After navigating the storm of a real-life heartbreak, Kenyan rapper and singer Groovy Jo is channeling raw emotion into her latest single, Stay Here.
The track that dropped early April promises to bare her soul.
In an exclusive conversation, the artist revealed how the song channels the complex emotions of heartbreak while embracing the freedom and release that music offers.
“Sometimes the most unexpected encounters ignite the prettiest love stories,” she said. “I met someone who sparked something in me. It scared me a little, but I chose to immerse myself fully in it. And like many things, it eventually rotted and left a distaste,” said Groovy Jo.
Known for her expressive and raw storytelling, Groovy Jo says Stay Here is more than just a breakup song. It’s a sonic and emotional release designed to help listeners process heartache without letting it weigh them down.
“Heartbreak is heavy, but it doesn’t have to be permanent,” she explained. “I want my listeners to feel everything, but also to find joy, to dance through the pain.”
Marking a shift in her artistic direction, Groovy Jo blends her signature lyricism with a sound she describes as “Oontz”, a vibrant take on house music infused with hip-hop influences.
“I’ve always loved house, but recently it hit me differently,” she said. “The rhythm grounds me but also lets me feel free. I wanted to merge that with my emotions and make something that felt effortless.”
Produced by Lemario, Stay Here balances vulnerability and groove, delivering a soundscape that mirrors the duality of heartbreak, sadness and release, pain and movement.
“The beat keeps you moving, but the lyrics hit deep,” she noted.
“It’s the push and pull of emotions that keep you dancing even when your heart is heavy.”
As for how this experience has changed her outlook on love, Groovy Jo admits the breakup shifted her perspective.
Stay Here may be the start of a new era for Groovy Jo, who hinted that this won’t be a one-off experiment.
“It’s definitely the beginning of something new,” she affirmed. “Not a complete shift, but an expansion of my sound and I’m excited to explore it more.” Fans can expect the same heartfelt storytelling, but now with an infectious beat that invites them to feel, heal, and, most importantly, dance.
