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5 latest East African chart-toppers taking over playlists this week
06th July, 2026 11:59 AM
The first week of July has delivered an exciting crop of fresh music from East Africa. From cross-border collaborations to heartfelt love songs and energetic dance records, artistes across the region are keeping fans well fed with new releases. Here are five of the newest songs making waves right now.
1. “Don’t Be Shy” by Bien featuring Yemi Alade
This is undoubtedly one of the biggest East African releases of the week. Kenya’s Bien teams up with Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade on a feel-good anthem that blends Afrobeats with Bien’s soulful style. The song celebrates confidence, romance, and letting loose, making it an instant addition to holiday playlists. Since its release, it has attracted strong streaming numbers and widespread praise for the chemistry between the two artistes. The song that is barely a week old has amassed over 830 0000 views on YouTube.
2. “Utanionea” by Alikiba featuring Harmonize
After the massive success of “Finale,” Tanzanian music legend Alikiba wasted no time returning with another major release. This time, he reunites with fellow Bongo Flava heavyweight Harmonize on “Utanionea.” The song combines smooth melodies, emotional lyrics, and polished production that fans have come to expect from both artists. Released in June, it continues to climb playlists and remains one of the freshest Tanzanian hits heading into July.
3. “AYAYAAH” by Element Eleéeh featuring Bien and Joshua Baraka
Rwandan producer and singer Element Eleéeh brings together Kenya’s Bien and Uganda’s Joshua Baraka for one of the region’s most exciting collaborations this year. “AYAYAAH” mixes Afro pop, melodic hooks, and East African rhythms into a song that feels modern while staying rooted in the region’s sound. It is a perfect example of how artists are increasingly creating music for the entire East African market instead of just their home countries.
The hit song has garnered over 5.8 million views on YouTube.
4. “Ni Wewe” by Bridget Blue
Kenyan singer Bridget Blue continues her impressive rise with “Ni Wewe,” a heartfelt love song that showcases her rich vocals and mature songwriting. The track is built around themes of devotion and commitment, wrapped in warm Afro pop production. It has quickly become one of Kenya’s standout new releases and signals an exciting new chapter ahead of her upcoming album.
5. “Pom Pom” by Bruce Melodie featuring Diamond Platnumz and Brown Joel
Although released only recently, “Pom Pom” continues to dominate conversations across East Africa. Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie joins forces with Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Nigerian singer Brown Joel to deliver a vibrant Afro-pop anthem packed with infectious melodies and danceable rhythms. The collaboration has become one of the region’s biggest crossover hits of the season and continues gaining momentum on streaming platforms and radio.
