Singer and songwriter Lovince Mckenzie is developing a sound rooted in Kenya with international influences.
The singer brings together Kenyan, Ugandan and Nigerian talent on a track from his forthcoming seven-song EP, Dance and Soul.
Lovince Mckenzie has teamed up with Nigerian artiste Ayo Maff and Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka on Locked In. The release forms part of his forthcoming seven-track EP, Dance and Soul.
The collaboration brings together artistes from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria as Mckenzie develops his international sound. However, he says reaching listeners abroad represents only part of his ambition: he also wants to create opportunities back home.
Lovince Mckenzie builds on cross-border collaborations
Locked In follows Light Up, his earlier collaboration with Ayo Maff. That song strengthened his belief that music with Kenyan roots can connect with audiences beyond the local market.
With roots in Nakuru and Nairobi, alongside an American connection, Mckenzie draws on different cultural experiences. His sound blends Afrobeats, Afro-house, electronic music and global dance influences.
Rather than distance himself from Kenya, he wants those influences to carry his identity to new audiences. His connections to Kenya and America also shape how he approaches culture and songwriting.
Love, heartbreak, ambition and belonging run through his work. Through these themes, he turns personal experiences into stories that listeners across borders can recognise.
Dance and Soul pairs movement with emotion
The forthcoming EP combines dance music’s energy with more personal themes. Its seven tracks are On My Way, My Heart, Locked In, Chunya Pari, Rise, Balozi and Move.
Together, the songs explore love, longing, determination and connection. For Mckenzie, the project’s title reflects a link between physical movement and emotional expression.
That balance also fits his broader approach to songwriting: drawing on personal experience while reaching beyond geographical boundaries.
Turning attention into a lasting career
However, Mckenzie says a breakthrough track alone cannot secure a sustainable music career. He points to consistent releases, effective marketing, distribution and industry relationships as essential to maintaining momentum.
Pursuing music professionally has also required discipline, patience and attention to the industry’s business side. He describes the shift towards consistent action as a turning point in a creative career.
Meanwhile, he argues that talent does not always come with equal access or visibility. His ambitions therefore extend beyond releasing songs and gaining international attention.
As he builds his career, Mckenzie wants its benefits to reach Kenya’s music industry too. The goal is not simply for his music to travel, but for opportunities to return home.
