Well-known, talented Kenyan hip-hop crew Makamanda delivers new dope solo track “Juu Sana.”
With this one, Makamanda enters Kenya’s crowded hip-hop lane, opting for a title that loosely translates to ‘very high’ or ‘way up’. That statement alone carries ambition with it, and it sets the mood before the first bar drops. Kenya’s rap scene has a place for performers that come with confidence and this record is a good fit.
It’s all about hard-hitting, bass-driven instrumentation designed for impact, not delicacy. Nothing here softens the delivery. The beat remains forceful so Makamanda’s vocal gets to carry the energy of the album from the first verse.
The delivery here is more about snappy confident bars over anything laid back or introspective. Makamanda relies on the rhythm and tempo, allowing the flow to perform much of the hard lifting. This approach dovetails nicely with Kenya’s burgeoning desire for hard-hitting hip-hop.
Lyrically, “Juu Sana” promotes ideas of aspiration, elevation and rising above the competition. The title line is repeated sufficiently to be stuck in listeners’ heads. So even on a first listen you get the message of the song without too much guesswork.
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