Hip-hop has quickly taken root in the Kenyan popular music scene, with local artists building on the genre’s American roots, translating it to the local context and using it to transform the lifestyles of young people in urban centres.
In recent years, there has been a remarkable emergence of female rappers in Kenya, breaking barriers and making waves in the traditionally male-dominated hip-hop scene.
Now, raptress Groovy Jo is gearing to release her largely expected solo sophomore EP Pressure.
Pressure follows her full-length collab effort Shrappin Rage with burgeoning Nairobi rapper Asum Garvey who is one of Nairobi’s rapidly rising acts.
On Pressure, Groovy is confident as ever on cuts like “Flex” where she embraces mindfulness and empowers herself to a realized heightened sense of self-worth. This is the story of Groovy Jo who has shared her laboring journey of proving to be the best throughout her growing presence on the music scene.
On records such as “Logo” she elaborates her wit using materialism (“Logos”) as a metaphor for her romance. A standout component in Groovy Jo’s art has been her crafty manner of weaving through different topics, themes, lines, whilst doing it poetically and majestically.
Meanwhile the soundtrack “Pressure” captures Groovy releasing weightful emotions such as doubt, anxiety, internal and external expectations and like alchemy converting them to positives and focusing on looking forward rather than pondering on them too long to hold her back from living her best life.
The nine-track record is an experimental effort for the ADF Family helmed Groovy Jo who is slowly but surely becoming a hero in the Kenyan music ranks.
“Pressure is more sentimental as I show a bit of my vulnerability and explore that side of myself” she concedes.
“Pressure also marks a bit of growth in my sound and in my writing as well. Groovy Way was me coming out and trying to prove myself as a rapper and it was hard bars song after song.”
Noting a stark growth in her song-writing, composing, arranging, beat selection, the marauding evolution of Groovy Jo’s artistry is a marvel. Cuts such as the Luigi-produced “More” again feature Groovy switching up her tempo into a more electronic and dance world with the Justin Timberlake-sampled record again allowing her to be playful with her music.
The project sees some subtlety from the former Homeboyz Freshman emcee however tracks such as “Today” display her brazen lyricism, tenacity, ferocity and visceral production – an aspect that has endeared her to Shrap music lovers.
“Nothing really toned down and with “Shrappin Rage” it was just me and my brother trying out a sound we both have never explored making it so beautiful and perfect. With “Pressure” it’s my vulnerable side, it’s the side that I was never really comfortable showing.”
“I want them to relate to me as I talk about love being in love falling In love, falling out of love and just at the end of the day enjoying and living life to the fullest”
Production credits span across K6, Luigi and consistent Kenyan producer and beat smith Lemario.
Singles include “More” and “Sherehe Sheria” both having music video accompaniments. “Logo” and “Today” also supported the project, releasing earlier under distribution from One RPM.
Features-wise, Groovy taps a wealth of Nairobi’s alternative music scene in Vallerie Muthoni, KVLI, and some international appearances with Buzzi Lee from South Africa.
The record also comes off Groovy Jo working with sports powerhouse NIKE on a cypher:
“It was awesome. I got to interact with so many amazing people, it was such an incredible experience. Hope to work with them again!”
Additionally, she was brought out by “Angela” hit-maker Boutross at his debut performance at the Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studio showing at The Mall, Westlands, Nairobi.
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