Musician and producer Vic West has dropped a new party anthem titled “Stage Ya Mwisho.”
The track brings together two of Kenya’s rising stars, Watendawili and Iyanii, and reimagines classic rhumba sounds with a modern twist.
Blending Iyanii’s smooth vocals, Watendawili’s sharp wordplay, and Vic’s bold production, the song pays tribute to Kenyan benga and rhumba legends like Orchestra Super Mazembe from the 1980s. But it doesn’t stay in the past, instead, it juices up the old-school feel with today’s vibrant club energy.
The lyrics celebrate Kenya’s matatu culture, nightlife, and party scene, themes that remain central to Kenyan urban life.
Both featured acts are coming off strong years. Watendawili have been on a roll with multiple hits, including “Beba” and “Disko.” Meanwhile, Iyanii cemented his place in Kenyan pop culture with his viral hit “Donjo Maber,” which racked up more than 10 million streams in just two months.
Speaking about the new release, Vic West said:
“‘Stage Ya Mwisho’ is inspired by the vibrance of Kenyan culture and the timeless influence of rhumba. I wanted to pay homage to the classics while giving them a fresh, modern party vibe. The goal was to take something nostalgic and reimagine it for today’s audience.”
This is Vic West’s third release of the year, following “Dush” and “Call Me”, songs that have showcased his knack for crafting catchy, Kenyan-inspired anthems.
For Iyanii, the collaboration was all about fusing tradition with modern energy:
“What excites me most about ‘Stage Ya Mwisho’ is how it blends both tradition and modernity. The rhumba samples take you back, but the vibe is very current and very Kenyan. The collaboration felt effortless, each of us brought our own identity, and together it became something people can enjoy at a party and also appreciate musically.”
Watendawili echoed the same sentiment, highlighting the song’s authenticity:
“For us, it’s the energy and the authenticity of the sound. ‘Stage Ya Mwisho’ has this celebratory feel that makes you want to move from the very first beat, yet it still carries cultural depth through the rhumba influence. Working with Vic West and Iyanii pushed us to try something new, and it’s a sound fans haven’t heard from us before.”
With “Stage Ya Mwisho,” Vic West, Watendawili, and Iyanii have crafted a track that bridges nostalgia and now, a celebration of Kenya’s cultural rhythm and its ever-evolving music scene.
