Kenyan R&B star Xenia Manasseh has earned her first-ever Grammy nomination after being credited as a songwriter and vocalist on American singer Teyana Taylor’s album “Escape Room”, which has been nominated for Best R&B Album.
Xenia, who appears in the album’s credits under the name Xenia Karungu, is listed as a composer and background vocalist on the song “In Your Head.”
The track is part of Teyana’s latest studio release, “Escape Room”, which debuted in August 2025 and has since drawn critical acclaim for its mature storytelling and sonic cohesion.
On streaming platforms like Apple Music and Shazam, Xenia Karungu is formally credited as one of the song’s writers, a recognition that secures her inclusion among the Grammy-nominated contributors.
Upon hearing the news of her Grammy recognition, Xenia shared her excitement on Instagram, describing how the announcement came just as she was releasing her new EP “Maybe II”.
“My 1st Grammy nom,” she wrote in a celebratory post, expressing gratitude for the recognition and the serendipity of the moment. ”Same day our new EP drops too? God is the greatest.”
The EP, a continuation of her acclaimed “Maybe” series, blends introspective songwriting and lush production that has become part of her signature sound.
Xenia has steadily built an international reputation as a gifted songwriter, vocalist, and producer. The Berklee College of Music alum first collaborated with Teyana Taylor on her 2020 project “The Album”, contributing background vocals and songwriting support.
That experience helped establish her as a rising creative force in the American R&B circuit, working behind the scenes with top-tier artists while maintaining her own musical identity back home in Nairobi.
Xenia’s nomination places her among a growing list of Kenyan artists making their mark on the global music stage. Previous Grammy winners of Kenyan descent include all members of Sauti Sol and singer and songwriter Bensoul, who contributed to Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning album Twice As Tall in 2021.
