Kenyan hip-hop artist tg.blk announced as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for July
Kenyan hip-hop artist tg.blk announced as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for July, marking another major milestone in her fast-growing music career. The rapper, singer and producer, whose real name is Nyathigi Gatere, is being recognised by Spotify for her unique sound and contribution to African music.
Originally from Mombasa, tg.blk has become one of Kenya’s most exciting alternative hip-hop artists. She writes, produces and performs her own music, creating songs that blend hip-hop, R&B, soul and lo-fi beats. Her music often focuses on identity, self-expression and staying true to yourself.
tg.blk’s music journey started in her bedroom, where she learned to rap and produce beats using GarageBand. While studying in the United States, she continued to improve her songwriting and production skills before returning to Kenya to build her music career.
She gained widespread attention in 2021 with her breakout single Love Being Used, which attracted millions of streams. Since then, she has continued to grow as an independent artist. Her 2024 EP, ITS NOT THAT DEEP, and songs such as gin and wine have helped her reach even more listeners.
Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme celebrates talented women artists from across the continent by giving them greater visibility and introducing their music to new audiences around the world. The programme aims to support women who are helping shape the future of African music.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, praised tg.blk for her originality and creativity.
“tg.blk represents the fresh, daring and authentic spirit that is propelling the East African alternative music scene forward. 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,” she said.
To celebrate her selection, tg.blk shared more about her life, music and the experiences that have shaped her career.
She revealed that one surprising fact about her is that she used to write fan fiction before becoming a musician.
When asked what inspires her to keep making music, tg.blk said she is still discovering whether music is her destiny, but she knows creating songs that make her proud brings her happiness.
Growing up, she listened to African music legends including Oliver Mtukudzi, Joseph Kamaru and Brenda Fassie, as well as Ogopa DJs mixes.
She describes her music as a relaxed blend of rap, R&B and soul with rich textures and vocal experimentation. According to her, it’s the kind of music people can enjoy while driving on a beautiful day without feeling rushed.
For anyone afraid to follow their dreams, tg.blk has simple advice: “Give it a chance. You’ll be much happier knowing you tried. You never know what could happen.”
As a woman in the music industry, she says she trusts her instincts and works with people she respects. She believes that confidence and self-belief are reflected in her music.
Speaking about being part of Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme, tg.blk said the recognition means a lot because much of her career has been built online.
“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. 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,” she said.