The 30 Percent Podcast

This week, we're sitting down with singer, songwriter, and hitmaker Mordecai Dex for a conversation. We discuss about his songwriting process (8:51), the process of working inside super group Kodong Klan (31:00), we also talk about sampling culture in Kenya’s music industry (51:24). Also, he lets us know what to expect at his upcoming show, Dexclusives (1:04:25), a special performance from ViBES & LoVESoNGS and so much more!

By highlighting music, we aim to help the podcast’s featured artists and songs get the recognition they deserve.

For our milestone 200th episode we sit down with Joey Akan, one of the most prominent, and influential music journalists in the African music scene. He talks to us about his start in journalism (5:33), outside labels coming into Africa (27:50), the growth of the Nigerian music Industry (41:55), artists losing their hunger (58:10), the importance of owning your masters as an artist (1:06:24), and much more!

Pick of the Week: Sauti Sol - "Isabella"

By highlighting music, we aim to help the podcast’s featured artists and songs get the recognition they deserve.

This week we sit with Artist, A&R, and label owner Tina Ardor to talk her start in deejaying (13:00), running her label Migati Music with her brothers (36:32), difficulties working with foreign producers in the Afro House scene (1:12:21). She also talks to us about her upcoming EP “NDETO” and her ARDORN Live Show at Masshouse (1:17:57) and much more!

Intro: Ally Fresh, Mura, Tina Ardor - "Sumbua"  

Pick of the Week: Tina Ardor, Mura - "Ndeto"

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

In this episode we sit down with A&R, Artist Manager, and show curator Faiza Hersi to talk about the origins of her career managing Karun (7:03), music rollouts & working with Altair Said and Xenia Manasseh (26:37), her copyright battle with Anastasia Kirathe (57:53), the upcoming show featuring Yussef Dayes (1:05:50) and more!

Pick of the Week: Xenia Manasseh, Ywaya Tajiri - "Aje" produced by Ukweli

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

We begin today's episode with a recap of Watendawili's Wozaa World, and a few observations from the show (7:39). Following that, a live event app, Aluta, was announced, will it change how we experience live shows? (24:22). We then mention the passing of Stoopid Boy, and some of the internets reactions to it (44:10), and finally, we review music that was released this week (47:04).

Intro: HOOD BOYZ - "Pedeshe" produced by Odzz

Pick of the Week: Mura, Nes Mburu, Big Nyagz, Udulele - "Kata"

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

This weeks episode begins with a recap of Both Zaituni and Stacy Kamatu's shows that we attended (7:55). After that we debate some hot takes about the Kenyan music scene starting off with Sofiya Nzau’s teased collaboration with Chloe Bailey and Skyla Tylaa. We highlight a claim on Twitter that says Sofiya bypassed all the local gatekeepers (16:50). Following that we tackle whether Millennials are carrying the Kenyan music scene (35:36), KAMP gets more organizations on its side in its fight with KECOBO (44:29), and recently released music reviews (54:56).

Intro: Eko Dydda - "Wisemen"

Pick of the Week: Abuela - "CheffK"

The podcast aims to highlight diverse music genres and help featured artists and songs gain deserved recognition.

This week, Faiza Hersi accused Anastasia Kirathe of copying Xenia Manasseh's "Rudia" for her video "Karma" with both Anastasia and the music director denying the claims (16:28), after that, another Jakes Nyanjom of Homeboyz Radio accuses our artists of not creating songs good enough for the International market, is he right? (37:03). we then review new music that came out this week (56:50).

Intro: Jodye Faneto , AJAY- "Jicho Pevu" produced by Skinny Gean

Pick of the Week: Altair Said - "So Easy" produced by Pascal Balletti, Paya

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

We start todays episode with a recap of Sam's CBDeep experience and Xenia Manasseh's Album listening (9:11). After that, we get into a conversation on artists and try to answer the question, “What is a performance worth?” (21:16). Next, is CMO news where there is a proposal to collect royalties through the eCitizen platform (43:50). We then wrap up the episode with new music reviews (47:39).

Intro: Moji Shortbabaa - "Mbogi Oyee!"

Pick of the Week: ABN grym - "ya dig"

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

Today's episode begins with a recap of the Safari Oontz Rituals show (1:00), after that, Ywaya Tajiri was the subject of some tweets leading us to talk about artists visibility and vulnerability (15:48). Next, super producer Kenny Beats questions producers (and artists) letting people into their creative process (35:48). We then wrap up the episode with new music reviews (56:46).

Intro: Kaa La Moto, MAKAMANDA - "Team Discipline" produced by GRANDMASTATEK, Master Kip

Pick of the Week: Nikki Wakaba, Cedz Imagination - "Lowkey"

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.

We begin with a recap of The Spotify Greasy Tunes event, and the recent shows we went for (13:20), then we talk about The Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) being unveiled as Kenya’s National Agency for the ISRC and news of other Labels planning to join UMG with headquarters in Kenya ( 28:00). After that we discuss the natural progression of artists and the shifting landscape in the culture (38:37), and then end the episode with new music reviews and our pick of the week (51:34).

Intro: Jua Isat, Irat, Mr. Lu* - "Hadandawa"

Pick of the Week: Kapitani - "Kitemeo" produced by Capo

To bring more awareness to the different genres of music within the industry we hope to see the artists & songs discussed in the podcast receive the recognition they deserve.