Kenya: What next after Tusker Nexters?

After eight months, the curtain came down on what was without a doubt Kenya’s best music competition in 2022, when TK Lyon was pronounced the winner of Tusker Nexters on 29 October.

The announcement made smack in the middle of Tusker Ocktobafest’s jamboree at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi, where an estimated 20 000 partygoers stomped the three-day event, was in itself a statement of intent from the organisers. TK Lyon’s fellow contestants Zaituni and Bakhita were declared second and third, respectively.

The winner walked away with a Ksh1.5m (about $12 355) cash prize and a recording, management and distribution deal worth Ksh500 000, while the first runner-up took home Ksh500 000 and Ksh400 000 for similar purposes. The second runner-up was awarded Ksh250 000 and Ksh150 000.

A tidy sum indeed if you also take into consideration the amount the organisers poured into the talent search programme right from the auditions across the country to its bedazzling finale.

But then again, only a handful of such programmes can match a Kenya Breweries Limited-backed show. And given that the contest was being held to celebrate 100 years of its flagship beer brand Tusker, make no mistake, the brewer was not going to spare any expense.

Money matters aside, it is admirable that at inception, the initiative sought to identify and reward the next generation of musical and esports talent – mainly 18 to 24 year olds.

Besides giving them a platform to shine, the organisers also ensured that participants received key business lessons such as ways to build personal brands and how to monetise their content.

So with that in mind, are we likely to see another Eric Wainaina in the making? Could Sauti Sol’s heirs emerge from this group?

While it’s not a cultural wasteland, Kenya is a minor player in the African pop music scene. As West Africans blow up continental charts and sell out European arenas, Kenyan artists have been consigned to the bar circuit.

There is no question about the level of talent exhibited on Tusker Nexters but it’s worth noting that such initiatives, including the highly popular Tusker Project Fame, have never produced superstars in the mold of, say, Tanzanian bongo flava artist Zuchu.

Many graduates of the Tusker Project Fame academy have had little commercial success with many changing careers and others fading into obscurity.

This is something every Kenyan musical enthusiast will be hoping to see change given that KBL rarely puts a foot wrong in planning these initiatives – from selection of trainers, mentors, producers and even studio facilities.

Days before its end, the seven Tusker Nexters finalists announced their official debuts as Kenyan music industry players with the release of three singles they produced in collaboration with top Kenyan artists Khaligraph Jones, Nadia Mukami and Mejja.

The first single titled ‘Flying High’, sees Nexters Angachi and Bakhita fusing their energies in a collaboration with Kenyan hip hop heavyweight Khaligraph Jones. The lyrics are laid down over super producer Joe Mutoriah drill beat, whose sliding bass, hard-hitting kicks, and sinister melody are punctuated by some high-energy electric guitar riffs that take the song to the next level.

The second single ‘Champe' has Nexters Lexxie, Zaituni and TK Lyon teaming up with Nadia Mukami in what will likely be a dance-friendly club anthem. This is a more story-driven track, with the protagonist, a guy, presumably TK Lyon, finding himself in a love triangle with Lexxie, Nadia and Zaituni.

‘Dala Wa’ is the third and final offering from the Nexters. This song, which means “at home” in Dholuo, sees Kamwana link up with Veryl Mkali Wao and gengetone godfather Mejja to deliver a benga-inspired hit.

All these songs are available to listen to and watch on all streaming platforms. Hopefully, this won’t be the last time we hear them.