Lovince Mckenzie, making music beyond borders [Photo/Courtesy]
Singer and songwriter Lovince Mckenzie is teaming up with Joshua Barak and Ayo Maff in ‘locked in’ as he builds his global sound .
According to Lovince making music that travels beyond borders is only half the journey.The bigger challenge is turning international attention into a sustainable career that creates opportunities back home.
With roots stretching between Nakuru and Nairobi and an American connection, Mckenzie is developing a sound shaped by different cultures.
His music blends Afrobeats, Afro-house, electronic music and global dance influences, with ambitions to reach international audiences without losing touch with his Kenyan identity.
“I don’t want to make music that sounds like I’m trying to escape where I come from. I want to make music that allows where I come from to travel,” he says.
Growing up connected to Kenya and America gave him different perspectives on identity and culture, which now influence his songwriting.
His music explores love, heartbreak, ambition and belonging, turning personal experiences into stories listeners can relate to across geographical boundaries.
But pursuing music professionally has required more than talent. Mckenzie says he had to embrace discipline, patience and the business side of the industry.
“The turning point in any creative journey is when you stop asking, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could do this?’ and start asking, ‘What am I willing to do consistently to make this happen?’” he says.
An important milestone came with Light Up, his collaboration with Nigerian artiste Ayo Maff. The song strengthened his belief that Kenyan-rooted music can find audiences beyond the local market.
His latest release, ‘Locked In’, featuring Ayo Maff and Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka, continues that cross-border approach, bringing together artistes from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.
For Mckenzie, however, a breakthrough song does not automatically guarantee a lasting career. Consistent releases, effective marketing, distribution and industry connections remain crucial to sustaining momentum.
“Talent is everywhere, but access and visibility aren’t always distributed equally,” he says.
The collaboration is part of his forthcoming seven-track EP, Dance and Soul, which combines the energy of dance music with more personal, emotional themes.
The project features On My Way, My Heart, Locked In, Chunya Pari, Rise, Balozi and Move. Together, the songs explore love, longing, determination and connection.
“Dance is the movement of the body; soul is the movement of the heart,” he says.
Beyond releasing music, Mckenzie hopes to build a career that creates lasting value for Kenya’s music industry.
“I want the music to travel, but I also want the opportunities to travel back home,” he says.