Kenya: Buruklyn Boyz come of age

Although it is still very much the music of Gen Zs, the sound is slowly but surely going mainstream thanks to the efforts of groups like GTA Natty and Buruklyn Boyz. 

Hailed as one of the first groups to bring the sound to Nairobi in 2019, Buruklyn Boyz have naturally become the unofficial ambassadors of the genre – a tag they appear more than willing to embrace given the amount of time and effort they put into their craft.

 And now, with the release of their debut album, East Mpaka London, the group may as well start shaking off their underground credentials as the bright lights of the big time beckon. 

East Mpaka London translates to “East to London”, unfolding as a solid work of art showcasing not only the hit-making skills of the band (who hail from Buruburu neighbourhood on the east side of Nairobi), but also, a clear demonstration of where the “boyz'' want to be in the near future. 

The 16-track project which came out last week is delivered in a heady mix of Sheng (Kenyan urban slang) and features hits such as ‘Pree’, ‘Dream Ya Kutoka Kwa Block’, ‘Catalyst’, ‘Usikam Hii Section’, and ‘Blicky’, among others.

Though the delivery tends to get monotonous as is expected with the style, the production and songwriting are on another level with the group exploring both the fun and serious aspects of their lives over sparse instrumentation.

As an indication that the group is starting to go places, just early this month, they were included in Spotify’s RADAR programme where they will join other acts like DBN GOGO, Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Victony, and BNXN to receive editorial, on-platform and off-platform support from the streaming company to help broaden their respective fanbases. 

The group composed of  Ajay, Mr Right, Telvo/ Telvin 400, Mr Brown, Young Louie, and their manager G Rude, aka Ali Buddz, also headlined this year’s edition of the Boiler Room session in Nairobi.

With critics praising the new album for its depth and versatility, Buruklyn Boyz have shown it is possible to pursue your dreams in even the most uncertain environments to great success.