Kenyan singer-songwriter Bensoul links up with Wakadinali’s Scar Mkadinali on a genre-crossing new single titled “NYR.”
This collaboration makes sense on paper, but it works even better in practice. Bensoul brings his signature warm vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Scar Mkadinali counters with gritty Gengetone and drill-inspired lyricism. So instead of both artists blending into one sound, they each stay in their lane and let the contrast do the heavy lifting.
The record sits at an interesting crossroads for Kenyan music. Afrofusion and street rap do not always share space this cleanly. But “NYR” pulls it off because neither artist tries to sound like the other. Bensoul does not rap. Scar does not suddenly go melodic. Yet the track moves as one cohesive piece from start to finish.
Bensoul teased the song under his Flight 420 creative campaign before confirming Scar Mkadinali as the feature. That kind of rollout built real anticipation. And while Scar remains active through appearances on “Tension” with Ssaru and King Kaka’s Year of the Pen album, this is arguably his most mainstream-accessible collaboration this year. The Wakadinali fanbase follows him everywhere – so “NYR” automatically reaches two very different audiences at once.
For Kenya’s music scene, moments like this matter. They show the gaps between different sounds are closing fast.
Stream “NYR” and tell us whether this Bensoul and Scar Mkadinali link-up delivered what you expected – drop your take below!
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