Remember the mid-2010s? A new sound was in the air, a sonic revolution brewing in Nairobi’s creative underground.
Sauti Sol, Hart the Band and Sarabi were not just bands; they were pioneers, carving out a space for a uniquely Kenyan sound that resonated with a generation.
Blending Afro-fusion, pop and traditional rhythms with unapologetic authenticity, they proved that success wasn’t just about mimicry, but about celebrating your roots.
They sowed the seeds, and as any gardener knows, the most beautiful flowers take time to bloom.
Today, those seeds have germinated. A new wave is sweeping through Kenya’s music scene, driven by a generation that grew up listening to the music of these trailblazers.
I recently witnessed this new energy at an event that felt more like a homecoming than a show. The air was charged and the crowd was a kaleidoscope of ages, from seasoned music lovers to wide-eyed Gen Zs, all united by the intoxicating rhythm.
The spotlight was on one of their own: Adoyo Afrique. She took to the stage to launch her debut EP, ‘Thorns and Honey’.
Adoyo Afrique is a multi-talented force, a creative polymath who has already made her mark as a fashion model and an actress. But on this night, she shed those labels and embraced her truest self: a musician.
For three years, she has been in the background, quietly honing her craft, learning instruments, and refining her voice.
“It’s been a journey of growth, discipline, and faith in the dream,” she shared with the crowd, her voice a mix of gratitude and triumph. “Today, I finally launch my career as a musician with my very first EP.”
‘Thorns and Honey’ EP is a beautiful paradox, a testament to the fact that life and love are a mix of both.
“This project means everything to me because it is my most honest expression yet,” she said.
“In the love songs, you’ll hear my heart in its most tender form, and in the traditional Luo pieces, you’ll hear the voice of my roots and where I come from. It’s a bridge connecting me to my people and to the world.”
The EP’s lead single, ‘Imora,’ featuring benga star Johnny Junior, is a perfect example of this fusion. It’s a seamless blend of her Afro-soul sensibilities and the timeless appeal of benga, a track where “love, melody, and emotion intertwine.”
‘Hata Leo’ is another masterpiece, a soul-stirring ballad that captures the vulnerability of waiting on love. It’s a song that speaks to the quiet ache of unanswered emotions and the enduring hope that tomorrow might bring what today has withheld.
Through tender melodies, Adoyo paints a picture of someone holding on, choosing to believe in love even when it feels just out of reach. It is both a confession and a prayer, a reminder of the patience and pain that comes with truly opening one’s heart.
Then there is ‘Oimore,’ a powerful track that speaks to the darkness we face while chasing our dreams.
“This song carries my fear, my struggles and my fight to find light in the music industry,” she shared.
It is a raw, unfiltered look into the anxieties that plague every artiste, a song that connects with anyone who has ever faced an uphill battle. It’s this level of vulnerability that sets Adoyo and her peers apart.
The event itself was a microcosm of this new cultural movement. This is not just about solo acts; it is about a community.
The stage was filled with a close-knit group of musicians who support each other, turning up for one another’s shows, and often, playing as a single, cohesive band. The musicians on stage that night were top professionals, brilliant individually, but magical when they came together. They knew each other’s songs, their synergy a testament to their shared journey and mutual respect.
This new wave of artistes, Adoyo and others like her who are making their mark, are united by a shared philosophy: authenticity.
“I just launched my career choosing authenticity over noise,” Adoyo declared. “No stunts, no drama, just real sound. This is what authentic sounds like.”