Kenya: Muthoni Drummer Queen releases Monsoon single

The project sits at the intersection of Kenyan pop and Afrobeats, seeking to create a sound that reflects a characteristic East African sound.

A versatile singer, rapper and instrumentalist, MDQ lets her talent shine on Monsoon where she employs several literary devices to share her messages. The EP’s name is a metaphor that symbolises how African music is influencing world genres such as R&B, pop and dance. The metaphor is extracted from the monsoon winds that bring rain and influence weather patterns in the East African region.

“As an artist, I always experiment and strive to create my own sound,” MDQ says. “With Monsoon, I decided to tap into my lifelong love of pop music and blend kapuka (a Kenyan pop sound), R&B and Afrobeats. I really wanted a unique name that speaks to my East African identity, tells a bigger story of the rise of African music globally, and embodies the wavy, flowy, rhythmic nature of the music on the EP [sic] itself.”

Monsoon explores the theme of romance. The single ‘Bure’ explores the early infatuation stage as ‘Pomoni’ delves into the talking stage, while ‘Consistency’ sheds light into the work needed to make a relationship work for the best.

The creative process was a collaborative effort with other talented Kenyan music makers. The project’s producers include So Fresh, Wuod Omollo and Dillie, while Ywaya Tajiri brought his penmanship to the fore. Other creatives involved are Shem Obara, Mutua Matheka and Musa Omusi.

With an eclectic approach to writing, MDQ is currently one of East Africa’s most revered experimental artists, boldly charting her own path in a largely formulaic space. The music musician-entrepreneur is also credited for revitalising the region’s live music scene through her Blankets and Wine festival series.