Below is a list of artists that joined the music industry and thrived; some of them did conquer whereas others didn’t, but the bottom line of it all is that they dominated their era winning hearts of many but have dropped the mic, some are just on break and are not releasing tracks more often like they used to, leaving the new upcoming and the existing artists that are now dominating the ‘Gen Z’ era.
Singer Phy
Her real name is Phyllis Mwihaki Ng’etich. She stormed the airwaves with her breakout song, Taboo (Taabu), which was a massive song.
Apparently she took a bow after she got pregnant, and ever since she has never gotten back to the studio.
Nameless
David Mathenge is commonly known by his stage name ‘Nameless’.
Nameless used to rule the air waves back then, in 2015, with his track back it up that he collaborated alongside Wahu up until he did ‘Inspire Me’ amongst many others.
He has, however, stepped down from recording music lately, letting the upcoming artists dominate. He rarely gets in studio.
Wahu
Wife to Nameless, Wahu started her musical career in 2000. She released her first single, “Niangalie,” which received positive reception all over Africa and the world at large.
She, however, stopped recording music and focused on parenting and marriage.
Naiboi
Michael Kennedy Claver, professionally known as Naiboi, is a Kenyan singer. He began his career in music in 2003 as a songwriter, rapper, record producer, and record executive.
Naiboi stepped down from doing music in the lates 2022; he hasn’t been consistent in what he does and is currently out the country.
Nonini
Nonini used to dominate back in his days alongside Juacali where they used to sing kenyan local gengetone
Elani
This is a musical trio made up of Brian Chweya, Maureen Kunga, and Wambui Ngugi that started back in 2008
The Kenyan group was the 2014 winner of AFRIMA’s Best African Pop Award and was also nominated for the Channel O Music Video Awards.
Amos and Josh
The pair became instantly famous winning hearts of many after they performed flawlessly on the music reality show Tusker Project Fame.
Their hit song ‘Baadaye’, featuring King Kaka, has been timeless. Ever since they have had inconsistency on and off.
DNA
When he released Banjuka, which is arguably his biggest song ever, DNA became the most sought-after artist in the country.
The song opened massive doors for him, including landing him a role on the late former president Mwai Kibaki’s team. Up until now he went outside country and hasn’t been doing music.
Size 8 & Dj Moh
Kenyan couple that goes by the name ‘Murayas’ they are blessed with children as well. Lilian Munyali who used to go by her stage name ‘Size 8’ will always be remembered for her hit songs like ‘Vidonge’ that rocked the airwaves a while back before she transitioned to gospel. She is now a mother and wife and rarely records music in the studio unlike before yeah, she might be having recent hits but she is not so much into it unlike before, same applies to Dj Moh whose now a father although his work is mostly Djing.
Akothee
Kenyan female artist Esther Akoth commonly known for her stage name ‘Akothee’ triumped in her time back then, she has been releasing tracks from almost 8 years ago and has worked alongside international artists like Flavour, Diamond Platnumnz amongst many others. She however stopped doing music lately ever since she grew her brand and is now focused on other things like endorsements running her own foundation and her own businesses that she has. She is also the CEO of Akothee Safaris.
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Other artists who have stepped down from recording music lately are: HopeKid, Daddy Owen, Rufftone, Wyre, Avril, Nazizi
