Gengetone Music

Gengetone is a music genre from Kenya. Principally, it is a fusion of Kenya’s traditional music with other genres such as electronic dance, hip hop, rhumba, reggae, and R&B. Gengetone features aspects such as catchy melodies, heavy bass, and fast-paced beats. Often, the lyrics emphasize social issues, including love, work, religion, and partying.

History

The history of Gengetone as a hip-hop music genre Kenya began in California, a residential estate popularly known in Nairobi’s Eastland area as Calif. The origins of the music (originally referred to as Genge) dates back to the early 2000s, especially when the Kenyan music and entertainment sector was struggling to gain its foothold. In the 2000s, the country lacked a unique sound to identify its culture in the global music industry because the playlists over the radio entailed music from Nigeria, Tanzania, The United States, Jamaica, and Europe, among others.

The original Genge music was the dominant force in the Kenyan music scene during the early 2000s, but by around 2015, many of the veteran artists began to fade. Between 2015 and 2018, Kenya experienced a period where its music identity seemed to fade as foreign music flooded the local market. However, in late 2018, a group of young musicians called Ethic Entertainment revitalized the industry with their viral hit Lamba Lolo. The success of the song sparked a revival in the music scene, and following its popularity, other Gengetone groups and solo artists emerged, helping propel the genre to new heights.

As the new urban music style highly revered and followed by the youth, Gengetone captured the attention of Kenya’s young population from the late 2019. The relatively good reception of Gengetone ensured the Kenyan music industry held a strong stance against the rising influence of Nigerian music across East Africa. By early 2024, inadequate business structures and policies surrounding musicians triggered its downfall.

The Difference between Gengetone and Genge

Gengetone is a subgenre of Genge music, but it differs in several key ways. Gengetone is fast-paced, uses deep, raw, and often cryptic slang, while Genge tends to be slower, more humorous, and features easily understandable lyrics. In terms of content, genge was accessible to a broad audience, whereas gengetone often contains explicit material, making it unsuitable for individuals under 18. For example, popular Gengetone songs like Wamlambez were restricted by the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) due to their explicit content.

Gen-Z and the Advent of Arbantone Music

The first wave of Gengetone artists consists of Kenyans born between 1990 and 1999, who are commonly known as older Gen Z or younger millennials. However, in the two years leading up to 2023, a new generation of Gen Z Kenyan artists—those born during the rise of the internet, often referred to as "digital natives"—have emerged. Some of these artists are poised to reignite the Gengetone movement. These artists are dedicated to their craft, and their growing commitment is ensuring the genre not only experiences a resurgence but also evolves into a lasting fixture in Kenyan pop culture.

In 2023, several artists stepped up to reignite the energy Gengetone once sparked. Among them, Kushman, also known as Pedi wa Magenge, has demonstrated a strong work ethic by releasing catchy, head-nodding singles and collaborating with numerous industry figures. Versatile artist Lil Maina has also played a key role in revitalizing the sound, with hits like Ngwai, featuring Danski. Now, producers Motif Di Don and Soundkraft are presenting a fresh take on the genre, known as Arbantone. This subgenre features heavily sampled beats and performances from younger artists like Gody Tenor, Tipsy Gee, Spoiler, and Ranzscooby.

Challenges

The decline of Gengetone occurred because of a lack in proper structure established around the business aspect of making music. Even though the pioneers of Gengetone have been exposed to mainstream platforms that could have acted as avenues to expand the craft, the artistes failed to fully exploit them. Despite the challenges Gengetone has faced along the way, the genre has endured, whether or not it was justified. Today, it is undergoing a renaissance, driven by emerging, younger Kenyan artists who are innovating their own expressions and adding new depth to a genre once criticized for lacking it.