East Africa’s Rising Stars: Kenya’s Hidden Gems & Tanzania’s Musical Dominance

By Carlos Oyoma

East Africa is a rich tapestry of musical soul and cultural heritage, with Kenya embodying a vast, untapped well of artistic expression. Beneath the surface lies a host of Kenyan musicians whose work rivals that of any mainstream act.

But unlike Tanzania’s internationally recognized stars, many of these Kenyan talents remain hidden in plain sight, their voices a gentle hum instead of a full-throated roar. This piece aims to celebrate these artists—those like Mutoriah, Kinoti, and Njerae—and asks: why do they remain unsung, despite their undeniable prowess?

Consider Mutoriah. His music is a marvel, a seamless melding of smooth R&B rhythms with the vibrant beats of Afrobeat and subtle electronic undertones. Each track is an intricate journey that strays from convention and rewards any listener willing to stray along with it. Yet, paradoxically, his name hardly surfaces in mainstream Kenyan media.

The same can be said of Kinoti, whose jazz influences add depth and sophistication to Nairobi’s soundscape, or Njerae, whose thoughtful lyrics speak to the rawness of life’s many twists and turns. Then there’s Brandy Maina, with her edgy spoken word and rap infusions, and Billy Black, Matt Ngessa, and Kethan—each of them pushing musical boundaries that rarely reach the wider audience.

Kenya’s music industry faces issues of focus and structure. Unlike Tanzania’s streamlined music ecosystem, Kenyan music is marked by fragmentation, with the industry seemingly focused on fleeting trends rather than fostering talent with depth and longevity. Tanzanian music benefits from a clear sense of identity, where Bongo Flava stands as a distinct sound and cultural product.

Artists like Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny aren’t just household names; they’re symbols of Tanzanian culture and pride, supported by strong management, funding, and a collaborative spirit. On the other hand, artists in Kenya often have to self-promote, relying on social media platforms to spread their music—platforms that, while useful, rarely compensate for the lack of established industry support.

Tanzania’s success also owes a great deal to the nation’s emphasis on collaboration. Bongo Flava has taken hold across Africa, in part due to the artists’ dedication to national identity within a genre that still resonates with regional and international audiences. It’s this delicate balance—of being culturally rooted yet universally appealing—that gives Tanzanian music such power.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s tendency toward club-focused beats—a sound well-suited to Nairobi’s vibrant nightlife—often pushes reflective, genre-bending works to the margins. Artists like Mutoriah and Kinoti, whose sounds are more meditative and eclectic, end up sidelined, struggling for space on airwaves dominated by high-energy hits.

In this climate, Kenyan radio and television networks seem almost hesitant to stray from predictable, market-friendly sounds. It’s a pattern that stifles creativity and narrows the cultural narrative Kenya’s music could otherwise offer. Imagine the impact if Kenya’s media embraced the diversity of its own artists—if they championed not only the radio-ready hits but also the raw and experimental sounds that capture the spirit of modern Kenya. Imagine if they showcased work that celebrates local culture and talents, a genre-defying force that could reshape perceptions of East African music.

For Kenya’s music scene to rival Tanzania’s, it will require dismantling the barriers that constrain these gifted artists. Kenya’s music landscape could thrive by embracing a broader definition of “mainstream”— one that celebrates innovation alongside commercial appeal, fostering an ecosystem that lets Kenya’s unheard voices flourish on a larger scale. Only then will the true brilliance of artists like Mutoriah, Brandy Maina, and Kinoti resonate beyond Kenya’s borders.

These overlooked artists—brilliant in their originality and lyrical honesty—represent Kenya’s resilience, its dreams, and its untold stories. If Kenya’s industry were to fully support these promising talents, the nation’s music could break free from the shadows, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.