kenyan reggae artists
below are some of the established kenyan reggae artists. ( the list comes in no defined order)
Levysill
Born and raised in Nairobi Kenya, Levysill took an interest in music from an early age. Levysill started performing at various talent shows in and around Nairobi after completing high school. He steadily continued to hone his skills in writing, performing and production. Levysill remained dedicated and persistent and by 2002 he released his classic debut single Tukae Masaa (sheng language for let's move forward) which received widespread support from local media and created awareness of an upcoming Dancehall Artist. His efforts were duly noted by an upcoming label, Arkangel who signed him. Levysill's first major concert appearance was at the AIDS awareness concert in November 2002 at the Impala Grounds where Culture was the headline act. a kenyan artist based in the united kingdom, levysill remains one of kenya's best stage acts.
shamir
Kenyan reggae artist Abdela Mohamed Shamir, who performs under the name Shamir was born on August 28, 1986. He was raised in Kibera and Mobassa and he attended St. Mary’s Primary School in Mwea and Shauri Moyo Secondary School. Shamir started to pursue a music career in 2006 and was inspired by South African reggae artist Lucky Dube. He started off with his high school church and began singing and composing his own music. He was the lead singer of a reggae group The Band Man College and he worked with Jamaican reggae star Burning Spear. Shamir went solo three years later. In 2007, his got his big break when he released his first track ‘On Fire,’ which was a hit in the Kenyan music industry and he garnered respect from Jamaican and international artists.Shamir unleased a hot new track, “Treat her Like A Lady,” today, which has a very romantic vibe like his first song, “On Fire” and it’s from the Mama Africa Riddim. Lovers Rock is his specialty and his songs are inspired by love, his relationships and his life experiences.
wahu
she has has been nominated and won several African, East African and kenyan awards. Her biggest regae track to date remains "my sweet love" dedicated to her daughter.
Bafu chafu
A vibrant and energetic reggae dancehall artist. Bafu's stage performance and deep voice tone is undisputed. He is arguably kenya's capleton and sizzla in one package. He is acclaimed to be the kenyan king of dancehall.
ras luigi
He is a jack of all trades, he is a DJ with a local station, he is also a health fitness instructor and a budding musician all in one. Born and brought up in Kariobangi in a family of 10. He has grown up to live his dreams and is the past winner of the Reggae category of the Kisima awards and bags a nomination for his song ‘Unite’
An award winning Best Reggae/Ragga Artiste of the Year in the Kenya Coast Music Awards
Ras Madedo statred his musical career in 2004 as a singer in a local band in the Coastal City of Mombasa. doing many stage shows at several hotels, beaches and local clubs.
In 2007 he performed at Second Annual East Africa Reggae Fest performing along side The late Mighty King-Kong and in the same year he performed along-side Israel vibrations Apple Gabriel. He has also performed together with big name like Teddy Dan, Stargate Family and
Gyptian during his Kenyan Tour.
Jah'key Malle
Jah'key Malle born Jack Otkech Obwande in 1968 Kenya, East Africa.
He started his music career at the age of 14 as a DJ at various popular music spots, (including the popular Florida night club Nairobi).After spinning discs for 10 years, he formed his own band that performaned at various clubs and concerts.
Some of the most successful shows he has featured in are:
The tone of his voice and the message in his music clearly talks of virtiolic campaign against drugs, the menace of the ravaging AIDS and racism. He preached brotherly love, peace on earth and unity among all races
Man WazimuPeter Wagany a.k.a Man Wazimu a.k.a Virgin Man aka Da Present is a Nairobi based reggae artiste with a unique voice and style. The artiste who also works for Ghetto Radio earned his mettle by working hard at his music.
With a humble backgroud, Man Wazimu did not let the scarcity of resources in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums weigh him down. He took his inspiration for music from pioneer Hardstone to record and release his first single with Scratch Records' producer Roba. He later recorded other tracks like Witness, Other Kenyans and Airtime With Airtime.
According to Man Wazimu, Airtime with Airtime made it to the chats of a UK based radio station called All FM in a show hosted by DJ Raven called top 20 rising reggae artiste in the world.
Jonny Bayata
Jonny Bayata a.k.a. John Moses Wambugu Mureithi born in the early 1980s started
his musical career at very tender age while attending sunday school.At that time,he was based in rural Nyeri where he was born and raised.He would later go on to participate in various music festivals and school choir outings and events.
This is when he developed a passion for music.During his early teen years he developed a liking for ragga and dancehall artists such as Supercat,Buju Banton,Daddy Uroy,Sizzla who deeply inspired him more to venture into music.
He has recorded the following tracks among others. No going home, Island Girl ,You went away, Away from Home, Music, Down town fans, True, Love and Candy candy
mc jah watchman
She released her first single “Ni sawa tu” when she was 16 years old making her the first successful female artist in east africa. The song was an instant hit and soon enough Nazizi became a household name.
Nazizi still remains one of the most popular and influential artists in the East African region.
Nazizi has won 17 AWARDS IN A ROW
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mc bayo
mc bayo is an with a sound system in Nairobi city. His hit single "light at the end of the tunnel" turned out to be huge success in Kenya and East Africa
fire son bantu
born David Mukoyani, fire son bantu is a versatile artist full of energy.some of his tracks, including light the fire, you gat me, police brutality(featuring ginjah), among many have been successful, both localy and internationally.
stephantom wargamble was born in the cntral region of kenya. his voice fights to liberate people from all walks in life,but mostly to elevate ghetto people from the hopelessness situation caused by those who thinks have everything that life requires but are weak and poor in spirit,this is the voice of the down trodden ghetto youth who are lowly troding in humbleness fear to see more focused youth in the community living in traquility for the betterment of the little children. Tracks include. i love kenya, crying of the youth and freedom.
Lidanjam raah
lidanjam raah was born on 16th of August in a small town called Thika a few kilometers from Nairobi the Capital City of Kenya. He attended primary education at Jamhuri Primary School and later went to Broadway High School for his Secondary Education both inThika Town.
His musical talent was realized at the age of 18 while still in high school, where he wrote lyrics inspired by reggae musicians especially Don Carlos. He could listen and sing along to the Legends music until he could compose his own lyrics.
freeman
john Kimutai aka Freeman is a real vocal entertainer with an extensive and varied repertoire. Some say he was born into it, some that he was born with it, while others claim he has earned it. With one foot planted firmly in reggae’s traditional roots and the other reaching into its dynamic future, Freeman isn’t entirely sure what ‘it’ is; singer, songwriter,revivalist, or innovator. Whatever it may be, “Freeman has the ability to turn young Kenyans on its ears.”
ras kaigi
one of the Founder members of Black Stone Band, ras kaigi remains an authentic roots reggae artist. he still posses the original reggae touch that most modern reggae artist have lost. check him out at point 5.
dada afrik
dada afrik is the best youngest queen of reggae n dancehall music living in kenya!! she is a true lioness on the rise.
started a group in high school called Slim Entertainment with the late Wicky Mosh, sung as live back up vocalist for the late Mighty King Kong, joined the Altimate Band and collaborated with PUnit, Eklectics, Vivianna, among others. Recorded and released singles.
st crooner
st crooner Being the eldest in a family of four brothers, Saint is an uprising reggae artist growing and living in the slums of Githurai.Greatly inspired by the neighborhood and the reality in the music, Saint has known nothing but a life of hardship in a ghetto where people live from hand to mouth and no one is assured of their tomorrow. Born on 27th July 1984, Saint found music irresistible as he used to sneak into the dance hall where his father was then a dj playing with “Commando Sounds” in the 80’s.The love and passion for the same increased as his father had a big collection of African music and a few reggae albums by Lucky Dube and Alpha Blondy.
nakos j
nakos j formerly known as (mc nachos) is an international reggae song writer,performer and composer from the republic of kenya ,born and brought up in the western part of the country in a town called mbale just a few kilometers to Uganda. he was born with the passion of music from his child hood until l now
nakos j means wisdom and j stands for Joseph his christian name.e
nakos j means wisdom and j stands for Joseph his christian name.e
wyre the love child
Kevin Wyre (stage name Wyre) is a R & B and reggae musician from Kenya known from the groups Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew as well as a solo artist.
He has released two solo albums. The latest album,Ten Years Wiser, was named for his 10-year spanning career in music. As a solo artist, he has performed in various African countries, including Nigeria and Uganda. He has collaborated with various artists, including P-Square,2Face_Idibia of Nigeria.
Well known for his stage performance, alongside Ian and of N.I.X. His undoubtedly one of Africa's most entertaining performers.
Redsan
Redsan (real name Swabri Mohammed, 1981-) is a reggae and ragga musician from Kenya.
He is known as East Africa's king of dancehall. Mohammed entered the music scene after winning the Star Search competition at Nairobi’s Carnivore in 1998. After doing some opening acts for Hardstone, he became one of the famous Ogopa Deejays' first artistes. He had joined up with Lucas Bikedo from Sing Sounds, who then formed Ogopa DJ’s. He then formed the original East African Bashment Crew with Chameleon and Bebe CoolHe is being produced by Monalisa, an outfit based in Miami, USA.Redsan has toured several times in the US and EuropeHe has won categories at the Chaguo La Teeniez awards and Kisima Awards
He is known as East Africa's king of dancehall. Mohammed entered the music scene after winning the Star Search competition at Nairobi’s Carnivore in 1998. After doing some opening acts for Hardstone, he became one of the famous Ogopa Deejays' first artistes. He had joined up with Lucas Bikedo from Sing Sounds, who then formed Ogopa DJ’s. He then formed the original East African Bashment Crew with Chameleon and Bebe CoolHe is being produced by Monalisa, an outfit based in Miami, USA.Redsan has toured several times in the US and EuropeHe has won categories at the Chaguo La Teeniez awards and Kisima Awards
mighty king kong
Paul Otieno Imbaya, better known for his stage name Mighty King Kong was a popular reggae musician. He was born in Ugenya, Siaya District. As a young child he suffered a severe polio and was disabled from the waist down. He went to Ambira Primary School, but dropped out at Standard 6 following the death of his father. He then moved to Kisumu where he became a street kid and beggar.
His third album, Return of the King, was released in 2004 and in 2007, he released a compilation album "The Best of King Kong" .
Mighty King Kong passed away on Christmas Day, 2007 at the age of 34 at Kenyatta National Hospital while being treated for poisoning. He is survived by his widow, Jackline Ouma and a son, Prince Travis Imbaya Otieno.
ousmane
born samwell mwangi muriithi, ousmane was among the pioneers of modern reggae music in kenya.It is tracks like V.I.P love and rising sun that brought ousmane to stardom.
Trulight n Kelcy
Trulight n Kelcy both grew in surroundings of music and creative arts thus recognizing their talents at different stages,Kelcy started singing at her tender age similar case to trulight
