Kenya: Wanavokali releases Hawataweza single

‘Hawataweza’ is a Swahili R&B ballad that recreates a conversation between lovers as they reassure each other of their promise of love. Despite the existence of fear, doubt and even resistance to their relationship, it’s up to them to remain true to their promise and ignore detractors keen on interfering with their happiness.

The video to the single is a show of artful extravaganza, with the singers decked in Afrocentric haute couture finery waltzing around like royalty enjoying the finer things of life.

Wanavokali, which translates to “those with the vocals” in Swahili, is a group of six Kenyan performing artists – Chep, Lenah, Mellah, Riki, Sam and Ythera – who share a passion for expression through music, fashion and art.

The group has been active since 2018 when its members started off as background vocalists for the Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour, performing across Kenya with some of the best musicians, producers and dancers.

In July 2019, having developed chemistry, on and off stage, during the tour, the artists decided to get together as Wanavokali with a view of creating more opportunities for themselves and started off by playing covers and posting, garnering a huge social media following and support.

In 2020, Wanavokali was named the inaugural winner of Old Mutual’s Amazing Voices, a pan-African group singing competition, held in Johannesburg, South Africa. From a pool of 12 singing groups from Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya, the collective was able to clinch the coveted Amazing Voices title, plus a cash prize of $100 000.

With the win under their belt, Wanavokali set out to create its first body of work, releasing its self-titled debut album in 2021, with ‘Rhumba’ among the collection’s most loved tracks. The group's other recent singles include ‘Dunia’ and ‘Tequila’.