The ‘97 days of January’ are all but behind us now. During the period, the Kenyan entertainment industry has been busy. As GRACE WACHIRA writes, December’s studio sessions and closed-door meetings paid off in January as brand new content rocked the airwaves

Khaligraph and Bien

And yes! January came bearing goodies. The ‘OG’ himself Khaligraph Jones hit the studio with Sauti Sol’s Bien to drop an instant hit titled Yes Bana. It was released on January 29.

This came just a few weeks after Khali made headlines and trended for what seemed like a twiff that asserted him as the best rapper in Nigeria.

As if to put a stamp on it, he was featured in the video donning the traditional Nigerian look as he spits his lines.

Yes Bana was carefully penned with him mentioning social and political issues while making jabs at other artistes to get in the studio with him and top the charts with their collaborations.

King Kaka and Kelechi

After giving us something to ponder last year with Wajinga Nyinyi, rapper and spoken word artiste King Kaka hit the studio with singer, songwriter and producer Kelechi Africana to release Kesi.

In the song, the two talk about how they’d rather stay out of the messes that dot relationships such as cheating or reaching out to exes once the relationships are up and running.

It was a thoughtful message that underlines faithfulness in relationships. The chorus was chill and easy with Kelechi showing off his smooth vocals. 

Moji and Benachi

In mid-January, gospel acts Moji Shortbaba and Benachi came together to give us Aje. The song, with a toned-down tempo, largely talks about how they cannot do life without God.

The two did not disappoint on the three-minute jam whose video was shot along the Limuru-Nairobi highway, a simple but rich scenery. 

The two role-played as a bus driver and conductor and coupled the song with clear and witty vocals to drive the point home.

Krowbar makes a comeback

Celebrated gospel deejay Krowbar came back home towards the end of last year following his sojourn in South Africa where he had relocated to with is family.

And it seems the family is now settled and the mixmaster is set to make a comeback on our screens.

Alongside his longtime TV co-host Anthony Ndiema, he announced towards the tail-end of January that he was set to make his grand comeback on the television.

Collo G

Collo G made it to the list with his brand new jam Unioshe  mixed and mastered by Cedo. He featured a group of professional vocalists including Wanavokali.

The song is dotted with their plea to God to come and make them like Him. Collo G tells his story of struggles with depression, suicide and even echoes his resolve to remain in salvation.

Wanavokali, with absolute excellence, executed the catchy and precise chorus.

The song feels like a breath of fresh air seeing that the artiste went out and reigned vocalists to do the chorus and it all came together very well.

Coming up…

Now that the month of love is upon us, events are lining up and some are courtesy of our local celebrities.

The Murayas; DJ Mo and wife, gospel singer Size 8, have lined up a red-carpet event on Valentine’s Day. The gig dubbed #DineWithTheMurayas will see their guests treated to food, fun, games and talks at a Nairobi hotel.

In the same breadth, the Kimanis (comedian Njugush and Wakavinye) have planned a gig on the same day dubbed Through Thick and Thin at the Garden City Mall that will see revellers experience love and laughter from the comedians.