Mombasa's tg.blk named Spotify EQUAL Africa artist for July

Kenyan rapper, singer and producer tg.blk has been named Spotify's EQUAL Africa artist for the month of July, becoming the latest East African musician to join the global programme that celebrates women artists shaping the future of African music.

Born Nyathigi Gatere and hailing from Mombasa, tg.blk has carved out a niche in Kenya's alternative hip-hop scene through a genre-bending sound that fuses rap, lo-fi production, R&B and soul, while embracing themes of identity, authenticity and self-expression.

The recognition places the independent artist on Spotify's EQUAL Africa platform, which seeks to amplify the voices of women musicians and connect them with audiences across the continent and beyond.

tg.blk's musical journey began in the privacy of her bedroom, where she taught herself to rap and produce music using GarageBand.

She later honed her songwriting and production skills while studying in the United States before returning to Kenya, where she has steadily established herself as one of the country's most distinctive alternative artists.

Her breakthrough came in 2021 with the release of ‘Love Being Used,’ a single that resonated with listeners across the region and accumulated millions of streams.

She has since continued to build on that momentum with projects including her 2024 EP ‘ITS NOT THAT DEEP’ and songs such as ‘gin and wine,’ further cementing her reputation for pushing creative boundaries while remaining fiercely independent.

Speaking about the recognition, Spotify's Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, described tg.blk as one of the voices driving East Africa's evolving alternative music scene.

"tg.blk represents the fresh, daring and authentic spirit that is propelling the East African alternative music scene forward," said Okumu.

"Through the EQUAL programme, we are proud to celebrate her unique artistic perspective, her technical independence as a producer and her inspiring commitment to vulnerability."

Reflecting on her own musical path, tg.blk admitted she is still discovering where the journey will ultimately lead but said creating music continues to give her purpose.

"I'm still figuring out the destiny part, but I know it makes me incredibly happy whenever I make a song I'm proud of, and that's why I keep doing it," she said. "I'm following my heart, and this is where it has led me."

The artist also revealed that, before music became her primary creative outlet, she spent time writing fan fiction, something many of her fans may not know.

Asked to describe her sound to first-time listeners, tg.blk said her music is intentionally immersive and relaxed.

"I'd describe my music as a blend of rap, R&B and soul. It's really chill and textured, and I love experimenting with my voice. It's the kind of music you listen to on a drive when the weather is beautiful and there's no need to rush," she said.

Her influences stretch across generations and genres, with Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi, Kenyan Kikuyu Benga musician Joseph Kamaru, South African icon Brenda Fassie and Kenya's famed Ogopa DJs mixes among the artists and sounds she grew up listening to.

As one of the growing number of women making inroads into Kenya's alternative music scene, tg.blk said surrounding herself with the right people has been instrumental to her growth.

"I work with people I trust and respect, and I always trust my gut. As a woman, I'm blessed with amazing intuition. Because I believe in myself and what I know, that confidence comes through in my music. It's where I become the most confident version of myself," she said.

She also used the opportunity to encourage aspiring creatives to pursue their ambitions despite uncertainty.

"Give it a chance. You'll be much happier knowing you tried. You never know what could happen."

Speaking on what the Spotify EQUAL Africa recognition means to her, tg.blk said the programme validates a journey that has largely been built through online platforms and independent effort.

"Now is the time for women musicians. The power is in your hands, and people want to hear from you. The internet has opened up so many opportunities for us," she said.

"Being part of the EQUAL programme means so much to me because I built so much of my journey online, and I often feel disconnected from opportunities like this. It's incredibly affirming, and I can't wait to see what's next."