Electro Wow caught up with Kevin Kinembe to talk about his new track “Dunda,” a release that’s got Kenya written all over it. Here’s what he had to say about the meaning behind the title, how the track came together in the studio, and where he thinks Afro House is really headed.
1. As an Afro House DJ and producer, how would you describe your journey into the sound?
My journey into Afro House has been deeply rooted in both my live DJ sets and my personal life experiences. Playing as a resident DJ in Belgium at clubs like La Bush, Catacombes, and Escape Concept, I’ve always been drawn to high-energy, percussive grooves that keep a dance floor locked in.
But living in Kenya completely transformed my connection to music; it gave me a firsthand understanding of East African polyrhythms, organic percussion, and vocal storytelling. Blending those authentic cultural influences with modern, peak-time electronic production became my signature identity, ultimately leading to milestones like my Kelele Nzuri EP and Cera EP hitting #1 on the Beatport Top 100 Releases chart.
2. Looking back, what’s the thing you miss most about your time in Kenya? Is a return ever something you’d consider?
What I miss most is the nightlife, the people, and the entire way of living; it’s a no-stress environment where people are genuinely much happier with much less. Kenya holds a truly sacred place in my heart because my daughter was actually born there.
Returning to Africa is as good as certain for me; my fiancée is Gabonese, so Africa will always be a central part of our family’s life and future. Once my daughter grows up and starts building her own independent life, going back to live and create there is definitely the plan.
3. What does the word “Dunda” mean, and what inspired you to use it as the title?
In Swahili, “Dunda” carries a double meaning that fits the track perfectly. On the streets and in urban Kenyan culture (Sheng), “kudunda” means to party, bounce, or go out to the club. But literally, it also describes a heavy, rhythmic thumping sound, like a heartbeat or the deep kick of a bassline (“dunda, dunda, dunda”).
I chose “Dunda” as the title because it bridges those two worlds. It represents the pulse of the dancefloor and the physical, heartbeat-like energy of Afro House. The moment you hear that drum hit, you feel the “dunda” in your chest.
It’s an invitation to lock into the rhythm and just move.
4. Walk us through your process. Where did the track start, a beat, a melody, or a voice line?
“Dunda” started with the rhythm. I wanted a heavy, driving low-end combined with syncopated tribal percussion that instantly grabs your attention. From there, I brought in the melodic foundation, a signature piano line, which is a staple element you’ll find running through most of my tracks.
Combined with atmospheric synth layers and the hypnotic spoken-word narrative, the whole production was about stacking layers of energy around that rhythm and keys until the breakdown, creating a release that feels both relentless and soul-driven.
5. Which studio setup or tools did you lean on most for this one?
Ableton Live is the heart and soul of my studio setup, together with my MIDI controller and Push 3. For “Dunda,” I relied heavily on dynamic audio processing and a lot of VST tools to shape the tribal percussion and give it that analog weight and punch needed for large sound systems.
I love mixing warm, organic acoustic percussion samples with tight, synthetic sub-bass within Ableton to create that modern Afro Tech drive.
6. What do you want listeners to feel when the drop hits?
I wanted to play with expectation and tension. After the main break, the track builds into a subtle mini-drop that tricks you for a second, but instead of letting go, the energy keeps rising and rising into an even bigger, explosive main drop.
When that final drop hits, I want the listener to feel a massive surge of pure euphoria and release.
7. How do you balance traditional Afro House sounds with your own signature style?
It comes down to respecting the roots, combined with my identity as a club DJ. I honor traditional Afro House by working directly with incredibly talented East African vocalists and musicians, like Lin Njoroge, Wagathoni, Rafiiki, and Francis Strings, to bring authentic language, live acoustic elements, and deep cultural storytelling into my tracks.
I then balance that raw organic soul with my signature production style: driving low-end control, punchy tech percussion, and atmospheric tension builds designed to hit hard on modern club sound systems.
8. Some critics say Afro House is just having a “moment.” Do you see it as a passing trend or a lasting movement?
It’s absolutely a lasting movement. Rhythm and drum-focused music are the foundational heartbeat of human dance culture, they are timeless. While the genre is experiencing a massive global spotlight right now, Afro House and Afro Tech have been thriving for decades.
What we are seeing isn’t a temporary trend; it’s the global music industry finally catching up to the depth, richness, and power of African electronic music.
9. Is Afro House’s global success actually good for African artists, or is it mostly benefiting non-African DJs riding the wave?
It can be both, but the priority must always be building genuine bridges. The global success opens massive doors, playlist placements, and international touring opportunities for African producers and vocalists who historically lacked access to global distribution.
As a non-African producer who lived in Kenya, I believe it comes down to authenticity and collaboration, giving proper credit, fair publishing splits, and creating real platforms for local talent rather than just taking cultural elements at a surface level.
When done with respect and true collaboration, the entire movement uplifts everyone involved.
10. Where do you see yourself and your sound five years from now?
Hopefully touring all over the world and collaborating with major international artists across different continents. Having already played incredible spots like Zanzibar, Nairobi, and Tulum, I’m really excited for my upcoming gigs across Ibiza, Berlin, Düsseldorf, France, and ADE in the coming months.
Ultimately, you have to dream big…in five years, I see myself taking that international momentum even further, bringing people together on the world’s biggest stages, and continuing to push the boundary between deep Afro House and high-energy Afro Tech.
CONNECT WITH KEVIN KINEMBE
Hi, I’m Erick Ycaza — a music blogger with a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. I created this blog to keep you updated with daily music news. Surprisingly, I’ve been writing about music since 2007. If you’re an artist and would like to be featured, feel free to reach out: info@electrowow.net
