As we hit the last quarter of the year, we have had some artistes who have hit major milestones. From award-winning singles, chart-topping rappers or inking massive deals, these creatives have solidified their positions as the top stars in no particular order.
Dyana Cods
After soaring with her hit record ‘Set It’, Dyana Cods has been riding high. Despite facing trouble over with copyright and split sheet irregularities of the song, Dyana Cods ascent to the top is worth taking stock of. Having been in the industry for well over seven years, her talent is finally shining through.
Raymond Kahuma
Ugandan-born content creator Raymond Kahuma has had a good year so far. Following his move to Kenya, he has revitalized the content creator space with his unique and comical and frivolous content that has touched the hearts of Kenyans. From multimillion deals with phone companies such as HMD, to digital influencer campaigns with EABL and Diageo, to witty content for Cadbury, Raymond is doing well for himself. He pulled an Elsa Majimbo on his native country Uganda and switched allegiance to Kenya. His appeal has grown and his digital currency is growing at a rapid pace.
Claudia Naisabwa
The young multi-award-winning media personality is carving her way to the top as this generation’s next big thing. Her biggest milestone was signing a management deal with Africa Creative Agency (ACA). This is the same organisation that has steered careers for A-Listers like Tyla, Ama Qamata, Pearl Thusi, Nasty C, and our very own Sauti Sol. She joins Kenyans Sarah Hassan and Eugene Mbugua and the deal is premised as one that sees ‘The Force’ become an internationally-positioned media personality. From her days at Str8 Up to Wabebe XP, it’s time for Claudia to take the next step and reach for the stars.
Oga Obinna
For the vocal Oga Obinna, his show Obinna Live is now a must-watch in Kenya. In the Video-On-Demand space, Oga Obinna has set himself apart. His guests cut across politics, sports, entertainment, culture and lifestyle. For the former radio presenter, finding his niche as an online broadcaster has shaped his brand and this year has surely been his most memorable yet. Right alongside Obinna is Dem Wa Facebook who has also had a big break this year.
Njerae
Afro Indie Artist Njerae is having a good year. From playing top shows in the country; from Blankets & Wine to Folk Fusion, Njerae is proving to be a force to reckon with. Outside of Sauti Sol and Wakadinali’s ‘Midnight Train’ and ‘Ndani Ya Cockpit 3’, Njerae’s ‘Unintentional’ album is the only other album older than two years to be in the Top 100 albums streamed by Kenyans across all platforms. Her record ‘Aki Sioni” also shows her longevity and staying power. Among Kenyans' most listened-to artistes, Njerae is a brand that captures emotions of relationships in the most honest and authentic ways.
tg.blk
Currently garnering more streams on Spotify than most Kenyan artistes, tg.blk is a sleeping giant. With over 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, a majority of them from the US and the UK, tg’s sound is unconventional for Kenyans but the international audience cannot get enough of her charm, bars and artistry. With Co-signs from US magazines such as Complex, Pitchfork, to rapper Vince Staples and Spotify Global picking her as a one-to-watch artiste, tg is growing. Despite being mostly unknown at home, she runs circles around Kenya’s top artistes. Her EP ‘It’s Not That Deep’ is one of the most successful projects coming out of Kenya.
Bien
Away from Sauti Sol, Bien has proved he can stand by himself. Last year, the group took a constructive break to work on solo projects. From establishing a nightclub with Manhattan to his music exploits, Bien has become a standout act. His debut album under Warner Music South Africa ‘Alusa, Why Are You Topless?’ featured hit records and an A-List catalogue of features including Ayra Starr, DJ Edu, Scar Mkadinali, Fally Ipupa, Adekunle Gold, Wretch 32, Ms Banks and others. The album has catapulted Bien to greater heights with Grammy considerations, international performances and tours, and brand ambassadorial deals.
Vic West
Renowned Kenyan record producer and hit-maker Vic West is a key figure in the contemporary Kenyan music industry. He is celebrated for his genre-defining sound, blending Kenyan pop, Afropop and Hip-Hop. His signature production has earned him a big following, producing hits for top artistes and shaping the sound of a new generation of East African African music. Early this week, he signed a life-changing deal with Universal Music Group East Africa.
Fathermoh
As predicted in our first edition of 2024, which said, “‘Soon, Fathermoh will be taking over the Gengetone industry”, the artiste is going places. He has been giving his fellow counterparts a run for their money. The latest collaboration ‘Gido’ is an action-packed and packaged as a visual kaleidoscope of colour, skin, fashion, testosterone and agile women.
Charisma
Charisma is a dynamic singer, songwriter, and performer who specializes in Afro-pop music. He initially gained prominence as a member of the Kenyan boy band Le Band. In 2019, Charisma embarked on a solo career, debuting with the track ‘Unavyonipenda’ featuring Kenyan rapper Mbithi. His solo efforts were met with widespread acclaim, and he followed up with successful releases such as ‘Tuthi Nawe’ featuring Njerae. His debut EP, ‘With Love, Charisma’, released in 2020, further solidified his reputation as a powerhouse in the Kenyan scene, garnering rave reviews and expanding his fan base. In 2024, the light seems to have shone on him; with sold-out shows amid a fast-growing fan base. His debut Album, ‘With Motions’, was released in October and has been received well so far.
Bensoul
Bensoul has made significant strides in his solo career since leaving the acclaimed Sol Generation collective. His latest album, ‘The Party & The After Party’, showcases his growth as an independent artist. Released under his own label, Sudah Nation, the album reflects Bensoul’s unique artistic vision and experiences. The album has resonated with audiences, garnering widespread acclaim and topping charts. Bensoul’s music has a broad appeal, attracting a diverse listener base. Spotify data reveals that over the past year, his tracks have been featured in more than 300,000 playlists.
Sofiya Nzau
Well, we cannot say much about how a stellar year Sofiya has had so far.