Our predictions for who to watch out for in music, literature, film and fashion in 2019.

Sichangi

Sichangi's star has been on the rise for a minute, but 2019 might be the year he will take his rightful place as a formidable force in the industry. The producer has worked with Willow Smith and Tyler Cole for their song, Fools. The Red Bull Music Academy alum was also involved in Blinky Bill's 2018 opus, Everybody Is Winging it and Other Fly Tales.

Troy Onyango

Writer Troy Onyango's talents have led to his works being published in respected literary magazines such as Caine Prize Anthology and Brittle Paper. The 25-year-old founder of Enkare Review, a local literary journal, won the inaugural Nyanza Literary Festival Prize for his short story, "For What Are Butterflies Without Their Wings?". He is now signed with London-based Elise Dillsworth Agency and is working on his debut novel.

Stacy Wangui

17-year-old runway model Stacy Wangui emerged second in the FeW Next Face Africa 2018, a continental competition that scouts for fresh talent. She attributes her confidence to her journey of self-discovery after she learnt to accept herself when she overcame bullying in primary school.

Wanuri Kahiu

Wanuri Kahiu had an eventful 2018. Her acclaimed gay indie Rafiki became the first ever Kenyan film to screen at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, but in a swift case of prophets being unwelcome in their hometown, the country's film classification board banned it from screening here. She successfully sued consequently got the ban lifted, albeit for a brief seven days. Wanuri's stock has risen though, and Hollywood did take note of her talents. She's set to make her major studio directorial debut in 2019 after Universal Studios picked her to helm Covers, a romcom set in Los Angeles.

Chef John Bond Macharia

His name is Bond. John Bond. The pastry chef and chocolatier is an emerging star in Nairobi's culinary scene. At just 21, he landed a priceless apprenticeship with Michelin-starred Swedish restaurant Fäviken Magasinet in 2018. Now he's back in town to treat Nairobians to devilish delights as the new pastry chef of The Talisman in Karen.

About The Author

Author
Alix Grubel

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