Our Top 11 Kenyan Songs of January 2024
Welcome to our Top 11 Kenyan songs of January 2024 list. As Doba KE, apart from the lyrics and music news, we curate music with our small in-house team that selects their monthly picks.
January was thrilling for music enthusiasts, with many new releases from Kenya. The year began on a high note, continuing from where the previous year had left off. This is a list of music created by Kenyan artists. However, in some cases, we have included music by non-Kenyan artists that feature a Kenyan artist(s). We have included music released in the current or previous month and older music whose visuals were released in January.
Note: the number of songs released in the last two months surpasses the eleven featured in this list. Too many great songs were released, but we are only limited to eleven.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our top 11 Kenyan songs of January 2024.
11. Mbichi – Maandy x Breeder LW
At number 11 is “Mbichi” by Maandy and Breeder LW. The duo with great chemistry, which has birthed countless collaborations, linked up on this Arbantone song over the iconic “Silver Screen Riddim” instrumental.
On “Mbichi,” a sheng word meaning new, Maandy took us down memory lane, and Breeder LW came in clutch, riding the beat effortlessly.
10. Nyamaza – Sabi Wu x Korb$ x Ouma Wa Mafegi x Mr. K x Kig$
Sabi Wu began the year on a high with new visuals for “Nyamaza” off his 2023 studio album Freedom II. “Nyamaza,” a Swahili word for “keep quiet,” finds them sending subtle hints at the opposition.
Sabi Wu and the gang go at the “opps” in signature Kilimani slang and jargon over a Luigi Got That Sauce instrumental.
9. Buruklyn Boyz – Patient
Now that Buruklyn Boyz have seemingly left the block, they take us back to what pushed them out of the gutter: patience. “Patient” addresses their past and eventual success, which they attribute to patience.
Ajay’s verse where he raps a part in Shembeteng, a variation of Kenyan slang Sheng, is genius. Mr. Right also delivers on his verse in this great song from the Bboy Settingz album.
8. Wangechi – Zile Zile
Wangechi blessed her fans with a new music video for her song “Zile Zile” off Emotional Gangster. One thing that captivated us to this song was the instrumental.
Produced by Bckgrnd, the song features constant synths and a dope baseline, which Wangechi flowed on effortlessly. The icing on the cake was the all-female cast music video by Natasha Ayoo.
7. Vijana Barubaru – Nowe
Vijana Barubaru is one of the fastest-rising music groups in Kenya. The duo have dominated the airwaves in the past year and a half. With the timely release of “Nowe,” the duo has us in a chokehold as Valentine’s Day approaches.
“Nowe,“ a Kikuyu word that means “only you,” is woven perfectly into a captivating love song. In the song, the duo serenades their love interest, wooing her with talk of a great future and the success they can achieve together.
6. Kaa La Moto x Ssaru x Boutross – Nakam
At the beginning of the year, Mombasa’s finest Kaa La Moto didn’t spare a minute, releasing “Nakam” featuring Ssaru and Boutross.
The song is a conversation between two love birds on a phone call played by Ssaru and Kaa La Moto, with Boutross adding the spice to the refrain.
5. SewerSydaa x Dyana Cods – Cry Baby 2
SewerSydaa and Dyana Cods are not strangers on wax. With many songs under their belts, including the “Riswa” trilogy, “Cry Baby 2” is the prequel to “Cry Baby,” both of which are featured on the Mauru Unit album.
Dyana Cods shows her vocal prowess and then effortlessly goes full rap mode. The song warns girls to avoid romantic involvement with artists as it brings much heartbreak. SewerSydaa, on the other hand, sends warnings to the girl who should ignore at her own risk.
Read the full album review by Keja Ya Capo.
4. Joh Makini x Bien x Jay Melody – Formula (Moto Zimelia)
“Mapenzi hayana formula”
This line is the song’s main takeaway. Bien, the main star of the song, is unapologetic, shining through the laidback instrumental in the chorus.
Joh Makini linked up with Jay Melody and Bien to create a song about the fickle nature of love. Bien’s vocals and Melody’s harmonies complement Makini’s signature style in the verses.
We really enjoyed this one. Just in time for Valentine’s, remember that “Mapenzi hayana formula.”
3. Aress 66 – Diglo
While many know him as the super producer behind many of Wakadinali’s hits under the tag “Big Beatz Afriq,” Aress is a certified artist/rapper. Earlier this month, he released an album titled Gangsta Points, which featured the track “Diglo.”
In the song, Aress details the crime dealings of the ghetto and police involvement in true “Rong Rende” fashion over a self-produced mellow instrumental.
“Diglo” is a Sheng word coined from another Sheng word, “Digi,” which means “understand” or “recognize.”
2. Nyashinski x Bien – Time of My Life
Straight from a short hiatus, Nyashinski linked up with Bien in one of the month’s best songs. From his surprise Good Old Days EP, Nyash continued the trend of releasing “playlists” that began with Therapy in 2022.
“Time of My Life” is a love song set on a beautiful soundscape, with both artists complimenting each other over soulful harmonies. Bien is having a crazy feature run, and we are glad to have gotten this project from Nyashinski.
1. Blinky Bill – Mtaona Nikipaa
Blinky Bill released the third studio album that he had been working on for not one, not two, not three, but three and a half years. Over the album’s span, he infused many genres and sounds, making it hard for us to settle for just one song, but “Mtaona Nikipaa” stood out.
“Mtaona Nikipaa,” a Swahili word that means “You will see me rise/fly,” spawned a great song. The track features uncredited vocals by an artist we haven’t put our fingers around yet. (comment down below if you know who it is 😊)
From touching on Kenyan social issues to addressing his eventual rise, this song deserves this spot and is currently on replay. True to the title, we are sure that we will continue to see Blinky Bill’s rise.
Listen to our Top 11 Kenyan Songs of January 2024 on Spotify here.
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