From music to comedy, here are 20 artistes to watch out for in 2015

SAGE

Hit list: So Alive, Dumbala

She began her music career in 2006 and even recorded an album that did not get as many reviews as was expected. Sage went on to become a background vocalist for Muthoni Drummer Queen and later went solo in 2011. Her talent is immense and if she gets back to where she was before the duties of motherhood took a front seat, she will blow up big this year.

LENANA KARIBA

Hit list: Saints, House of Lungula, Lies That Bind, Changing Times, How to Find a Husband.

He got into acting by default after accompanying a friend who was going to auditions at Kenya National Theatre. The rest, as they say, is history and the calm actor who has the looks has continued to build a stable repertoire with the latest being How to Find a Husband. He will probably be the most sought after actor in the country this year.

KRISTOFF

Hit list : We be Happening, Biashara, Chizi, Tattoo kwa Thigh, Siezi Borrow

The rapper, who entered the scene as 'Collo's cousin', has taken the challenge with gusto and a bit of swagger. Along with his giant 'sidekick' Khaligraph, Kristoff continues to win fans over with his verve. He should remain consistent and hardworking.

KHALIGRAPH

Hit list: Embesha, F*&f Off, Kidosho, We be Happening, Biashara

He won the battle for the 'dopest' MC of 2014 and the Kayole resident does not seem to be easing off the pedal anytime soon. After performing at the Jameson Live concert, he teamed up with Kristoff to record Vitu Unadu. Khaligraph is the emcee to watch for the second year running.

ELANI

Hit list: Milele, Kookoo, Jana Usiku

Wambui Ngugi, Maureen Kunga and Bryan Chweya met at the Alliance Française in 2008 and judging by the success and crowd that was their album launch early December of last year, they are destined for the apex. In less than two years, they have been nominated as 2014 Most Gifted Video East Africa for Channel O and are double AFRIMMA nominees.

H_ART THE BAND

Hit list: Nikikutazama, Uliza Kiatu

When spoken word and instruments fuse, H_Art the Band comes alive. The group has taken the scene by storm and their hit, Uliza Kiatu was unpredictable and so real. Nikikutazama is the latest and if popularity and art is anything to go by, the group is set to capture more fans.

KAA LA MOTO

Hit list: Mtalizusha, Mia kwa Mia, Nasema na Wewe and Hauniwezi

At just 25, Juma Mohamed is already an authority in the Mombasa hip hop scene that he has a show, Hip Hop Teke Teke, on Pwani TV. Probably the best Swahili rapper these sides, he is set to venture out with projects in Tanzania, where he currently is, and in Nairobi.

DJ KYM

Hit list: Club and street mix, KISS TV

The DJ, who is the CEO of NickDee Entertainment, has been getting a lot of reviews and is set to get more acclaim in an industry that has seen more DJs enter the fray in the last couple of years. Pulsers should not be shocked if he crossed borders, sooner rather than later.

THE MWATIA BROTHERS –FIDEL & SLEDGE

Hit list: Wakati, Lifti, Mikono Juu, Chako Ni Chako

The two are separately following the footsteps of their award-winning brothers Rufftone and Daddy Owen and they are not a disappointment. Fidel Atondola, whose biggest hit is Wakati, has a fatter CV than Sledge, who is the youngest and pretty fresh in the industry. The dynasty continues.

DJ GENIUS

Hit list: The Genius Effect tours and Radio Maisha

Samuel Mukurian, the 25-year-old decks genius, is getting more popular by the day. Quite humble and looking much younger than his years, this decks-master is appearing to stand on his own in an industry that has more than enough disc jockeys. With DJs Crème De La Crème and DJ Joe Mfalme arguably the best around, the stage is set for others to push ahead, with Genius among the frontrunners.

WANGECHI

Hit list: Tulia Tu, Ligi Soo, Analogue Dreams

Wangechi Waweru has a new track, Analogue Dreams featuring the lovely Karun formerly of Camp Mulla. The song is a testament of her resilience, the jam out in a period when she is nearly fully recovered from a grisly road accident last year. Wangechi stands out amongst a handful of female emcees that are pushing their male counterparts out of charts. She performed at the Sosunival Festival in June and at the London Excel Global Summit which was hosted by Angelina Jolie.

DEE

Hit list: I am a Star, Wannabe

Popularly referred to as the gospel princess, Dee happens to be one of the few female gospel rappers in the country. Her beauty is an X-factor and with all the versatility, Dee could be one of the breakaway artistes of 2015. With only two years in the industry, Dee has become very popular and has won herself many hearts among the youth. Her acting career is also something worth watching.

NJUGUSH

Hit list: Hapa Kule, Househelps of Kawangware

The comical-looking Njugush is getting popular by the day, to the point that he has been featured on Khaligraph's Embesha video, acting a fool. Quite a funny guy, he is one of the new popular figures in the comedy scene, which has moved from stand-up to situation comedies that revolve around what Kenyans love-laughing at themselves.

BENACHI

Hit list: Mwanake, Nitembelee, Nifinyange, Dawa

One of the last artistes to work with Kaberere before he passed on, the Groove Awards nominee is shaping up to become one of the most exciting gospel artistes around. The talented artiste is causing ripples with Pulsers who follow gospel music giving him thumbs up. 2015 is his for the taking.

Vivian Wambui

Hit list: My Dream

After kicking off her music career by doing a collabo with Jaguar two years ago, 2015 looks good for Vivian. She has recorded a number of songs due for release in the next few months besides being featured in a number of collabos.

WILLY PAUL

Hit list: You never know, Lala Salama, Mpenzi, Kitanzi.

Since 2012, Willy Paul has been nominated for the Kisima Music Awards, won Groove Award Artist of the year, released an album, You Never Know, got nominated in several other awards and release hit after hit. Alongside Size 8, Octopizzo and Sauti Sol, he is in an elite list of artistes who have the Midas touch with every single released. On top of that, he has more drama than most secular artistes, which has ironically worked for his image. In 2015, it is business as usual for Willy.

Papa Dennis

Hit list: Makeke, Injili

The young gospel artiste has been creating a lot of buzz in the showbiz industry thanks to his expensive videos funded by Sadat Muhindi of Maliza Umaskini. Whether it will be for the hits or the controversies, Papa Dennis is one artiste who will be on people's faces this year.

L-JAY MAASAI

Hit list: Maa Leji, Laleiyo, Iyaiyo, Maasai

Move over Criss Eh Baba and James Lekishon Ole Kamwaro takes over. The new Maasai king has taken it a level higher, with exciting catchy gospel songs that more than half of the Pulsers don't understand but like. He is a double Groove Awards winner and the industry is watching.

J FAM

Hit list: Damu Yake, Go So, Badmind, Addicted

Known most for his exhilarating performances, J Fam is in a league of few peers. In the gospel fraternity, only Hopekid and Guardian Angel are arguably his competition in the dancehall category. With Hopekid notching it higher with the release of his album Am Blessed last December, the stage is set for J Fam to prove his claim of being the best.

DJ PIERRA MAKENA

She is one of the fastest growing female DJs in the country and following her popularity and experience in showbiz, DJ Pierra will be one of the biggest showbiz faces this year. A little bird tells Pulse that she is also going into TV.