Akoth Jumadi is a visionary Sound Architect, Educator, and Culture researcher who has emerged as a definitive voice in the new decade of global music. Operating at the intersection of creative storytelling and community building , Akoth Jumadi challenges the artistic status quo by addressing collective human liberation and offering sonic solutions for an unpredictable, shifting world. As a professional artist and a native of the Lake Victoria region, Akoth’s work is deeply rooted in themes of Healing, Womanity, Spiritual Emancipation, Political liberation and Cultural Integration in the arts.
Akoth’s sound is a sophisticated marriage of ethereal folk, contemporary tribal elements, and what Akoth describes as "Tribal Disco"—a fusion where rhythm and words ignite a "freedom torch" for the listener. This innovative approach has most recently been explored through her DJ/Producer moniker Rahteng, pushing the boundaries of the East African identity and its place in the broader world music landscape.
Akoth’s trajectory was set in motion with the 2020 release of the debut EP 'Ere Yo',(Where is the Way which established her as a force shaping the East African soundscape. This was followed by an extensive tour across Eastern Africa and beyond, bringing the message of cultural integration to international festival stages. In November 2022, she released her debut album, YO NI KA (The Way is Here), which garnered significant accolades for championing messages that reflect the uncertainties of our times..
"Where is the way?"
“Ere Yo” EP, released on 20th October 2020, is a collection of my experiences growing up, learning about myself and reflecting through my environment.
The Ere Yo EP Tour made stops at Naam Festival in Kisumu, Peponi Hotel and Mararaha Village in Lamu, Geco Café and SPASSO in Nairobi, Distant Relatives in Kilifi, and The Baobab House in Juba, South Sudan.
‘Ere Yo’ is the much awaited Extended play by Kenyan Singer,Songwritter and Multi-instrumentalist @akoth_jumadi.
Ere yo, initially set for release mid 2020 took a longer wait after the Lockdown but gave it the much needed final touch and sound that is required.
Ere yo consists of 7 full tracks and an intro bringing a total of 8 tracks.
The Ep takes us through the journey of different times in Akoth’s life and her narration of various experiences through her lenses.
Ere yo tackles issues of time, procrastination, despair, Family, loss ,hope ,love lost, love found ,freedom and awakening. ✨??
Ere yo is accompanied by heavy bass lines, catchy guitar licks, transcendent harmonies and crisp cool vocals from Akoth.
Ere Yo WAS the beginning of a much needed, wholly narrated ,soul baring, musical journey of a young Akoth Jumadi.
So much more is in store and the world is just beginning to experience her sound. ??❤️
Yo Ni Ka
Released 11.11.2022
2022 Marked a very important year for Kenyan Singer/Songwriter Akoth Jumadi. And as for every Musician, A debut Project invites the listeners into the larger soundscape of an Artist's capability to show their progress, vigilance and Presence.
'Yo Ni Ka' (The Way is Here) is a re-collection of stories ,poetry ,music and Time. Moments that define what is ,Now, And what is to come' says Akoth.
'It has been a long Wait of living yearning ,steady growth,and creating beautiful life experiences'.Says Akoth who has been touring a lot in Eastern Africa promoting her music and connecting with other creatives from all over the world. Everything seems to all add up now into how this new body of work was born.
Music In Africa describes Akoth as 'a new wave of young Kenyan Musicians making fresh sounds that are worth paying attention to'
The Album tackles issues of Healing,solitude, remembrance and re-call on Ancestral Identity, Collective Liberation and The New found Realization that The Destination is the Journey.
And That The Way ,is HERE!
A Deeper Dive: BOMBAY,INDIA 2024/2025.
Research work
Female Indigenous Epistemologies: Music Memory and Resilience.
A focus on Urban India.
Female Indigenous Epistemologies: Music, Memory, and Resilience documents the artistic journey and research of Luo multidisciplinary artist Akoth Jumadi during her three-month residency in Mumbai, India (December 2024 – March 2025). Supported by the Prince Claus Fund and hosted by the Sister Residency/Harkat studios, the project explores the intersections of Indigenous knowledge systems, feminist practices, and collective healing across borders.
Ultimately, this report situates the body and sound as sites of learning and resistance. It contributes to the broader field of Indigenous studies by advocating for the recognition of intangible heritage and the importance of transnational solidarity in safeguarding marginalized voices.
Live Performances
Bookings & Enquiries
Reviews
Selected Performances
- Alliance Francais dar es salaam (April2024)
- Slow Leopard Dar Es Salaam (April 2024)
- Ankole ;Nairobi Kenya (March 2024)
- Geco Cafe Nairobi Kenya( February 2024)
Zanzibar Tour 2023/2024 Venues include;
- Livingstone ,stone town
- Kendwa Rocks
- Seles Bungalows
- Sunrise At Bandas
- White Sands
- Marafiki Festival Dar-Es-Salaam (October 2021)
- Seles Bungalows Zanzibar(October 2021)
- Zanzibar Sunrise Zanzibar
- Kaizary Arusha(November 2021)
- Alliance Francais Arusha(October 2021).
- Vipingo Ridge (August 2021)- Vipingo, Kenya
- The Baobab House (July 2021, January 2021)- Juba, South Sudan
- Gondwana KE (June 2021, March 2021)- Nairobi, Kenya
- Sondeka Festival (May 2021)- online stream
- Naam Festival at Dunga Hill Camp (March 2021)- Kisumu, Kenya
- Sunset Sessions at Peponi Hotel (February 2021)- Lamu, Kenya
- Soul Shine Saturdays at Distant Relatives (September 2020, January 2021)- Kilifi, Kenya
- Diani Deep House Retreat organized by Turn App Events (December 2020)- Diani, Kenya
- Acoustic Brewed Sessions at Geco Café (November 2020)- Nairobi, Kenya
- Thursdays SSO Live at Spasso (October 2020)- Karen, Kenya
- Kenyan Renaissance presents INTERSECT at K1 Klubhouse (October 2020)- Nairobi, Kenya
- Showcase Wednesday at Alliance Francaise (June 2020)- Nairobi, Kenya/online stream
- SoFar Sounds (March 2020)- Nairobi, Kenya
- Kilifi New Year (January 2020)- Kilifi, Kenya
- SoFar Sounds (September 2019)- Kampala, Uganda
- Nirvana Festival (July 2019)- Lutembe, Uganda
- Voices of the Lake Festival (February 2018)- Kisumu, Kenya
Nominations and wins
Prince Claus Impact Seed Award 2021
Café Ngoma Awards 2020- African Fusion Artist of the Year
Café Ngoma Awards 2019 Best New Artist
Features
"Gondwana Teases Their Upcoming EP ‘Seasons’ with Lead Single ‘Weche’” Tangaza
Magazine (June 2021) https://tangazamagazine.com/features/2021/6/5/gondwana-teases-
their-upcoming-ep-seasons-with-lead-single-weche
“Kisumu Kings: Apesi vs Akoth Jumadi” Boomplay (April 2021)
https://www.boomplay.com/share/playlist/24314963?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID
&fbclid=IwAR2aY77VpWZRDCr9oYkMkkF8w6WMn0xbhS7Ek3KJMP5j7XL6_1Zrq2YCgio
“Afri’Cask Kenya: Dans le casque de Lucy Illado” Anya A Propos (March 2021)
https://www.anya.africa/post/afri-cask-kenya-dans-le-casque-de-lucy-ilado
“Akoth Jumadi- Ere Yo EP Review” Sanaa kwa Sana (March 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy8ASrZLejo
“Are You Familiar with Akoth Jumadi?” PPPTV (February 2021)
https://www.triplep.tv/article.php?Are-You-
Familiar-With-Akoth-Jumadi?&jmk=NTU2
“Stream Akoth Jumadi’s debut project ‘Ere Yo’ and have a taste of the future architect”
Biggest Kaka (February 2021)-
https://biggestkaka.co.ke/akoth-jumadi-ere-yo-ep-is making-waves-today/
Zenék a nagyvilágból – Lenny Sendersky /TheMerema /Akoth Jumadi – világzenérőlposzubjektíven 254/2.” Ekultura.hu (November i2020)
https://www.ekultura.hu/2020/11/22/zenek-a-nagyvilagbol-lenny-sendersky-merema-akoth jumadi-vilagzenerol-szubjektiven 2542
“Akoth Jumadi’s Debut EP ‘Ere Yo’ Is A Singer’s Graduation The EA Scene (October 2020)
https://www.theeascene.com/akoth-jumadis-debut-ep-ere-yo-is a-singers-graduation/
Interviews
“Akoth Jumadi Shares Her Journey as a Singer, Songwriter, & Performing Artist”
The Creative Hangout (May 2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEYyIzlfxhI&t=6s
“Akoth Jumadi- a few artistes sensationally leading path for new age Afro-fusion” People
Daily (May 2021) https://www.pd.co.ke/entertainment/akoth-jumadi-a-few-artistes-
sensationally-leading-path-for-new-age-afro-fusion-77020/
“Emerging Kenya: Akoth Jumadi” Music in Africa (April 2021)
https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/emerging-kenya-akoth-jumadi
“Singer Akoth Jumadi Gushes Over New EP, Ere Yo” Kenya Buzz (November 2020)
https://www.kenyabuzz.com/lifestyle/singer-akoth-jumadi-gushes-over-new-ep-ere yo/
“Singer Akoth Jumadi Gushes Over New EP, Ere Yo” Kenya Buzz (November 2020)
https://www.kenyabuzz.com/lifestyle/singer-akoth-jumadi-gushes-over-new-ep-ere yo/
“Akoth Jumadi On The Industry, Her Sound And Taking Steps During This Crazy 2020” The EA
Scene (November 2020) https://www.theeascene.com/exclusive-akoth-jumadi-on-the-
industry-her-sound-and-taking-steps-during-this-crazy-2020/
Spotlight on Top Kulele Zone Wazobia FM Lagos (October 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sis2KjDHIoE
The Mail South Sudan speaks To Akoth Jumadi on her Journey
and Hope's for art within the East African region.
https://youtu.be/itOt6kxK5iQ
“African Heritage and Authenticity/ Interview with Akoth Jumadi” This N That Podcast
(September 2020)
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYTg2NWE0MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/ZjI5OGZjM2EtMTEwMy00ZGEyLTgwNDctZWVkNWRlMzU4ZGIx?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiptZJovzrAhU1n3IEHcXIBFwQkfYCegQIARAF