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2018, the Kenyan music industry opened its doors to various renowned artist.
Some shared the stage with our very own Kenyan talent and loved it while others didn’t have a good stay, thanks to promoters.
As we cross over to 2019, we want to take a look at some of the international celebrities who performed in Kenya this year.
Keri Hilson
American R& B singer Keri Hilson visited Kenya for the first time this year.
“15th trip to the continent, 9th country checked off my list, 1st trip to #Kenya!! All smiles (even after 23 hrs. travel)! Mambo vipi, Kenya? Mko poa?” she wrote.
“It feels great to be in Kenya,” Keri told SDE in an exclusive interview.
Her first stop before performing at the Terminal Music Weekend concert was at The Kenya High School where she gave an inspirational talk to the girls.
She capped off her visit by thrilling fans at the KICC with a sensual performance.
Travis Greene
Travis Greene, one of the biggest gospel music stars with multiple No 1 albums on the Billboard charts, was in the country few months ago to perform at the Christian Music Festival dubbed Praise Fest at CITAM church.
This was the artiste’s first visit to Kenya and he revealed that he and his spouse, Dr Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Greene, are expecting their third boy.
The ting goes skrrrahh!
Big Shaq performed at the Terminal Music Weekend, which was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre sometime in August this year and the Man's Not Hot hitmaker announced that he will be working with Kenya’s Kagwe Mungai.
"I've been having talks with Kagwe Mungai and we might be doing something." He revealed. Born Michael Dapaah, it was also his first time to visit Kenya.
Demarco
Jamaican dancehall and reggae artiste Colin Edwards aka Demarco was also in town this year for the launch of Redsan’s fifth studio album Baddest. Speaking to the press media, Demarco revealed that he was happy to support Redsan.
“Redsan and I have been friends in music for a long time and I am glad to be back to support his album launch,” he said.
“Demarco loves Kenya and Kenyans love Demarco. So, Kenyans should expect him back sooner than they expect. I’ll be fixing some major collaborations with Kenyan artists,” said his booking manager, Kenya's DJ Guchy.
Tarrus Riley
Tarrus Riley, a Jamaican-American reggae singer thrilled his fans with a memorable performance at a packed Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) in Nairobi this year.
The performance by Tarrus lasted for over three hours.
He also brought on stage Kenya’s very own Ziki to perform their hit collabo Kamata.
Stefflon Don
Stephanie Victoria Allen, better known by her stage name Stefflon Don was also in the country for the annual Jameson Live concert at the Water Front Karen.
The 27-year-Old Jamaican-born, UK-bred artist did not disappoint her fans she electrified the stage with her hit songs.
Desiigner
American rapper and songwriter Sidney Royel Selby III, better known by his stage name Desiigner, definitely has a story to tell from his first visit to Kenya.
While performing during the Jameson Connect party, Desiigner got atop the shoulders of one of the security team members as he moved among the crowd. Amid the performance, the Panda hit maker called on the Dj to wait as his sneakers had been snatched by the swarming crowd.
In a widely circulated video, a fan even tried pulling down his trousers!
Desiigner's pants almost being stolen during his set in Kenya. pic.twitter.com/vFIupDQhRJ
— Isima Odeh (@IsimaOdeh) December 10, 2018
Rick Ross
American hip-hop star Rick Ross was also in the town earlier this year, performing at a packed KICC in May.
However, his arrival in the country was received with mixed reactions by Kenyans with many claiming he was not the real Rick Ross. According to netizens, a 'fake' Rick Ross was flown in since what they saw was not what they expected.
Chronixx
Jamaican reggae sensation Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr, aka Chronixx also came back to Kenya to perform for the second time barely 2 years after his last visit.
Having termed Kenya, a special place for him and his music career, the Here Comes Trouble hitmaker said Kenya’s love for reggae meant a lot not only to him but all reggae musicians.
Donnie McClurkin
Celebrated American gospel musician and preacher Donnie McClurkin is the latest international celebrity to perform in Kenya this year.
The award-winning artiste’s Kenyan visit came after getting involved in a road accident, sustaining minor injuries. He took to Twitter to announce his arrival in the country.
“A day and a half ago, I was in an accident that almost took my life… Today, I’m in Kenya … Sunday I’ll be in PFC … Praising God for His miraculous power of life over death! Thank you, everyone for praying for me… Thank you! The prayers of the righteous!” he wrote.
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