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

In our episode, we dive into the 2026 Grammy nominations. Is Africa finally getting its due, or is the global industry ''watering down'' our sounds? We discuss Burna Boy's record-breaking year and why the ''African Ceiling'' cracking.

HOST

James Mabinda

MUSIC & Credits

Background Vibes: ''Kumasi Groove (plus flugelhorn)'' by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

FOLLOW US

IG / TikTok / FB: @afrowayonline, @afrowaypodcast

African music went global—but global success raises new questions.

In Part Two of this AfroWay series, James Mabinda examines what happens after the breakthrough. Who gets paid? Who owns the rights? And how are governments and industries responding to Africa's growing cultural and economic power?

This episode explores streaming royalties, copyright systems, government support, cross-border collaborations, and the future opportunities for African artists in film, gaming, live music, and global partnerships.

If African music is the sound of today, this conversation defines the business and power structures of tomorrow.

Over the last decade, African music has evolved from local stages to the center of global culture.In this episode of AfroWay – Soul From The East, host James Mabinda explores how African artists broke through international barriers—without waiting for permission. From the rise of streaming platforms to the global explosion of Afrobeats and Amapiano, this episode tells the story of talent meeting technology, culture meeting opportunity, and sound crossing borders.You'll hear how artists rebuilt the music industry from the ground up, how fans became promoters, and why African music didn't just get discovered—it arrived prepared.This is the first part of a two-episode series on Africa's musical rise and global influence.