Pat Black, Kenyan-American rapper based in Pennsylvania, is closing 2025 on a high, reflecting on a year defined by industry validation, expanding audiences and a deepening connection with his roots.
What he considers most rewarding is the overwhelming support from his community and the rare nods from some of hip-hop’s most respected names.
Receiving cosigns from Bobby Shmurda, Sean Kingston and Jadakiss, he says, felt like a powerful affirmation that his music was not only being heard, but resonating at the highest levels.
Despite the surge in recognition, Pat Black remained firmly grounded in his artistic identity.
He resisted any temptation to shift his sound, choosing instead to build on what already worked. His music, a seamless blend of rap, Afrobeat and R&B, reflects his dual heritage, and he simply turned up the elements that East African listeners were gravitating towards.
By studying streaming data and understanding what struck a chord back home, he grew his audience naturally, strengthening the cultural bridge between America and Kenya.
One of his biggest ambitions for the coming year is a long-awaited return to Kenya.
More than a performance tour, Pat Black views this as a personal and artistic homecoming. He hopes to reconnect with family, meet the fans who have supported him from a distance, and immerse himself in the culture that shaped his identity.
Beyond stepping on stage, he plans to collaborate with local artists and engage directly with the creative community on the ground.
Looking ahead to 2026, collaboration remains at the heart of his strategy. “I aim to cement my place in the Kenyan music scene by taking on larger, more intentional projects with local musicians,” he says.
Rather than quick singles, he envisions multi-layered collaborations capable of reaching new audiences and crafting fuller narratives, projects that match the scale of his ambitions and reflect the depth of his cross-continental journey.