Tonnio and Hopiho pay homage to Nairobi on new single

The French single, which samples M'bilia Bel’s classic ‘Nakei Nairobi’, is an ode to the Kenyan capital. For these artists, Nairobi is more than just a city – it’s a kaleidoscope of experiences. For Tonnio, this city is a haven of peace that allowed him to escape the war in his native country. On the song, he candidly discusses the financial difficulties he faced and the suicidal thoughts that plagued him, as well as the desire to succeed.

For Hopiho, Nairobi is where his love affair with hip hop began. He recounts his teenage days and revisits tragic events such as the bombing of the US embassy in 1998 and the attack on the Westgate shopping mall attack in 2013, paying tribute to the victims and their families.

“‘Nairobi’ isn’t just a song, it’s a journey through the heart and soul of a vibrant city, told by two passionate artists,” the duo said. “So crank up the volume, and let the sounds of ‘Nairobi’ transport you to a world where music and memories collide.”

Hopiho and Tonnio met in Nairobi in 2013 and quickly developed a close bond, recording many songs together over the years. After collaborating for a decade, they have finally decided to release a joint album later this year.

“If one day somebody decides to make a biopic about my life, they better film some scenes in Nairobi,” Hopiho said. “It’s a necessity because this city is deeply intertwined with my story. I’ve been lucky enough to call Nairobi home not once, but twice. First, back in the mid-’90s and then again in the early 2010s. Needless to say, the Kenyan capital holds a special place in my heart. Nairobi is much more than just an urban agglomeration for me. For me, Nairobi represents love.”

Tonnio said: “When writing Nairobi, I was reflecting on my personal experience of this wonderful city. I was also thinking of those who came before me. We have several artists who left the Congo in the ’80s and ’90s. Most of them only had music and a dream, and that had a huge impact on the music scene in Kenya. I thought of their struggle to integrate in Kenyan society, and similarities we could find in their experience and mine. The record was conceived by Hopiho who sent me the first version of the beat. I loved the idea of sampling an icon such as M'bilia Bel whom I had briefly met in 2022.”