Album: Mtoto wa Khadija by Mejja

Mtoto wa Khadija is the long-awaited debut studio album from legendary Kenyan Genge artist Mejja, marking a historic milestone in his illustrious career after nearly two decades in the music industry . Known for his witty lyricism, distinctive street storytelling, and unique Kenyan musical flavour, Mejja has remained one of the country's most influential artists for over 20 years . With this project, he finally delivers his first full-length album, a 13-track body of work that blends Genge, Hip Hop, and Afro-Urban sounds while reflecting on his personal journey, life experiences, and the streets that shaped him .

Released on March 6, 2026 under Mejja Music, the album's title—Mtoto wa Khadija (Child of Khadija)—is a deeply personal tribute to his mother, whose name was Khadija . This connection to family roots runs throughout the project, with the album representing not just a musical collection but a long-overdue offering to the woman who raised him. As the rapper himself noted, releasing the album after such a long career was guided by instinct rather than strategy: "There are times I can go for six months without releasing a song. I usually follow my instincts. For the album, I just felt it was the right time" .

The album showcases Mejja's signature Genge sound while incorporating contemporary production and a diverse range of collaborations with both established and emerging East African talents . The project opens with "Toxic" featuring Shee, before moving through standout tracks like "Ntampata Wapi" with Tanzanian star Jay Melody and "Kale Ka Uoga" alongside Scar Mkadinali of the Kenyan hip-hop group Wakadinali .

The album's emotional core includes "Mental," a powerful collaboration with Kenya's rap heavyweight Khaligraph Jones, while "Confidence" features Nadia Mukami, adding a melodic touch to the project . Other notable collaborations include "Manifest" with Toxic Lyrikali, "Naskia (Ooh)" featuring Dyana Cods, "Lambo" with Moha and Madeh, "Siaka" with Ugandan artist Fik Fameica, and the closing track "Vulai" alongside Ndovu Kuu and Zzero Sufuri .

Despite being his first album after over two decades in the industry, Mtoto wa Khadija exceeded all expectations. The album's success on streaming platforms was immediate and impressive—on its first day of release, it garnered 90,000 streams on Spotify, far surpassing Mejja's own expectations . He admitted: "I only expected people to know that I was finally on Spotify, but they streamed it and loved it. We are now approaching a million streams" .

The album's lead single, "Siaka," had already become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous TikTok challenges and cementing its place among Kenya's biggest songs of the year .

With Mtoto wa Khadija, Mejja proves that great artistry cannot be rushed. After 20 years of delivering hit singles, he has delivered a cohesive and personal body of work that celebrates his legacy while introducing his sound to a new generation of listeners. The album is a tribute not just to his mother but to the journey that made him one of Kenya's most beloved musical figures. As he reflects: "Releasing it this year when there were fewer disruptions was mainly following my gut feeling" .