WYS New Music Picks: Explore new music from your favs and underground artists across East Africa.

By Tela Wangeci


The weekends are for fresh music, that’s the ritual, a global tradition that has music lovers everywhere refreshing their playlists for the weekend. But with a flood of new releases every week, the true gems can easily get buried under the noise. That’s where we come in. At WYS Global, we’ve made it our mission to cut through the clutter and put you onto the hottest tracks and rising stars out of East Africa. Whether it’s an underground banger or the next big hit, we make sure you never miss what matters.

”Nawaza” – Zaituni Wambui, Ras Amor, NSB, Mambo Brown

Each year we see creative professional try to upskill the artistry of young and upcoming musicians. During the first quarter perFORM music incubator led by MDQ welcomed over 60 artists in their annual workshop and the first fruits of the labor are evident in “Nawaza.” “Nawaza” brings together four vibrant Kenyan artists: Zaituni Wambui, Ras Amor, NSB, and Mambo Brown in an electric collaboration. The song pulses with the energy and passion you’d expect from a collective of talents, mixing soulful vocals, rhythmic layers, and the unique styles each artist brings. Whether you’re drawn in by the harmonies or the groove, “Nawaza” feels like a celebration of modern Kenyan music’s rich interplay of voices and styles.

“Pamoja” – Savara, Phina, Elijah Kitaka

“Pamoja” is a stirring East African anthem that radiates unity and regional pride, brought to life by a powerhouse trio: Kenya’s Savara, Tanzanian songstress Phina, and Uganda’s multifaceted talent, Elijah Kitaka. Released in August 2025, the song serves as the official anthem for the CHAN 2024 football tournament an event that champions both competition and togetherness. Savara takes the lead in production and songwriting, expertly crafting a soundscape that celebrates cultural bonds across East Africa. Phina lends her distinctive Bongo-infused vocals, infusing the track with Tanzanian warmth and charisma drawn from her hit-filled journey in Afro-Pop. Elijah Kitaka complements the blend with his rich Afro-soul and R&B essence, his smooth, soulful voice a testament to his roots as a revered Ugandan session drummer turned frontman . Together, the trio fuse infectious rhythms with heartfelt lyrics to deliver a resounding message, “Pamoja” Swahili for “together” we stand stronger, harmonized by music and shared heritage. Perfect for sporting moments, celebratory playlists, or any setting craving an uplifting dose of East African solidarity.

“African Savanna”- Hornsphere

From the very first breath of the horn, you’re transported into a vast, golden landscape where the horizon stretches endlessly and the air hums with life. Hornsphere’s latest composition channels the soul of the African grasslands, balancing smooth jazz finesse with the earthy textures of African rhythmic patterns. The arrangement unfolds like a slow sunrise warm horn phrases ripple across a gentle percussive base, evoking the sway of tall savanna grasses in a light breeze. Every layer feels intentional: the understated bassline grounding the track like rich soil, the subtle shakers and hand percussion echoing the heartbeat of the land, and the horn itself sometimes bright and declarative, other times mellow and introspective acting as the narrator of this sonic journey. It’s music that paints a picture you can almost step into, a place where time slows down and the senses sharpen. Hornsphere, known for blending jazz tradition with African-inspired storytelling, uses this track not just as an instrumental showcase, but as an invitation. It’s a call to reconnect with wide open spaces, to listen to the language of nature, and to find beauty in the quiet moments between notes. The result is a piece that feels both intimate and cinematic the kind of song you don’t just hear, but inhabit.

“Nice Nice”- Blocka Beats, Hiribae, III Gee, Jiggy

The beat drops sharp and confident, immediately setting the pace for a track that refuses to sit still. “Nice Nice” is a collision of creativity from four dynamic forces Blocka Beats, Hiribae, III Gee, and Jiggy, each bringing their own flavor to a high-energy sonic playground. Built around a driving percussive base and a rich, bass-heavy groove, the production strikes that sweet spot between polished studio finesse and raw street attitude. The verses roll out like a relay race, each artist passing the baton with seamless timing, Hiribae’s cool, measured delivery melting into III Gee’s sharper punchlines, Jiggy adding a playful edge, and Blocka Beats holding the whole thing together with an instinct for head-nodding rhythm. There’s an unmistakable swagger here: a confident strut wrapped in beats that bounce and snap with precision. But beyond its bravado, “Nice Nice” carries the DNA of modern East African hip hop global in its influences, yet grounded in a distinct regional sensibility. It’s the kind of track that works just as well on late-night drives as it does on packed dance floors, its hook lodging itself in your head long after the last note fades. In the end, it’s more than just “nice” it’s a tightly crafted statement of intent from four artists who know exactly what they bring to the table, and aren’t afraid to show it.

“Time”- Utah Nice

A gentle fade-in of melody invites listeners into a moment suspended in sound: swaying rhythms and an airy Afro-pop pulse that feels both intimate and expansive. Utah Nice’s latest standalone single, Time carries the sleekest production touches crisp percussion, shimmering synth undertones, and a vocal delivery that’s introspective without losing warmth. the track unfolds like a fleeting daydream brief, vivid, and lingering long after the last breath of the chorus. Utah Nice’s sound here underlines a growing mastery of minimalism: each note lands with purpose, each beat pulls you just a little deeper into the groove. It’s the kind of song that works as a reflective pause between high-energy tracks, or as an emotional highlight in a playlist. There’s a delicate balance of nostalgia and modernity, a feeling of reaching back into memory while pushing forward with fresh musical confidence. In short, this single is a quiet triumph: concise, evocative, and finely tuned an intimate snapshot of time itself, shaped by rhythm, mood, and melodic restraint.

“Step By Step”- Giovanni Kiyingi

A serene medley of indigenous strings and whispering rhythms unfolds, carrying the listener on a journey both introspective and expansively musical. The track wraps its textures around the artisanal swells of endingidi, adungu, and akogo voices of Uganda’s land reimagined through Giovanni Kiyingi’s creative lens. Each note unfurls with thoughtful intention, drawing on the soulful resonance of centuries-old traditions while gently propelling it into contemporary sensibility. Kiyingi’s mastery as a multi-instrumentalist shapes the piece’s heartbeat. You sense the flute’s soft breath, the harp’s warm caress, and the haunting echo of traditional fiddle all anchoring this sonic landscape. It’s a soundscape anchored in heritage yet unbound in ambition, an invitation to breathe with the rhythm of the land. As a storyteller without words, Kiyingi draws listeners into his narrative through melody and mood, offering a calm yet deeply evocative moment to pause, reflect, and feel. In essence, this track is less a song and more a living mosaic a tribute to cultural legacy and personal artistry, urging audiences to listen with more than their ears and rediscover the timeless melodies etched in the roots of Uganda.

“Chelalow”- Ghedi, Jemberu Demekea

A deep, rhythmic pulse unfolds, ushering in a hypnotic journey through Afro-House’s soulful undercurrents. Ghedi and Jemberu Demeke craft a rich tapestry of rolling percussion and lush synth swells, forming a soundscape that’s both grounded and ethereal. The production carries a spiritual sophistication, warm tonal layers interlace with subtly syncopated drum motifs, evoking the feeling of twilight’s heartbeat in a distant savanna. Each element feels meticulously placed: the bassline hums with undercurrent strength, while fleeting melodic flourishes impart a reflective elegance. Stretching just over five minutes, the track gives listeners enough time to settle into its mesmeric groove and surrender to its rhythmic embrace. “Chelalow” stands as a testament to contemporary Afro-House’s ability to marry hypnotic dancefloor energy with atmospheric depth. It’s a track made for dusk-till-dawn sets and late-night introspection alike—entrancing enough to lose yourself in, yet layered enough to reward repeated listens.

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