22 top Kenyan albums and EPs released in 2022

1. Octopizzo - Lamu Nights, Live Band Experience Vol.2

Octopizzo was on fire this year, he released two albums

The first album was Volume II of his live band experience collection released on September 2022 and the second was ‘Lamu Nights’ released on October 26, 2022.

Lamu Nights Octopizzo Lamu Nights Octopizzo Pulse Live Kenya

Lamu Nights is made up of 10 tracks including collaborations with Okello Max, Buruklyn Boyz and Jivu.

2. Nikita Kering - The Other Side EP

Fast-rising Kenyan songstress Nikita Kering did not want to wind up the year without dropping something significant.

Nikita Kering EP cover The Other Side Nikita Kering EP cover The Other Side Pulse Live Kenya

Nikita hit the studio and delivered seven tracks that made her 2022 EP ‘The other side’, a follow-up to her 2021 album ‘A Side of Me’. The EP was officially released on November 11, 2022.

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3. Matata - Super Morio

The Norway-based Kenyan group have continued to keep their fans entertained despite being miles away.

The group released a 15-track album on November 14, 2022, including a major collaboration featuring boy band Sauti Sol, ‘Oversized T-Shirt’ which was a big hit.

The group known for their remarkable dance moves also featured the rap group Wakadinali who also had a great year in music.

Super Morio Album Cover Super Morio Album Cover Pulse Live Kenya

4. Nadia Mukami - Bundle of Joy EP

Self-named African pop star Nadia Mukami had a great year, she delivered her first child with fellow celeb Arrow Bwoy and the experience inspired a lot of hits from the two.

Nadia Mukami Bundle of Joy EP Nadia Mukami Bundle of Joy EP Pulse Live Kenya

The four-track EP was released on April 2022 and is dedicated to her son. It has featured collaborations with his ex-fiance Arrow Bwoy in the song ‘Kai Wangu’ and his signee Latinoh in the song ‘Zawadi’.

5. Savara - Savage Level

Savara Mudigi, a member of Sauti Sol, was heavily engaged in solo projects in the year 2022, as part of their Alone Together initiative.

His major songs from the album which resulted include ‘Reggae ya Kinyozi’ and ‘Killem Every Day’ which have been banging across music platforms.

Savara Savage Level Savara Savage Level Pulse Live Kenya

The 14-track album dropped on February 14, 2022, and features two notable collaborations with Karun and Nyashinski.

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6. Khaligraph Jones - Invisible currency

Papa Jones proved he is still the OG with his album ‘Invisible Currency’ which he released on March 7, 2022.

Invisible Currency, Khaligraph Jones Invisible Currency, Khaligraph Jones Pulse Live Kenya

In the album, Papa Jones featured notable names in the music industry such as Mejja, and Scar Mkadinali and crossed the borders to work with Ali Kiba and Rude Boy.

7. Size 8 - Gospel Anthem

The year did not wind up without a touch of gospel music and who to do it better than Size 8? Mama Wambo released a gospel album dubbed ‘Gospel Anthem’ where she recruited other gospel singers such as David Wonder and Ugandan singer Levixone to deliver 10 solid tracks on February 13, 2022.

Size 8 Gospel Anthem Size 8 Gospel Anthem Pulse Live Kenya

8. Mbuzi Gang - Three Wise Goats, Kelele

The gengetone trio is behind bangers ‘Shamra Shamra’ and ‘Sherehe Sheria’ which had fans begging for more and how better than in an album.

The rap group did not disappoint, delivering two well-crafted albums that saw them take over the region. The first album was titled 'Three Wise Goats' and dropped on January 21, 2022, and the second was titled ‘Kelele’ which dropped on September 14, 2022.

Mbuzi Gang drops new Album ‘Three Wise Goats’ ft Lava Lava Jose Chameleone & others Mbuzi Gang drops new Album ‘Three Wise Goats’ ft Lava Lava Jose Chameleone & others Pulse Live Kenya

Some of the regional artists featured in the 2022 releases include Jose Chameleon of Uganda and LavaLava of Tanzania.

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9. BigPin Jatelo - Pino

Legendary rapper BigPin made a comeback to the music scene releasing an EP dubbed ‘Pino’ on May 9, 2022.

Legendary Kenyan rapper Bigpin Jatelo unveils much anticipated EP Pino Legendary Kenyan rapper Bigpin Jatelo unveils much anticipated EP Pino Pulse Live Kenya

In the six-track EP, Big Pin features Naiboi, Silverstone Barz and Iggy. During the launch of the EP on May 5, both legendary and new-generation rappers came together to see the project come to life.

10. Maya Amolo - Asali

Maya’s first body of work, ‘Leave Me At The Pregame’, took her listeners through a melodious journey of self-acceptance and healing and was released in mid-2020.

Maya Amolo Asali Maya Amolo Asali Pulse Live Kenya

On November 4, 2022, she released a 10-track album ‘Asali’ which featured fellow upcoming artists like Mau From Nowhere and has an alternative RnB sound.

11. Buruklyn Boyz - East Mpaka London

Drill rap group Buruklyn Boyz had an amazing year. With the most acclaimed work ‘East Mpaka London’ album released on May 20 2022, the trio set the bar high for drill music in Kenya in 2022.

Burukyln Boyz East Mpaka London Burukyln Boyz East Mpaka London Pulse Live Kenya

12. Big Yasa - Biggs Deluxe

Released on November 23, 2022, ‘Biggs Deluxe’ is an 18-track album half of which he features other artists.

13. Xenia Manasseh x Ukweli - Maybe EP

‘Maybe’ is a five-track extended play by Xeniah Manasseh featuring Ukweli which the duo released on November 25, 2022.

14. Breeder LW - Vibes & Ting

Having blown in the rap scene a few years ago, Breeder LW has become a force to reckon with as he is in the game to stay. His latest album ‘Vibes and and Ting’ was released on December 2, 2022 proof of more great work he is set to release in 2023.

Breeder LW Vibes and Ting Breeder LW Vibes and Ting Pulse Live Kenya

15. Boutross - Mawingu

Boutross Munene had an amazing year, this was topped up with his EP ‘Mawingu’ which he released on November 25, 2022. The EP is made up of four singles and four collaborations.

16. Guardian Angel - Arise and Shine

Released on December 2, 2022, Guardian Angels ‘Arise and Shine’ is a ten-track album which was among the few gospel releases of 2022.

Guardian Angel's Arise and Shine Guardian Angel's Arise and Shine Pulse Live Kenya

17. Chimano - Heavy is the Crown

Like Savara, Sauti Sol singer Chimano released his solo EP dubbed ‘Heavy is the Crown’ cementing his name as an independent artist as well. The EP released on April 15, 2022, was among the first projects of the Sauti Sol singers in 2022.

Heavy-is-the-Crown-Chimano Heavy-is-the-Crown-Chimano Pulse Live Kenya

18. Jinku & Karun - Passenger 555

The seven-track album released on June 3, 2022, takes listeners through a talk about relationships in a smooth way.

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19. Umoja Sounds - Out of the Comfort Zone EP, Emotional Attachment EP

The singing and producing duo was keen to mint the most out of 2022 releasing two EPs, ‘Out of the Comfort Zone’ and ‘Emotional Attachment’

20. Arrow Bwoy - Focus

Released in March 2022, Arrow Bwoy's album is made up of 14 songs with major collabos featuring Nadia Mukami, Sanaipei Tande and B Classic.

Arrow Bwoy Focus album Arrow Bwoy Focus album Pulse Live Kenya

21. Wakadinali - Ndani ya CockPit 3, Haitaki Hasira and Easy

The drill trio undoubtedly rented the airwaves for a better part of 2022 with their hit song ‘Geri Inengi’. The group, however, spent a lot of time in the studio releasing three albums in 2022.

Two of the albums, 'Easy' and 'Haitaki Hasira' were released in January 2022 while 'Ndani ya Cockpit 3' was released on December 3, 2022, wrapping up the great year the group had.

Wakadinali Ndani ya Cockpit 3 Wakadinali Ndani ya Cockpit 3 Pulse Live Kenya

22. Ashum Garvey - The Asum Cut, Shrappin Rage

The rapper worked extra hard in 2022 dropping 19 tracks from two albums. Eight songs from ‘Shrappin’ Rage’ and 11 from the ‘Asum Cut’

Check it out here!

Top 22 Kenyan albums and EPs released in 2022 [Pulse Picks]

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