Recorded @ Sanii Studios 
Produced/Mix/Mastered by Amaz - https://soundcloud.com/amos-wataku-159211414

GHOSTS FreeVerse (Prod. by Amaz)

The Real is back. . . 

First release under A.M.W Records
#AMWToTheWorld #RIZE254

Prod. by: PK
Written and Performed by: Kariuki 'R.I.Z.E' Thande; Amos 'Amaz' Wataku
Recorded at: Sanii Studio 
Mix/Mastered: Amaz

Released & Marketed by A.M.W Records

LIVE & DIE

LIVE & DIE ft Amaz

R.I.Z.E presents his first single titled "Thanks I Get" over a 9th wonder produced beat that samples legendary singer Bobby Womack
Recorded at Black Hole International sounds


Thanks I Get (prod. by 9th wonder)

This new single features a collaborative effort by Nairobi's own R.I.Z.E, femcee WaWa representing the 410 Baltimore area and showing love for her homeland the +254 plus the man behind the music at Black Hole Studio.. "BH"
Produced by Brian Haines (BH)
Mixed and Mastered by No-Mad
Recorded at Black Hole studio
#PVO 


Positive Vibes Only (R.I.Z.E X WaWa X BH)

"The Groove" - Featuring one of Nairobi's most talented rising singers Terrianne Iraki, this single is all about fun, positive vibes, and bringing a new dynamic to the party scene. The man behind the keys JUST Jeff reminded us that you don't have to get too hype to have a good time, by blessing us with this laidback, melodic, Afrocentric piece. Apart from the instrumentation, there are multiple African elements included such as vocal samples taken from the Maasai and Kikuyu communities. 

"Moss moss pole pole twazienda" R.I.P Issah Mmari 

Written/Performed by: R.I.Z.E and Terrianne Iraki
Recorded at Black Hole Int. Sounds
Mixed/Mastered by: No-Mad and Brian Haines
Artwork by: Adrian Mola https://www.facebook.com/Adrinmola/ 
and @tarril_marcovinchy (IG)
Release Date: January 26th 2017

The Groove (Kahora x2)

The Groove  - RIZE X Terrianne Iraki

Some of my most sincere reflections written under the blazing Nairobi sun, recorded on this inspiring LoFi instrumental created by Australian beatmaker Jhfly. Based on a true story, like always..
Written by: R.I.Z.E and Fox Elijah
Performed by: R.I.Z.E, Ayoti and Fox Elijah
Recorded at BlackHole Intl sounds.
Mixed/Mastered by No-Mad
Original instrumental: Jhfly - Sheets
Art by Marieannah Wairimu

Sunshine Reflections (Feel It) R.I.Z.E X Ayoti X Fox Elijah

[ A PYRO SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ]

Written by R.I.Z.E; Poppa Don
Produced by: JUST Jeff
Recorded at Black Hole Int. Sounds 
Mix/Mastered by: No-Mad
Cover art: Adrian Mola 
*Sample extracted from the National Anthem of Kenya, No Copyright infringement intended* 

8/8/2017
"Tusibleed Ndio walead" 

#PYRONAIRO™

The Rational Anthem - R.I.Z.E X Poppa Don

Presenting the lead single off his upcoming Vibe-Rant EP, RIZE surprises all listeners with a classic headbanger rebuking all those who talk down on him, and an affirmation to his supporters that the only direction is the top from here. The bass on this track is undeniable and the lyrics are bound to leave you with a burst of confidence to go for your goals despite whatever people may have to say. 
Recorded at Black Hole records
Produced by: Brian Haines
Mix/Mastering: No-Mad & Brian Haines 
Written by: R.I.Z.E
Official Release Date: December 24th 2017

Make sure to follow @realrize254 on all socials for more updates and hot new music
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
R.I.Z.E

Hatin' On Me - R.I.Z.E

The Vibe-Rant EP is the first official project by RIZE, highlighting the duality of his experiences as an artist and individual alike. From the instrumentation to the lyrics, each track on the EP was crafted to leave the listener with a distinct vibration/mind-state (i.e. Love, Melancholy, Motivation etc..) hence inspiring the 'Vibe' aspect of the project. Concurrently, RIZE stayed true to his characteristic penchant for speaking out on real issues within the subject matter therefore inspiring the 'Rant' aspect. 

Written by: R.I.Z.E
Recorded at: BlackHole Studio
Recorded by: AndyBolo (Andy Haines)
Executive produced by: Brian Haines & AndyBolo 
Mix/Mastering: Brian Haines & AndyBolo
Published by: BlackHole Records 
Written by: R.I.Z.E 
Artwork: Adrian Mola

04. Dungarees - R.I.Z.E

02. Still Gon' Grind - R.I.Z.E

01. Real Recognize(Intro) - R.I.Z.E

As the pages of my chronicles grow, another one of my sincerest reflections written under the savanna heat. . .

My resolve is so hard, discouraging me's a rumour,, same time I dropped my EP found my cousin had a tumour
Three weeks daily visits to the ICU, he tried to put a brave face but really I could see through 
Had to try and stay strong, cuz I'm the only one he talk to...been through hell and back together, relearned how to speak and walk too 
This not your ordinary bond, this is blood brothers, messing with my brother, it's gon be hella beef no fudruckers, for tha love of music and the art I couldn't say shit,, had to patient, and hold my anxious thoughts deep inside, 
At times I wonder bout how I ain't even cried in a while, I really wonder am I even alive, 
I'm forever numb,, all the noise made and I ain't hearing em, seen the darkest, so called savages I ain't fearing em
We missed death by a whisker, I know he missing his s*isters, 
Barely 8 years old we seen 3 deaths in an instant,
10 years later, these cloudy skies brought us together again
But I know that we'll bare the weather again, cuz we a different breed, really thick skin, we warriors not victims, wear these scars and bruises like tags of existence 
We in this together,, don't let this shit overwhelm ya 
No matter what happens, use these conditions to propel ya
To greater heights, I love you cuzin, I'd be willing to pay the price, do anything for you, I'm willing to make any sacrifice

For real, I can't lie and say I know just how you feel, but I know this shit is weighing heavy on me still, and I pray that one day this will all be in the past cuz i know it's mighty hard to deal.. x2 

2 months later, I'm happy to see you up so soon,, but can't help it seeing you suffer opened up old wounds, 
Some of this is too deep for me to pen when I write, but you might feel it through every breath I take on the mic. . 
Cuz you can only deal with so much a day at a time,, can't even tell you half of all the shit racin through my mind 
I'll be the first to admit that I'm wrong and say that I'm right,,
And yea my tape banged but it didnt match the situation in life,, 
Maybe I should put it off, deal with the real shit first,
But I couldn't have foreseen just the way shit was
I was feelin the pressure to make the hype go pop,
Team breathin down my neck to work like a robot, 
They really couldn't understand that I'm just a human,
I knew I should have never signed my name with the blue pen
But I ain't trippin, I'd like to think they knew what they was doin
At least it kept me on my toes, helped me keep it movin 
But I was barely gettin rest, stress heavy on my chest, expecting the worst news, still prayin for the best, 
Burnin marijuana, thinkin what I'm gon' do next, 
Drop one of the hottest tapes, same time I'm dealin with death?
Man I can't even express, how relieved I was,
Couldn't picture how it'd feel for me to lose my cuz
Now I'm damn sure goin harder for the both of us, ,
Cuz I know just how the reaper came so close to us, ,



Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Daryl Kimani (Thee MC Gzay) @ Apollocoustic studio

Sunshine Reflections (part 2)

R.I.P Jason Mutuma Mwiraria Kalinga, the legend 

Produced by The Other Guys
Written by Kahvinya, Dai, & R.I.Z.E 
Recorded, Mixed, Mastered by Kevin Provoke

Experience the legacy: https://soundcloud.com/jason-kalinga

Kahvinya, R.I.Z.E & Dai - Seen & Heard

For your info... Its really how it make it look simple, or maybe its the way that when we talk I feel windows are open, fresh breeze through my soul, And especially when I'm low, Yea you teach me to let go.. 

I love the way you're teaching me to let it be, let go of everything thats enemy to good energy
Because sometimes its the things we refuse to surrender, causing the most horrendous suffering up in our inner- being... Before this I never opened up, yea it had the same appeal as pourin liquor on open cuts,, ..tough. . . 
My edges are rough, but your embrace is cutting deeper than diamond dust, this volume of trust is different, it's foreign I'm not familiar, and thats probably why I ignored a lot of familia,, too much passive agression, even when askin a question, conditioned me from a young age to cut back on interactions,, i focused on the distractions,, some gave me hope and some didnt
Some developed to talents and some to copin mechanisms 
I tried to rise above this whole cycle of repetition
But Honestly never ended up makin the right decisions 
My regrets are what I didnt do..
And not the things I did..
Cuz without that experience then I wouldnt be who I is
I wouldn't be into you, wouldn't be writing this ish, I wouldn't be RIZE and I probably wouldn't be this.. 
close to approaching these goals I been working to get, 
I went through a lotta struggle so I been searchin for bliss, but never saw it comin, at least..not in .this , Scenario
But blessings come randomly yea they vary so I let it breathe,
Truth is noones got the remedy,, 
But you took the time to listen without judging my decisions 
Gotta thank you
And I'm thankful I listened to my intuition, 
I aint superstitious but fate put us in this position..
I'm grateful, it's rare finding somebody with your dedication,
So I'm writing this letter, for your interpretation.. 

F.Y.I.

FYI - R.I.Z.E (prod. by Black Hole)

S/o to Terrianne Iraki and the Black Hole for letting me fill in the last verse on this classic groove... long live Kali ✊




Wine up ya waist, every time you step in girl  you style up the place,
You gotta that kinda presence that we cannot replace, its a blessin to be in the presence of your embrace, feelin your energy, plus the music it's therapy, we groovin it all night ...feel like you are the centerpiece
I can't deny, feel like this moment is right,
 if you believe in love, don't you hold it inside, 
cuz what if you noticed you could only live for tonight,? would you go out feelin like you really finished it right? 
did you get what you was wishin for? did say what you was feelin? Did you vibe with the rhythm and did you get in your feelings? 
We can never be scared to live life no more, we can never be afraid to do what's right no more, 
And what's Normal don't gotta be the Norm no more, 
Do what you feel you gotta do,, this whole world is yours..
So feel Free to write your own destiny,, word to my brother JK may he rest in peace, 
For him we gon' live it up, libations we fill em up, 
So if you sitting down..no option but gettin up, 
I know you feelin the love, you gotta believe in us, 
You gotta believe in opening up, and receiving love..
Cuz we all family, though we may see.. the differences, there's similarities and they exceed..
See life is for living,, this time is for giving, considering our time on this earth ain't really written in stone, tomorrow may never come,
you should get in rhythm, you better get what you want...
So if you love life throw your hands in the air, you only got one so rare rare rare, yea if you love life say yea yea yea, but you gotta love yours don't you ever compare, yeah..

Living It Up - Terrianne Iraki ft JK X RIZE (remix)

That summertime fever 💃
🇰🇪 🇰🇪 🇰🇪

Recorded this today, #oneanddone 
Just havin fun,, 
#kikuyucasaNova 😎😅
Warm up with this,, new 🔥 soon come
I do this fr fr man...

Recorded at BlackHole studio
Mixed/mastered by Andy Haines (Andybolo)
Written and performed by Kariûki Thande (R.I.Z.E)

Fever(R.I.Z.E remix)

"So why these kids standing around like garden gnomes? Same fools tellin me to po' up all that Styrofoam" 

Written and Performed by: Edwin Mlayi, Jason Kalinga & R.I.Z.E
Recorded and Mixed/Mastered by KiliHippie 

Long Live Jason Mwiraria Mutuma Kalinga
https://soundcloud.com/jason-kalinga

Edwin Mlayi: https://soundcloud.com/edwin_mlayi

KiliHippie: https://soundcloud.com/kilihippie

Edwin Mlayi ft Jason Kalinga X R.I.Z.E - The Rhythm

Just another intricate and funny tale to add to my chronicles,
"The hottest love got the coldest end"
Based on a true story, as always. . . 

Written by Kariuki Thande a.k.a. RIZE 
Produced by Urban Nerd 
Recorded at Black Hole studio 
Mixed/Mastered by Andrew Haines
Cover photograph: Adrian Mola

The Break-up Jam (prod. by Urban Nerd)

Rocked this here lil banger with my brother from another 🤙🏿
big bop, Issa #Slapper  

Produced by Andy Haines (AndyBolo)-  https://soundcloud.com/user-268853652-15492216
Written & Performed by: RIZE and Baraka -https://soundcloud.com/user-268853652-15492216
Recorded at the BlackHole https://soundcloud.com/blackhole254

Art by Adrian Mola

S/o Bahati Bookings https://soundcloud.com/bahatibookings

Pedal To The Metal - R.I.Z.E X Baraka

"This is a story of a beautiful African queen I met who never seems to have a permanent home, listen up as I open my heart to her before she flies away and leaves me here alone"


Written & Performed by PK Thande [R.I.Z.E] 
Produced & Engineered by AndyBolo @user-268853652-15492216
Cover art by Owen Thande [Thanderous] - thanderous.com

Karûgano

Kanyoni

Kanyoni - R.I.Z.E

This is the third and final episode of the modern day love tale where the true colors of both individuals are finally revealed. RIZE reveals that she was taking him for a fool all along and he speaks of the way he was dedicated to her yet she was in it for the convenience. 

Prod. by Ransom Beatz 
Mixed/Mastered by AndyBolo 
Written by Kariuki Thande & Eli Maina

Who you are

Who You Are -R.I.Z.E

Bonus Track: Ndani (Alternate Version) -- This laidback melodic track was strummed by Mush from da Bush on guitar and additionally produced by AndyBolo. It provides the setting (time and place) to this modern day love tale by depicting the experiences, sights and sounds commonly found on the Nairobi social scene. 


Prod. by Mushfromdabush; Chozen
Written by: Muchigi Kimari & Kariuki Thande 
Mixed by: AndyBolo

Ndani - [Alternate version]

*Bonus* Ndani - Mush From Da Bush X R.I.Z.E [Alternate version]

Visualizer OUT NOW on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8vpAKdwagc

Written and performed by: Kariuki 'RIZE' Thande & Kevin 'Chevy Kev' Kariuki
 
Produced by Edwin Mlayi : https://soundcloud.com/edwin_mlayi

Additional production/arrangement by Lloco : https://soundcloud.com/user656125037
Latiace : https://soundcloud.com/user-196517251

Mixing by AndyBolo : https://soundcloud.com/user-268853652-15492216

Art by Thanderous : http://thanderous.com/

Head of State

Head of State - R.I.Z.E X CHEVY KEV (prod. by Ed Mlayi)

"Can't Miss"
Prod. by Afamefuna 
Written and performed by: Richard Ekumbo; Kariuki 'RIZE' Thande; Baraka Chessoni 
Release date: May 26th 2020

Can't Miss

Can't Miss - Ekumbo X RIZE X Baraka

On this free-verse I tell the story of the journey I've been on freeing my mind from limitations, opinions and expectations. . . Those of others as well as those that I held myself. I am now KING over my own subconscious mind. . . NOTHING is impossible, NOTHING is out of reach. 

Produced by Afamefuna #Hitmaker https://soundcloud.com/afamefuna
Recorded at the RocketShip 🚀
Post production by AndyBolo https://soundcloud.com/user-268853652-15492216

Untrapped (Freeverse)

UNTRAPPED [Freeverse]

Afam called the beat "Layup" and i didn't think to change it,, pretty fye if you ask me. . . 
Not a song, , just Bars to hold you over till the project 
Produced by Afamefuna
Post-produced by AndyBolo


RIP Kobe Bryant #LongLiveBlackMamba

LAYUP prod. by Afamefuna

If you grew up in Nairobi like me you were probably born only one or two generations after poverty. Likewise, if you grew up in Nairobi like me you've probably seen the best and worst of both worlds on a daily basis. 
From the Joneses to the Kamaus, the big bonuses to the regular wadaus. 
A city poised precariously between obnoxious opulence and heartbreaking hardships. 
Most people in Nairobi are one life-changing emergency away from slipping back to indigence, 
And thats why I cant let anything or anyone stop me from getting whats rightfully mine. Hakuna Njaa kama Njaa Ya Nairobi

Self-written & Self-recorded @ the Rocket-ship studio 

PRODUCERS: Gai.T; PK; Put2Sleep; Ransom Beatz 

POST PRODUCTION: AndyBolo; Kwikwiri (Put2Sleep)

COVER ART: TuskerMoja

Neighborhood Mbuzi 🐐

Tiga Wana

Niko Eazeh (ft Steph)

L.I.N

"Take a ride with me as I try and find my sanity, as I translate these thoughts of mine into a rhapsody. ."

Reaching .Impassable .Zenith .Elevations

Resilience. Integrity. Zeal. Energy. 

🚀🚀🚀

R.I.Z.E

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