The last two years have seen the growth of Arbantone (a sample-heavy genre) and the emergence of a new crop of artists.
The last two years have seen the growth of Arbantone (a sample-heavy genre) and the emergence of a new crop of artists.
The last two years have seen the growth of a new genre and the emergence of a new crop of artists.
From Lilmaina, SosaTheProdigy, YBW Smith, Gody Tennor, Tipsy Gee, and more to production duo Soundkraft, Arbantone is a hot new commodity in the Kenyan music industry.
Traditional hip-hop artists were also not left behind. Maandy, Breeder LW, Mejja, and Stoopid Boy have hopped on the genre and shown the new kids their versatility.
Arbantone is a subgenre of Kenyan urban music crafted over older popular music.
This article will explore 10 popular songs and Riddim’s sampled on Arbantone music. Gen Z and Gen Alpha, stay tuned for this musical masterclass as we go down memory lane.
Produced by: Todla T & Mucky / 4PLAY
In 2019, Wiley teamed up with Sean Paul and Steflon Don to give us a certified club hit, “Boasty.” A year later, the group NSG (still from the UK) released “OT Bop.”
If you have listened to these two songs, you can tell they have a few stylistic similarities in tone and BPM (Beats per Minute).
“Boasty” – 103 BPM
“OT Bop” – 101 BPM
Lilmaina, one of the pioneers of Arbantone, took both, ran, and never looked back. On January 1, 2021, he released the highly successful “Kishash” featuring Ndovu Kuu, which currently has 7.4M views on YouTube. “Kishash” samples “Boasty” and “OT. Bop.”
Produced by: Rvssian
The “Whine and Kotch Riddim” featured 13 songs by artists, including Vybz Kartel, Byronn, Dosta, Jah Virgin, Kalash and more.
As with most riddims, there is always a standout track; in this case, it is “Wine & Kotch” by Charli Black and J Capri (may she Rest In Peace).
In 2023, Lilmaina and Mtap3li brought us “Kinare” over the iconic instrumental. After discovering that Mtap3li bit his whole verse from a 2015 Thika Road cypher, the song was pulled down from YouTube.
However, it continued to gain traction on TikTok and is still available on DSPs.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: Clemmo
In 2007, Juacali and Sanaipei collaborated on “Kwaheri.” The song was about two estranged lovers on the verge of a breakup. Off his album Ngeli Ya Genge, the song continued Juacali’s streak of hit songs.
In 2023, “Kuja Ivo” by Gody Tennor, Tipsy Gee, YBW Smith and Sean MMG used the song’s instrumental with a few tweaks by Soundkraft.
Produced by: Danny Browne / Juvenile
Straight from the late 90s (’98, to be specific), the “Filthy/Filthier” Riddim featured 16 songs by artists, including Lady Saw, Lady G, Beenie Man, Goofy, General Degree, Tanya Stephens and more.
Mr. Vegas’ “Heads High” was the most popular song of the riddim, catapulting his career tenfold.
Maandy utilized the riddim instrumental on her hit “Dem Mauru,” with some alterations by Metro Suka Doba.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: DJ Sting International, Tony Kelly [Big Yard]
The “Church Heathen Riddim” featured 11 songs by artists, including Ninja Man, Elephant Man, Red Fox, Rayvon, Wayne Fire, and more.
Shaggy stole the show on this riddim by dropping the titular “Church Heathen,” the most popular song.
Kenyan Arbantone artist Ranzscooby brought life to the riddim on his song “TicTac.”
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: Rvssian
Produced by one of the pioneers of new Jamaican dancehall music, Rvssian, “Go Go Club Riddim” played a significant role in the rise of artists like Vybz Kartel and Demarco.
The riddim featured 15 songs by various artists, including Elephant Man, Demarco, Tarrus Riley, Gaza Kim, Konshens, and many more. Vybz Kartel had the most popular song on the riddim with “Go Go Club.”
In 2023, producer Rvssian remade the riddim (now Dutty Money Riddim), adding a few touches.
Lilmaina and SosaTheProdigy used the riddim on “Nakam Sai.” The song gained massive traction, with 100K views in 2 days. It reached 1 Million views on 14th April 2024.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: Steven “Lenky” Marsden
Lenky was truly in his bag when he made this instrumental. The “Diwali Riddim” is among the most popular riddims. One of the distinctive features of this riddim is the iconic clap sound.
You might have heard it in several hits, such as “Pon De Replay” (Rihanna), “Love is Wicked” (Brick n Lace), “Come Back To Me” (Tory Lanez), “Let Him Go” (M.O.G), “Shake Yo Bam Bam” (Sauti Sol), “Pass That Dutch” (Missy Elliott) just to name a few.
The original riddim tape featured 20 songs by various artists, including Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, T.O.K, Beenie Man, Ce’Cile, and many other dancehall heavyweights.
The most popular song that uses the instrumental is Sean Paul’s “Get Busy,” released at the peak of his career.
The riddim has been used on the Arbantone songs “Digii” (Mr. Tee, SosaTheProdigy, 06ix June), “Niko na Dem” by YBW Smith, “Get Bussy” by Danski, and “Kama Race” by Jojay Bless, Gwaash, Shyboy Ghetto Taikun, and Kay Saba.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: Tony Kelly
The “Katana Riddim” featured 13 songs by various artists, including Bounty Killer, Wayne Wonder, Voice Mail, Tanya Stephens, Bud, Chico, and more.
Shaggy had the most popular song on the riddim, “Ready For Di Ride.”
The riddim was used on “Anapiga Pic” by YBW Smith and the recently released remix with Maandy and Breeder LW, who did justice to the beat.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Produced by: Clemmo
In the early 2000s, Genge and Kapuka were the two main genres of Kenyan urban music. At this point in his career, Juacali (a Genge artist) was reaping the rewards of his hard work and had a message to his fans and peers.
Nataka tu heshima yako, nataka tu furaha yako, ndio ujue mahali bidii yangu imetoka.
“Bidii Yangu” was used 17 years later on “Tiktoker,” arguably the biggest Arbatone song. Further fueled by TikTok challenges, “TikToker” was a smash hit.
Produced by: Christopher Birch & R. Livingston [Big Yard Music]
The “Sexy Lady Riddim” had 14 songs and spawned Shaggy’s “Hey Sexy Lady,” featuring Brian and Tony Gold.
Many years later, several Arbantone artists have reused it. It featured on “Denge” by YBW Smith, Lilmaina, and SosaTheProdigy’s “Lele Remix,” “Lele” by Maandy, and “G Baga Jat” by Stoopid Boy.
Listen to the full riddim here.
Which is your favorite Arbantone song?
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