Kenya's Struggle for a Global Music Identity

In a surprising twist at the November 2023 Grammy Awards, the announcement of nominees for the Best African Music Performance revealed a stark reality – Kenya was nowhere to be seen.

The heated debate that followed questioned why Kenyan music fails to make waves globally when South Africa and Nigeria dominate the scene.

Despite being a cultural heavyweight in East Africa, Kenya finds itself on the sidelines as Amapiano and Afrobeats from neighboring nations conquer dance floors and airwaves.

Even popular Kenyan acts like Sauti Sol, while achieving some crossover success, still lag behind their counterparts from other African countries.

A closer look at the music landscape in Kenya reveals a glaring absence of identity.

According to Nairobi-based author, music producer, and record label executive Tabu Osusa, identity is not just a sound; it’s a generational lineage, a unique blend of melodies, phrases, and rhythms that define a nation’s music.

Afrobeats and Amapiano boast this distinctive African identity, but Kenya lacks a comparable sound.

Kenyan music, once characterized by the distinct plucking of a guitar imitating a traditional eight-string lyre, known as Benga music, has lost its way.

This unique sound, which defined Kenyan music in the 50s and 60s, has faded, leaving a void. Afrobeats and Amapiano continue to thrive with their distinct African essence, while Kenyan music struggles to find its place on the global stage.

The challenge becomes evident as global record labels, including Universal Music Group, Warner Music, and Sony Music, set up shop in South Africa and Nigeria, yet Kenyan artists struggle to break through.

The absence of a clear musical identity appears to be the stumbling block for Kenya’s musicians.

As Kenya grapples with this identity crisis, the search for a sound that resonates globally continues, with the hope that one day, Kenyan music will once again capture the world’s attention.