Crystal Ball: Showbiz 2022 through our telescope
The year 2021 was a bumpy one for entertainment industry following the vagaries of Covid-19 pandemic. However, 2022 promises better tidings for the showbiz scenes, as Chebet Korir predicts.
The future cannot be predicted, not least the future of the showbiz scene in Kenya.
It was impossible to make any predictions in 2020, as there was minimal movement, and barely any virtual events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which spiraled into 2021.
However, a ray of hope shines down on us this year, as the country is still adjusting, venues are reopening, concerts are back a big deal and musicians are doing their best to give us quality music as they sparkle with potential and success that cannot be predestined.
As this goes on, 2022 is also a political year where we will also see a number of celebrities engaging in the political campaigns.
On November 8, 2021, the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) issued a statement urging musicians who seek to gain from the political activities to be wise by engaging the help of lawyers in negotiating the terms of their services with the politicians.
This, said the board, was to ensure that they enter written and legally abiding contracts with the politicians.
Well, not all is lost, as this year has the potential of serving the showbiz sector right, if all goes well.
In this regard, here are Spice’s crystal ball predictions on what 2022 will look like for the Kenya’s creative sector.
Drill music takeover
Drill is a style or trap music that originated from Chicago in the USA and blew up in Kenya in 2020.
As it’s slowly gaining momentum, the sound will take over this year and also create a mainstream lane for itself.
The likes of Wakadinali (Scar, Domani Munga and Sewersydaa) will take drill music to the next level.
They have been around for quite some time now as their songs blew up early last year with millions of views and streams on the digital platforms. We predict a good year for them.
Other drill sensations Buruklyn Boyz will release massive hits with new collaborations as well. We will also see new acts showcasing their drill skills and it will be a favourite for many fans.
As the new genre will be buzzing in Nairobi, hip-hop will still make it big in 2022, with acts such as Khaligraph Jones taking it to the next level. 
In 2021, he debuted a single dubbed Papa Wemba featuring some of Kenya’s hip-hop heads UB, Zaka, Gaza, Agano, Chiwawa, Kenrazy and Visita, which did quite well in the music charts.
We will see more of our hip-hop artistes releasing more music, which we can’t wait for. The likes of Trio Mio who had a promising year will serve an abundance of club bangers.
Probably one of his songs will be used in the political campaigns. Breeder LW and Boutross will also shine this year with some of their addictive hits and collaborations.
Women empowerment
Our local female artistes outdid themselves last year and this year will not be any different.
Sirudi Home hitmaker Maandy will give us sultry jams in the first quarter of the year and we just can’t wait.
A possible collaboration with a big artiste is what we would love to hear from her.
Jovial will give us jolly tracks and we will see her music going international. Adasa is a female artiste hailing from the coastal region.
She is known for her song Najikakamua featuring Benzema. She is one of the best untapped performers from Mombasa and she will surprise us this year as she will grace our screens with her powerful voice and her amazing dance moves. 
Sai Kenya is also an artiste to look out for, with Xenia Manasseh and Nikita Kering poised to take Kenyan music to global charts.
The nightlife experience
Businesses are slowly recovering from the pandemic and the nightlife will be lit this year, as clubs rush to offer exclusive glitz and glam for revellers.
Clubs have been sprouting, and by the look of things, there will be more club openings and club appearances.
For instance, the VIP Volume Club located in Shanzu, Mombasa, and owned by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been the talk of town in the recent times.
Word is that they might jet in iconic American R&B group Boys 2 Men for the official launch.
In Nairobi, Casavera Lounge on Ngong Road and co-owned by dancehall and gengetone artiste KRG The Don is also a place to dine and enjoy good music.
A number of well-known personalities have made an appearance there including Jamaican dancehall star Konshens.
Thika and Kiambu roads are also doing well, with more clubs coming up such as the Skypark Lounge, Paris Lounge, and The Loft, among others.
End of road for Amapiano
I believe we’ve all had enough of the Amapiano sound. It did quite well last year as most events revolved around it.
But let’s face it, it wasn’t here to stay; Kenyans will just move on to the next musical culture that crops up.
Content without barriers
Content creation will continue to evolve at a rapid pace. We predict content creators will continuously push for better representation.
Abel Mutua has been keeping us glued on our screens with some of his entertaining Wakurugenzi stories and this year we want more.
Terence Creative will diversify his content, Diana Marua will also give us some fresh family content laced with top-shelf drama, and Eddy Butita will be going mega by releasing more short and lengthy movies.
Film industry growth
This year, the Kenyan film industry will take over Africa and beyond. In 2021, we had more than 11 television shows and web series including Crime and Justice and Monica that did well.
We had over 10 feature films such as Nafsi, Just in Time, and Baba Twins, and more than 40 short films including The Last Christmas, Kutu and What If.
It feels good seeing our own content being showcased on international streaming platforms and Kenyans will continue to support the local content as it goes a notch higher this year.
Up-and-coming acts
Despite being a political year, a lot of up-and-coming acts will have a smooth ride in the first quarter of the year.
Jeremy Maina alias Lil Maina has already graced our screens with his addictive track Kishash, which has already become a TikTok trend.
We predict a good year for him. Maya Amolo is also a fresh face in the music scene. Despite releasing a few singles in 2021 she deserves to shine this year with her beautiful vocals.
Youngster Trio Mio will also continue with his glittering upward projection.
More album releases
Wouldn’t it be a good way to start off the year with albums? Sauti Sol’s Savara recently posted a picture on his Instagram page with the caption, “Savage Level Album coming soon.”
We predict an amazing album release. Otile Brown has also hinted an album release with Tanzanian star Ali Kiba.
Controversy at it’s best
As they say, controversy sells, and this year the showbiz scene will be full of controversial, scandalous and thought provoking moments.
It will be the year where clout chasers will use any means possible to remain relevant.
Diana Marua aka Diana B and Bahati topped charts with controversies in the year that was, and it will not be any different this year.
Despite working hard on his music, Willy Paul is quite controversial and we predict a stormier year for him.
As he continues to ‘champion’ for more local content in our broadcasting stations, clout chasing master Eric Omondi will pick up right from where he left at last year.
Couples working more together
For some celebrity couples, mixing business and pleasure leads to great art and Mr Seed and his wife Mimo are a perfect example.
Their song Nafurahi gained more than half a million views on YouTube and we predict a more magical year for the couple.
Power couple Nameless and Wahu also did well last year with their song Back It Up and we foresee more releases from them.
Diana B is also a new entrant in the music scene and we predict collaboration with her hubby Bahati, probably not what we would want, but time will tell.
Brown Mauzo and Vera Sidika will also give us unforgettable releases.
