VIP ACCESS

Olivia Ambani is an award-winning Kenyan singer-songwriter, who also works as a graphic designer and marketing guru. She won Songwriter of the year award at The 2022 Café Ngoma Awards. In 2018, she was selected among Africa's top 100 artists who joined Mr Eazi's artist incubator program emPawa. This opportunity that funded the production of a music video production for her single "Better Than Jus...

Meryl Paige is one of Kenya's most unique power vocalists. Her music is a unique blend of Afro soul, R&B and gospel influences that showcase her exceptional vocal range and heartfelt songwriting skills. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her powerful lyrics and captivating performances, which have earned her a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim. From the very start of her career, Mery...

Kenyan rapper, singer, and songwriter Groovy Jo is edgy, with assertive lyrics which often freely express the image of an unapologetic Black woman, while encouraging other women to be bold and themselves. I love how early in her career she has found this direction and assertiveness. In this podcast, Groovy Jo recalls starting off rap at 11 years old and professionally in 2018 - through vigorous fr...

Soulful Kenyan singer Muthaka refers to her music as Contemporary-Indie-Soul that can sometimes morph into various genres like R&B, Reggae or even Afrobeats. Starting out in the music industry in her late teens, she would eventually get signed to A.I Records (K) Ltd/ Universal Music Group Kenya in 2020, after which her debut album 'Sunshine' dropped in 2021.Muthaka did not renew her Universal...

Pilani Bubu is a South African multi award-winning storyteller, singer-songwriter, TV presenter and creative entrepreneur. She’s an indelible storyteller who loves to “share beautiful stories that help people shift their consciousness and aid transformations that can change lives.” In this interview, she shares with Anyiko how she juggles between music, design and storytelling via a value system a...

We are connecting with Ugandan rapper - Flex D' Paper aka the Kampala Boy and the Fresh Prince Of Kla City on the podcast this week! Flex started out in the industry as early as 2012 but it was only until 2015 when he started gaining attention in the industry when he first featured on UG HipHop Cyphers. In 2016 he got named by MTV Base among the top Mcs from Uganda on the #BaseTopMCs Uganda list....

Emmanuel Jal takes me back to a tumultuous time in his life as a child soldier, recalling every single detail that lead to him being smuggled in Kenya. "It was like a movie!" He says, adding how a series of unfortunate events would later influence his belief to always want to be part of a solution,In this interview, Jal relays how powerful imagination games, and dreams (like being a teacher or a g...

Here's a proper introduction to Kenya's most unique vocalists and songwriters; genius singer and artist Brian Nadra - is the coolest of the Decimators; If I do so say myself. Before meeting and being produced by legendary Kenyan music producer and label boss Musyoka, Nadra had recorded over 30 songs that never saw the light of day because they never cut the quality he was looking for. The Nyeri-bo...

Wangechi is one of Kenya's most acclaimed rappers. She however, has been in and out of the industry, many times caused by circumstances that were not under her control. In this interview, she looks back at how being away from the industry has impacted her. She's also finally found her own path of independence and is glad to take back a lot of "power" that she had given out to various individuals a...

Xenia Manasseh is captivating to say the least. Her style, love for dance, vocal tone and the clarity and pureness of her lyrics is distinct. The Kenyan singer-songwriter has released two successful EPs: Fallin’ Apart (2019) and Maybe (2022) that have brought different dimensions to the industry’s texture of R&B, Soul, Alte' Music and Pop music. From not considering herself a writer or artist,...

More often than not, music producers remain behind the scenes but that wasn’t going to be the case for young genius Vic West - best known for his popular hit song and video “Kuna Kuna” which featured Brandy Maina, Savara, Fathermoh and Thee Exit Band. In this interview, Vic West takes Anyiko back to his ever evolving relationship with music. From the church choir, being the best student at compute...

With a stellar second album titled Fweny (Revelations in Luo); Coster Ojwang’ - the Kenyan singer-songwriter and contemporary impressionist introduces himself to the world as a conscious storyteller. Inspired by everyday life, his upbringing, environment and people from all walks of life; Coster has grown into an artist led by authenticity and passion for creating art, and performing live music. I...

In the opener of the second season of VIP ACCESS, Anyiko is hosting King Kanja - highflying Kenyan artist based in the US and also known as the vibe lord. Kanja, who likes to refer to himself as a global citizen, is more often than not in very exclusive circles in the international music industry. This hasn't stopped him from upholding a very strong African brand and staying connected to his count...

There are not many rappers, male or female, in Africa who have a career as extensive and impactful as Nazizi. Her first single came out in 1998. She later joined two legendary music groups: Necessary Noize & East Africa Bashment Crew. From "Bless My Room", "Kenyan Girl, Kenyan Boy", "Kube" to "Combination", their songs influenced East Africa's urban sound and will be remembered as the golden e...

It's been many years of watching Fully Focus and his boss moves and finally I caught up with the Kenyan born DJ based in US, in Nairobi. He has played in 5 continents during his 15 year-long tenure in the music industry and continues to run several businesses and platforms. How does he do this? Listen & learn!

My dream to work in this industry was certainly influenced by the success and life of African stars like M'bilia Bel, Brenda Fassie, 2Baba and P Square, among many others. Meeting and working with Rudeboy (King Rudy) formerly of P Square is something I never even imagined. I only remember seeing them in the best concert ever in Nairobi at KICC about 10 years ago and thinking to myself - one day I...

I caught up with Benny Cristo during his first time in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa in 28 years. It's also his first interview on this too! In this VIP ACCESS interview we talk about family ties, an empire built on music, jiu-jitsu as sport for balance and Benny's plans and interest to expand his brand into Africa and Kenya in particular. + more! The Czech/Angolan super star was in Kenya recording...

I sat down with one of my favourite people on earth - Ugandan rapper Navio, right after his return to Uganda after his wedding abroad in Sweden to his longtime sweetheart, and a successful European Tour alongside Michael Franti. In this interview, Navio looks back at his illustrious career and lessons from tour as he touches on his #SiN (Strength in Numbers) album; and how family, his roots and am...

Discover Ayrosh, Kenyan Folk Fusion singer-songwriter who is a master at revisiting old classics, usually fusing them with popular genres. In this interview he talks about the success of his single “Sugar Mami'' which was an experiment track, supposed to break him into mainstream radio. And it did! We are also talking about his 2019 ‘Murasta EP’, eclectic performances and futuristic approach to Mu...

Caught up with Ugandan super star A Pass in Kampala at his home. He's definitely one of my favourite Ugandan acts. In this in-depth and super honest sit down, he explains to me why it looks from outside that he's underrated while from his perspective it is most Ugandans that don't understand his style and swag, and in retrospect then fail to appreciate his genius. A Pass is an acclaimed songwriter...

It was so great to sit and talk to Seyi on her acting career, how she got discovered by Mathew Knowles - Beyonce's father, relocating to Nigeria from London (UK) and being among the few Nigerians with mega-successful East African collaborations. She also shares on her rise to the top and what it takes to stay on top as a woman in a male dominated industry. Listen to her song with Yemi Alade "Pempe...

Sat-B is no stranger to Burundian music fans. For years, he has impressed many with his personal drive and music. Breaking off from his former music group: Wanavesi Kikosi led him to push his personal brand more. So far he's birthed hit songs like "No Love", "Feel Love" and "Too Much", among others. He is currently flying high with - his 2020 EP 'Romantic Sounds'. We talk about moving Burundian mu...

Global Afro-pop powerhouse Yemi Alade is celebrated for banging music videos like “Shake”, “Vibe”, “Give Dem”, “Home”, the Rick Ross remix for “Oh My Gosh”, "Remind You" and "Shekere" with Angelique Kidjo off her fourth studio album WOMAN OF STEEL. I am talking to the Nigerian star about her close relationship with the 4-time Grammy-award winner Angelique Kidjo (who requested Yemi to re-do her son...

I traveled to Rwanda to attend the launch of a new entertainment TV - Isibo TV (ITV), founded by Rwandese R&B star Bruce Melodie. In this interview, I am chatting with Bruce on his new venture, and love for love songs. I like to call him the Usher Raymond of Rwanda. We are also talking about the kind of investment that went into the TV channel, the success of hit single “Katerina”, among his a...

Kenyan singer-songwriter Wendy Kay started out a professional career in music doing back up vocals at Coke Studio Africa, for 2 seasons. This stint inspired and led the vocal chameleon into an ambitious solo career that would see her release a plethora of love songs, before dropping her debut 2020 EP ‘My Way’. Her music has since been featured on ‘Sincerely Daisy’, a Kenyan film on Netflix, and re...