This Nigerian Startup is Teaching AI to Sing in African Languages Built around African languages and accents, Korin AI aims to offer artists a more local alternative to global AI music tools. Founder Philip Olajide-Philips speaks to OkayAfrica about the promise and risks of AI in Africa’s music industry. music Paula Adhis
For Spotify’s Phiona Okumu, Success Starts with Listening First Five years after joining Spotify, Phiona Okumu reflects on her path to becoming Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. She talks to OkayAfrica about her career journey and how she has worked to amplify local music scenes across the continent. music
This Artist Waited Years for a Breakout. Then AI Gave Him a Hit. Rwandan artist Elvin Cena finally got the hit he had been waiting for, but “Let Me Be” was not the breakthrough he planned. music
Why MTV Shuga Hit Soundtrack Makes the Case for Originals in African TV and Film We break down how Mashariki 25Flow, the hit show’s first original soundtrack, became a rare blueprint for African screen storytelling. music Paula Adhis
After Eight Years in Music, Bridget Blue’s New Album Feels Like a Real Beginning Following nearly a decade of building in public, the Kenyan singer-songwriter says RNB is the first project that fully sounds like her. music Paula Adhis
The Best East African Songs Right Now OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the diaspora. music Paula Adhis
What It’s Like To … Build Space for African Speculative Fiction from Nairobi As editor of the speculative fiction journal ‘Will This Be A Problem?,’ Olivia Kidula talks to OkayAfrica about building literary space, paying writers, and creating room for African horror, fantasy, and science fiction to thrive. news Paula Adhis
Karun Is Back to Making Music for Herself After a year off, the Kenyan singer-songwriter returns with her ‘Eternal’ EP, a quieter and more intentional sonic pivot built around what she actually wants to make. music Paula Adhis
Discover: Get to Know Ethiopian Singer-Songwriter Blén Her debut EP, Sèkèn, introduces an artist and label head whose music feels rooted, intimate, and ready. music Paula Adhis
The Best East African Songs Right Now OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda. music Paula Adhis
Discover: Get to Know Swedish Ugandan Songstress Tyra Chantey With East African music pedigree and Swedish pop chops, Tyra Chantey is ready to grab your attention in 2026 with new music. music Paula Adhis
What It's Like To … Be a Kenyan American Opera Singer As Black History Month spotlights legacy, OkayAfrica speaks with opera singer John Mburu about elite training, hidden labor, and taking up space on stage and off. news Paula Adhis
African Wedding DJs on the Love Songs That Always Work African DJs reflect on the timeless songs and wedding moments that make hearts and hips move. music Paula Adhis
The Best East African Songs Right Now OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda. music Paula Adhis
Rwanda’s Element Eleéeh Is Ready to Be the Artist of His Dreams With millions of streams and a debut album on the way, the super-producer is ready to go from background architect to headlining act with his ‘Afro-Gako’ sound. music Paula Adhis
Itaré Signals a New Era for Tanzania’s Next Generation of Musicians The genre-blending artist is part of a growing generation breaking free from old formulas with his debut EP. music Paula Adhis
The Equity Model: Why Charging Foreigners More Is a Care Practice for African Festivals With African cultural exports in continued demand, Desiree’s MMiNO event in Cape Town shows how dual pricing can keep local communities at the center. music Paula Adhis
The Best East African Songs of 2025 OkayAfrica highlights the standout tracks shaping East African music in 2025, with top picks from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the diaspora. music Paula Adhis
