Kenyan-Nigerian Producer Afamefuna Set to Release New Single ‘top’ With Zowie Kengocha 'top' Is The First Single Off His Debut EP 'i.r.l'

The catchy chords and synths in the background alongside the pulsing arpeggiated instruments elicit a "disco" feel that makes you want to hop on the dancefloor. The song also infuses modern day R&B arrangements and sonics that lean on Zowie Kengocha's hypnotizing vocals, immersing the listener into her mesmerizing world of playful lyrics and catchy melodies.

'top' is a song that describes two lovers exploring each other sung from Zowie's perspective. Lyrics like "under the lights, so amazing-" and "take me to the top" paint a vivid, psychedelic picture of the scene. 'top' speaks to the parts of us that yearn for the deep human connection that can only be achieved through copious amounts of vulnerability.

Reminiscent of the work KAYTRANADA has done in the past, this song looks to capitalise off the niche he has built working with talented artists such as Shay Lia, Maeta, Kali Uchis, Rochelle Jordan, Syd & Charlotte Day Wilson among many. 'top' was recorded in Kenya by Hendrick Sam, a renowned producer and sound engineer who has worked extensively with the likes of Sauti Sol, Bensoul & Karun. Afamefuna produced the song as well as mixed & mastered it.

i.r.l - in real life

'i.r.l' is set to be Afamefuna's debut E.P and will be a Dance/R&B project featuring Four extremely talented Kenyan Female acts - Terrianne Iraki, Zowie Kengocha, Zaituni Wambui & Stacy Kamatu. The project, set to come out March 21st 2025 is a dance/rnb fusion, with four on the floor beats, pads, psychedelic synths, strings and catchy bass melodies all attuned towards making the listener hop on the dancefloor and let loose. The project also bears strong themes of female empowerment & love and the many emotions that stem from it - all from a uniquely Kenyan perspective.

The EP is titled as such because it is a coming of age project for Afamefuna that marks this turbulent, transitional period in his life. It is also a mantra to live life to its fullest doing what you love as opposed to merely "living" in one's head, or online as many people do in today's technological age. As it is a deeply personal project for Afamefuna, you can feel the intention potently imbibed into each song. The project is also narrated by a friend of Afamefuna's called Nashipai, who gives commentary all through the project through voice notes, giving advice and also strength to its protagonist.

'i.r.l' is a project that represents the musical renaissance happening within R&B particularly in East Africa and will be a relatable listen to audiences all over the world. The themes and sonic qualities delivered in this project will serve as an introduction to these fresh talented Kenyan artists who will undoubtedly be part of the global music conversation in years to come.

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About Afamefuna

Afamefuna is a Music Producer, Sound Engineer and A&R of Kenyan-Nigerian origin currently based in Brooklyn, New York. His passion for music was ignited in 2013 when he stumbled upon Chief Keef and his producer Young Chop who inspired him to start making trap beats. He figured out how to make beats on FL Studio, watched numerous YouTube tutorials on how to work the program and thus began his career in music production. His catalog grew slowly as he steadily started actively collaborating with artists in 2016 where he was a big part of the "Soundcloud Wave" that was bubbling up in Nairobi, Kenya.

Fast Forward to 2019, Afamefuna was accepted into a Masters program at Syracuse University where he studied Audio Arts. The course covered both Music Engineering and Music Business. In late 2020 after successfully earning his Masters Degree, Afamefuna moved back to Kenya where he landed an internship at 'The Promised Land Studios' in Karen. His internship morphed into a full time position that afforded him a first hand experience of the Kenyan Music Industry. Here he gained experience in Music Marketing, Royalty Management, Artist Management and A&R.

In early 2022, Afamefuna was promoted to Head A&R within Supadrum, the company whose headquarters were at The Promised Land Studios. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the marketing, operations, artist development, and royalty management of a diverse roster of artists including: Lil Maina, Boutross, Benzema, Buruklyn Boyz, Kuky, Iyanah & Maali. He also spearheaded a partnership with Boomplay for their 'Booming on Boomplay' competition where he curated, produced, mixed and mastered an album for the Ten winners.