Nairobi’s growing reputation as a creative hub received another boost last month as emerging East African artists gathered for the first-ever Fresh Finds Sessions in the region, an initiative aimed at connecting rising talent with experienced industry players beyond the pressure of commercial releases and chart success.
The two-day session brought together musicians, producers and songwriters from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for two days of collaboration, recording and conversation about the realities of building sustainable music careers in Africa’s rapidly evolving industry.
The Nairobi edition followed previous Fresh Finds Sessions in Lagos and Cape Town, but this one carried a distinctly East African identity.
The artistes who took part included We Are Nubia, Hood Boyz, Ila Nia, Zaituni, Hildah Watiri, Kahuti and Genes1s, alongside Uganda’s Vyroota and Tanzanian singer Phany Love.
What made the sessions stand out was not simply the access to recording facilities or high-profile names attached to the project, but the atmosphere of exchange between artistes at different stages of their careers.
British-Ghanaian producer JAE5, known for shaping some of the UK’s biggest records worked closely with the artistes during the sessions.
Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka also joined the programme, mentoring participants while sharing insights from his own rise within East Africa’s music scene.
Songwriters including Savinnah, Mercury, Ywaya Tajiri and Onyach Pala of Watendawili collaborated with producers Odzz, So Fresh and Run as artistes moved between studio rooms building songs from scratch.
Away from the recording booths, conversations centred on an issue many young artists in the region continue to grapple with, how to turn creativity into a lasting career without losing artistic identity in the process.
During a marketing masterclass led by ONErpm Kenya representatives, artistes were taken through the less glamorous but necessary side of music: distribution, branding, audience development and navigating streaming platforms in a digital-first era.
“Weeks of planning went into making this happen, and seeing all these talented artists in one room, collaborating, learning, and growing together, was a true reflection of what we set out to achieve. Our goal has always been to give artistes more than just a platform; we want to equip them with everything they need to build lasting, successful careers.” said Osagie Osarenkhoe, Director of A&R & Operations (Africa) at ONErpm.
For many independent artistes, those conversations can be just as important as studio time itself.
Across East Africa, musicians are increasingly finding audiences online, yet many still struggle with visibility, monetisation and access to professional support systems.
By the end of the two-day programme, artistes gathered for a playback session to listen to what had been created.
While the songs are yet to be released, the sessions offered a glimpse into the collaborative direction East African music is increasingly taking.
The music recorded during the sessions is expected to be released in the coming months.