There are few Africans whose creative journey has been as wide-ranging, singular and successful as the one travelled by Liz Ogumbo. 

Over the past decade, this formidably focused Kenyan has established herself as creative entrepreneur whose work in music, fashion, television, radio and wine. Through all these, she shares an enviable commitment to excellence while fostering relationships and projects that advance the African creative industries globally. 

Whether it’s writing, recording and performing her original music, designing for her eponymous fashion label, hosting and producing Fashion Lab Africa TV and radio, or penetrating the wine market through her latest venture,, ‘Liz Ogumbo Wines,’ Liz is unquestionably the new face of modern Africa. She is as much rooted in the continent she loves as the global community that is fast embracing her irresistible vision. 

In conveying her creative output, Liz came up with a new, all-encompassing term—KenSoul. “KenSoul represents my Kenyan soul that allows me to stylishly weave stories of my Kenyan origin and global influences into the KenSoul experience,” she says of this description that is as original as the person behind it.

KenSoul is also the title of Liz’s first album, released to acclaim in 2010 - and is the reference point for her recently released follow-up, KenSoul, The Lotus Chapter. Traversing multiple musical influences and expressed in Luo, Swahili, English and French (all of which Liz speaks fluently), Liz’s two albums reflect her genre-agnostic sound, her Kenyan soul and her life experiences. Her humorous writing and skilled storytelling, combined with her smoky, sultry vocal abilities and mature yet playful sound, mark out Liz as one of Africa’s most notable artists.

“I come from a tribe called the Luo, which is one of 42 tribes in Kenya and is rooted in the western part of Kenya, by Lake Victoria,” she explains. “The Luo culture is very rich; music and dance is a part of our DNA.” 

Liz is named after her great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Loye, a talented singer and performer who was born around the 1860s and lived until the 1940s. 

Both of Liz’s albums feature songs from her childhood and traditional melodies – among them “Maro Pamore” off her 2010 debut KenSoul. “I love the melodies of that song and what it stands for,” says Liz of the recording (featuring Zambian-raised rapper, Zubz). KenSoul, The Lotus Chapter maintains the mix of genres that have influenced Liz (soul, hip hop, reggae, jazz, and blues) as well as the roots influence of the likes of Taraab music on songs like “Oringo Bayoyo” and “Msenangu”. As Liz puts it, “When I sing in my vernacular I know what I’m singing about”. 

Another influence on Liz’s creativity and music in particular, is Chakacha—a Swahili cultural dance that Liz learnt growing up in Kenya and which she describes as “the most sensual dance I know of beyond my geographical boundaries”. Those who’ve seen Liz perform live have witnessed how she weaves Chakacha into her live show, adding another layer to what is one of the most uplifting, near spiritual and joyous performances in contemporary African music. 

A standout feature of Liz’s energetic live shows is the visual element which makes full use of her unique fashion sense. The latter takes expression and influence from her fashion brand label highlighted by bold, elegant, timeless pieces that embrace self-definition through sleek cuts and simple yet provocative designs. Established eleven years ago, Liz Ogumbo’s Fashion offering epitomises attitude that comes from the inside—and this part of her creative life is as much a part of Liz’s soul as music is.


Ten years later, and now firmly established as a leading Afropolitan with real vision, Liz is ready to take on the world with all aspects of her KenSoul experience and creativity.  Look out for her new album.

Harry Kimani is an award winning musician and composer, a fine voice, an excellent guitarist and passionate composer is the best way to describe him. This superstar musician has already become a leader of his own style and we still haven’t heard anything yet. Harry Kimani can be described as Africa’s answer to John Mayer.
Harry Kimani has three albums to his name, African Woman 2001, Unborn 2004, Tuishi Mi Nawe 2007 probably the bestselling album in Kenya.
Harry Kimani is currently working on his fourth studio album, which is due late this year. You should keep your selves posted because this is going to be the best album out of East Africa ever. 
Harry has had various achievements as an artist and has had various nominations and won different awards around the region like.
•	2005 Kisima Music Awards for Best Song of the year for the Song HAIYA.
•	2005 Kisima Music Awards for Best Music Video of the year for HAIYA
•	His also been nominated for the most promising male artist by the Kora Awards 2005.
Harry Kimani has performed alongside a number of international musicians such as Hugh Masekhela, Richard Bona, Thandiswa Harry Mazwai,  Baaba Maal, The Band Blof, Tracy Chapman, and many other artists.
Harry has performed for various audiences around the world in Europe and Africa His recent performances have included the Festival Mundial, North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, North Sea Jazz Salutes Nairobi, and Bløf's Umoja Project launch in Amsterdam, Kenya Independence celebrations in South Africa, and many more concerts.
In the maestros own words, “My music comes from the heart. It is in my essence, and that's what comes through my music.” When we compiled the album “Unborn”, it was just as the name suggests, unborn. There has to be a beginning to something, and this is definitely the continuation of a great journey into music.


I think i have been held back for too long, have this itch to constantly express myself and stay true to what i feel. Music to me is freedom, i am learning...we all are. All i am doing with my music is documenting the journey. 

Thitu Kariba is following