2023 has been the most collaborative year in recent Kenyan music history. Just think about it. We’ve seen the most unlikely collaborations across genres and classes, cue Fena Gitu and Okello Max. Who would have imagined R&B queen Maya Amolo and Eastlando drillers Buruklyn Boyz could do a track together?
Speaking of, Kenyan R&B got a major boost thanks to the Colors x Spotify collaboration in October. What pride we felt seeing our soulful stars Lisa Oduor Noah, Karun and even Matt Ngesa pop out on that colourful stage. Kenyan music to the world baby.
And speaking of Spotify, Wakadinali made headlines as the ONLY Kenyan artist on Spotify Africa’s Top 10 streamed list. Their latest album ‘Ndani ya Cockpit 3’ was the tenth most streamed album of 2023 in Kenya. And the trio made up of Domani Munga, Sewersydaa, and Scar, was also the most searched artist in Kenya!
Step aside Sauti Sol.
Did you know according to Spotify Wrapped 2022, Kenyans listened to local music 184% more than the previous year? A clear sign we are supporting our artists as much as they are supporting each other. And in 2023, the impressive turnouts at Blankets and Wine and Folk Fusion festivals which featured Kenyan lineups proved this. The only way for Kenyan music is up!
The Best Kenyan Albums of 2023
We also saw a multitude of new music releases in 2023. Projects by Hornsphere and Tha Movement were instrumental (get it?) in defining what an album could sound like. Many Kenyan musicians dropped their debut projects and we picked them up with utter joy.
If you’ve been wondering which Kenyan albums you missed, that’s why you’re here. Here are my Top 10 Kenyan albums and EPs of 2023. As always, in order of release date so no bias.
Click on the titles to listen to them.
1. Imba – Iddi Singer
One word to describe this Kenyan album: masterpiece! Talk about versatility from soulful sounds to bumpy beats ranging from reggae to Amapiano to highlife, all produced by the legendary GrandmasterTek in Bamburi Mombasa. Iddi Singer delivers his breezy lyrics in smooth Swahili and a heavenly voice that even my mother loves.
Faves: Seasons, Herb, Nilishe
2. Panda Basi by Mvua
Can you believe I discovered this Kenyan EP in December even though it was released in February? But you’re never too late to enjoy good music, especially this unique collaboration between one half of Mankind (remember the singing duo) and debe producer Manchild.The result is a 4 track EP so fun and groovy you’ll want to play it again and again.
Faves: Panda Basi, Malindi
3. Feeling Body by Nyokabi Kariuki
In case you haven’t met yet, Nyokabi is a Kenyan singer, composer and sound artist constantly between Nairobi and everywhere else in the world. After her dreamy debut EP peace places: kenyan memories in 2022, Feeling Body is an even more experimental and personal body of work. Inspired by a severe illness, she reflects on her relationship with her body using voice notes, field recordings and water. She also featured on Colors, where her classical singing came to life delivering a performance nothing short of ethereal!
Faves: Subira, Feeling Body, Nazama
4. Lion of Sudah by Bensoul
Yup, Bensoul also dropped his debut album on 4/20 (of course) complete with an intro, interlude and outro. He shows his different sides in this project, from soulful to naughty to rasta vibes #legalize. Majorly produced by the incredible Hendrix Sam, it features Wanavokali, Mordecai Dex, Lavosti and many more of your favourite Kenyan musicians.
Faves: Mida ya 420, Navutishwa, Chizi
5. Love under construction by Petrooz
Born and raised in Mombasa, Petrooz chordman is a singer songwriter and prolific producer with 10 years of experience. Clearly not a newcomer in the game, he samples rumba, benga and more authentic Kenyan sounds in this love album meant to help you woo your crush. A Kenyan album you’ll enjoy from start to finish, featuring Adasa, Attara and other Kenyan musicians you’ve probably never heard of before (except Ochiko).
Faves: Tinda, Wangu, Rhumba
6. Strange Tongues by Kürïbã
One of my favourite Kilifi DJs and producers finally dropped his summer EP that has been cooking for 5 whole years! Like the meaning of his name Kürïbã, it’s full of strange tongues, deep narratives (think Alan Watts) and downtempo beats. A transcendental project meant to take you on a fun fluid musical journey.
Faves: Be Water
7. Royalty by Kayrop
Another Kenyan producer, Kayrop released an all amapiano album which only took him 5 months to make. It features different female Kenyan musicians who met each other at the Royalty album listening session in Nairobi. With Iminza, Ythera, Meryl Paige and more, it reminds you of Odes by Queens – Kenya’s first all female album – but with Kenyan amapiano beats.
Faves: Moyo, Better, So Loved
8. Lady Boy by Jarel
Here’s another impressive debut album by Kenyan queer artist Jarel, from the island of Mombasa. He pays homage to his coastal roots with taarab melodies and chakacha beats, while fusing it with his own experimental magic. Produced by Chokoraa Mjanja and Jim Chuchu, expect black boy joy – and pride.
Faves: In The Fire, Dunda, Body & Soul
9. Alusa Why Are You Topless? by Bien
Baldman Bien broke the internet in 2023 with this amazing album featuring African stars Ayra Star, Tay Iwar, and even Scar Wakadinali. You have to love the benga guitars, the female adlibs and choir vocalists.
Fun fact: the interesting album name came from Bien’s mum after she watched the sizzling Nishike music video by Sauti Sol back in 2018, remember that?
Faves: Lost & Found, Ma Cherie, Kwama
10. Therapy by 10 Tonnes feat Mutoriah
After showing off his TornPockets EP, Kenyan producer 10 Tonnes ended the year by giving us some music Therapy. Expect R&B, AfroLatin, drum and bass beats (Jungle Culture Ke where you at) alongside the voices of the versatile Mutoriah, soulful Ach13ng and hardcore Levysill.
Here’s another fun fact: Naumia is featured in the brand new Kenyan Netflix series VOLUME – have you watched it?
Faves: Roho Yako, Naumia
Special mentions
Because there have been SO many incredible Kenyan albums and EPs in 2023, here are some special mentions that deserve your ear too:
- The Footprint by Ochiko
- Groovy House by Waithaka
- Tuko? by Sisian
- Her Garden by Nabalayo
- Ololokwe by Udulele
- Mbili Mbili by Unganisha
- Seche Johera by Labdi
- Saba by Kerby
- Black Boy Love by Gufy
- The Great Son of McBeth by Ganjor
- Ballads za Joanna by Gitonga Mukira
- The World is Spinning and Everyone’s Dizzy by Flier
- Double Treble by Watendawili
- TIME by Hart The Band
- No Table Manaz by Dipa Konnection
2023 Kenyan music playlists for you
Don’t have time to listen to all these projects? Worry not music junkie. I curated an end-of-year Kenyan songs of 2023 playlist just for you. It includes my favourite songs from these different projects so that you can get the best of the best, in only 1.5 hours.
Listen to the Best Kenyan songs of 2023 Spotify playlist
And if you don’t hear your favourite song here, it’s probably in my mid-year playlist Grooving Through 2023 like…
If 2023 was this productive and collaborative, you can only imagine how fantastic 2024 will be for Kenyan music. With genge on the map, we might actually win a Grammy!
Until then, what were your favourite 2023 Kenyan albums and EPs?