After 14 years in the industry, Dex is stepping deeper into his solo career with the release of his latest EP, VIBES & LoVE SoNGS, a six-track body of work where he opens a personal chapter, one that signals growth, vulnerability, experimentation, and artistic freedom.
For some time, H_art the Band has remained one of Kenya’s most admired musical groups, celebrated for soulful harmonies, poetic songwriting, storytelling and electric live performances.
But while the trio built a collective legacy, its members have quietly been exploring personal artistic journeys behind the scenes, each leaning into their unique strengths and creative identities.
Dex has long been recognised as the smooth and soulful vocalist of the group
Beyond the spotlight, however, lies a multifaceted creative: songwriter, producer, poet, painter, and fashion enthusiast.
Over the years, his artistry has evolved beyond performance into immersive storytelling, blending emotion, culture, and lived experiences into sound.
“My music journey began in 2012,” he says. “Before the releases, before the collaborations, before the recognition, we were performing anywhere we could. Any stage. Any event. Any opportunity.”
That hunger would eventually give birth to Uliza Kiatu in 2014, the breakout record that introduced H_art the Band to mainstream Kenyan audiences.
Twelve years later, Dex now stands with over 120 releases, countless collaborations and several sonic evolutions behind him. Yet this new EP feels distinctly different.
“This project feels special because it captures different versions of me across different moments in time,” he says.
It unfolds like a diary stitched together through different seasons of life. Some songs were written years ago before finally finding a home here, while others nearly ended up on completely different projects before fate redirected them back to Dex.
The project opens with Mood, a sultry R&B-infused collaboration written alongside Ywaya Tajiri and Israel Onyach. Built around seductive melodies and a confident ‘bad boy’ energy, the song traces its roots back to sessions held during the making of Bensoul’s Lion of Sudah album.
“That energy, creativity and chemistry became the perfect introduction to this project,” Dex explains.
The emotional fluidity continues with Genie in a Bottle featuring Njerae. Originally conceived in 2019, the song traveled through multiple creative spaces before eventually settling into the EP. At one point, it nearly became part of Wanavokali’s debut album before hovering around another project tied to producer and guitarist Matt Owegi.
Perhaps it is that long creative journey that gives the song its emotional depth. Dex and Njerae create an effortless vocal chemistry, transforming the record into an intimate anthem for lovers.
Then comes Paloma, arguably the EP’s boldest and most club-facing record. Featuring Ywaya Tajiri and Okello Max, the song leans into modern pop textures while reviving the charismatic swagger of urban nightlife.
Interestingly, the vocals were recorded nearly three years ago in a session involving Trevor Magak and producer Giggz during a visit from the United States.
“The fact that the original vocals remained untouched reminded me why every recording session should be treated like the final moment,” Dex says.
While much of the EP explores romance and vulnerability, Sio Kawaida shifts into reggae territory with refreshing spontaneity. Dex recalls writing the song in 2022 after waking up to reggae music blasting from his upstairs neighbor and producer Kobby Worldwide.
“I wrote the song in my house, walked upstairs and recorded it immediately. Pure feeling. Pure spontaneity,” he says.
The track captures the musings of a Rastaman deeply enchanted by the ‘Empress’ of his dreams, wrapped in warm reggae rhythms, heavy drums, and brass instrumentation that make it one of the project’s most live-performance-ready records.
Another standout is Nimeonja featuring Joy Ocholla, a softer Kompa-inspired love song produced by Trevor Magak, SoFresh, and Hendrick Sam. Beyond its melodic warmth, the song quietly marks a technological milestone in Dex’s creative process.
“It became the first song of mine to incorporate AI elements into the creative process,” he reveals.
Still, even with experimentation, the soul of the project remains deeply human. Love, longing, confidence, reflection, and vulnerability flow through every track.
The EP closes with Kichapo, a bold anthem about resilience and self-worth. Produced alongside Hendrick Sam during the same sessions as Nimeonja, the song serves as a final statement against doubt and limitation.
“What I love most about this EP is that it doesn’t stay in one place emotionally or sonically,” Dex says. “It’s soulful. It’s romantic. It’s vulnerable. It’s playful. It’s reflective. It’s confident. It’s experimental. It’s honest. It’s human.”
That refusal to be boxed into one sound may ultimately define Mordecai Dex’s evolution.
Rooted in Kenyan identity yet globally aware, he effortlessly draws from African rhythms, soul, reggae, pop, and spoken-word sensitivity to create music that feels borderless yet deeply personal.