The Best East African Songs Right Now

February was the month of love, and across East Africa, plenty of new releases leaned into that energy. But it wasn’t only romance in the air. After a slow start to the year, many artists came into February with something to prove, dropping tracks that feel like a reset and a reintroduction. For some, it’s a return after a quiet 2025. For others, it’s the first glimpse of bigger projects lined up for 2026. Either way, the East African sound delivered a strong run for music this month.

This month, check out standout releases from Mejja, Yammi, Karun, Joshua Baraka, Drama T, Bridget Blue, and more in OkayAfrica’s best East African music list.

Bridget Blue - “Ni Wewe” (Kenya)

Bridget Blue is back with new music in 2026, and she’s starting the year with a love anthem that was released just in time for Valentine’s Day. “Ni Wewe” (“It’s you” in Kiswahili) is a heartfelt declaration of certainty and devotion, centering the choice to commit to one person in a world full of noise. After a quiet 2025 — except for her hit with Toxic Lyrikali — it’ll be exciting to see what she has in store this year.

Drama T - “Ntagatima” (Burundi)

Drama T kicks off 2026 with “Ntagatima,” returning with the swagger that’s become his signature. After a quiet 2025, when the Burundian only dropped one track, this release feels like a strong reintroduction and a promising start to the year ahead.

Joshua Baraka, Shenseea & Axon - Morocco (Remix) (Uganda/Jamaica)

Uganda’s Joshua Baraka knew he had a hit with “Morocco” the moment he dropped it late last year. The track is an ode to living life to the fullest, with high-energy vibes powered by Ugandan hitmaker Axon, the force behind many of Baraka’s biggest records. Now he’s back with a remix featuring Jamaican dancehall star Shenseea, who brings her signature spice to the song.

Kivumbi King - Ituze (Rwanda)

Rwanda’s Kivumbi King is back with “Ituze.” A poet as much as he is a musician, he lets the writing lead on this one, putting his lyricism front and center from start to finish.

Karun - “Feel You”

Kenyan favorite Karun is stepping into a new era as she gears up to release both an EP and an album in 2026. “Feel You” serves as the first glimpse of what’s ahead, showing a more stripped-back sound than we’re used to from her. If this is the tone she’s setting for the year, we can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Nameless feat. Marioo - Nasinzia II (Kenya/Tanzania)

Nostalgia is in full effect with this one! Nameless, one of Kenya’s biggest hitmakers of the early 2000s, is back with a fresh re-release of his classic “Nasinzia.” The cheeky, no-holds-barred track captured the spirit of its era! And now he’s giving it new life with a savvy update, bringing in Marioo, one of Tanzania’s most popular stars, for a proper take two. Even better, the video taps into peak throwback energy with his wife, Wahu– a hitmaker in her own right–stepping in as the leading lady.

Yammi - Hayanogi (Tanzania)

Tanzania’s Yammi has long stood out for a voice that glides effortlessly over the coastal beats of Bongo Flava. She keeps that momentum on “Hayanogi,” letting her vocals be the star of the song.

MEJJA & TOXIC LYRIKALI - MANIFEST (Kenya)

When two Kenyan hip-hop and gengetone heavyweights link up to trade bars about motivation and the things they’re trying to manifest, it’s instant catnip for the masses. Mejja knew exactly what he was doing by bringing Toxic Lyrikali onto the track, adding extra bite to the message.