In Kenya, R&B is often thought of as alternative music. On most days it plays second fiddle to more popular urban genres like Genge, Bongo, Benga and HipHop. Many perceive it too reserved for the so-called cool kids. The landscape has however shifted owing largely to a coming of age of Kenyan music. A few years ago, it was the Nu Nairobi scene that carried the ethos of alternative Kenyan music. A lot of new sounds were born from these formative years. The movement can be described as a moment of recognition of what the Kenyan audience has in terms of quality music. After the highs that Camp Mulla and Sauti Soul had taken  the Kenyan audience, an awakening of both musicians and the audience was imminent.  The positive effects of this movement were carried over through the online movement #PlayKeMusic. Mostly on Twitter, audiences became more aware of other  replayable Kenyan artists. From this online activism, a hunger for more Kenyan music was born. R&B was a beneficiary of this movement. Artists like Bensoul, Charisma and Okello Max were propelled to stardom by this movement. While the energy and hype from this movement faded in the later months of 2020, many Kenyans were for the first time exposed to the fullness of the local music scene. Three years later, Kenyan music has taken its place on the global stage. “Mwaki”, a Gikuyu language single written by Kenyan artist Sofiya Nzau and produced by Brazilian Dj Zerb took over the airwaves early in 2024 ushering a global audience to Kenyan music.

The Kenyan music industry has seen growth in almost all genres and R&B has not been left behind. From pioneers like Harry Kimani, who paved the way for young artists to express themselves not only in Swahili but also in their vernacular tongues, to Kenyan songstresses such as Sanaipei Tande, who has been a strong contributor to the genre that is Kenyan R&B. When you ask a casual Kenyan listener what R&B is, many will tell you about the heartfelt nature of the music. However, online discourse suggests that modern R&B music is not the same as that from the days of old because today’s musicians do not simp. Simping is a contemporary slang term used to describe an excessive or overly eager display of affection or attention toward someone, often perceived as desperate or one-sided. For anyone who grew up in the 90s, the image of R&B stars passionately singing in the rain, pleading for their lovers to return, is instantly recognizable. This kind of heartfelt, dramatic expression, often associated with what we now call “simping”, has been noticeably absent in much of Kenyan music. While R&B encompasses far more than this, such emotional vulnerability remains a defining element of the genre. Since the late 2010s, Kenyan audiences have been inundated with songs centered on hedonistic themes, offering little beyond fleeting, superficial enjoyment. This wave of carefree anthems often left a void, failing to provide the depth and substance many listeners craved. However, the tide appears to be shifting, signalling a renewed appetite for more meaningful and emotionally resonant music.

A New Generation

A new generation of Kenyan musicians are taking Kenyan music forward. Leading this pack is Njerae. Born in Nairobi and raised in Mombasa, Njerae has captured audiences’ hearts with her soulful sultry music. Njerae often speaks on matters of the heart in her music. Armed with a degree in psychology, Njerae dissects matters of the heart in the most authentic of ways while infusing the vulnerability that has been missing in Kenyan music. She is leading a new crop of Kenyan and African musicians who are determined to ensure the success of Kenyan music the world over. Part of the recipe seems to be writing songs authentic to the Kenyan experience. Kenya is an interesting musical case study as it comprises more than 44 distinct ethnic communities, all with their own musical identities. Having a Kenyan identity therefore means tapping into the diverse nature of our country.  A graduate of Sauti Academy, Njerae has been on a meteoric rise having signed a record deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) East Africa in August 2024. A self described simp, Njerae has captured the essence of Kenyan R&B. Njerae’s music weaves tales of love, not just any love, but the profound, soul-stirring kind that belongs to fairy tales and classic cinema. It’s the love that disrupts sleep and demands attention when the heart is unsettled. Through her songs, Njerae captures this depth of emotion with a vivid and poetic honesty.

Her debut album “Unintentional”, released in May 2024, consists of 12 songs all of which tell a story true to the experience of being a lover girl in the city of Nairobi. While she claims that not all 12 songs are based on her personal experiences, the jury is still out debating that. While many seem to emulate and be influenced heavily by foreign music, Njerae has found an authentic angle in her music that is truly unique to her. And the best part is, she is just getting started. With Unintentional, Njerae presents her case for one of the best Kenyan R&B albums of the past 5 years. With this new wave of Kenyan R&B, Njerae has curved a space for what this writer calls simp anthems™. Her breakout single “Aki Sioni” is an ode to a lover who seems stubborn to her advances but Njerae is adamant about moving on from them, insisting that they are the one. The song stands as a powerful testament to Njerae’s songwriting mastery, a reflection of an artist fully coming into her own.

Unintentional is the kind of work that any Kenyan would proudly hold up as a shining example of the country’s musical excellence. It serves as a celebration of the evolving Kenyan R&B scene, blending diverse influences, from Afrobeat to soul, into a rich and sophisticated soundscape. This is the story of Kenyan R&B, a genre which  cannot divorce itself from the cultural influences of the day. While describing Kenyan R&B, “Unintentional” captures all that is pure and true to the genre. Njerae’s lyrical artistry is nothing short of masterful, weaving words with a precision that feels almost transcendent. In “Penzi wa Kasi,” her use of Swahili, layered over the lush tones of acoustic guitars, exemplifies the best of Kenyan R&B. The song captures a vulnerable yet defiant plea for love, as Njerae questions what sets her rival apart, delivering a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

The title Unintentional cleverly employs a double entendre. Speaking with Trace FM, Njerae revealed that releasing her debut album this year wasn’t originally in her plans. However, a fortuitous collaboration with producer Kobby Worldwide sparked the inspiration to transform her demos into a fully realized project. On another level, the title seems to echo the unpredictable, often ambiguous nature of relationships in Nairobi, a connection not explicitly stated by Njerae, but one that resonates strongly with the themes explored throughout the album.Throughout songs like “The One” and “Ndani ya Gari”, Njerae explores the agony of being unsure when in love. “Unintentional” stands as a poignant reflection on the transient nature of modern relationships, capturing their impermanence with both honesty and subtlety. This fleeting nature alongside a growing culture of instant gratification has left many yearning for something meaningful. Something more, something that you can feel. Njerae addresses these themes with a raw honesty and uniquely personal touch that is distinctly her own.

Njerae continued her stellar run in 2024 with a new EP titled “Out With The Old”,  also produced by Kobby Worldwide. For this project, Njerae taps the talent of budding Kenyan artists Mbithi, Maali, Lisa Oduor-Noah and Watendawili. This being her first release under Universal Music Group, Njerae continues to ascend the musical ladder. In her unique, soulful voice, Njerae dives deeper into timeless themes of love, infusing them with fresh perspectives and emotional depth.. The EP was inspired by recent events in the songstress’ life involving a potential lover who is now in the past. The EP feels more like a continuation of her debut album. With sounds still reminiscent of “Unintentional”, “Out with the Old” is another brilliant display of Njerae’s musical partnership with Kobby Worldwide.

Njerae’s musical prowess shines not only in the studio but also on stage, a rare combination in an era where many streaming stars falter in live settings. Her experience in the live music scene has sharpened her performance skills, allowing her to deliver authentic, captivating shows that resonate with audiences. As a result, she continues to represent Kenyan music with distinction, both at home and on international stages. With her newly signed UMG deal, Njerae enters a new chapter in her career, one that promises greater reach and creative opportunities. Backed by a global platform, she is poised to bring her unique blend of soulful storytelling and Kenyan influences to audiences far beyond home.