In Kenya’s urban music circles Unspoken Salaton, born Brian Lemaindo, is making inroads in a more generic and undisputed way.
With a background steeped in poetry, sharpened by sound engineering training, and fuelled by an instinctive grip on urban culture, the Ngong-born artiste is crafting a path that feels both unconventional and entirely necessary.
He says his journey has been a deliberate climb shaped by curiosity and creative discipline.
Today, he stands as one of the most intriguing voices under Black Market Records, balancing the roles of rapper, producer, sound engineer and visual artiste.
Beneath the bravado of his rebellious persona lies a thoughtful, philosophical creator who, in his own words, “embraces art as a whole.”
Way before he got mainstream attention, he started his craft back in school. “My school had so many poets who amazed me,” he says.
Their talent stirred something in him, pushing him to explore writing as a form of expression rather than obligation.
Beyond the school walls, he found further inspiration online, consuming performances by artistes like Wesley and Campbell on YouTube.
These early influences shaped not just his artistry but his worldview. Poetry taught him to observe, question and dig deeper, skills that eventually bled into his music, his art and even his personality.
After high school, Salaton’s passion for music took on a more defined shape when he enrolled at Talanta Institute to study sound engineering, specialising in music production. This decision would prove foundational to everything he is today.
“Talanta gave me industry-standard ideas,” he says. “How to approach big singers, how to mix and master, and all the technical stuff.”
It was here that he learned to build sound from the ground up understanding frequencies, arrangements, vocals, equipment and the meticulous science behind great music.
This expertise would later allow him not only to produce his own tracks but also to shape the sonic identity of other artists.
Before long, Salaton was lending his “magic touch”, as one collaborator described it, to tracks like Situationships by Teslah, One Legee by Heavy Cane, Row Your Boat by Odi wa Murang’a, and eventually his own breakout hits Yes Sir and Hatutainama.
Though he first emerged in gospel music, he soon found himself at a creative crossroads. The genre offered spiritual clarity but little practical support. “I didn’t have much support,” he says. “It felt like I was putting out more than receiving.”
Eventually, he shifted towards urban music a space where his wit, sarcasm and rebellious streak could flourish.
Here, his spoken-word roots blended naturally with contemporary beats, giving birth to a distinctive sound: sharp, rhythmic poetry woven into rap and urban melodies.
His artistic journey is stitched together by numerous collaborations, each one contributing to his creative evolution.
He has shared studios with Mbuzi Gang’s Joefes, Teslah, Only One Delo, Diaso, Mluo, Fidel Rayd and Ugandan artiste Junior Gentle.
“These experiences, have been partly mentorship and partly motivation, working with artistes have made me want to push myself and stay consistent.”
His approach to collaboration is unpretentious. “I work with vibes, if I feel your vibe, I hop on the track very fast. No formality, no monetary negotiations, just chemistry and creative energy,” he says.
Perhaps the clearest example of this chemistry is his latest release ‘Frrmbanya’ featuring Breeder LW.
The two have built a relationship over years, making their creative synergy almost effortless. Breeder had wanted to join Salaton’s previous track, AI, but the timing wasn’t right.
In real life Salaton is soft spoken but if you ask him to describe his sound he’ll tell you it is “rebellious and witty.” He warns listeners not to take things too seriously, yet his lyrics are anything but shallow.
Sarcasm is his armour, and philosophy is his foundation.
“I am a very sarcastic person, so yeah, I’d advise you not to take anything seriously and I am philosophic by default, when I write, whether it’s songwriting or playing around with words, I always end up adding that touch of poetry and lyrical depth.”
This duality sets him apart: a poet who can laugh at life while dissecting it with precision.
While his rebellious nature stands out, Salaton’s message is surprisingly grounding. He channels themes of love, calmness and emotional reassurance.
“I am a fighter of anxiety not for myself, but because I see so many people with it. Personally, I’m calm and collected. I tell people to relax and take things slow.”
Though still early in his career, he acknowledges barriers particularly financial strain and industry gatekeeping. But he doesn’t dwell on challenges. “I make music for myself,” he says.
“I’m a workaholic. I’ve done this for eight years, and I’m used to it.”
Under Black Market Records, Salaton has found a team that amplifies his work through marketing, interviews, studio sessions and visual content creation. “The label is supporting me,” he says. “We have a collective effort.”
Many know him as a musician, but few realise the breadth of his artistic portfolio. He is also an art collector and visual creative, curating and transforming pieces into striking visual compositions.
“I think art is art, It all summarises who Unspoken Salaton is,” he says.