Unveiling Kenya’s Musical Queens: Most Promising Female Artists in the Music Scene
This is that lengthy post that may be easily overlooked, but it serves as my expression of gratitude towards artists who significantly influenced my 2023, and perhaps the year before as well. Have you ever listened to a song for the first time either from playback radio or some DJ mix and you just felt alive, fell in love and it’s like the song was meant for you cause the song just spoke to you and your feelings? Then you realize you don’t know the artist’s nor the song’s name and you only remember the catchy chorus, so you jump to google the lyrics and after pages and pages of search you find the lyrics belong to a song that was a background to an episode of some TV series, so you search for all background music and you find it and now you’ve been playing the song for the past two days and you just can’t get enough and you just lose yourself to the lyrics or maybe to the crafty beats. Have you ever been given the aux and your playlist is just dope songs and everyone keeps asking who is that, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of her, or where did you get that song? Impressive right?
I’ve closely followed the Kenya’s music scene, particularly the female artists, and I must acknowledge that we have some of the finest female artists in the industry, I know you think I mean beauty wise, no, I don’t because that would be mentioning the obvious, I’m talking about music creativity, that song that you’ll have on repeat or the first song you’ll play when given the aux cause you damn sure it won’t disappoint, artists who are from music school of excellence. Kenyan music scene is amazing, we have artists who are making substantial contribution towards the entertainment industry, music culture being the major factor. so, I decided to share with you my top favorite female artists, artists I’ve been listening to for no reason in particular except that they are so good. These female artists have been lending their voices to the realm of music not for record sales but just as art, inspiring art, music that is fitting all emotions.
She has been making headlines for quite some time now, and it’s not surprising that she is an alumni of Berkley School of Music. I first learnt of Xenia back in 2020 I think, when she featured in Teyana Taylor’s album and every entertainment article had a piece on her. Lifestyle magazine called her, “Kenya’s most talented act” and I remember I looked her up out of curiosity not knowing she would become one of my most favorite artist. In my 2023 Spotify wrapped, she was my top artist and it’s justified with songs like, ‘I Lay’ featuring Kaien Cruz and Lowkey and Niambie just to mention a few. Xenia has this mesmerizing blend of soulful R&b and afro-fusion that is just captivating to listen to. My favorite of her this year was her A COLORS SHOW performance of ‘Wild Ride’ which showcased her vocals and her unique musical prowess. I have had this song on repeat the whole year and I still just can’t get enough. The world should be ready for her, cause she is coming big and she is one of the artists to watch out next year.
2. Tabbie
Honestly, I don’t think She gets the shout out she deserves, cause this girl is skilled. Born Margaret Tabitha, she is more into the alternative hip-hop scenes and her songs just give you that feeling of familiarity but it just takes you to another new musical phase. She invites you to a unique auditory experience, with fusing hip-hop rhythm and a modern like Kenyan sound, she’s the middle child J Cole sings about, she blends the old and the new seamlessly summed up with her soulful vocals. Her music videos carry this essence of storytelling and societal reflections orchestrating something unique.
Here is a few of my favorites:
· Liquor
· Kam Tu
· Only You
Check her out and trust me you won’t be disappointed Tabbie — YouTube.
3. Muthaka
Absolutely nothing escapes the vault of knowledge when it comes to her; she gracefully cemented her throne when crowned Best Female Artist in East Africa at the 2022 AFRIMA awards. She is affiliated with Sol Generation Records and Universal Music South Africa. Her sonic prowess is a fusion of contemporary soul with a sprinkle of R&B magic, making her a true enchantress in the world of music. I wish most of her songs would get more streams and recognition, cause her lyricism and her insane storytelling and her visuals is so timeless. She is no ordinary singer, she got a unique and magnificent voice and I think her music will transcend centuries. Some would say she is the modern day Sade especially with her love songs like ‘Too Young’. If I’m taking a road trip, I am definitely getting high with her songs and the first song I’m playing is Pretty Girl Whine featuring Brandy Maina and Mbithi, and when she sings, “… Think there’s someone out there like me not at all…” Trust me I don’t think there is music wise, and don’t get me wrong, it’s not a competition, it’s just her chapter in the article and so she’ll get the all praises she deserves.
4. Emma Cheruto
The genesis of my idea to write this article resonated from a perspective of, we have so many artists and music and so little time, like how do the playback radio station still play songs from other countries, I identify new artists every day.
So sometime early this year, was just scrolling down on twitter when I found Emma Cheruto had posted those monthly photo dumps, I liked the one she was in some orange top and blue shorts, in the picture, she radiated vibrant energy and seemed like a lighthearted person who is on twitter for a good time, my kind of people. So I hit the follow button and I’m embarrassed to say this but imagine that I found out not only is she an artist but a skilled and talented one. So I became a fan and ever since I have fully immersed myself in the newfound appreciation for her music. Love me featuring Charisma deserved more limelight because that was some art. The video was as lit as the audio, the production and the vocals were all top notch. Touching on my baby featuring Muthaka was also amazing, I felt like it could have been more but I can’t know art better than the artist. Remember Shakira featuring Beyoncé, yeah Muthaka and Emma can match that talent, both have the attitude and the material. I think they should work on something this year. Emma has not done a lot of songs but she is going to be a powerhouse diva, unique and diverse vocals, keep an eye on her. I hope she has upcoming releases, because she promises a fresh perspective in the industry.
5. Maya Amolo
Someone on Twitter said she makes uptown music, whatever that means but I think if we were to say someone had a good year in 2023, it would definitely be her. In an interview with Tangaza Magazine, she defines herself as curious, more experimental, and more confident in her feeling and that she tries to reflect that in her music, and I can’t agree more. Imagine having a mother who directs your music videos and a father who plays Clarinet, you’d feel more confident. Maya Amolo was born to sing, and there is no doubt that She is who she thinks she is. Like Natasha Wacera Kimani says, “Two albums in two years! We can’t help but Stan.”
I knew of Maya Amolo back in 2020 when she released her debut EP, marking the beginning of her journey as an artist. She has been steadily carving her path in the music industry, captivating audiences with her unique sound and soulful music and lyrics. Her commitment to musical innovation continues to define her ascent and if you want to know how talented she is, listen to Asali first, it is one of my favorite albums.
6. Brandy Maina
She is one of the artists I’m truly rooting for; she has been dropping bangers, and have you watched her live performances? She can sing and dance without missing a beat and note. In her controversial tweet, she said, ‘Unless it’s Nyash, Kinoti, Watendawili, Femi, or Fathermoh, I’m not doing any more collaborations this year. Leave me out of the interviews as well.’ I genuinely love an artist with distinctive standards.
In an interview with Kevin Hart, when Jay Z was asked how he chooses his collaborations, he said relationships with artists and talent are factors. Standards build brands, and Brandy is just trying to curate herself in a certain musical context. I heard the acoustic version of Kubali in one of Grauchi’s mixes, and it stuck in my head. I had to Shazam the song, and surprisingly, it was Brandy. That shows her versatility, so much talent; her voice is so angelic and soothing. Have you ever listened to a new jam and you immediately know the artist? Like I’d know Bahati or Otile in my sleep. Not saying it’s a bad thing, but Brandy is our own Taylor Swift; she can do any genre with ease.
Saweetie’s ‘My Type’ remix featuring City Girls and Jhene Aiko; my first listening to this song, I was so shocked that the first rap verse was Jhene Aiko. I’ve grown listening to her, and I couldn’t tell she could rap like that. That’s what we call art, and that is what Brandy Maina offers. Brandy’s musical portfolio predominantly features mainstream hits, yet you can delve into soulful ‘Kubali’ the acoustic version and good vibes ‘dark skin’ followed by immersing yourself in the artistic depth of her Ep album ‘Upset The Set,’ and ‘Chaos Poa’. Brandy’s trajectory in the music industry is poised for Grammy recognition.
7. Phy
Where did she go? Why isn’t she releasing new song?
Well she is back and we are grateful.
Back in high school when we used to broach the subject over night preps on who is best rapper in Kenya between Khaligraph and King Kaka, Phy managed to end the debate by putting two lions in single song, like Annie Leibovitz, being the photographer behind the viral picture of Messi and Ronaldo playing Chess. Phy was way ahead of her time and honestly if Kenyans were more receptive to Kenyan artists back then ‘ruka’ would have taken the global credits
Phy is that artist once you listen to you can never get enough, she is a paradigmatic story teller, she is brilliant at creating musical imagery like in taboo and there is an irrefutable success of how she seized the crown. Technically her music is distinctive like Siwezani and Power, and she is capable of mastering any style.
Listen to her new EP album ‘Tatu’ and my favorite is ‘Niko Majuu’ such a chilled song with good vocals.
8. X –Tatic
Back when ‘The Insyder Magazine’ was the real deal and straight Up’s Ian Mugoya was still the fly guy, we had Xtatic. Her song wild didn’t get enough recognition, that song had us going wild in house parties, if you haven’t heard of the song, immediately you read this go listen to it. I don’t know what happened with her deal with Sony Music Africa, but I’m looking forward to her having another successful run. She is a notable contributor to Kenya female music scene. I follow her on twitter and let me tell you Maina, she is so vibrant and she posts what she thinks or feels making her authentic with this positive energy. Her timeline is filled with charisma and a whole lot of varied ideologies.
2024 I hope she makes a couple of hit songs. Apart from ‘Wild’ my favorite of her is ‘Hit Them Up’
9. Karun
She stands as my honorary mention, and a mere paragraph wouldn’t suffice to capture the essence of her musical genius. She has held a special place in our hearts since the Camp Mulla era, and when the winds of inspiration blow differently, I plan to dedicate an entire piece in honor of her extraordinary talent.
As if our admiration for her wasn’t already abundant, she generously blesses us with new hits. Personally, ‘Grind’ featuring Xenia has earned a special spot in my playlist. However, at the moment, I find myself enthralled by the Heri Kenya’s Annual Fundraiser version of ‘Only You’ currently on repeat. She is an artist we can proudly champion in social debates, exemplifying the richness of musical prowess Kenya has to offer.
