This album has songs by Zuchu, Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Harmonize, and more.
East African artists and labels have pushed the limits in the first half of 2021. In general, the music and videos that come out of the ecosystem are much better than they used to be. We’ve seen newcomers solidify their places as the kings and queens of East African pop, and we’ve also heard hits from our more well-known acts that mix genres to reach new audiences.
We think these are the best East African songs of 2021 so far. They are listed in no particular order and include songs by Zuchu, Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Harmonize, and more.
Boutross ‘Yea Yea Yea’
In February, popular Kenyan rap artist Boutross came out with a trap-influenced hit song called “Yea Yea Yea.” With its bright music video and catchy lyrics, this song captured the mood of Nairobi’s younger generation, which led to the rapper topping the charts and becoming a TikTok trend.
Zuchu ‘Sukari’
Zuchu, an up-and-coming bongo player from Tanzania, has a new hit to start the year. “Sukari” is a sweet love song about a love that is so sweet you can’t get enough of it, just like “Sukari” (sugar). This could be the biggest hit from the area so far in 2021, making Zuchu a bongo flava superstar instead of just a promising newcomer.
Nviiri the Storyteller ‘Niko Sawa’ ft. Bien
Nviiri the Storyteller, a member of Sol Generation, put out his first EP, Kitenge, earlier this year. Since it came out, his song “Niko Sawa” with label boss Bien Aime Baraza of Sauti Sol has stayed high on the Kenyan Apple Music chart. The Kenyan heavyweights Sanaipei Tande, Khaligraph Jones, Sauti Sol, and Bensoul are also on the 6-track EP. It’s an amazing effort from the person who made the hit “Pombe Sigara.”
Otile Brown & Kizz Daniel – ‘Baby Go’
With his new song “Baby Go,” top Kenyan R&B singer Otile Brown goes all the way to the west. He worked with Nigerian afrobeats star Kizz Daniel on a catchy afropop song that DJs and radio stations have been playing over and over since it came out.
Rayvanny & Innoss’B – ‘Kelebe’
Rayvanny, a famous Tanzanian musician, and Inoss’ B, a famous Congolese musician, worked together on the song “Kelebe.” This song is a lively party starter that mixes the styles of bongo flava and rumba. There are also complicated dance numbers in the video that are based on Michael Jackson and other dancers. This song is one of Rayvanny’s new album Sound of Africa’s best.
Spice Diana & Fik Fameica – ‘Ready’
Spice Diana, a Ugandan pop star, keeps going strong with her hit single “Ready,” which features a popular rapper called Fik Fameica. This collaboration between the two peers who are steadily taking over Ugandan music has been a long time coming.
Brian Simba ‘Temptation’ ft. The Only1Pabo
Brian Simba, a big name in Tanzanian rap, is back after a short break, and his new song “Temptation” is already getting a lot of attention. The song is very catchy and has a jazzy hip-hop sound. He raps about how he likes and wants a certain woman. This definitely makes us want to hear more from the talented rapper from Dar es Salaam.
Nikita Kering – ‘Ex’
The first thing Nikita put out in 2021 gave us a taste of what to expect from her debut EP, A Side Of Me.
The 7-track EP takes you on a journey that Nikita can only tell us about in her own words, with a voice like an angel. The song is at the top of the Apple Music top 100 charts in Kenya right now.
Bensoul ‘Nairobi’ ft. Sauti Sol, Nviiri the Storyteller & Mejja
Earlier in the year, Bensoul’s hit single “Nairobi,” which also featured Sauti Sol, Nviiri the storyteller, and Mejja, put him at the top of the charts. This song tells the truth about dating in Nairobi, where everyone shares their partner with someone else.
Harmonize ‘Attitude’ ft. Awilo Longomba & H baba
Harmonize, a big name in Tanzanian bongo flava, put out another huge single called “Attitude” in the first half of the year. It features Congolese legend Awilo Longomba and H Baba. The song is a catchy party starter with rhumba-style beats that tells people to live in the moment and have fun while they can. Harmonize doesn’t miss, that’s all we can say.
Azawi – ‘My Year’
With her song “My Year,” which came out on Swangz Avenue, Azawi became a hitmaker. The song is a big hit in Uganda, which is not surprising since it has a catchy dancehall-style beat. It sets the tone for Azawi’s upcoming album, which everyone is looking forward to.
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