MUSIC
The Top East African Songs Right Now: September 2025 Edition
OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya. Enjoy the best new East African music below, featuring Diamond Platnumz x Ciara, Nyashinski, Kirikou Akili, Abigail Chams x Harmonize, and more.
Ciara and Diamond Platnumz bring the heat in the vibrant music video for their collaboration “Low.”
from: “Low” music video/YouTube
September has been a strong month for East African music, with duets taking center stage. From Diamond Platnumz linking up with Ciara (and of course, frequent collaborator Zuchu) to Harmonize and Abigail Chams delivering another heartfelt ballad, collaborations are shaping the region’s soundscape. Alongside these power pairings, solo stars are also making waves.
Read on for the latest standout releases from LinoG Umvukuri, Dyana Cods, Nyashinski, Kirikou Akili, and more in OkayAfrica’s September Best East African music list.
Ciara x Diamond Platnumz - “Low” (USA/Tanzania)
Ciara taps Diamond Platnumz — the undisputed king of Tanzanian pop — for “Low,” the third single off her latest album Cici. The bongo flava star matches Ciara’s smooth vocals and choreography, holding his own both sonically and on the dance floor.
Kirikou Akili - “AHA NIHE?” (Burundi)
Young Burundian artist Kirikou Akili has landed his biggest hit yet with “Aha Nihe” — a catchy anthem aimed at his haters and those plotting his downfall. The track is quickly gaining traction, having already hit 3 million views on YouTube, especially after a popular French influencer was seen dancing to it.
Nyashinski – “TAI CHI” (Kenya)
Kenyan rap heavyweight Nyashinski kicks off a new chapter with “TAI CHI,” his first release since signing with Sony Music East Africa. After years as a fiercely independent artist, this move marks a significant pivot in his career. On “TAI CHI,” Nyashinski flexes lyrical dexterity with precision, delivering clever bars and self-assured flows over a slick, minimalist beat. “Paperwork done... Excited about the next chapter!” he wrote on Instagram, signaling a bold new era that’s already generating buzz.
Harmonize x Abigail Chams - “Lala” (Tanzania)
Tanzanian superstars Harmonize and Abigail Chams know a winning formula when they find one. After three successful collaborations — including their recent hit 'Me Too' — the duo returns with another romantic ballad, 'Lala,' where they tenderly profess their love for each other."
LinoG Umvukuri - “Babi” (Burundi)
After releasing just one other single in 2025, Lin Nduwayezu — better known as LinoG Umvukuri — returns with new music for his Burundian fans in the shape of “Babi.”
Zuchu feat. Diamond Platnumz - “Inama” (Tanzania)
The classic duo of Zuchu and Diamond Platnumz are back with a new hit, “Inama,” a classic bongo flava love anthem. The two sing about a bond that survived every wish for their breakup, choosing instead to dance together, bending down and rising up in rhythm.
Dyana Cods feat.Domani Munga - Mtu wa Shughli (Kenya)
It’s been a busy year for Dyana Cods, who recently teamed up with Kenyan rapper Domani Munga for her new song “Mtu wa Shughli.” The collaboration follows her earlier hit “Get Busy” with rapper Toxic Lyrikali.
