SoundCloud explores East Africa’s underground electro scene

The documentary and compilation showcase artists who are creating diverse sounds in countries like Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The film draws attention to a group of innovative artists making experimental music and pushing the boundaries of hip hop and electronica. The video features commentary from Slikback (Kenya), KMRU (Kenya), Kampire (Uganda), ​​​Nyege Nyege festival co-founder Derek Debru and American artist Suzi Analogue.

“My exposure to the underground electronic music scene in Kampala is when I really started to be free,” Slickback says in the documentary. “It’s unbound in the way artists express themselves and respond to sounds.”

The 14-track Music for the Eagles compilation features exclusive works from well-known artists such as Boutross (Kenya), Otim Alpha (Uganda) and Jay Mitta (Tanzania). It also introduces up-and-coming talents like Kabeaushe (Kenya) and MC Yallah (Uganda) and gqom duo Phelimuncasi (South Africa).

“Nyege Nyege and SoundCloud share a love for underground music and community building,” Debru said. “Music for the Eagles is music that engages audiences into new sonic territories and also an opportunity for many emerging artists to get a formidable spotlight to further their career and engage with global audiences.”

MC Yalla said: “East Africa is bubbling with so much music right now, and young people are taking risks and finding new sounds; people are starting to be more curious about each other and mingle their scenes. That’s why I wanted to mash up my hip hop vibe with Nairobi’s metal sound.”

SoundCloud director of editorial Leon Sherman says Scenes is “focused on driving global music discovery around the trailblazing communities of artists and passionate music fans who are propelling mainstream music trends of tomorrow. From first spotlighting the genre-bending scene, Digicore, to PC Music and Hyperpop, which have swept popular music this year, we are excited to now amplify the future-facing sounds of the East African underground movement and the incredibly influential Nyege Nyege collective.”