Kenyan singer, songwriter and producer Njerae released two new singles, “On My Own” featuring KayCyy and “Let Them Know,” on August 21. The tracks pair a declaration of self-worth and independence with a more vulnerable look at falling for someone.
The release continues her move beyond the Afro-Indie sound of her debut album “Unintentional” and breakout single “Aki Sioni” into contemporary R&B and Afropop. “On My Own” centers on choosing privacy and walking away, while “Let Them Know” explores the risk of letting her guard down.
Two sides of one emotional journey
Njerae said the two songs were released together because they capture different parts of the same experience.
“I think it was important to release them together because they capture two sides of the same emotional journey. Putting them together felt honest because I don’t think emotions exist in isolation. Creatively, I’m at a point where I’m embracing that complexity more. I’m not trying to fit myself into one emotional box or one sound. These songs reflect me giving myself permission to explore different sides of who I am and letting the music be as honest and layered as I feel right now.”
On “On My Own,” she wanted the message to feel empowering rather than bitter.
“There’s strength in choosing yourself, keeping certain parts of your life private, and understanding that not every situation needs closure from another person. Sometimes the closure is simply knowing what you deserve and walking away.”
She said music gives her more room to be vulnerable than she often allows in her personal life.
“A hundred percent. I think music gives me a little more freedom to be vulnerable because I can process things through a character, a melody or a story before I have to confront them directly. I think vulnerability is something I’m still learning to embrace not just as an artist, but as a person. Music gives me the space to sit with those feelings and understand them.”
Reuniting with KayCyy
“On My Own” marks Njerae’s second collaboration with KayCyy after “Far Away.” She said the new record reflects a different creative dynamic.
“Far Away was our introduction to working together, so there was a lot of discovery in that collaboration. With On My Own, there was a deeper understanding of each other creatively. I think the biggest change is that we’ve both grown into our own artists. There’s more confidence in what we bring to a record, and that makes the collaboration feel less like trying to find common ground and more like meeting in the middle with two fully formed perspectives.”
Production and recognition
As a producer, Njerae said she is learning to trust her instincts and be more intentional.
“I’ve realised that production isn’t just about making something sound good; it’s about creating an environment where the emotion of the song can live.”
Njerae has become one of Kenya’s most-streamed female artists. Her recent recognition includes:
- Apple Music’s Africa Rising program
- Spotify’s EQUAL program
- YouTube’s Foundry program
- A 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) nomination
“Aki Sioni” became the most-streamed song in Kenya in 2025. Njerae said the response reinforced her instinct to avoid chasing a formula.
“Aki Sioni was definitely a moment that made me realise just how deeply music can travel and connect with people. I don’t think it made me want to chase a formula, though. If anything, it gave me more confidence to trust my instincts. The biggest lesson was that authenticity can resonate on a much bigger scale than you sometimes imagine.”
Kenyan music on a global stage
Njerae said growing recognition brings a responsibility to keep evolving, but she does not create from a place of trying to meet everyone’s expectations.
“Being recognised as one of Kenya’s young artists is something I’m incredibly grateful for, but I also see it as a responsibility to keep evolving. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I can’t create from a place of trying to meet everyone’s expectations. The more my audience grows, the more important it becomes for me to stay connected to why I started making music in the first place.”
On the wider East African scene, she said there is a softness and honesty in new Kenyan music that deserves a global audience.
“I think there’s a softness and honesty in a lot of the new Kenyan music that deserves to be heard globally. I want people to discover the scene beyond the stereotypes and realise that”
