{"id":2300588,"date":"2026-02-26T04:06:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T04:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2300588"},"modified":"2026-02-26T04:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T04:06:32","slug":"must-listen-songs-from-east-african-music-artists-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/must-listen-songs-from-east-african-music-artists-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Must-Listen Songs from East African Music &#038; Artists: February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-element-guid=\"ecba85ea-e183-4c01-9b99-9238afc4d66f\">\n<p class=\"kicker \" style=\"\">MUSIC<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subtitle \" style=\"\">OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda.<\/h2>\n<p><figcaption itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"\">Joshua Baraka adds Jamaican Shenseea to the remix of his Morocco\u201d hit.<\/figcaption><figcaption itemprop=\"author\" class=\"\" data-byline-prefix=\"Photo\">courtesy of Joshua Baraka\/YouTube<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-element-guid=\"117597c0-22c1-4e71-f868-75c8a28797c9\">\n<p>February was the month of love, and across East Africa, plenty of new releases leaned into that energy. But it wasn\u2019t only romance in the air. After a slow start to the year, many artists came into February with something to prove, dropping tracks that feel like a reset and a reintroduction. For some, it\u2019s a return after a quiet 2025. For others, it\u2019s the first glimpse of bigger projects lined up for 2026. Either way, the East African sound delivered a strong run for music this month.<\/p>\n<p>This month, check out standout releases from <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Mejja<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Yammi<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Karun<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Joshua Baraka<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Drama T<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Bridget Blue<\/span>, and more in <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">OkayAfrica<\/span>\u2019s best East African music list.<\/p>\n<p><!-- placeholder(#1) --><\/p>\n<h2>Bridget Blue &#8211; \u201cNi Wewe\u201d (Kenya)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"251d2a50-a07b-4eea-9fba-68efcb9694e0\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/rdysNyQzUnM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Bridget Blue<\/span> is back with new music in 2026, and she\u2019s starting the year with a love anthem that was released just in time for Valentine\u2019s Day. \u201cNi Wewe\u201d (\u201cIt\u2019s you\u201d in Kiswahili) is a heartfelt declaration of certainty and devotion, centering the choice to commit to one person in a world full of noise. After a quiet 2025 \u2014 except for her <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8WeVMVYYOfI\">hit<\/a> with <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/toxic-lyrikali-the-nairobi-rapper-blending-trap-dancehall-and-hood-life\/1413928\"><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Toxic Lyrikali<\/span><\/a> \u2014 it\u2019ll be exciting to see what she has in store this year.<\/p>\n<h2>Drama T &#8211; \u201cNtagatima\u201d (Burundi)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"d81522b9-7493-4438-935a-7d37bf0fe06b\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/8Gd_J_jtHZM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Drama T<\/span> kicks off 2026 with \u201cNtagatima,\u201d returning with the swagger that\u2019s become his signature. After a quiet 2025, when the Burundian only dropped <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sJpY-GetPaY\">one track<\/a>, this release feels like a strong reintroduction and a promising start to the year ahead.<\/p>\n<h2>Joshua Baraka, Shenseea &amp; Axon &#8211; Morocco (Remix) (Uganda\/Jamaica)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"d0fa8087-7473-4b4e-bfb7-5dc289d87bf9\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/rTFFtlVwsnA\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Uganda\u2019s <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Joshua Baraka<\/span> knew he had a hit with \u201cMorocco\u201d the moment he dropped it late last year. The track is an ode to living life to the fullest, with high-energy vibes powered by Ugandan hitmaker <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Axon<\/span>, the force behind many of Baraka\u2019s biggest records. Now he\u2019s back with a remix featuring Jamaican dancehall star <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Shenseea<\/span>, who brings her signature spice to the song.<\/p>\n<h2>Kivumbi King &#8211; Ituze (Rwanda)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"74c337be-7162-4315-ba49-a1e27e852dfb\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/t8qUlAmTzuU\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rwanda\u2019s <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Kivumbi King<\/span> is back with \u201cItuze.\u201d A poet as much as he is a musician, he lets the writing lead on this one, putting his lyricism front and center from start to finish.<\/p>\n<h2>Karun &#8211; \u201cFeel You\u201d<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"ffcbf68c-17ce-46f1-ad73-91579a7f385f\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/z77psfwJXyw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kenyan favorite <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Karun<\/span> is stepping into a new era as she gears up to release both an EP and an album in 2026. \u201cFeel You\u201d serves as the first glimpse of what\u2019s ahead, showing a more stripped-back sound than we\u2019re used to from her. If this is the tone she\u2019s setting for the year, we can\u2019t wait to hear what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n<h2>Nameless feat. Marioo &#8211; Nasinzia II (Kenya\/Tanzania)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"fd7aa0aa-8dca-4def-b507-4e586eba831b\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/w6GcBXUU0WU\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nostalgia is in full effect with this one! <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Nameless<\/span>, one of Kenya\u2019s biggest hitmakers of the early 2000s, is back with a fresh re-release of his classic \u201cNasinzia.\u201d The cheeky, no-holds-barred track captured the spirit of its era! And now he\u2019s giving it new life with a savvy update, bringing in <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Marioo<\/span>, one of Tanzania\u2019s most popular stars, for a proper take two. Even better, the video taps into peak throwback energy with his wife, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Wahu<\/span>\u2013 a hitmaker in her own right\u2013stepping in as the leading lady.<\/p>\n<h2>Yammi &#8211; Hayanogi (Tanzania)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"b824af2e-7259-444a-9b9c-97442f7a7bcd\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/hD1gUva2How\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tanzania\u2019s <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Yammi<\/span> has long stood out for a voice that glides effortlessly over the coastal beats of <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-normal\" class=\"font-weight-normal m-font-weight-normal italic m-italic\" data-lab-italic=\"italic\">Bongo Flava<\/span>. She keeps that momentum on \u201cHayanogi,\u201d letting her vocals be the star of the song.<\/p>\n<h2>MEJJA &amp; TOXIC LYRIKALI &#8211; MANIFEST (Kenya)<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"8631a3ab-4a89-43cd-890c-934c2cfccfc2\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/k07dNNU-adw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When two Kenyan hip-hop and gengetone heavyweights link up to trade bars about motivation and the things they\u2019re trying to manifest, it\u2019s instant catnip for the masses. <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Mejja<\/span> knew exactly what he was doing by bringing Toxic Lyrikali onto the track, adding extra bite to the message.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.okayafrica.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MUSIC OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Joshua Baraka adds Jamaican Shenseea to the remix of his Morocco\u201d hit.courtesy of Joshua Baraka\/YouTube February was the month of love, and across East Africa, plenty of new releases leaned into that energy. But it wasn\u2019t only romance in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2300589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2300588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Must-Listen-Songs-from-East-African-Music-Artists-February-2026.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2300588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2300588"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2300588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2300590,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2300588\/revisions\/2300590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2300589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2300588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2300588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2300588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}