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By way of her occupation and inventive sonic vision, Nyokabi Kariũki’s impact on the Kenyan music scene warrants greater applause. Although the global music scene is witnessing a renaissance of African experimental sounds, the 23 year old Kenyan composer is one of the few women composers in the East African soundscape. Combining her 17-year classical training in piano, Nyokabi effortlessly defies the boundaries of genre by dabbling with classical contemporary to choral music, film, experimental pop, and East African musical tradition.

“When people look at me, I want them to see a bad ass bitch”. This declaration is an introduction to Maandy’s musical persona. Dubbed Kabaya, after the name of her debut album and fan favorite track, the Nairobi native is no stranger to tapping into her femme-fatale aura to push boundaries of Kenyan rap. Her recently released sophomore album sees her continue to raise her middle finger at traditional gender roles. “I feel like because I have the liberty to talk about whatever I want in my music, I want to see how far I can take it,” she says audaciously, “Man, really I want to fuck up all of those traditions.”

“I’m not happy,” DJ Joozey says about an hour into our conversation. He then adds, “I’m not living my best life.” Music fans are privy to the seemingly double-life artists live; a fast paced, cheery outward persona versus the more reserved, sometimes lonesome private lives they lead. While it should not be particularly shocking, it’s hard to be desensitized to hearing the young artist’s admission of unhappiness, especially this early in his career.