Before Gen Z Took Over, These Were Kenya’s Soundtrack

Remember the days when Colonel Mustafa ruled the airwaves with Mat Za Ronga, and every matatu blasted his tracks? Today, you’d be forgiven for thinking he vanished into thin air.

Once a chart-topping heartthrob, Mustafa’s career drifted off after his music duo, Deux Vultures, split. While he attempted a comeback, the new wave of Gen Z artists left him behind.

Then there’s Jackson Ngechu Makini (CMB Prezzo). Kenya’s original bad boy rapper with his bling, scandals, and reality TV drama, Prezzo, was once everywhere—especially after Big Brother Africa turned him into a continental sensation.

These days, his music barely gets a whisper, and fans mostly remember him for his outlandish interviews rather than hits.

Nonini, the Godfather of Genge, used to drop club bangers that made entire dance floors shake. His lyrics were raw, cheeky, and catchy. But after the rise of new-gen Gengetone, Hubert Mbuku (Nonini) quietly took a backseat, focusing more on business than beats.

His content had flavour, and many still miss the unapologetic swagger he brought to the scene.

Shinde, the viral gospel singer famous for “Wacha Nikuimbie,” became a household name with her fiery performances. For a moment, her energetic praise songs were everywhere, from crusades to weddings. However, she soon slipped into obscurity, and now, even her die-hard fans would struggle to name her most recent release.

Avril (Judith Nyambura) once dominated the radio with smooth R&B hits and soap opera acting gigs. She had the voice, the looks, and the star power. But after a few years, she slowed down her music career to focus on her personal life, leaving a gap in Kenya’s pop scene.

Finally, Nameless and Wahu—though still somewhat active—don’t create the same viral excitement they did in the early 2000s when every release was an instant classic.

While new stars keep rising, there’s something special about the content these icons gave us: catchy hooks, bold personalities, and unforgettable moments. 

Even if the mainstream has forgotten them, their contributions shaped Kenyan pop culture forever—and that’s worth celebrating.