How to Release Music in Kenya (2026 Guide)

Releasing music professionally in Kenya has never been more accessible, but it still requires knowing the steps. Here's everything a Kenyan artist needs to go from idea to release in 2026.

Step 1: Get your beat

Buy a licensed beat from Mbeatz at mbeatz.org/beats. Choose a Premium or Exclusive license if you plan to release on streaming platforms or radio. Keep your license certificate, distributors may ask for it. Pay with M-Pesa or card, download immediately.

Step 2: Record

Book a studio session in Nairobi or record at home with a decent audio interface and microphone. Use the WAV trackout stems from Mbeatz for the cleanest mix possible.

Step 3: Mix and master

A proper mix is what separates amateur from professional-sounding music. Nairobi has excellent mixing engineers, expect to pay KES 3,000 to 15,000 for a professional mix and master depending on the studio and scope.

Step 4: Distribute to streaming platforms

Use a distributor to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and YouTube Music. Popular options include DistroKid, TuneCore, Amuse, and Africori. Africori focuses specifically on African markets and has strong Boomplay integration.

Step 5: Register with MCSK

Register your song with the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) to collect performance royalties when your music is played on Kenyan radio or TV. Registration is free for members and covers ongoing royalty collection.

Step 6: Promote

• Submit to Kenyan YouTube channels: Trace TV, SoundcityTV Kenya, Afrobeats TV
• Pitch to radio: Capital FM, Kiss FM, Radio Africa Group stations
• Grow on TikTok, Kenyan TikTok audiences are large and music-forward
• Push to Boomplay, it dominates African mobile streaming and pays better per stream for African artists than most Western platforms