254 music Review for 2016

BY Vinny Fentey

2016 was a very intriguing year for the Kenyan Music Industry where we witnesses ; – the drop of the mighty, rise by new in the game, silence by those hitherto seemed promising and even several appearances and come backs from the likes of Nyashinski and Chris to the Kantai. For those who were in the dark, you missed quite a lot and those who were in a den or a hole somewhere, let me bring you to the light. And please remember the following views are solely mine, and not of any organization or group (FenteySquad in this case).

The year’s pace was set by Kenya’s newest member in the Taurus Music Group – Kagwe Mungai in his collaboration with Muthoni the Drama Queen to the song HOT THIS YEAR. And yea… you heard me right. Kagwe Mungai got signed to Taurus on May and a little soon after that he dropped a club banger hit, DOCTOR.  The ‘O.G’ also made it to the year’s pace setters when he released TIN BADI MALO, featuring the hip-hop veteran Chris Kantai whom we hope to hear more in 2017. And adding to the gift basket, Papa Jonez was feature in FOU’s EP- NAKED.

And speaking of featuring stars, Jose Chameleon was featured by one of our own, or should I say three of our own. Bryan Chweya, Maureen Kunga and Ester Ngugi set the year’s valentine mood by releasing MY DARLING Ft. Jose Chameleon. It seemed like 2016 was Elani’s year to preach Love, evident by what they had to say through a phone interview after releasing yet another hit in December, #LOVEYOU.  “…Love is in the air everywhere we look around, in every sight and sound… special thanks Sarakasi dancers and Callett for making our video(LOVE YOU) a success.” It’s what Elani had to say. This Kenya’s favorite trio was also feature by Kaka Empire’s father, King Kaka in a tribute song to all Fathers- PAPA – two months prior to father’s day. Another great hit by Kaka came in the form of NDIO KUSEMA, a collabo featuring two of top ranked female artists in Kenya, Avril and Femi One.

And now since we are talking of ranking, I would rank Sauti Sol on top for most international collabos in 2016. These big boys made us all proud by getting nominated and winning MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2016. Adding icing to the cake, they held four international collaborations with the likes of Mi Casa-FOFOFO, Yemi Alade- Africa, and 2Baba- Oya Come Make We GO and Unconditional bae with Ali Kiba.  Willy Paul also made a hit with them in the song TAKE IT SLOW. And of which, you might have noticed a funny accent trending among the youth around midyear of adding ‘reee’ to words. Making-reee them-reee sound-reee funny-reee…hehehee, Ooops!

Yea, that was all Willy Pauzee after his catchy song FANYA, which was followed by another hit release in November, TW featuring Size 8. Better-known by the fans as Tiga wanar Wee.

And now this is where the temperatures rose- Mid year 2016.  Given a superb intro earlier in the year in the song LETI GO by Nameless, Nyashinski dropped a banger NOW YOU KNOW which got everyone talking. And to confirm his comeback, he brought in MUNGU PEKEE which did so well sticking at the top of several music charts in Kenya including Kiss FM’s HOT30 chart for several consecutive weeks. And if Surprises were not enough, Kenya’s own U.S citizen Victoria Kimani dropped everyone’s jaws in September when she sang in her native language (Swahili) the song GOTA. This was taken pretty well and appreciated just like ALL THE WAY UP, her year starter song Ft. Khuli Chana. And like she started her year, she ended it in style, debuting the awaited for album SAFARI.

 

Of all ripples in 2016 among Kenyan artistes, my favorite was when Shikow served her meal hot! … I lost you there, right?… yea. Well, Femi One Shikow broke her silence since June (when she released JANA USIKU Ft. Xtatic), by releasing #PILAUNJERI which was quite poking to several artists at once. On interviewing her, her words were “This song is a challenge to dormant femcees, let them rise. It’s a wakeup call”. But all in all, her year ended quiet superb by having collaboration with The Love Child Wyre.

As the year came to a quick end, Wangechi dropped her EP entitled DON’T CONSUME IF SEAL IS BROKEN  which came in hot as it even contained Tusker’s theme song for their “Here’s to us” campaign. This was not the only end year EP in the 254, seemed the best that was meant for last finally got served. Another chart-leading artist hit the airwaves. Known from the song Ruka, Phyasco’s TABOO song got us all emotional as her great vocals left us singing off key. PHY exited the year having given tribute to 254 legends and reminding us of where we came from in her EP, BIOGRAPHY. (See what she did there…NO…PHY…Biography…STILL NO…OK)

And that is roughly how 254 Music 2016 was. But there were many more great hits in the same year including, Octopizzo, Collo, Kansoul, Nameless and the guys who made our Christmas lit by remixing their own Song to give us THE CHRISTMAS ANTHEM THITIIMAA –I recognize all you guys among many others.And not forgetting great legends like JuaCali and Nonini and a whole lot more.

@amFentey