Released this month, New Dawn Cypher brings together five artistes whose verses reflect themes of rebirth and artistic evolution marking what they describe as a turning point for the local rap scene.
It is led by Ken Koast and featuring Ohms Law Montana, Mercury, Prince Austin and Little Heaven.
Ohms Law Montana says the project is rooted in real-life experiences, with each artiste offering a personal perspective on growth and struggle.
“The cypher centres on rebirth, overcoming adversity and personal evolution. We didn’t just rap about the ‘dawn’ we also acknowledged the ‘night’. Realising that morning only comes after the night makes the message more powerful,” he says.
He adds that his verse reflects his own journey, describing it as “a shift in my musical style and a spiritual awakening.”
The collaboration itself came together unexpectedly in Nairobi, where the artistes, originally from Mombasa, found themselves in the studio at the same time.
Ken Koast describes the session as spontaneous but defining. “I would call it a beautiful accident. We challenged ourselves to write and record within five minutes, no rewrites, no re-recording. The whole exercise took less than 30 minutes, but it captured something real,” he says.
He adds that the title New Dawn was inspired by a line in the opening verse, reflecting both the song’s message and his personal direction.
Producer GrandmastaTek built the core instrumental, while Prince Austin co-produced and handled the recording process.
The cypher was shaped by both technical precision and creative exchange. “Cyphers are special because the room becomes part of the process. Everyone is writing, rehearsing and reacting in real time,” says Ken Coast.
“My verse leans into the idea of transformation challenging how things are and pushing toward improvement, while still carrying that confidence hip hop thrives on.”
Mercury describes the project as a defining moment for the group. “New Dawn Cypher was more than just a track it was a moment. Different energies, raw talent and one vision coming together. Seeing how it’s being received shows that when passion meets the right timing, magic happens. This is just the beginning of a new dawn,” he said.
Little Heaven highlights the intensity of the recording process, noting that each artiste had only minutes to deliver their verse.
“It was exciting and challenging at the same time. The time pressure demanded focus and authenticity, but everyone rose to the occasion.”
He agrees that the studio atmosphere played a key role in shaping the final product. “There was genuine camaraderie, artistes vibing, exchanging ideas and enjoying the moment. It felt like something bigger than just a song.”
Beyond the music, the cypher also showcases the versatility of its contributors, with some stepping outside their usual styles.
Ken Koast says the project allowed audiences to see a different side of each artiste. “Our fans got to see us in a new light. Some are known more for vocals or other genres, but here everyone came through with raw rap energy,” he says.
On the visuals Ken Koast gives a nod to Visuals Kali for delivering the project’s concept and execution with precision and speed.
“They understood the assignment, came up with the insane concept in record time & executed flawlessly,” he says while adding that “This is just the beginning, the new dawn is here.”