AfroWay - Soul From The East

Why is a song from 2013 the biggest anthem of 2026? 🌍 Host James Mabinda takes you on a journey through the tragic Rwandan history of Stromae and the modern digital crisis that brought this song back to life.

​

Highlights:

​The tragic loss of Pierre Rutare in 1994.

How Stromae invented the 'Brussels Sound.

​The 'Digital Mannequin' theory: Why we are absent in 2026.

​The controversy behind the AI Afro-Soul remix.

​Listen to the full AfroWay - Soul From The East special now! 🎧

#SoulFromTheEast #Stromae #Papaoutai #KenyanPodcast #RwandanHistory #MusicCulture

Why does a Kenyan guitar sound so unique? In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda breaks down the technical 'Secret Sauce' with a special look at the 'Nairobi Twist' master, John Nzenze.

​What you'll learn:

1. ​The 'Thumb and Index' technique: Why we don't need plastic picks.
2. The Legend of John Nzenze: How he turned finger-picking into a national dance.
3. ​The 'Interlocking' puzzle: How two guitars finish each other's sentences.

​

Music Credit: John Nzenze - Angelike

Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

In this deep-dive special, James Mabinda honors the legendary George Mukabi. From a self-taught shamba boy to the creator of the Omutibo genre, learn how Mukabi's unique finger-picking style forever changed African acoustic guitar.

​What's inside:

​The story of Mukabi's first handmade guitar.

​How Malawian 'Nyasa' bands influenced the Kenyan sound.

​The legacy of hits like 'Sengula' and 'Mtoto si Nguo.'

Music Credit: George Mukabi

​Join the tribute with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

Benga is more than just a Lakeside rhythm. In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda tracks how Benga traveled to Central and Eastern Kenya to create new sub-genres.

​What you'll hear:

​How Joseph Kamaru brought Benga to Central Kenya.

​The rise of the Kamba Benga kings like Kakai Kilonzo.

​Why Benga is the musical language that unites Kenya.

Music Credit: DO Misiani - Peres

​Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda introduces the legends who made Benga a global sound. Meet the King of Benga, D.O. Misiani, and discover how River Road became the heart of African music.​What you'll hear:​The story of D.O. Misiani and Shirati Jazz.​Why Benga was the 'voice of the people.'​How Nairobi became the hit factory of the 70s.Music Credit: DO Misiani - John Nyunja​Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

"Welcome to Afroway: Soul From The East! Host James Mabinda takes us back to the 1940s to discover how the traditional Nyatiti harp turned into the electric Benga sound we love.

​What you'll hear:

​How the guitar replaced the traditional harp.

​Why Benga music sounds so fast and energetic.

​The story of the 'One-Two' beat.

​Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline."

"It's January 2026, and the continent is officially shaking! 🌍🏆

​If you think AFCON 2025 is just about 22 men chasing a ball, you're missing the biggest culture shift of the year. In this episode of AfroWay, we step off the pitch and into the streets to see how the 'Beautiful Game' is taking over African entertainment.

"It's January 2026, and the 'uncanny valley' has officially arrived in Africa. Have you looked closely at your timeline lately? From digital models wearing high-fashion Kente to AI-generated musicians topping the charts, the line between reality and 'code' is disappearing.

​In this episode of Afroway, we pull back the curtain on the 'Virtual Influencer' boom. We discuss:

​The Rise of Digital Humans: Why brands in Lagos and Nairobi are hiring robots instead of people.

​The Beauty Standard: How 'perfect' AI faces are impacting the mental health of African youth.

​The Soul Factor: Can a machine truly represent the 'vibe' and lived experience of the Motherland?

​Whether you're a creator or a consumer, you need to know who (or what) is actually influencing you. Let's get digital! 🤖🌍"

Is the Amapiano reign finally over? This week, we compare the Soulful sounds of 'Piano' with the high-octane energy of 'Lekompo.' We break down why the BPM is rising and what it means for the African club scene in 2026.

HOST

James Mabinda

FOLLOW US

IG/TikTok: @afrowayonline @afrowaypodcast

Nollywood has entered its 'Billionaire Era.' This week, we analyze the massive box office success of 2025/2026, the rise of high-end VFX, and whether cinema tickets are becoming too expensive for the common man.

HOST

James Mabinda

MUSIC & CREDITS

Background Vibes: "Adding the Sun" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

FOLLOW US

IG/TikTok/FB: @afrowayonline @afrowaypodcast