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  • Watch Jose Chameleone’s “Sweet Banana” video

    The legend is back with a new video. Uganda’s Jose Chameleone has released the video for his new song, “Sweet Banana”. Watch.

  • Mercy Weiss releases new song feat. Christopher & Erin Pellnat: listen to “War”

    “War” is a new song by Mercy Weiss. Listen via Spotify.

  • Listen: Musa Jakadala – “Hera Remo”

    Musa Jakadala is an up-and-coming ohangla music artist. Listen to his new hit “Hera Remo” via YouTube.

  • Video: Qritiqal – “Malkia”

    Watch “Malkia” video by Kenyan singer/songwriter Qritiqal of Chocolate City Music.

  • Listen to Steph Kapela’s new song, “Forget Me”

    “Forget Me” is an Atwal Adwok-produced track performed by Steph Kapela.

  • Jinja: the debut Studio album from The Nile Project

    The Nile Project released their second project titled Jinja on 10th January this year. According to the press release posted on their bandcamp page: “Jinja is the long awaited follow-up to Aswan, the live recording from the Nile Project’s debut concert in 2013. Featuring artists from Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda, the album…

  • Introducing new Kenyan rap group: Wanakamati

      Wanakamati is a Kenyan hip hop group based in Nairobi. It was formed in 2014 and consists of three rappers: Dalvo The Ghostface, Jewelz and Mace. The group’s Swahili name comes from a translation from English of the phrase ‘The Commissioners’. The group was originally formed in 2015 by rappers Dalvo and Mace, who…

  • New video by Khaligraph Jones out: Watch “Naked”

    Khaligraph Jones is back with a new music video for his song “Naked”.

  • Introducing Aces: listen to “Uncharted Oceans” EP

    Uncharted Oceans is the fourth EP that Kenyan rapper Aces has released this year. The tape was produced by Abstrakt Ginino, Kahealbeats and Lakey and features two artists: Fess on “Oh My” and Raych on “Vibing”. Why the name Uncharted Oceans? Ace says that he “wanted to do something that had never been done before…

  • Listen to “Dream Series” by Greggy

    Listen to the two tracks via Soundcloud.

  • Video: “Sipendi Madrama” by Kayvo Kforce and Voste Wade

    Watch new video “Sipendi Madrama” by Kayvo Kforce and Voste Wade.

  • Suraj and Makadem collaborate on new single, “Rabai”

    Up-and-coming Kenyan DJ/producer Suraj teams up with benga-fusion heavyweight Makadem (a.k.a. the Ohanglaman) to release a new track “Rabai”, which is available for streaming via Soundcloud and other streaming platforms.

  • Ghanaian artist Fiamor releases new single “System”

    Hiplife performing artiste Fiamor is out now with a new song “System” mixed by Mickey Myco. The song talks about how the rich and  political appointees voted into power marginalize the less privilege in society instead of helping them find their feet. The song  is basically a true picture of what is happening in our ‘system’ in recent times…

  • “Back To The Source” hip hop meet-up is happening this Weekend in Uganda

    Back To The Source, a movement founded by Babaluku of Bavubuka Dynasty, is happening in Kampala and Jinja towns in Uganda from 17th to 20th December. Kenyan Hip Hop artist Hustlajay is attending. He says: “Back to the Source is an Indigenous Hip Hop Leadership Retreat designed to explore the transformative power found in reconnecting emerging…

  • Luodollar releases “Asante Sana” featuring Jo Banjo

    Luodollar has released “Asante Sana”, anew single featuring Jo Banjo. About it, the Kisuu native says, “Asante Sana is a gift to all my fans, supporters and suckers for good music who have been holding it down for me since day.“ That’s a good way to end the year for an artist who just had…

  • 2016 KOT Hip Hop Awards Winners

    KOT (Kenyans On Twitter) Hip Hop Awards is an initiative by Billy Casso. It recognizes talented hip hop musicians and industry professionals in Kenya. Boting is done exclusively on Twitter. The results for the first one are below: [UPDATE: unfortunately the Twitter account hosting the vote was suspended, so the results are lost.] BEST MALE…

  • Boosting your Youtube Views count

    Reblogged from CD BABY. YouTube is the number one search engine for music. Because of this, many musicians have turned to video to promote themselves and their work. Plus, videos on YouTube are an income stream for musician thanks to ad revenue share — especially when there’s a lot of views. If you’re planning on…

  • Video: “Benefactor” by Akothee

    Akothee finally releases her music video for “Benefactor”. She says this about project: “When a woman is successful everyone in the society has a different translation about her success story, what the world says shouldn’t limit your hustle but make it better after all life will never be easy just because you have a BENEFECTOR…

  • Listen: “Cham Gi Wangi” by Wuod Fibi

    “Cham Gi Wangi” by ohangla singer/producer Wuod Fibi is about the dangers of love that’s brewed on social media.

  • How Wyre Vs Makadem Concert Went Down At Alliance Francaise

    Kenyan musicians Wyre and Makadem got to square it out at the much-anticipated concert at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi. Revelers were entertained with a mix of Bengabeats and Reggae. The reggae fans seemed to be slightly more but Makadem was able to prove why Benga still stands its ground. While Makadem makes traditional Luo music…

  • Listen to Tatu’s Debut single, “Songea”

    Tatu is a Mombasa-based artist and is a sister to the celebrated Nyota Ndogo. Listen to her debut single “Songea” on Soundcloud.   SONG LYRICS VERSE 1 Yale maneno ya wahenga, nayakariri, Ya kwamba kila shetani ana m’buyu wake na wewe ndio wangu, Lugha za moyo zinanena, bila tafsiri Tambua umepandisha kwa sana thamani ya…

  • Get to Know Nairobi-based music collective, Cosmic Homies [Interview]

    This Article first appeared on OKAYAFRICA.COM The four member music & art collective first met and formed in Kenya with the aim of challenging traditional and current stereotypes through their self-described “electro-organic” sound. They’ve had major success in the past as two of its members—rapper/singer/DJ/producer TAIO and singer/producer Runkah—were both in Camp Mulla, a hugely…

  • “Owamanyi” by Eddy Kenzo [Official Video]

    Watch “Owamanyi” video by Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.

  • Davido – “How Long” feat. Tinashe [Video]

    Nigerian singer Davido has released his long-awaited collaboration with American R&B/pop singer Tinashe. The song is called “How Long”, and arrived with the music video posted below. Davido is releasing his Son of Mercy EP today, 14th October.

  • LXG to Record with Ghanaian Top Acts

    By Jonilar LXG, one of the high-rated Sierra Leonean music groups is set to record with some big names in Ghana’s music industry before the end of 2016. The group which has been nominated for this year’s MTV Base Africa Music Awards for the ‘Listener’s Choice’ category is currently in the country for a possible…

  • Noti Flow presents “SHE DONT KNOW” video feat. Raj

    Watch Noti Flow‘s “She Don’t Know” visuals featuring Raj. The quality video directed by Nezzo complements the talented duo lyrics perfectly.

  • Introducing Afreeka, the Italy-based Kenyan Reggae duo

      Kenyan Italy-based Reggae music duo Afreeka, have performed together since 1999. Though originally they went by the name Big Matata, they chose the name AFREEKA in 2007 after a series of performances on a tour in Italy. Afreeka is greatly influenced by Jamaican artists and also great African musicians. They opened for, and raised…

  • Hip hop with a Purpose: Hustlajay back with 3 new songs

    Hustlajay, with his Africa is Now foundation is working on bridging the gap between hip hop and awareness to social issues. Aipate previously ran an article about his documentary in which he featured immediate former Chief Justice of Kenya Dr Willy Mutunga. The documentary was both so inspiring as enlightening. Recently, Hustlajay went to Tanzanian…

  • LXG, the music group from Sierra Leone, Nominated for MTV Africa Music Awards

    By Jonilar Mutiple awards winning Sierra Leonean music trio LXG has had its first ever MTV Mamas nomination in the category of ‘Listener’s Choice’  at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards nominations announced on Sunday 2nd September, 2016 at the Lagos Leg of the Road to MAMA at the Hard Rock Café. The group which…

  • Hustlajay: Kenyan Internet Service Providers should reduce data prices to support Talent

    Kenyan emcee Hustlajay has voiced his opinion on why Tanzanian music industry is beating Kenya and he cites lower data tariffs as a major boost for the distribution of Bongo musicians’ content. He is just from a trip to Tanzania’s Arusha town and met a number of fellow creatives. “Internet is Expensive in Kenya unlike…

  • “Egwueji” video by Kaydex

    Watch video for ‘Egwueji’ by Kaydex. Kaydex is an upcoming Nigerian artist signed under KH Records. The track was produced by Fliptyce.

  • Listen: “We Life” by Reanno and Tage (a.k.a. High Voltage Clan)

    Listen to “We Life” by Reanno (Christopher Macharia) and Tage (Francis Waweru), the two young artists who form the group High voltage Clan. Get the song on Mdundo here. Also check out High Voltage Clan‘s Facebook page.  

  • Mdundo and KeCoBo’s Copyright Awareness Survey Findings are out

    In March 2016, Kenya Copyright Board (KeCoBo) collaborated with Mdundo to conduct a survey on copyright awareness among musicians. The research questions were sent via Email and SMS to all the musicians who are registered on the Mdundo platform and 253 out of 9000 responded. To know some background information of these musicians, some issues…

  • How Many Music Streams Does It Take to Earn Ksh 100?

    An article by Paul Resnikoff and reblogged from Digital Music News [For the purpose of the article, am using an average currency rate… $1 equaling Ksh. 100] What does streaming music pay in 2016? That’s becoming an increasingly tricky question. But here’s the latest breakdown from an artist royalty report. It takes 776 streams on…

  • Video: “Kuliko Jana” by Sauti Sol feat. RedFourth Chorus

    Sauti Sol have released the official video for their song “Kuliko Jana”, featuring RedFourth Chorus. The single is from from their last album, Live And Die in Afrika.

  • Watch: “Coming Home” video by Iital

    Lat last year, we introduced iiital through his “Fly Away“ video. Well. more content keeps coming from the musician. Watch iital’s new video for the song “Coming Home”.

  • Introducing Kenyan hip hop duo BBRT

    Originally posted on All Around Africa!: It’s been a minute since we last did an article about Kenyan music. For no apparent reason, we find ourselves highlighting more acts around Africa to the expense of Kenyans. My bad. But we can’t really shoulder all that blame, you see, as much as we we would like…

  • Here is “Pass Me The Lighter” by Kisumu’s Louie

    Anthony Baraka better known by his stage name as Louie B is a Kenyan Rapper, Songwriter and a Performer. He started his professional music career back in 2014 and he excels in the music genres of Hip Hop, Rap and Pop. The rising star who has worked with acts like Pablo the MasterForce, Femcee Ammateller,… via…

  • Fast Company predicted ‘5 Ways Streaming Music Will Change In 2016’

    The article is taken from an 205 article on Fast Company blog But 2015 was insane. It started off with, of all things, Jay-Z buying and relaunching his own streaming music service, Tidal. Grooveshark shut down. Apple launched Apple Music. YouTube announced YouTube Music. Spotify put its acquisition of the Echo Nest to good use with…

  • The Changing Role of Jamaican Radio: Sonjah’s Two Cents

    Originally posted on Dance Hall: I started taking note with some anxiety a few years ago, regarding the changing role of radio in Jamaica and the fact that many didn’t seem to understand the major implications for our music business. I attempted to have some discussion on this at the first State of the Music…

  • Just How Well Is Streaming Really Doing?

    Originally posted on Music Industry Blog: All of the three major record labels announced strong streaming music revenue growth in the 2nd quarter of 2016. On the surface it is a clear cut success story, but as is so often the case with music industry statistics, all is not quite how it seems. The Global…

  • What Frank Ocean’s Bombastic Blond Moment Tells Us About The Future Of Artists And Labels

    Originally posted on Music Industry Blog: When Frank Ocean’s latest album ‘Blond’ dropped, it did so like a nuclear bomb, sending shockwaves throughout the music industry. In one of the audacious release strategies of recent years Ocean and his team at 360 fulfilled the final album contractual commitment to Universal Music by ushering his breaking-the-mold…

  • Luodollar – “Simbe Adek” [Lyrics]

    These lyrics were edited by artist/songwriter, Vicmass Luodollar. INTRO: EEEEH!! KECH KECH Kawuono an gi simbe Adek and i don’t need to rob Peter to pay Paul/ Hahaha- And sani a push things ka dhako manyuol and thats the only reason momiyo okabosecho/ Nyakwar Obiero Pindwa,Nyakwar Siprosa Ndinya,ibiro yie luodollar bende ipenjo? wadhii/ VERSE 1:…

  • All Around Africa : Iba One [Mali]

    Originally posted on All Around Africa!: Somewhere in the North West of our motherland, a country is sandwitched in between Niger and Mauritania. In this Country,the national drink is sweet tea and it’s served three times from the same pot. The first cup is “strong as death”, the second “mild as life” and the third “sweet…

  • Video: “Utanisho” by Octopizzo

    Watch Octopizzo performing his “Utanisho” song.

  • Luodollar back with “Simbe Adek” video

    He brought you “Bank Otuch” and you loved it. Now Vicmass Luodollar is back with a new hit single, with a video to accompany it. “Simbe Adek”, translated from Luo to mean 3 phones, is well-crafted. The music video was shot in the beautiful city of Kisumu.

  • Get your music to blogs, submit to Aipate

    It’s is not easy for musicians, and creatives generally, to promote their content, because the environment is not quite conducive. But don’t worry any more since Aipate is giving any artist the chance to submit his/her own music for possible publication or review on our blog (and other sites as well). Because we live the…

  • Understanding how Youtube views are monetized

    Guest Post from music3point0.com: Many artists and bands think that they’ll automatically make money when their videos are viewed on YouTube, but that’s far from the case. In the last part of my series on streaming royalties and an excerpt from my new Music 4.1 Internet Music Guidebook, you’ll see all of the variables that go…

  • Ali Bex Blasts Tetemesha Awards, Citing Unprofessionalism

    The Tetemesha Awards went down last weekend and Nairobi artist Ali Bex is one of the artists who won. (We are yet to receive the official results, so we can’t really verify the award he won). That notwithstanding, the artist was so much displeased at the lack of professionalism of the organisers that he decided…

  • The Ultimate Top 10 Kenyan Hip Hop Musicians of 2016

    Its almost a year since I published 2015’s ultimate Kenyan Hip Hop acts. Though widely read, a number had issues with my compilation or my method of arriving at it, which is fair, I mean, that is indicative of a fact: most rappers have hardcore fans. I am aware that as a “biggest fan” of…