10 Unique Kenyan Albums and EPs of 2021 that will Blow You Away

2021 found me in Kilifi. And not because of Kilifi New Year Festival – which was postponed and later rebranded to Beneath The Baobabs Festival. I was stuck and living my best life: attending beach parties, swimming in nature’s free swimming pool aka the creek,…

Feb 19, 2026 - 19:54

10 Unique Kenyan Albums and EPs of 2021 that will Blow You Away

2021 found me in Kilifi. And not because of Kilifi New Year Festival – which was postponed and later rebranded to Beneath The Baobabs Festival.

I was stuck and living my best life: attending beach parties, swimming in nature’s free swimming pool aka the creek, and eating all the viazi karai I could get my hands on.

And then shi(f)t happened.

Like Sam Smith, I know I’m not the only one. This year changed a lot in us – and about us. We made mistakes, we learnt, we grew.

Same thing happened to the Kenyan music scene.

While going through our internal shifts and struggles, Kenyan musicians put in the work! They blessed us with beautiful projects every single month. Soothing soundtracks to accompany the different phases of our rocky lives.

And like some of us, they broke up, made magic and won recognition.

Just like in 2020, I compiled my top Kenyan music projects of the year for you. These 2021 Kenyan albums and EPs are so unique that they’re either your favourites or you haven’t heard of them – yet.

In order of release date, here we go.

1. Rhumbacane EP – YABA

If you don’t know YABA, he’s half of the Kenyan rhumbatrap duo Red Acapella later baptised Red A.k.a.fellaz – before they broke up in 2020.

His new sound and EP Rhumbacane is a sweet fusion of rhumba, trap and benga music that is both nostalgic and futuristic. My favourite track has to be Mashujaa which celebrates our African music legends, from Tanzania’s Remmy Ongala to the King of Kenyan Twist John Nzenze.

2. The Cradle Nomad EP – HEKA

Talk about trippy downtempo music that blends tribal and jungle sounds with electronic music.

What else would you expect from Karim Mwondi, the Kenyan DJ producer who took me on my first ever psy-trance journey? With 3 tracks only, this EP is a short and sweet trip also featuring a remix of Udulele’s beloved Lamu Tamu.

3. Shindu Shi – Fadhilee Itulya

Fadhilee Itulya Shindu Shi Kenyan album artwork

Shindu Shi is the sophomore album by Omutibo Man after his groundbreaking Afrofusion album KWETU. You’ll fall in love with the soulful Amina featuring fellow mwana wa Ingo Lulu Abdalla.

And in Pombe, Fadhilee takes us round the country for a good time, even kuosha rungu in Masaku (get it?)

4. Majira – Ivy Alexander

Kenyan guitarist Ivy Alexander Majira EP

It’s not every year you get a full studio project from a Kenyan guitarist, let alone a female one.

Ivy with the good hair enlists Kenyan vocalists Noel Nderitu and Wambura Mitaru, and producer friends EKM, Rigga and Victor Kimetto to add musical layers to her delicate strings. From the mellow Infinite to the jazzy Kenyan National Anthem remix, this former Coke Studio girl really knows how to rock on her guitar.

5. Wanavokali: The Album – Wanavokali

After the high-octane single Rhumba and gengetone-vibed Kula Tatu, the award-winning Kenyan vocal group finally released their debut album in November. Their self-titled album is full of funky tunes, soulful anthems and crossover gospel songs.

Where every mwanavokali gets their own solo, standout tracks are Ythera’s You and Mellah’s Nitangoja – who both featured in Kenya’s first all-female album Odes by Queens.

6. Jambaka – Brian Sigu

I bought this 2021 Kenyan album after Sigu’s Showcase Wednesday performance at Alliance Francaise (which was also the album release date). And what a treat!

The 11-track album sounds like a proper live show with classic benga guitars, on-beat drumming, and wild sounds by the deep baritoned Dholuo storyteller who is not afraid to use his strongest instrument. Even though I could barely understand what he was saying, except osiepna, you feel his soulful Afrofusion music – a testament music is a universal language.

7. Father Studies – Fancy Fingers

Fancy Fingers Father Studies Kenyan album artwork

Now, who would have expected a full album from the famous Sauti Sol guitarist who never sings – unlike Kenchez of H_art The Band? Father Studies is Fancy Fingers’ surprisingly sweet ode to his infant son – and Burundian wife – with the help of fellow Kenyan musicians Dela, Nyashinski and Mordecai.

Wielding his guitar on his shoulder and baby Sulwe strapped on his back, dad of the year award goes to…

8. Purge – Bakhita

As cosmic as the artist, this 2021 Kenyan EP features Bakhita’s honey vocals harmonising their signature tenor with a smooth soprano. Purge is funky, jazzy, with a little bit of badass hip hop.

Longtime collaborator and music producer LEMI came through with the keys; they have great chemistry as seen from their live performance at The Terrace Kilifi.

9. From the Margins – Dorphanage

Dorphanage From The Margins Kenyan album 2021

What happens when you combine music, spoken word and storytelling? Well, you get an emotive album that speaks to your soul as young Kenyans tell their stories of hope, pain and loss in an unfair and unequal society.

Led by Dorphanage, one of the Kenya’s best spoken word artists, this moving message from the margins is worth listening and paying attention to.

10. Rebirth – SOLST!CE

Probably the most unique Kenyan album you’ll hear this year, Rebirth is simply cinematic music – from ambient piano ballads to melodic dubstep to progressive house tracks that could have been made by Skrillex.

While only Midnight Therapy features Solst!ce’s vocals, the rest are soundtracks ready and ripe for the big screen, video games, and high budget ads. They sound like they belong in a Nest Collective film – if the Kenyan collective didn’t make their own songs already.