Kenya: Benga meets electro in Udelele’s debut album

The project, which is a product of both experimentation and masterful music-making, renders the Kenyan benga sound in ways rarely heard.

A celebrated multi-instrumentalist and producer, Udelele found a way to add a new twist to the sound of his forefathers by merging electro with traditional African instrumentation.

By fusing electronic beats, synthesisers and traditional melody, Udulele is able to create a powerful rendition of modern benga further elevating the rich genre.

The EP, whose themes revolve around love and spirituality, features a number of seasoned beat makers and vocalists such as Ayrosh, Nyati Dysa, ItsYaba, Jo Bissa and Umoja Sounds who add a sparkling diversity to the album. On what informed the choice of collaborators, Udulele said: “I was looking for peer artists doing almost the same thing as me and have a connection with the current generation.” 

Udulele considers himself a late entrant into the music world, and attributes his success to learning and “digging into the past”. He has had the opportunity to work with artists operating in different genres, and credits these interactions with informing his musical directions. 

“I started music when I was a bit old but my hunger to learn has seen me grow tremendously,” he told Music In Africa. “Although it keeps evolving, sonically my style was inspired by earlier works of benga heroes in Kenya. I also draw a lot of inspiration from artists like Ayub Ogada and Richard Bona who became cultural agents by transcending the musical boundaries of the past.”

Some of the groups Udelele has played with include Kenyan percussive ensemble Abakisimba, Afro-jazz/funk group The Black Progression, electro-folk outfit Bengatronics and Kenyan traditional ensemble Kaya Collective. 

On what he hopes to achieve with the new collection, Udelele said: “My goal is to give benga music an edge on the global stage and connect the younger generation with it.”