Top 10 East African music collabos of 2019

In East Africa, collaborations are providing many breakthrough opportunities for new acts and reinvigorating the careers of more established ones. Some of East Africa's most significant hits like 'Kwangaru', 'Mwanza' and 'African Beauty' are a result of collaborations. Indeed, the chances of striking gold improve when great artists put their minds together.

East African artists Like Diamond Platinumz, Eddy Kenzo and Sauti Sol have enjoyed popularity across the region and continent alike because of successful collaborations with artists from across Africa

As part of our Top 10  series, we have put together a list of successful East African collaborations. Since there are still five months to go until the end of the year, make sure you come back to this playlist for new updates as the new releases season picks up.

10.  'Extravaganza' by Sauti Sol ft. Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini

Inspired by Congolese rumba, Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol took the opportunity to introduce their latest Soul Generation record label signees. The song was produced by Sauti Sol and Mboks, and recorded at Snowball Industries. The video was directed by Mbithi Masya and edited by Raymond Otieno.

9. 'Umuti' By Sako NY ft. Jay Polly

Soaring Rwandese artists Sako NY and Jay Polly have a knack in working together. Here they appear courtesy producer Pacento, a hitmaker in his own right. 'Umuti' only lasts for just over three-and-a-half minutes but that's all you'll need to get the party going.

8. 'Replace Me' by Grenade ft. John Blaq and Sheebah

Grenade and John Blaq are household names in Uganda's urban music scene, but Sheebah's performance on this up-tempo track has definitely helped to rank 'Replace Me' as a top club banger in the East African country. The video was released on 1 March 2019.

7. 'Kiboko Remix' by Masauti ft. Khaligraph Jones

Carrying the bongo flava sound, Kenyan singer Masauti and rapper Khaligraph jones collaborate on 'Kiboko Remix'. The song as produced by Motif Di Don and the video had at the time of writing more than 1 million views YouTube views since its release on 20 March.

6. 'Downtown' by Meddy ft. Nish

Released on 17 July, 'Downtown' is a party song by US-based Rwandese artist Meddy in collaboration with Burundian artist Thierry Nish. The video was produced and directed by US-based Rwandan record producer Lick Lick. The lyrics of the track are in both Kinyarwanda and English. 

5. 'Lazizi' by Charley na Nina ft. Orezi

Rwandese all-girl group Charly na Nina co-wrote the song with Nigeria's Orezi who sings in pidgin English, Swahili and Kinyarwanda. 'Lazizi' is a single off their recently released 10-track Imbaraga album. The audio was produced in Rwanda by producer Pastor P and the video shot in Uganda by Swangz Avenue.

4. 'Omu Bwati' by Fik Fameica ft. Patoranking

This is a winning Uganda-Nigeria collaboration for rapper Fik Fameica; he's officially the first Ugandan artist to collaborate with Nigerian reggae-dancehall artist Patoranking. But Patornking is no stranger to East Africa and has previously collaborated with Kenya's Sauti Sol and Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize and Rich Mavoko. The below video was released on 18 July.  

 3. 'Hallelujah' by Willy Paul and Nandy

This single makes it the second collaboration between the two artists. Willy Paul is one of the few Kenyan musicians who have successfully collaborated with Tanzanian artists. His collaborative repertoire includes tracks with Jamaica's Alaine and Tanzania's Rayvanny and Harmonize.

2. 'Pull Up' by Eddy Kenzo ft. Harmonize

'Pull P', is the first collaboration between Ugandan Afro-beats artist and Tanzania's bongo flava singer Harmonize. The two cheerfully vibe as Harmonize tries to sing in what seems to be Luganda language perhaps to bridge the duo's otherwise very different sounds. The video was released on 23 July 2019.

1. 'Inama' by Diamond Platnumz ft. Fally Ipupa

With the premiere of Diamond Platnumz and Congolese star Fally Ipupa's 'Inama' video, it's difficult to come up ith a musicians who hasn’t worked with the Tanzanian superstar. The video was released on 9 June and seems to be one of the most loved tracks of 2019 with 13 million views at the time of writing.