Nairobi Grooves opens November with Gweth, from Onyach Pala’s second studio project. The Dholuo word (local language) for blessings sets the tone for a playlist that moves between gratitude, love, ambition and experimentation. This edition also features new collaborations, regional connections and producers shaping Kenya’s current sound.
From Vic West’s production work on records by Keteh, Miss Kamweru and Zaituni to We Are Nubia’s latest release, the selection brings together artists working across Afropop, hip-hop, R&B, Urban Tone and Afrohouse.
Cover story: Onyach Pala finds gratitude in ‘Gweth’
Onyach Pala opens the playlist with a project centred on gratitude and faith. Gweth, his second studio project, has four tracks and runs for approximately 14 minutes. Through songs about love, home and perseverance, the singer reflects on his journey while looking ahead to what he hopes to achieve.
The title means blessings in Dholuo. It captures the mindset of someone who believes he is destined for more but understands that becoming takes time. Instead of focusing only on future success, Onyach takes a moment to appreciate how far he has come and give thanks for what he has.
The project opens with Shukran, produced by GL. He follows it with Blessed, featuring Mordecai Dex and Apesi, with production by Cap. Nyumbani, produced by Karlel Beats and Run, turns to the idea of home, while I Won’t Stop features Njoki Karu, with Victor Mbogo as producer and Hendrick Sam as co-producer.
Onyach has also released lyric videos for the four songs on YouTube, giving listeners an opportunity to follow the words behind the project.
Nairobi Grooves November playlist
- Gweth — Onyach Pala
- Wendo — Ywaya Tajiri ft. Bobo
- Miti — Willy Paul ft. Jay Melody
- Champagne — We Are Nubia
- Aura Farm — Khaligraph Jones
- Umebant — Keteh
- Manzi wa Nairobi — Miss Kamweru ft. Maandy
- Running — Kethan x Kinoti x Ochiko
- So Easy— Altair Saïd
- Whine N Kotch — Tipilda ft. Genes1s
- My Ego Told Me To — Aneya
- Sitoki — Zaituni & Vic West
- Sele — Savara
- Don’t Walk Away — Hildah Watiri ft. Nonny Mthiya
- Nzilani — Kavella ft. Davy Waweru
- Wanaona Wivu — Lexsil
- Vibes on Vibes — Chris Kaiga
- Asubuhi — Davy Waweru
- Sha — Papa Nyosto
- Kili — Ghenda & Idd Aziz
Vic West’s production run continues across Kenya’s music scene
Vic West has become one of the most recognizable producers in Kenyan music. He first came into the limelight with the hit “Kuna Kuna” and has since worked on several major Kenyan records. His production features on three songs in this month’s playlist: “Umebant” by Keteh, “Manzi wa Nairobi” by Miss Kamweru featuring Maandy, and “Sitoki” by Zaituni.
Keteh is a music collective comprising Njuguna, Muringi, Ras Amor, Manasseh Shalom, Zawadi Mukami and Chris Barr. The group brings its members together under one name, with “Umebant” currently gaining traction. Vic West’s production gives the release its musical direction while adding another collective record to his growing list of Kenyan collaborations.
Miss Kamweru and Maandy bring girl double trouble on “Manzi wa Nairobi”. The two address Nairobi’s dating culture head-on, laying out the ground rules for holding their attention and brushing off time-wasters. Miss Kamweru has also taken the song to social media through dance videos with children from Nairobi’s informal settlements, giving audiences another way to engage with the release.
On “Sitoki”, Vic West pairs his urban production style with Zaituni’s taarab sound. The collaboration brings contemporary rhythms into conversation with a coastal musical tradition while keeping Zaituni’s sound at the centre.
Collaborations bring different markets together
The playlist also features collaborations that cross borders. Willy Paul teams up with Tanzanian singer Jay Melody on Miti, bringing together two artists from neighbouring music markets. Hildah Watiri also joins South African singer Nonny Mthiya on Don’t Walk Away.
Elsewhere, Ywaya Tajiri features Bobo on Wendo, while Kethan, Kinoti and Ochiko team up on “Running”. The three are prolific songwriters, and their collaboration adds another entry to a playlist that draws on different voices within Kenya’s music industry.
We Are Nubia’s Champagne takes a celebratory approach. The Kenyan girl duo describe it as their best record yet, with lyrics about reaching a point where hard work starts to pay off: bills are cleared, family is happy and there is room to celebrate. Produced by Run, the song captures that feeling in its chorus, “champagne on the table, next week Ibiza”.
Artist to watch: Altair Saïd returns with Only For A While
This week’s artist to watch is Altair Saïd. Altair returned to the music scene after a two-year break with his sophomore EP, Only For A While.
The four-track project follows his debut, Time Allows, and finds the Kenyan singer-songwriter exploring alternative R&B through Swahili lyrics, live instrumentation and influences from R&B of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
The EP includes So Easy, Bila Wewe, Out of Time and Intertwined. Altair wrote all four songs, while Ojizzo handled the project’s mixing and mastering. The tracks also feature contributions from producers and musicians including Pascal Baletti, Tevin Crescent, John Musau, Newman and the late Eugene Kanyugo.
Altair balances his music with his final year of Medical Biochemistry studies at Swansea University in Wales. His return also follows performances at events including Roots & Riddim 2026, where he shared a bill with Yussef Dayes, Venna and Elijah Fox.
