The scene is ever changing,names gets in and exits the next day but one wise saying have it that every dog hasit’s day. In the Kenyan entertainment scene we’ve had good artists sprung in a flash and gets lost while others maintain the quo year in year out,here we have likes of JuaKali,Nonini,Nameless,Wahu,Prezzo,Jaguar amongst others. They seem to have mastered the industry and grasped the dynamics. Last year we saw the rise of one Octopizzo in the industry needles to say his star has been on the steady rise ever since.
New year new things,from the start of the year,we have seen several artists exhibit rise and cause ripples in the industry. The following list makes the Nairobi Exposed’s five hottest artists new to the industry this year.
• Khaligraph Jones
Baba Theirs as he likes to be referred to may not be a new artist in the industry,he has been around for sometime now but this year gave him the greatest breakthrough making him one of the most feared rappers out of 254. Khaligraph came first in the Channel O rap battle challenge in Kenya but by then he was unknown to many. This year we’ve seen him transform from a battle rap/street musician to now a commercial rapper,making hits and getting good airplay. His star shone even brighter when he featured on the biashara remix by our own international artist STL. His prowess to blend with any style and his phenomenal rap style that has earned him the name,Kenyans’ Kendrick Lamar. He is posed to be amongst the artists to perform alongside visiting American star Busta Rhymes later in the year,and he promises to show Busta that Kenya got talent,so look forward to fire rhymes,sick punchlines and best of the talent.
• Jay A
Juma Ali is a household name as far as the entertainment scene is concerned,he checked in last year and right now his career is at the peak,his first songs that gave him the recognitions included,clap your hands and on me featuring Amina. His 254flow that purely goes in on English has made him outstand many who have tried the same. Coming from s Muslim and Swahili background,Jay A has managed to disapprove the critics and stood the test of time,he doesn’t take drugs and alcohol by the way. He is amongst the artists who featured in Kenya’s most publicised and historic song,ligi soo remix which saw a total of 11 artists on the same track and to add up,Jay A was the number one on the list,his verse comes first and his execution not upsetting. He is currently flying high with a dance hit called dumbala which she features one Sage.
• Chess
She isn’t new to the entertainment scenes but to the music industry she is gradually penetrating in. Chess Nthusi was the initial host of the now popular reality dating TV show tujuane on KTN,she is a talented vocalist and has been hosting several karaoke nights in town,she is linked to kakaempire which is owned by one rabbit. Chess comes to the limelight after doing extra good job on Prezzo’s new song celebration of life,a song that has opened doors for her and opportunities checking in. She us working on several solo projects as well as duo,currently there is a yet to be released song featuring rabbit,she featured on Kaka Sungura’s haiwesmake hit song. with this type of consistency,Chess is one figure worth watching out for.
• Wangechi
Barely 19 years,the economic undergraduate student is coming up as one of the most fierce rappers from the breeds if STL and Xtatic. She has been around but as other artists have it,she has been struggling to come out in the bracket as well. Her main breakthrough however came when she featured on the legendary ligi soo remix alongside other female rappers,her prowess could see her wrap up the entire show by appearing on the last verse of the song and as they say in the production set,the first and last verses are always the best,Wangechi’s last verse was surely the best. This gave her the jump start,seizing the opportunity,she has released a mixtape “the consume” which has so far earned positive reception from many hip hop’s enthusiasts in the land. Her ability to rap and blend both English and Swahili perfectly will see her reach a bigger audience hence this is one lady to look out for.
• Kristoff
This is one of the best acts out this year. Cousin with one Collo,Kristoff has been doing music behind scenes but only came to the full view last year,many people didn’t even notice him in the punit’s you guy video,he is well connected with the industries’ kings. His main break came when he collaborated with Khaligraph on a song which became a regional hit,”we be happening” showed the duo giving a powerful combination and ever since the back has never featured in his view,earlier this year he released music and video to “tattoo kwa thigh” which was his first solo project and he came out good. What followed was a collaboration with STL and Khaligraph on the biashara remix with him letting out his versatile rap style. Free advice,this is a figure to pay attention to. He is about the music and money and is flexible to blend any style.
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• Sage
She is currently one of the most sought after female vocalists in Kenya,the USIU alumni has been around since 2001 but the journey hasn’t been smooth making her remain behind scenes. In the past she used to be a background singer to Muthoni The Drummer Queen but she later quit to launch her solo and independent career and as it seems,tha must have been one of her best career choices she ever made because her star has neen shining. Sage featured on Hiphop’s sensation Octopizzo’s So Alive which did well with her vocals contribution applauded,she didn’t stop.and has yet done it again,this time appearing on a hit song Dumbala featuring rapper Jay A where her delivery is outstanding. She is working on her own album and this space better be watched
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