Story5/3/2025
Once celebrated household names, these artists have gone silent, with no new releases in years.
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Once celebrated household names, these artists have gone silent, with no new releases in years.
Once celebrated household names, these artists have gone silent, with no new releases in years.
Over the years, Kenya has produced many exceptionally talented Kenyan female artists who have delivered unforgettable music.
However, some of these stars have gradually faded from the music scene. Their departure has left fans wondering what happened and why they no longer release new music.
Once celebrated household names, these artists have gone silent, with no new releases in years. This article highlights Kenyan female artists who have been missing from the spotlight.
Betty Asandu, popularly known as Bey T, made a bold entrance into the Kenyan music scene with her distinct rap style and lyrical prowess. She brought a fresh new sound, standing out from the Gengetone wave dominating at the time.
Her most notable hits include “Wololo”, “The Most”, “Ndio, Rib”, and “If They Dunno”. However, she has been largely absent from the music scene for nearly five years, apart from a surprise 2023 release titled “Obvious”.
In an interview on Radio 254, she revealed that she took a step back to focus on her physical, mental, and spiritual well-being—perhaps explaining her prolonged silence.
Suzziah rose to fame in 2017 after featuring on Le Band’s “Number 1”, arguably the biggest song in Kenya in 2017. Her smooth and soulful voice quickly captured the attention of the masses and music lovers alike.
She collaborated with big names like Juliani and King Kaka and released solo projects. However, her music struggled to gain traction. That was six years ago, and she has remained inactive since then.
A quick check reveals that she no longer has a YouTube account, leaving fans with more questions than answers. Did she quit music entirely? 🤔
Phy Ng’etich, popularly known as Phy, was a powerhouse in the Kenyan music industry. Her presence was undeniable and following her long stint of silence, her absence has been deeply felt. She gifted fans with hits like “Ruka” (featuring King Kaka and Khaligraph Jones), “Taboo”, and “Siwezani”.
Some speculate that her inconsistency in releasing music was due to her decision to start a family. In contrast, others believe her fallout with her former record label played a role.
In 2024, Phy seemingly attempted a comeback, releasing tracks like “Nyamaza”, “Niko Majuu”, “Mama Na Baba”, “Manzi Wa Maana”, and “Nitawakumbusha” (featuring Okello Max) following the anti-government protests. However, these songs have not gained significant traction.
Chemutai Sage made waves in 2013 when she collaborated with Octopizzo on “So Alive.” Her soulful, mellow voice and unique sound quickly earned her a loyal fanbase.
She followed up with hits like “Favorite Song,” “Maskini,” “Watching You,” “Majestic,” and “What I Am,” all of which did well.
However, she has been noticeably absent in recent years. Her YouTube channel shows that apart from “Set Me Free”—which has only 390 views—her last notable release was “Wild Trip” with Mackinlay in early 2024.
Wendy Kimani gained recognition as the runner-up in Season 2 of Tusker Project Fame (TPF). She then went on to collaborate with various Kenyan artists, including Bien. However, her most iconic song remains “Unajua”, a duet with Gilad Millo (who has also been unusually quiet).
After marrying a Dutch national in 2014, Wendy moved to the Netherlands. While her absence is understandable because of her family commitments, it underscores the challenges of maintaining a Kenyan music career abroad—ask her namesake, Victoria Kimani.
Dela is widely regarded as one of Kenya’s finest vocalists. She gained prominence with her Swahili cover of Adele’s massive hit “Hello”. She then released chart-topping hits and collaborations with artists like Timmy Tdat, H_art the Band, and Silvastone.
Despite her undeniable talent, she has not released new music in years, leaving fans speculating about her whereabouts. Interestingly, while she is no longer actively dropping new tracks, she still performs at Karaoke events and live shows—maintaining a connection to music.
Dela recently performed at Love at Alloy on Valentine’s Day and has more shows lined up later this month (Check her IG).
Judith Nyambura, popularly known as Avril, was once one of Kenya’s most celebrated female artists. Since featuring on “Tayari” with Jaguar circa ’06, she ruled the airwaves. She dropped hits like “Kitoko,” “Hakuna Yule,” “Weka,” “Nikimuona,” “Hello Baby,” and the infamous “Chokoza” with Marya.
Her enchanting voice and emotional delivery made her a fan favourite. However, she has not released new music in over a year, and her absence from the industry has not gone unnoticed.
Since the early 2000s, Stella Mwangi, better known as STL, has been a distinctive figure in the Kenyan music scene. Though based in Norway, her music, including hits like “Biashara”, has been widely appreciated in Kenya.
While she has largely stepped away from the spotlight, STL remains active in other creative fields, including acting and fashion. Her fans continue to hope for a musical comeback.
Many Kenyan female artists have risen to prominence but often disappear from the industry. While some have made attempts at comebacks, others remain silent, leaving their fans to wonder if they will ever return.
Which Kenyan female artists do you miss the most? Let us know in the comments!
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