Google has listed the top ten sheng words that are most searched by Kenyans.
The most searched sheng word is Mbwakni followed by Mbogi, Rieng, Dem and Rada.
Others include Saseni, Omoka, Dere, Chwani and Mabeshte.
Google teamed up with Hip Hop group Buruklyn Boyz to showcase the most used Sheng words on Google Search.
Google challenged rappers to create an original verse that incorporates the top ten sheng words in their lyrics.
Google announced the winners of the #SearchInSheng campaign and #KwaheriOpenVerseChallenge which saw Kenyan rappers create their own version of the hit song “Kwaheri Remix”.
The song that kicked off the #OpenVerseChallenge was a collaboration between Hip Hop group Burukyln Boyz and Music Producer Kagwe Mungai.
They were commissioned by Google to co-create the song using the top ten most used sheng words on Search.
An #OpenVerseChallenge is a social media trend that allows upcoming artists to showcase their skills and by creating their own version of a viral song.
The winners of the challenge were Shalom Charles Kianga (Spinx_Mafia), Mwongeli Mutuku, and Brian Mawira Mbae (Ma_wira).
The #SearchInSheng campaign was inspired by new research from Google which shows that Kenyan Hip Hop culture could be behind the increase of sheng words on the platform.
The data also reveals that the top ten most used Sheng mainly originates from Hip Hop lyrics and youth culture.
“Participating in the Search in Sheng project was exciting because sheng is like our primary language! Seeing a brand like Google recognise the power of sheng and Kenyan Hip Hop is amazing,” Burukyln Boyz said.
Communications and Public Affairs Manager Sharon Machira said it is exciting to see how Google Search is contributing to Kenya’s Hip Hop culture
“As with any slang, sheng words evolve and change every day but thanks to our improvements in AI, Google Search can quickly return helpful information no matter how new the word is to local slang,” Machira said.
