
Fikrah Teule & Brima Maovete’s “Sauti Zetu” (Swahili for “Our Voices”) – aptly released on 12 December 2023 (Kenya’s Jamhuri Day) – is a 6-track EP, the first collaboration between the two artists. Fikrah Teule, repping Mombasani, is a seasoned MC whose repertoire is heavy on socially conscious Hip Hop. His previous works include Falsafa Za Mwendapole (2014 – available on iTunes), Azania Na Wanawe (2020 – available on BandCamp) & Wazalendo Raia (2021 – available on Mofity). Brima Maovete hails from Dandora Hip Hop City. This is actually his second collaborative effort of the year after “Kiswahealing II”, the sequel to 2021’s stellar “Kiswahealing” (both with the incomparable Kitu Sewer) –available on all DSPs. (Side note: “Kiswahealing” is also one of my favourite KEHipHop project titles (along with K-South’s “Nairobbery” & “Vulga Lugha” by N.A.N.N.O.M.A).
As alluded to on the EP cover artwork, “Sauti Zetu” is also the duo’s moniker – & a good hint, I think, to reasonably expect a “Sauti Zetu II” at some point in the future following this solid offering.
The EP endeavours to be a time capsule for the zeitgeist of the socio-economic times we find ourselves in – in the vein of “there’s a war going on outside nobody’s safe from…” (word to the late, great H.N.I.C, Prodigy of Mobb Deep). To let Fikrah tell it: “The project was meant to uplift the masses. We want to speak for the unheard, unsung heroes whose contribution to our nation building often goes overlooked.” This, the tag-team does to more than satisfactory results.
The Music

The title track, helmed by Ares69 (Tracks 2 – 5 were produced by Kunta Official Beats while KDawg marshalled the closing track, both beatsmiths from Truce Label), kicks things off. Harry Kimani’s somber vocals on the chorus set the tone for the theme of the project (“Mi’ wacha niongee/Nikisema siko sawa/si mimi pekee/sauti zetu tuzipaze; ndizo power…”). The track highlights the aspirations of a people living in uncertain times. It has been a long minute since I heard Harry Kimani so I took great delight in the fact that his vocal chops are still intact. This is also probably the most incisively, introspectively rapped track by both MCs & was a dope choice for a lead track.

“Hip Hop (Watanabe)” starts off with a Tupac Shakur sample, followed by a fiery verse from the esteemed femcee L-Ness. The simple hook (“Hip Hop/Hurray”) fits the feel of the instrumental that evokes Golden Age-nostalgia. As the protagonists clarify in the music video’s description on YouTube, “the anthem pays homage to hip hop as the world celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the rich tradition. ‘Watanabe’ is a sheng word for die-hard hip-hop heads. It’s derived from one of the best hip hop show hosts in Kenya, Mr. Bernard Okumu… that’s where “Nabe” comes from and “Wata” implies a community of hip hop enthusiasts who continue supporting the movement just like Nabe himself.” I found this to be a ‘3-D’ way of presenting the art – an extra dimension to the more overt meaning always makes me pay closer attention.

“Revolution” features heavy weight contributions courtesy of Elijah Moz & upstart MC Msito. Other than the top-notch bars brought by the duo, the change of lyrical pace from the more conversational stylings of Fikrah Teule & Brima to the more wordplay-centric flow adds a new dimension & counters the latent threat of monotony that may come with a mono-concept project such as this.
“Waandishi” can be described as the manifesto of Sauti Zetu, declaring the two wordsmiths’ intent to take up their rightful place in the pantheon of literary greats such as Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, John Kiriamiti, Francis Imbuga, Meja Mwangi, Ali Mazrui, Wallah Bin Wallah to mention but a few. Nguchi P (“Mwandishi ‘kashamiri kwenye watunzi hodari”) is up to the task, bringing the usanifu you’d find in a Kiswahili high school textbook – plus that vintage Ukoo Flani vibe.
“Burn” paints a timeline of how a country’s politics done wrong may take it down a perilous path – from elections, to ineffective formulation of policies to the likely consequences when public frustration reaches fever pitch. Nem R Lauryn Hill-esque crooning is soulful yet lined with a hint of danger, capturing the essence of the warning that is the song.
To conclude the set, “Better Learn” featuring a gravelly Reggae hook from Killa Loop is a call for unity – since ultimately, we’re all dealing with the same issues under the sun despite our different walks of & paths in Life.

Overall, “Sauti Zetu” is a cohesive project that stays true to the concept in subject matter, lyrical content, featured artists & the sound bed which forms the musical backdrop for all these. Definitely among the best KEHipHop projects of the year. My only knock would be the mixing & mastering – for instance, the sound level in Track 1 is noticeably lower than the succeeding Tracks 2 & 3. I would have also liked for the MCs to shoot the listener a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom & dire circumstances. Then again, knowing how human nature will cause one to cling onto a spider web of positivity & forget all else (despite everything around them falling apart), perhaps sometimes it is best to be simply presented with the truth unadulterated & undiluted. The type of dose to make you lose your sauti, be calm & let “Sauti Zetu” lead the way.
Rating:

Notable Bars:
“Huwezi take freedom for granted ka’ ushaingia jela/
Kukosa justice ile wengine hununua kwa hela/
Cut long story short/ Here nani hu-call shots/ tukiumia?
Ni free will au kuna self-interests kututumia?…
– Fikrah Teule [“Sauti Zetu”]
“Man, usipojituma, unatumwa; unashikanishwa ka’ gum/
Plan ya social reforms gani, ka’ uptown unahitaji slum?/
Daily bread isipo-come, tumbo zina-burn ka’ busaa na cham/
On the other hand, kukosa maji inaweza turn into ‘red rum’…
– Brima Maovete [“Hip Hop (Watanabe)”]
You can cop “SAUTI ZETU” @ Ksh. 450 in 3 easy steps:
(1) Pay via M-Pesa
Till Number: 9335403
Account Name: Endeleza Sanaa
(2) After payment, kindly forward confirmation message and your email address to WhatsApp number 0715164477, Maovete@gmail.com or Fikraia@gmail.com.
(3) A download link will then be sent to you to access the EP.