The Recent Local Artiste Collaborations With International And Neighboring Artistes Ranked From The The Worst To The Best. The Worst Is Totally Horrible

Collaborations are a way of artists increasing their audience. Recent days have seen African  artists’ engage in cross regional works and Kenyan artists have not been left out.

The collaborations range from proper hits to the middle ground songs and absolute hogwash songs. What you cannot deny is the effect and effort the collaborated artistes put in. in some cases, it was the Kenyan artistes who were featured in the song. Below is the list starting off with the worst collaborations.

12. Alaine ft Churchill –Wafula

Even allowing the excuse of the fact that it was maybe done from a comic angle, the song ended up being a joke of the audience’s anticipation and time. Really what was Churchill doing in his verse? Even in the name of comedy and humor and the urgency, the video could have been better, after all the Chopper guy just showed how something so impromptu can find its way into urban legends. The short shelf life of the song is proof of its quality and its deserving place as the worst collaboration on this list.

11. Papa Dennis Korede Bello – Wonder

The song had everything you have come to expect from Papa Dennis, awesome video, dominant strings and well, average delivery . Credit to Korede Bello he tried to give the song a different feel but the effort at story telling was labored and sudden switch at tempo felt forced.  Well it is still a good video to look at and if you don’t get worn by the Wondering. If only this kid could employ the services of a good song writer.

10. Wahu ft Cindy – Yeye

I am still giving the song a chance to grow on me, but given the competition from the other songs on this list, it will need more than time to see it move a couple of steps up. While it is fresh to see Wahu again, she will really have to pull a Nyashisnky to reclaim her spot among the current top stars and singers in the country.

9. Jaguar ft Mafikizolo – Going Nowhere

Cabu Gah said this song is going Nowhere, I beg to differ, going by the rate it is playing in matatus at rush hour. The Mafikizolo duo save us from potentially repetitive lines from Jaguar and the tempo makes it very much a song you can dance to and if you cannot, the video is interesting. It could have been worse, it is good as it is.

8. Sauti Sol ft Alikiba – Unconditionally Bae

By hits alone the song should top the list, but then again universal truth cannot be measured by public opinion. Alikiba and Sauti Sol are the two big continental acts with elaborate marketing strategies. However, in this song all flatter to deceive perhaps taken in by the playful tone of the song. It fails to reach to the high levels expected of them and just to ask, is Chimano being relegated to just voice overs and back up roles.

 Akothee ft Flavor – Give It To Me

It was Akothee’s second massive effort at getting the continental appeal. It did not perform as outstanding as the first one but still got the reaction and attention she wanted, landing another big African artiste for a collaboration. It is however, not a song you would hazard to listen constantly as her first mega collaboration which was easy and pleasing to the ears.

6. Elani ft Chameleone – My Darling

This song almost suffered from an experiment that was doomed to fail from the start, selling it to the public. Elani says it performed so we will leave it at that. However, it was only when it was offered free in public domain that the song achieved its full potential. Not to say that it was an overwhelming success, no, it is also not something you will keep listening to, but it is just enough to make it among the collaborations that are neither here nor there. Pretty much like a mid table team in the EPL.

 5. Avril ft AY – No Stress

Avril is quickly making a career from collaborating with the brothers from Tanzania. You can’t really blame her as the songs have turned to be some of her best hits. No stress is undoubtedly her biggest song, one well received and at least appreciated even by her critics. She gets pretty much everything right from the set and AY as expected delivers his part making for a worthwhile musical experience.

 4. Sauti Sol and Micasa– Tulale fofofo

Every aspect of this song touches and appeals to a part of you. Even the notorious ‘ikibamba sana wapi nduru’ call. The vocals, the assembly of instruments, give it a classical and quality feel. Sadly and regrettably, it was the Unconditionally Bae that got all the attention. Tulale Fofofo is the result of Vintage Sauti Sol getting it right with their incessant experimentation. Most of the rest is just showbiz.

3. Ringtone ft Christine Shusho – Tenda Wema

Ringtone’s collaboration with Christine Shusho is a perfect example that at times walking away from it all is a good thing. At least it offers one time for introspection if nothing else and no one needed this much than Ringtone Apoko. He came back with this collaboration and for a moment you got convinced he may sure have had a musical talent. It could have been the Christina Shusho effect, but it is his song and that is what counts, it is a great hit and has you reaching for the replay button.

2. M.I Abaga ft Khaligraph- Black Bill Gates

It was the break Khaligraph needed continentally and he did not disappoint. The only reason it is not a big hit because of its genre. Khaligraph takes an equal if not a bit larger role as M.I and given the song it all about bravado and making it against all odds, he delivers with every line.

1. Akothee ft Diamond Platinumz – My Sweet Love

The Leicester story of Kenyan showbiz, is this collaboration. It came out of the blues after what seemed to be just a publicity stunt. This song gets you the first time or better till grows on you to the point you cannot ignore it. Almost everyone can sing to it and contrary to many expectations, Diamond did his part with the same gusto and justice he gives his songs and Akothee really rose to the standards. Whatever you think of her and everything about her, this song sure gives her a right to ask ‘Pilipili ya kuashia nini”