Celebrated vocal collective Wanavokali is set to thrill fans with an electrifying night of music, fashion and culture as they celebrate their sophomore album ‘Vibes & Vokals’.
The six-member group will host the event on October 18 at Mass House, promising an energy-filled evening of live performances, stellar vocals, and stylish flair.
Known for their creativity and sense of style, Wanavokali has called on fans to show up in their best silver-inspired looks, complete with accessories.
“We’ll be silvering the night away, and we want our audience to join the party in style while still adding their own flair,” they said.
Formed in 2019, Wanavokali, whose name translates to “those with the vocals” in Swahili, brings together Chep, Lena, Mellah, Riki, Sam, and Ythera.
The group first met during the 2018 Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour, where they performed as background vocalists alongside some of Kenya’s biggest musicians.
Their chemistry on stage and desire to carve out their own space in the industry soon led to the creation of Wanavokali.
“Our diversity is one of our strongest pillars. We each have different backgrounds and experiences, and as said earlier, this alloy of different styles and elements has made us different. From theatre and rock music to rhumba and gospel. All this together creates a fresh sound,” they say.
The group began by posting covers of artistes they had worked with during the Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour, quickly amassing a loyal social media following.
Their breakout moment came with the release of ‘Unioshe’, a collaboration with gospel artiste Collo G, which topped gospel music charts across East Africa.
The song was able to afford them two Café Ngoma nominations for Best Cross Over Act (2019 and 2020) and won The Verse 5 Awards for Collaboration of the year (2020).
They would later cement their place on the continental stage by winning the inaugural season of Old Mutual’s Amazing Voices competition in Johannesburg, South Africa, beating groups from across the continent and walking away with a $100,000 prize. The victory marked Kenya as a rising force in African music.
Their self-titled debut album followed in 2021, crafted during the pandemic through a series of creative camps.
The project showcased their versatility, touching on themes of love, friendship, dreams, and the joys and struggles of everyday life.
Songs such as ‘Rhumba’ and ‘Kula Tatu’ resonated widely, with ‘Rhumba’ amassing millions of views on YouTube and introducing a youthful twist to a golden-era Kenyan sound.
Since then, Wanavokali has continued to dominate the airwaves with hits like ‘Dunia’, ‘Tequila’, and ‘Hawataweza’, while also collaborating with top Kenyan artists including King Kaka, Mr. Seed, and Bensoul.
Their performances at major festivals and corporate events, from Blankets and Wine to Sol Fest, have further cemented their reputation as one of the country’s most exciting live acts.
In 2024, they unveiled their sophomore project, Vibes & Vokals, a 10-track album that blends Afro-pop genres with their trademark harmonies.
The album’s lead single, ‘Supa Dupa’, featuring Brandy Maina, made waves with its drill-rhumba sound, paying homage to their early hit ‘Rhumba’.
The album embodies its theme through and through. From the onset, their goal with this album project has been to produce feel-good pop music that radiates positive energy and showcases their signature stellar vocals, all while conveying a meaningful message.
It boasts of several Afro Pop genres, showcasing the collective’s identity as youthful, vibrant, and energetic individuals.
Some of the genres showcased in this album include Kapuka, Arban Tone, Rhumba, Afro Beat, AfroHouse, and Amapiano.
The music explores various themes such as love and desire, self-actualisation, and women’s empowerment.
Additionally, the album features collaborations from a varied pool of producers and musicians whose contributions further enriched the diversity of the project.
Notably, Iyanii, Brand Maina and Nyokabi Macharia feature in the album, each bringing a distinct sonic identity that resonates with audiences.
Now, the group is inviting fans to be part of the celebration. Their concert will not only showcase songs from Vibes & Vokals but also serve as a statement of where they stand as artistes: youthful, vibrant and proudly Kenyan.