Kenyan-Nigerian music producer Afamefuna is this month’s Isgubhu cover star for Apple Music.
Speaking about his role, he says he is grateful for his collaborators.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” he says. “Not only on behalf of myself but also on behalf of the four extremely talented women who feature on my debut EP.
“I think, with this opportunity, the world will be able to catch a glimpse of just how talented the Kenyan dance and R&B scene is.”
Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, his passion for music was ignited over ten years ago, when he stumbled upon Chief Keef and his producer Young Chop, who inspired him to start making trap beats.
He figured out how to use FL Studio after watching only a few tutorials and thus began his career in music production.
He’s now made his debut with “i.r.l” – a tantalising R&B project merging four on the floor beats, psychedelic synths and catchy bass melodies, all attuned towards the dancefloor.
The project is also heavily collaborative, featuring the talents of Kenyan vocalists Terrianne Iraki, Zowie Kengocha, Zaituni Wambui and Stacy Kamatu.
Tackling themes of love and female empowerment from a uniquely Kenyan perspective, this marks a new chapter for Afamefuna, and celebrates the musical renaissance happening within East African R&B right now.
To celebrate his feature, Afamefuna has also chosen three diverse tracks to be featured on the exclusive Isgubhu playlist, including “Awuoro” by DJ Mura K.E, Saint Evo & Labdi, “Buy Me Love (Aare Remix)” by Stacy Kamatu & Aare, and “Wacuka” by Avaion & Sofiya Nzau.
On why he chose these tracks, Afamefuna said: “They represent what people are listening to in the Nairobi music scene at the moment. There seems to be an undeniable energy behind the African Electronic/Dance movement and I think it’s beautiful to see the amalgamation of this sound with authentically African vocals and modes of expression.”
Isgubhu also houses a collection of alumni playlists, editorial playlists, exclusive DJ mixes, and additional content from the best dance and electronic acts on the continent.
