25 TOP KENYAN URBAN HIT SONGS OF ALL TIME

This is just a list of the mega-hits, and not necessarily our rating of Kenyan local productions. They shook the airwaves and got everyone singing along.

(Note that these songs are NOT presented in any sort of order,not even alphabetical)

1.       Unbwogable.

A contender for that No.1 spot, this is definitely one of the most celebrated Kenyan hit songs. Gidi and Maji had every Kenyan feeling untouchable way before Bonecrusher’s Never Scared.This megahit etched itself permanently in Kenya’s modern pop culture.

2.       Tafsiri Hii.

This is debatably Kenya’s first real hiphop song, and by far the most original. But most importantly,  it introduced this talented trio to an audience that was ignorantly thirsty for what they had to offer.

3.       Liar.

This was perhaps the greatest debut single of the decade. The entire Kenyan music scene stopped like freezetag and turned to see who was the little girl behind this track. Wahu’s naive narrative style, the catchy,memorable hook, and the local scene’s hunger for a ruffneck chick made this song an instant classic hit.

4.       Julie.

In the remake Redsan sounds like a genuine teenage boy truly lost in love.

5.       Githurai (Wasee).

 This single was so huge that even to this day all the artistes involved are still struggling to prove that they are not 1-hit-wonders.

6.       Kuna Dawa.

 It is still not clear to many Kenyans why this song did so well, yet it is the most popular gospel song, even surpassing other famous secular acts in sales and airplay on radios and, ironically, in pubs and night clubs.

7.       Ninanoki.

 At the time, it was very hard to go an entire day without hearing this song being played somewhere. But noone was complaining. Nameless and Amani teamed up to serve 3mins and 28secs of adrenaline rush that evidently boasts the title of the track.

8.       Soma Lebo

After releasing this hit, Ndarlin P could never rise above it,to this day.

9.       Hallo Hallo.

 This song has ‘timing’ to thank. Kenyans were just from mourning the passing of E-Sir and people were hungry for local stuff. Then Wakimbizi show up with a song whose animated video is almost as rediculous as the lyrical content. Hallo Hallo was just too absurd to ignore.

10.   Atoti.

Wiki Mosh coined the most popular nickname for any bootilicious girl from Western Kenya.

11.   Mos Mos.

 Recorded during the last days of the late E-Sir, Mos Mos trailblazed for songs capitalizing on contemporary dialogue craze. And there was the added bonus of Brenda’s introduction.

12.   Ting Badi Malo.

If it were to be released today this song probably wouldn’t have been as huge,but at the time, the whole country was anxious to learn Dholuo.

13.   Akisema Atakubariki.

 Jemimah Thiong’o had like 6 mega hits the year this was released. But Akisema stood out above the rest.

14.   Wi Mutheru by Allan Aaron.

 You just can’t afford not to move your feet.

15.   Compe.

This was not even close to Bamboo’s best work, but it worked magic. A year later, the rhyme-witted Michelle released her female version.

16.   Dunda.

E-Sir’s kid bro Habib, and the then Sanaipei’s ex-boyfriend-to-be, Manga, came up with their own popular language that even had Catherine Kasavuli trying it on air.

17.   Manzi wa Nairobi.

Everyone was asking, Nonini ni nani?

18.   Malaika by Redsan

19.   Juu tu sana.

P-UNIT proved that they are more than just Nonini’s protege creation and that they could stand alone and deliver.

20.   Mwikhulu.

Mwana wa mberi was worn out over being the only widespread tune from Western kenya. Rufftone’s Mwikhulu displaced it and paved the way forpopular gospel.

21.   Sweet Love.

Wahu rounds up her homegirls to deliver a compact feel-good fusion of soul,reggae, and local blend that prompts The Game to brand her the Kenyan Lauryn Hill. It is understandable how one would mistake Wahu’s love in the song for romance,until she clarifies ‘Sio kama mapenzi ya kawaida, penzi siezi kuelewa-kuelewa-kuelewa kabisaa-aaa-aaa’. Simply put, she raised the bar for female artistes, and the recognition: MTV crowned her the queen of Africa.

22.   Sitaki by Mercy Myra feat. K-South

23.   La Di Da by Necessary Noize.

Uko ndani ya Carni na ashu mfukoni,sema....Umezusha na makarao wamekurusha ndani,sema....Umeingia K1 na minipack za Safari,sema....Iwe ni bima mathree,wasee mbaka mtaani,....If you can’t fill in the blanks you are either not Kenyan, or above 45.

24.   Holidae by Nameless.

This song was Nairobi’s anthem for 3 straight years.

25.   Haiya by Harry Kimani.

His drug problems and 4-year hiatuses aside, this man from the slopes of Mt.Kenya can deliver good music,if only he can stay out of rehab long enough to compose 3 verses.