Apple Music spotlights Kenya’s Ywaya Tajiri as East Africa’s newest ‘Up Next’ artist

Apple Music has officially announced Kenyan singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and educator Ywaya Tajiri as the latest talent featured in its East African Up Next artist development programme.

The initiative, dedicated to highlighting emerging creators pushing creative boundaries globally, marks a major milestone in Tajiri’s journey from a collaborative pillar of Nairobi’s alternative music scene to a prominent solo act.

Based in Nairobi, Tajiri has cultivated a reputation for blending emotionally grounded storytelling with rich, indigenous Kenyan sounds. Audiences already know his musical footprint through the genre-bending duo Watendawili and the influential creative collective KODONGKLAN. Behind the console, his songwriting credits include popular releases such as Okello Max’s “Taya,” Watendawili’s “Cham Thum,” and We Are Nubia’s “DND.” On stage, he has performed at prominent regional festivals, including Blankets & Wine, Sol Fest, Folk Fusion, and Woza World, which is an independent showcase curated by Watendawili.

The Up Next spotlight coincides with the launch of Tajiri’s debut solo EP, Wingu la Mapenzi (Swahili for “Cloud of Love”). Anchored by his breakout single “Chai ya Saa Kumi,” the six-track collection explores the highs, vulnerabilities, and heartbreaks of romantic relationships, wrapped in lush Afropop arrangements. Tajiri describes the record as an exploration of presence, embracing both the joy and the darker complexities that come with love.

In addition to his recording and stage career, Tajiri remains an active educator and mentor, training rising musicians in vocal performance and lyricism.

Through his selection for Up Next, Tajiri will receive editorial support across Apple Music, including placement on the regional and global Up Next playlists. The programme has previously served as an early career launchpad for major international acts including Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Bad Bunny.