The first time I heard ‘Likizo’, I smiled with sheer glee, constantly hitting the repeat button on Youtube Music over and over again, completely blown away. “Likizo” is the title track from the newly released DJ Mura and Big Nyagz’s collaborative album. It’s a perfect Afro-house diamond, a lighter-than-air romp that feels like a coastal breeze on a warm afternoon. With Liboi on the vocals and additional production by YAH LISTEN, it has all the hallmarks of a track that will be remembered for a long time in the story of Kenyan pop. It is an intentional explosion of ecstatic vibes that is already one of my favourite singles by any Kenyan artist from this year. The opening track sets a high bar for what to expect in the rest of the distinctly Kenyan Afro-house record.
The project feels like a step forward for the Afro-house music in Kenya, and that’s because it is. DJ Mura and Big Nyagz purposefully direct their efforts away from anything that would be considered an attempt at blatant trend-jumping. A top producer should be able to contribute to the zeitgeist in an authentic way and Mura’s approach to production has consistently integrated layering intricate production lines with distinct local flair while still including the right vocalists to create music that is uniquely his. This can be seen on his previous projects which feature collaborations with other Kenyan greats such as Ayrosh, Polaris Pauline, Mutoriah, Njerae and other notables from the pantheon of great Kenyan vocalists.
Heavy on Collaborations
6 of the 7 tracks on Likizo are collaborations with various artists whose varied approaches and abilities make the album engaging and approachable but also give the album a somewhat scattered feel. Because of this there is no true progression and sequencing to the album (even though there is a track on the album called outro). Each track is individually exclusive serving as its own little island that you visit and enjoy. That said, this does not take away much from the album because it allows the listener to jump in at any point and experience the album in whatever way they like. Even when committing the cardinal sin of playing an album on shuffle, the album still shines with an infectious energy. I cannot believe I am saying this but I would recommend listening to Likizo on shuffle a few times just for a bit of fun.
Collaboration and innovation sum what’s at the heart of Likizo. On ‘Running‘ Nj’iru lets her voice shine as she sings about running away from a toxic love while learning to love herself. ‘Nitajipenda/ninavyotaka unipende’, she declares over the upbeat production. On ‘Likizo‘ Liboi softly and calmly invites you to a relaxing holiday over the most relaxed production with an extended sax section. The album also features Coster Ojwang’, Udelele and Muringi, all who infuse their unique vibe into the project. Each collaborator on the project comes in not as a featured artist but as a co-creator. When people talk about the fun of listening to Kenyan Afro-house, I believe Likizo is one of the albums they’ll be talking about.
Stylistically the album shines through because of how talented DJ Mura and Big Nyagz are when it comes to turning various scattered ideas into cohesive sounds. While the production at its core begins like a mother sauce, the real magic shines when all the bells and whistles are added on top of it. Just like using a good bechamel to make a mornay sauce, the production on each track feels familiar without sounding the same. As you progress through the album you’ll be surprised at how many times they are able to pull out new tricks from their repertoire. From the mild and breezy introduction of the album to the sweeping and glamorous vibes on Rejea, you can almost envision the duo coming up with ideas, and expanding on them as much as possible, eventually delivering a solid body of work. By the final track, which employs a more reserved approach compared to the rest of the album, it is clear that both DJ Mura and Big Nyagz have more tricks up their sleeves which they’re yet to pull out.
My Verdict
Even with imperfect sequencing and no proper rigidity, what ultimately makes Likizo a worthy project is its undeniable sense of pure, unbridled joy. Music can be fun and we have loads of that on the album Likizo. You’ll find yourself dancing even though the vocalist is singing about the most heartbreaking thing in the world. The record works because of a shared goal amongst all collaborators to create something fun and beautiful. Likizo is a wonderful sneak peek into the current Kenyan Afro-house scene, a space where collaboration and community are the driving forces that allow the creation of some of the most authentic and exciting sounds that are deeply rooted in the local experience but with a style that can be appreciated all over the world.\
Ultimately, Likizo (which means ‘holiday’ in Swahili) invites you to relax and forget about the stresses of everyday living, whether you’re on the coast sipping pina coladas on the beach or you just have half an hour a day to relax and unwind. DJ Mura and Big Nyagz have crafted a soundtrack for relaxation and as we approach the holiday season, I want to tell you that it is okay and even recommended to have it on rotation as much as you want. After all, don’t we all deserve a good holiday?
