Matata: The Afro-Nordic Sound Shaking Up Oslo’s Music Scene

In the heart of Oslo, where Nordic frost meets Nairobi fire, a dynamic Kenyan-Norwegian group is making waves rewriting the rules of diaspora sound. Meet matata, the genre-blending collective fusing Kenyan rhythms with Scandinavian edge and reimagining Afrobeat in the Nordic region.

Bridging Continents Through Music

Founded in 2016, Matata first burst onto the scene as a five-member group. Marcus Ojiambo, Freddy Milanya, Richie Mathu, Ken Kimathi and Festus Kwenda all young Kenyan creatives who had recently settled in Norway. In early 2025, the group transitioned to a four-member lineup after Kimathi’s departure, but their energy remains as explosive as ever.

Though based in Oslo, matata’s artistic compass points squarely in Nairobi. Their music fuses Genge tone, Afrobeat and hip-hop, delivered in a dynamic mix of sheng, kikuyu and English. This multilingual approach reflects their layered identity: rooted in Kenya, raised in Norway and reaching global ears.

From Nairobi Streets to Nordic Stages

Before they became recording artists, Matata first gained traction as dancers several members were part of FBI, one of Kenya’s most iconic dance crews. Their choreography first background still pulses through every performance, giving their shows an electrifying edge that fuses visual spectacle with sonic storytelling.

Their transition into music began in 2019 with the viral debut “Denge” marking the beginning of their rise as one of the most exciting new voices in Genge tone. Today, they embody what it means to be Afro-Nordic artists, taking the spirit of Nairobi’s streets and remixing it through Oslo’s creative lens.

Kenyan Stardom, Oslo Swagger

Despite their Norwegian base, matata has remained deeply connected to their Kenyan audience. Their songs dominate the airwaves on NRG Radio, Homeboyz Radio and Kiss FM, while their music videos frequently trend on YouTube and TikTok in Kenya.

Songs like “Mapema,” “kata,” and “Mare Mare” have become Genge tone anthems, while their clever references to Kenyan street culture and slang continue to endear them to fans back home. Matata is not just “Kenyan abroad” they’re Kenyan enough to trend in Nairobi and bold enough to thrive in Norway.

“Mpishi” feat. Bien: A Cross-Border Anthem

One of their most talked-about releases to date is “Mpishi”, a 2025 collaboration with Bien of Sauti Sol. “Mpishi” Swahili for “chef” has become a runaway hit. The track combines Genge tones cheeky, beat-driven bounce with Bien’s smooth vocals and songwriting finesse.

It was an instant hit in Kenya having garnered over 1.4 million views on YouTube, sparking viral dance challenge, airplay dominance and praise for matata’s ability to blend tradition and experimentation. For many, “Mpishi” was more than a song it’s a cultural bridge between homegrown legacy and diasporic innovation.

Two Worlds, One Vision

Matata’s visuals are as deliberate as their sound. Working with Oslo-based production house Vjus, they’ve built a visual style that combines the best of both their worlds. Many of their music videos are shot in both Kenya and Norway, contrasting Nairobi vibrant hustle with Oslo’s sleek modernism.

This bi-continental approach reflects their story, one of migration, identity and creativity across borders. Whether they’re dancing in a Nairobi matatu or performing in snow-covered Oslo streets, they make every frame a cultural conversation.

A Discography That Moves

In 2023, matata released the “unaware” EP, a genre-bending project featuring collaborations with rising Kenyan stars like Bensoul and Nviiri the Storyteller. Tracks like “Matatu” pay tribute to Kenya’s iconic public transport system, while the EP overall blends dance, nostalgia and lyrical dexterity with a sleek Nordic touch.

Their sound continues to evolve more confident, more experimental yet always unmistakably matata.

Cultural Ambassadors in the Diaspora

As one of the few Kenyan music groups based in Norway, matata has become a powerful force for cultural connection. Through performances, social media and sharp storytelling, they introduce Kenyan urban culture to European audiences in a way that’s authentic, stylish and impossible to ignore.

They’ve helped put East African music on the Scandinavian map and for many Afro-Nordic youth, they’re a symbol of belonging: proof that you can be both here and there, both Kenyan and Norwegian, without compromise.

The Future is Afro-Nordic

Matata’s story is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: they’re pioneers. By combining Kenyan vibrancy with Norwegian precision, they’re crafting a blueprint for Afro-diasporic music in unexpected places. Whether it’s a dance video, a chart-topping single, or a sold-out show in Oslo, matata is building bridges where none existed and dancing all the way across.