The gender-fluid alter ego of producer Kabochi Gitau was born from listening to Michael Jackson, country, The Clash, Kendrick Lamar, and many others. As the eclectic Kabeaushé—or simply “the Shé”—they aim in their music, infused with pop, hip hop, chiptune, gospel vocals, and dance rhythms, to return above all to a childlike state of mind.
Hakuna Kulala, the Ugandan sublabel of Nyege Nyege, which aims to promote pan-African experimental/electronic music globally, was replaced by Berlin-based Monkeytown Records for Kabeaushé’s second album. The notably more club-oriented sound of Hold on to Deer Life, There’s a Blcak Boy Behind You! and the new vocal approaches stem from the producer’s life in Germany’s capital city. They’ve performed at major festivals, including Barcelona’s Sónar and Uganda’s Nyege Nyege Festival. Kabeaushé is planning to release a new album this year.