Here are the most outstanding videos of 2016

 Three months after Diamond Platnumz released his irresistible Salome video featuring Rayvanny, his rendition of the traditional Maria song, the hit has become the biggest song across the region this year.

The last time we viewed it on YouTube, the hits were moving to the 10 million mark.

The video had received more views than any other video produced across East Africa in this season even surpassed the views on Zigo Remix, the other big production released by Diamond and AY in January.

Zigo Remix is now at 8 million views.

When the PMVAs judges locked themselves to pick the most viewed Kenyan music video out of those submitted a month ago, Nyashinski’s Now You Know was leading, followed by Sauti Sol’s Live and Die in Africa, then Brown Mauzo’s Nitulize featuring Alikiba and lastly Vicmass Luo Dolla’s Bank Otuch all hanging at below a million views.

As you read this piece, it is most probably that Nyashinski has already taken home the PMVA Most Viewed Nominated Video of the Year, and rightly so.

Making his major comeback after his music break that almost lasted a decade, Nyashinski whose other recent release Mungu Pekee has also received favorable reviews, is the most inspiring artiste in the industry in a year that saw many unpredicted acts change the status quo in the local music landscape.

Wasn’t it quite surprising how the likes of Vicmass Luo Dolla, Akothee and Timmy T Dat became household names when nobody had predicted that they would end 2016 on a high?

Timmy T Dat has been the biggest surprise this year with back to back releases that got the industry talking about him.

“I think what everyone one is seeing right now is the outcome of hard work and perseverance. I have invested in music over the years and I must admit that having given it my all this year, 2016 was quite a big success,” Timmy T Dat told Pulse.

“There is no better way to describe success but through hard work. I also want to thank my fans for supporting me because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have made it this big this year,” Brown Mauzo remarked.

Newcomer gospel star Papa Dennis too has had an exceptional year in music as his stable continued to invest in videos and great music. His Bless Me video, featuring Chidinma received a special PMVAs judges’ nod thanks to the outstanding features featured by Godfather Productions, arguably the best video director in Africa.

 Other outstanding collabos that have been witnessed this year includes Gilad and Dela’s Nakuahidi, Gin Ideal and Wyre’s Rede Remix, King Kaka and Susumila’s Mapepe as well as Dufla and Cindy’s Tempo among others.

Vivian and Chameleone:

Upcoming local reggae singer Vivian who bears ambition as her middle name is one person who is will not stop at anything until she fulfils her musical goals going by all the happenings around her. Hardly a few months after a scheduled collabo with one of Jamaica’s lovers rocks reggae top artist Romain Virgo, which is yet to take place, the sexy singer recently landed yet another collabo that saw her feature Uganda cum East Africa undisputable king of music Jose Chameleone.

“I am happy that so far everything thing seem to falling in place. My new management Optics Music has ensured that I do something different and unique.

Working with Chameloene was an awesome experience,” noted Vivian who was one of the Pulse predicted hot newcomers of 2016.

Papa Dennis with Korede and Chidima:

Hardly a few months after his massive collaboration with mega superstar – Korede Bello on the song Wonder, Kenyan musical gospel wonder Papa Dennis went back to the music kitchen with Ms Kedike – Chidimna - and the result was an extraordinary tune dubbed Bless Me, coupled with amazing visuals.

Shot and directed on location in South Africa by Godfather Productions, Papa Dennis and Chidima joined forces in creating magic with this new prayer tune that will in no time become an anthem in and around Africa.

“I thank God for enabling me to reach this far and as a result I intend to give my fans more surprises in the near future.

 And also to encourage all other aspiring musicians out there that there is nothing impossible as long as you are determined to follow your heart yearnings. Truly, 2016 has been a good year,” said Dennis.

Jaguar, Mafikizolo, Sauti Sol and MiCasa:

It looks like our obsession has moved from Nigeria to South Africa as Kenyan artistes continue to collaborate with artistes from the South.

Jaguar worked with Mafikizolo on the song Going Nowhere and Sauti Sol with MiCasa on Tulale Fofofo.

“It is high time local musicians aim higher by ensuring that they do something different by striving to work with fellow African counterparts and come up with something better and bigger that will be appreciated across the continent.

This way we are able to boost and market our music industry,” said Bien of Sauti Sol.

Jaguar echoes his sentiments by saying: “When we go beyond our music industry then only are we able to learn more from each others and this will help us improve on our weak areas besides becoming better musicians,” he adds.

Victoria Kimani and Khuli Chana:

A few days ago, this awesome Kenyan music export released her album in Nairobi dubbed Safari. In the beginning of the year Victoria Kimani released her new single All the Way, featuring Khuli Chana.

In the song she pays homage to renowned artiste Angelique Kidjo in her classic Wombo Lombo. The video shot in Johannesburg, South Africa and produced by Reinhard has been well received.

“Safari is (a) totally new side of me, it is my RnB side. My background is in song writing. I used to write pop songs and RnB songs for artistes in the States and the UK.

I want to be the person singing my own songs. I feel like, I’m that type of artiste,” Victoria said introducing her steamy hot single with Ghanaian super star Sarkodie dubbed Giving You.

Ringtone and Christina Shusho and Nigeria’s Joe Praise:

It appears that there is no stopping renowned gospel singer Ringtone from achieving his mission as far as gospel music goes.

He did a huge collabo Tenda Wema with Tanzania’s multiple award winning artiste who is also one of East Africa finest, Christina Shusho, recorded by Teddy B and shot by Tiger, to date the song continues to be appreciated locally and across East Africa besides garnering massive viewership on Youtube.

But that is not all. Ringtone recently did another major collabo with Nigeria’s finest Joe Praise in the song Jehova Bless Me.

Recorded and shot in Nigeria, the song sang in Swahili and Nigeria’s pidgin language is a force to reckon with.

“I am humbled to have worked with both artistes knowing that they clearly understand what good and serious gospel music is all about.

On the other hand, it is also good to know that artistes out there value and love Kenyan people and whenever we work with them they too are happy to have friends in Kenya knowing that not only will they be able to connect more with its people and across the world but also stage shows here,” Ringtone told Pulse.