Kenyan music has never lacked talent, but a growing debate is emerging over whether the songs currently dominating the local scene are good enough to take the country to the international stage.
Content creator and radio journalist Jakes Nyanjom has sparked the conversation after questioning the quality of some of the songs enjoying massive attention in Kenya. In particular, he appeared to question the hype surrounding King Bubby’s Nakutaka, asking whether Kenyans are genuinely enjoying such songs or simply promoting them because they are trending.
The comments have opened up a bigger conversation: Is Kenya producing music capable of competing with the rest of Africa and the world?
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Are We Promoting Mediocrity?
According to Jakes, popularity should not be automatically equated with quality. A song can dominate TikTok, clubs, and social media while still raising questions about its songwriting, production, or its ability to connect with audiences beyond Kenya.
His criticism comes at a time when Kenyan music is increasingly shaped by viral moments.
Songs can explode overnight through short videos, dance challenges and social media trends, sometimes becoming popular before listeners have even had time to assess their musical depth.
Songs can explode overnight through short videos, dance challenges and social media trends, sometimes becoming popular before listeners have even had time to assess their musical depth.
The question is whether such trends are helping Kenyan artists build sustainable careers or simply creating temporary hits.
Kenya Has The Talent
The debate, however, does not mean Kenya lacks musicians capable of breaking internationally.
Kenyan artists have repeatedly demonstrated that they can produce music with a distinctly local identity while attracting audiences outside the country.
From gengetone and genge to Afro-pop, hip-hop and contemporary Kenyan sounds, the country has a rich musical culture that could be its biggest advantage.
From gengetone and genge to Afro-pop, hip-hop and contemporary Kenyan sounds, the country has a rich musical culture that could be its biggest advantage.
The challenge may be consistency, investment and creating an industry capable of turning individual viral moments into long-term international careers.
Going Global Requires More Than A Viral Song
International success is rarely built on one trending track. Artists need strong songwriting, quality production, professional management, branding, performances and distribution.
Countries such as Nigeria and South Africa have shown how local music can become a global export when artists, producers and industry players work together to build a strong ecosystem.
For Kenya, the question is therefore bigger than Nakutaka.
''Are Kenyans simply enjoying what is trending, or are we intentionally supporting music that can represent the country on the global stage?'' Said Jakes Nyanjom in a recent radio conversation.
