Kenyan singer and songwriter Naiboi has made a highly anticipated comeback to the music scene with the release of his new song, ‘Ananitaka’, featuring fellow Kenyan artist Iyanii.
Taking to his Instagram account, Naiboi shared the news of his return, marking the end of a four-year music break that began in 2020. The announcement sparked excitement among his fans, who had been eagerly awaiting his return.
Naiboi, known for hits like ‘2 in 1’, took a step back from the limelight in 2020, relocating to the United States. During this time, his absence left fans with unanswered questions about his whereabouts. In October 2024, he resurfaced, much to the delight of his supporters.
The artist had previously opened up about the challenges he faced during his hiatus. In 2021, Naiboi revealed his frustrations with his former record label, Universal Music Group, which he claimed hindered his ability to release over 800 songs he had written.
“All I ever wanted is to release music for my fans. And I know my fans are worried, wondering what’s up with Naiboi. My hands have been tied for almost two years now, and I am tired of being at the mercy of these people,” Naiboi said in 2021.
The artist expressed his struggles, sharing how the inability to release his music left him feeling helpless. He pleaded with fans to support him, saying, “I miss Naiboi as much as you do. Pray for me. I keep everything to myself a lot, but nimefika mwisho (I’ve reached my limit). I love music so much it hurts to have over 800 songs and I can’t release even a single one.”
In 2022, Naiboi announced that he had terminated his contract with Universal Music Group, regaining the freedom to produce and release music independently. However, he chose to delay his return to the industry until 2025, when he felt ready to fully relaunch his career.
“Finally free to release music. Been a tough three-year situation. But hey, why complain when I can finally kill them with it? My YouTube channel is Naiboi Worldwide. Do subscribe if you have not. If you have, stay alert—it’s go time,” he shared on social media.
Naiboi, whose real name is Michael Kennedy, entered the music industry in 2003 as a producer before transitioning into a singer in 2014. He adopted the stage name Naiboi and quickly gained recognition for hits like ‘2 in 1’, ‘Welle Welle’ featuring Timmy Tdat, and ‘Sondeka’, which featured other Kenyan stars.
With his comeback single ‘Ananitaka’, Naiboi has once again captured the attention of his fans and the Kenyan music scene, signaling the start of an exciting new chapter in his career.
