplifting messages in both Dholuo and English, her signature Afrofusion sound and features by Mutoriah, Coster Ojwang and her father(yes!) make Misimu the most collaborative project she’s ever made.

Favourites: Misimu, Abiro Loyo

2. Lisa Oduor Noah – Lisa Oduor Noah

For her self-titled debut album, this graduate of Berklee College of Music gave us 50 shades of R&B. With heavenly vocals, local features and world-class production, you couldn’t guess where it was made. And that colourful artwork by Zack Adell is just the cherry on the sweet (gluten-free) cake. 

Favourites: Malo, Jadala 

3. Kucheza! EP – Unganisha

Unganisha is the unlikely duo of Kenyan folk singer Labdi and Norwegian electronic music producer Bernt. While featuring Kenyan percussionist Kasiva on two tracks, they’re not the first combo to make electronic Kenyan folk music (refer to Makadem’s NyaitiTronik). But they’re the first ones to do it in such an ecstatic way.

Favourites: Lwang’ni Hotel, Leko

4. Savage Level – Savara

If 2021 was Fancy Fingers’ solo debut year, 2022 was for Savara. The savage Kenyan music producer, Sauti Sol band member and Vibe Curator samples Afrobeats, Reggae, R&B and Chakacha in this 14-track masterpiece. Featuring Hornsphere and several songwriters, it’s hard not to unlock this new level of Kenyan music.

Favourites: Balance, More than A friend, Killem Everyday

5. Kazi kwa Vijana EP – MR LU* and Kerby

What happens when you mix Mr. Lu*’s wavy bassy beats and Kerby’s witty lyricism? Well, you get the collab of the year. With 17 tracks each less than 3 minutes long, Kazi Kwa Vijana is surprisingly short and extremely sweet.

Favourites: Harufu ya Keki, Buss A Whine, Manifest 

6. Party Time – H_art The Band

As the name suggests, H_art The Band’s third studio album is all about having a good time. Kenya’s most energetic live band will make you dance to kapuka, reggae and trap as they sing about love and life. Whenever you want a pick-me-up, this Kenyan album is it.

Favourites: Jienjoy, Sitaki Mapressure, Party Time

7. Ceduction – Cedo 

Cedo joins the new wave of Kenyan music producers like Waithaka Ent releasing individual projects. In this case, he mixes and matches East African musicians such as Fena, Naiboi, Khaligraph Jones, Rich Mavoko, Rema Namakula and Mbuzi Gang who seduce you in love songs delivered in zouk, rhumba trap, and gengetone. And not surprisingly, Nyashinski gets three features.

Favourites: Touch feat Tommy Flavour, Imagination feat Nyashinski and Karun 

8. Ethanal Fire – Ethan Muziki

One of the most impressive Kenyan musicians released his debut album in 2022, and it’s ethanal fire! The deep-voiced singer and eclectic music producer curates an album full of exquisite songwriting, catchy melodies, love stories, and even skits in between the songs. An experience worth having again and again.

Favourites: Kesho Kutwa, Sema feat Bridget Blue, Tokea feat Brandy Maina

9. Lamu Nights – Octopizzo

You can’t help but fall in love when a Kenyan album starts with Lisa Oduor singing in Dholuo. The real stars of Lamu Nights are the featured Kenyan musicians such as Wendy Kay, Jivu Music and Okello Max (thanks for putting them on Octo). The result is melodic with beautiful horns, alluring guitars and that Afrobeats bounce that is ubiquitous in music released in 2022.

Favourites: Vacation feat Lisa, Diaspora feat Tito Wagithomo, Achupa feat Coster Ojwang’ 

10. Yo ni Ka – Akoth Jumadi

After asking Ere Yo (where is the way) in 2020, Jumadi has finally found it. And it’s full of taarab music influences, benga guitars, African percussions and the Luo nyatiti. With this album, the Kenyan Afrofusion queen is on the right path to freedom. 

Favourites: Mi na We, Mak Uru Yo, Kun Wakati

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Where’s my favourite Kenyan album?

Here are some special mentions recommended by you that couldn’t fit in the top 10 list.

1. BOSS by Okello Max – Delivering a rich diversity of Kenyan features and African sounds like Amapiano, Afrobeats and Ohangla on his debut album, Okello Max is truly the boss.
2. The Last Will and Testament – MC Sharon: Her 6th studio album, there’s something about a female Kenyan musician who can rap a whole song in Dholuo
3. My Way Vol 2 by Wendy Kay: The Kenyan songstress with a “voice that can move stony hearts” paves her way with Kenyan twist, amapiano and even makes Scar Wakadinali rap in pure English.
4. RosaLand by The Only Rosa: With the most impressive album listening party I’ve ever attended, Rosa’s project features some of the best Kenyan music producers you know.
5. You are the Creator EP by Ng’at Maler and [MONRHEA]: Experimental music at its core created by two of the most experimental Kenyan musicians.  
6. Vital Flaws EP by Kamore : Slow soulful songs from the talented brokenhearted girl.
7. Unintentional by Njerae : Whether or not it was by intention, Njerae’s debut album is all about love, heartbreak, and more love.
8. Adventures of Chris Kaiga by Chris Kaiga: Debe is officially a Kenyan sound thanks to party king Chris Kaiga and Kenyan producer Manchild (not to be confused with Mankind). 
9. Nilotic EP by Elsy Wameyo: This Australian-based Kenyan musician is the epitome of an African diaspora artist who represents her culture wherever she is.
10. Uhuru wa Nafsi by Nafsi Huru: Mombasa-born rapper Rais bila ukulu finally takes the throne with his debut hip hop album.
11. State of Being by Liboi: This new Afrofusion queen who I met at Panga Sanaa Fellowship seems to be channelling the ancestors in her soulful rooted music.
12. Peace and Places: Kenyan Memories by Nyokabi Kariuki  – if Rebirth by Solst!ce was the most unique Kenyan album of 2021, Peaces and Places takes the 2022 cake (think KMRU’s music)

That counts to 22. 22 Impressive Kenyan albums and EPs of 2022. A special bonus for you.

Okay, now I want to hear from you. Which of these projects made it to your Top 10 list? Which one(s) did I miss? Tell me in the comments.

Or simply say something small about Afrobeats.

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