Diamond Platnumz – Happy
Tanzania’s Diamond has the most versatile catalog in East Africa scene. He has perfected the art of shapeshifting genres and moves fast in an industry where one cannot afford to blink. After riding the amapiano and Swahili bongo flava wave, in “Happy”, he falls back into the afrobeat spirit with a certified hit single. Since “Enjoy”, a collaboration with star Juma Jux, he has not had a continetal chart topping song. The song samples Abule by Patoranking with a colourful video to match and witty lyrics to boot (20million cash, send it to my ex, mwambie nishamove on, apunguze kunitext). He’s your ultimate guide for a hit song!
Bien ft Ali Kiba – Finale
The two East Africa heavyweights come together in this smooth melody-laden single. The Abbah production is well written and samples Nviiri’s “Niko Sawa” on the intro, from his EP Kitenge. The bridge is so infectious (leo silali, ni kukesha, mitungi kuwasha nachoma tena sijali yamewashinda yao yetu wataweza?) and hooks you to the danceable chorus that lives rent-free in your head. Ali does so much justice with a follow-up verse that carries the song’s energy through. The house party video features a cameo of several artists including rapper Khaligraph Jones, Polycarp of SautiSol and Bensoul of Sol Generation. A collaboration that was way past over due!
Har_t The Band – Umenibamba
The Kenyan trio are having a good time with the new single which features Alternate Sound band of DJ Rombee, Barr and DrummerBoy Stanley. The band is known for advanced technology in live music experience and has worked with Africa’s A-listers including Wizkid, Yemi Alade and Tiwa. This amapiano groove is a club-banger complete with the cowbells and whistles, characteristic of amapiano. It has taken Har_t out of their churchy melodic comfort zone right into the dancefloor, giving them a radio hit. The kicks and drums transport you into a euphoric state where the African spirit comes alive.
Nasty C ft Sammie Heavens – The Heart
Nasty seems to have gotten his groove back and is dropping singles back-to-back. The “String and Blings” hit maker has teamed up with his wifey Sammie on this sensual alte-rap sing off his 2025 album Free (Deluxe). Sammie Heavens has been on the mic for a while and gives off Kenya’s favourite femcee Xtatic vibes. She glazes over the beats with some trippy careless wit as Nasty let’s her do her thing. The two blend together so effortlessly and their son, Oliver, will be on the moon to hear his parents on the same track. A family that raps together, stay together.
Octopizzo ft Idd Aziz- Pupa
Kenya’s favourite rapper Octopizzo once again proves that genre-bending is his superpower. Teaming up with electronic music powerhouse Idd Aziz on the backup vocals, Octopizzo delivers flawlessly in this historic combo. This seems to be an attack on his haters (mbogi yako ya wasupa, acha pupa utashonwa) whom he tells to relax or get stiched. In the streets, “snitches get stiches” remember. He gives his fashionista bro, Jimmy Truth, a shout out in the second verse (anapenda up and down, drip SeeSaw), a true definition of brotherhood. The track is off his “In The Meantime” mixtape, proving that he still got teeth in the game.
