Kenyan artist Kaa La Moto has finally released his new album Kesi. Fifteen tracks long, the Swahili hip-hop project includes earlier singles like “Msafiri” and “Kenda”. Thematically, Kesi presents a canvas over which the Kilifi-based emcee reflectively–and expressively–treats the listener to an elevated social, cultural and political consciousness. Corruption, unemployment, the drug menace among the youth and the state of Kenyan hip-hop are some of the prominent areas the musician delves into. However, on the title track “Kesi”, the artist gets emotional while talking about the absence of a loved one.

The album is diverse; while the Afro-pop flavoured “Kidogo” is more light-hearted and cheerful, “Kijiweni”, for example, is nostalgia-imbued. On “Maniggaz Hip-hop!”, though, Kaa La Moto interestingly goes gloves-off on the mainstream rap scene and Kapuka-inclined artists may have just been dealt a heavy blow.

“Sawa” and “Hands Up” are two of my best songs on the project, although the entire album is a regal body of work. The list of featured acts includes Vivonce, Iddi Singer, Kama K-Shaka, Salu T, Chapatizzo, Chizzen Brain, Kigoto and Songa. The record was mixed/mastered by Chizzen Brain and executive-produced by Kutto “Bantu Pai” Mwagaradi.

[RATING: 8/10 ]

Buy the album here via Bandcamp.

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