The world welcomed a new year – 2024 – just four days ago and everyone is excited to see what the new year has in store for their different careers. The music sector is leading the way as 2023 saw releases of some amazing songs, EPs, LPs, mixtapes, and albums. 2023 also saw the break up of Sauti Sol which caught music fans across the world by surprise but they treated their fans and music fans to a one-of-a-kind Sol Fest dubbed the last dance.
Below are some of the albums released in 2023 as we gear up for an already vibrant 2024.
1. Alusa Why Are You Topless? – Bien
This was Bien’s debut album after his debut EP – Bald Men Love Better- and the break up of Sauti Sol. In the 17-track album, Bien went all in and he spoke about how he sees love as an adult.
2. Ndani Ya Cockpit 3 – Wakadinali
Their unrivaled sense of how to ride instrumentals unconventionally, and command of sheng lingo continued to help them make strong records. In the album, Wakadinali continued to show why they are one of the best hip-hop trio in Kenya and the world at large.
3. Love, Art, Lust – Fena
Being her third studio album, this layered and masterfully crafted work by Fena is a musical expedition and diary on how to show up when the time comes. The album further projects self-reflective, and growth-brooding of Fena.
4. Lion of Suddah – Bensoul
Bensoul, like his Sauti Sol mentors, is known for sharing weighty love-heavy songs, from bedroom sizzlers to party anthems. His formulaic approach to penning songs for the ladies continues in this star-studded album.
5. Uptown Chokoraa – Kahu$h
After a long absence from the music scene, Kahu$h returned and delivered a cohesive body of work – Uptown Chokoraa. In the project, his spacey beats and trunk-thundering trap met silky Afro bops. Being one of the best lyrists, he lives up to this title with his infectious energy and emo-rap frequencies.
6. Emotional Gangster– Wangechi
The album showcases the two sides of Wangechi and she spills the beans on personal annoyances and conflicts. Released in September 2023, the album finds Wangechi in a fun phase of her career, and what began as a carefree exchange evolves to delve into the artist’s reflections on societal issues, love, and self-discovery.
7. Inside Out – Nviiri
Nviiri’s music is adored by many because he makes feel-good music, but he is also self-aware and can make music that strikes a chord sentimentally. Nviiri described his mood on the album as the self-realization is big and strong now.
8. Rada – Kagwe Mungai
Kagwe over the years has been a force to reckon with when it comes to music production and music making as a singer. On the album, Kagwe modernizes and personalizes nostalgic Kenyan records showing why he is one of Kenya’s pop sensations.
9. Love/ Hate Part 1 – Xenia Manasseh
Kenya’s R&B sensation Xenia Manasseh – who was also featured on a colors show a project by Spotify and A colors X studio – released her debut studio album. In the album, Xenia unfolds songs that express her relationship with romance and intimacy. She sings wearingly and scorns her lover, making the album raw, emotional and superb.
10. Midas Touch – Breeder LW
Released towards the end of the year, Lil Maina’s Maisha Ya Stunna is a 10-track album of bangers and party anthems. The album also showcased Lil Maina’s narrative prowess with masterfully produced beats, making the album a comprehensive celebration of both the highs and lows that comes with life.
Other projects include;
- Dem Kutoka Mwiki – Femi One
- Midas Touch – Breeder LW
- Chaos Poa – Brandy Maina
- Love & Vibes – Nadia Mukami & Arrow Bwoy
- Time – Hart the Band
- 2nd Life – King Kaka
- Boy wa Kanisa EP – Moji Short Baba
- Utu Uzima – Jua Cali
- Puonj Mag Dak (The Album Formula 5) – Prince Indah
- Love & Vibes – Lexsil
- $£€K – Sudough Doss
- The Rong Don – Skillo
- Me Against Me – Katapilla
- The God of Zion – Zion Njeri
- Toxic – Joefes
- Pressure – Groovy Jo
- Foreign Exchange – King Kanja
- Mauru Unit – Sewersydaa