Music — Benga, Afrobeats & more
Kenya's music scene is one of the most vibrant in Africa — from traditional sounds to modern beats that influence the entire continent.
Benga
Kenya's own genre: Benga emerged in the 1960s in the Luo community by Lake Victoria, combining the Nyatiti lyre with electric guitars and driving rhythms. Benga is the foundation of all East African pop music.
Kenyan Pop Music
- Genge: Nairobi's own hip-hop style — gritty, bass-heavy, Sheng lyrics (street slang)
- Gengetone: The latest evolution — TikTok-friendly, controversial, everywhere in Kenya's clubs
- Taarab: The classical music of the Swahili coast — Arabic influenced, poetic, at weddings and celebrations
- Gospel: Kenya's best-selling genre — powerful choirs and modern beats
Famous Artists
Sauti Sol (Afropop boy band, internationally successful), Nyashinski (rapper), Nviiri the Storyteller, Otile Brown (R&B), Bien (solo).
