The music of Kenya is very diverse, with multiple types of folk music based on the variety over 50 regional languages.
Genge music, or genge, is a genre of hip hop music with additional influences from dancehall music that had its beginnings in Nairobi, Kenya. The name was coined by the producer Clemo and popularized by Kenyan rappers Jua Cali and Nonini who started off at Calif Records, and is commonly sung in Sheng, Swahili or local dialects. The term genge is a sheng word for "a group or a mass of people".
Hubert Mbuku Nakitare, commonly known by his stage name Nonini, is a Kenyan hip hop recording artiste, entertainer, radio presenter, businessman and philanthropist. He is often referred to as the Godfather because he is very well known.
Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late 1990s who gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work.
Issah Mmari Wangui, better known by his stage name E-Sir, was a Kenyan hip hop artist. He was the elder brother to fellow Kenyan rapper Habib. He was famous for his deft lyrical ability and command of the Swahili language. The phenomenal popularity of his music disproved the myth that Kenyan music could never compete with imported pop. Even long after his death, he is still widely regarded as one of the best rappers to emerge on the Kenyan hip hop scene. In 2017, he got nominated for the Mdundo Awards for Most Downloaded Hip-Hop Artist in 2017. At the age of only 21, after only a brief but most iconic presence in Kenyan music, he died in a car accident in 2003. Boomba Train was his last hit song
Joseph Mayanjais a Ugandan singer songwriter and artiste famously known as Jose Chameleone.He sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.He previously contested on mayoral seat for Kampala capital City in 2021, and which he lost to Erias Lukwago.
P-Unit is a Kenyan hip hop group consisting of Kenyan hip hop artists Frasha, Gabu, and Bon-eye.
Swabri Mohammed, better known by his stage name Redsan, is a Kenyan reggae and ragga musician. He is one of the most well renowned ragga and dancehall artists in East Africa. His popularity has extended to the rest of Africa, and parts of Europe, United States, and the Middle East.
Peter Gatonye, known better for his stage name Pilipili is a musician/singer from Kenya. At the beginning of his career, he collaborated with another musician, Gun B. Their best known song was "Nampenda". He has also sung a song with Ratatat. The song was called Morale.
The Kisima Music Awards is an annual awards program that recognises musical talent in East Africa. Despite being Kenyan-based the scheme awards artists from a variety of countries, predominantly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and incorporates a range of music genres.
Boomba music, also referred to as kapuka, is a form of hip pop music popular in Kenya. It incorporates hip hop, reggae and African traditional musical styles. The lyrics are in Swahili, Sheng or local dialects. It is associated with the Ogopa Deejays and is believed to have originated in the late 1990s with artists such as Redsan, Bebe Cool and Chameleone. It went on to dominate East African airwaves after the release of the Ogopa Deejays' first album in 2001, which included artists such as the late E-Sir, Nameless, Mr. Lenny, Amani, Mr. Googz and Vinnie Banton amongst others.
Kleptomaniax is a rap group from Nairobi, Kenya. The group consists of three members: Roba, Collo and Nyashinski.
Longombas are a duo from Kenya performing a mixture of Hip hop and Soukous. Christian Longombas died on March 3, 2021.
Rosemary Wahu Kagwi, professionally known by her mononym Wahu, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, former fashion model, actress and entrepreneur.
Deux Vultures is a musical group in Kenya performing hip hop and pop music.
Mr. Googz is a musician from Kenya.
Kevin Wairegi, best known by his stage name Wyre, is a Kenyan R&B and reggae musician. He is known for being a member of the groups Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew, as well as his solo career.
Charles Njagua Kanyi better known by his stage name Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Judith Nyambura Mwangi, better known by her mononym Avril, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, actress and entertainer. She was formerly signed to Ogopa Deejays, one of the leading music production and record labels in Kenya. As a singer, she is popularly known for her singles "Mama", "Kitu Kimoja", "Chokoza" and "Hakuna Yule". As an actress, she is best known for playing Miss B'Have on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money (2012). Avril's contributions to the Kenyan entertainment industry have earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award, one Golden Mic Award and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.
Odi pop is a Kenyan music style which involves localized Hip Hop and draws influences from Reggae and Dancehall music to build on an African Rhythm base performed in sing-along rap in heavy Kiswahili/Sheng language. There are several sub-genres stemming from this umbrella term including Gengeton, Dabonge, Debe and others. The music is spearheaded by Kenyan youth and most of them are pursuing their careers as music groups opposed to solo careers.
