In an exciting announcement, Coca-Cola revealed that acclaimed singer Nikita Kering’ and renowned rapper Khaligraph Jones will be representing Kenya at COKE STUDIO Africa 2023. The talented duo will join forces with some of Africa’s finest musicians to reimagine their chart-topping hits and create fresh and distinctive musical experiences.
COKE STUDIO, first launched in Pakistan in 2008 and globally relaunched in May 2022, aims to celebrate borderless partnerships and bring together emerging artists from around the world. The platform, curated in collaboration with Universal Music Group, offers artists the opportunity to fuse genres and experiment with sounds from different cultures, ultimately reaching a global audience.
Speaking at the launch event in Nairobi, Isabelle Kariuki-Rostom, Coca-Cola’s Managing Director for East and Central Africa, expressed her excitement about COKE STUDIO 2023 and its potential to engage with a new generation of consumers, particularly Gen Zs.
“For a generation exposed to the whole universe at the touch of a button, we are elated to bring the experience of a new cross-cultural fusion closer to home. Through local and international collaborations, we intend to create music that unlocks uplifting experiences by highlighting the real magic that lives in unexpected connections through border-transcending alliances.” said Ms. Rostom
Kariuki-Rostom highlighted the importance of cross-cultural fusion and unexpected connections in creating uplifting musical experiences.
For Nikita Kering’, being part of COKE STUDIO is a dream come true.
The singer expressed her delight in collaborating with Khaligraph Jones, stating that working with him for her first-ever collaboration exceeded her expectations.
“I wasn’t sure how our styles would blend, but working with Khaligraph has been awesome,” she said. “He is not only incredibly talented but easy to work with. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to collaborate with on my first endeavour of this kind. He even came up with original bars despite the uncertainties I had over our voices blending.” Nikita added
She praised Khaligraph’s talent and shared that his ability to come up with original bars despite their different styles was truly impressive.
Khaligraph Jones, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to COKE STUDIO for the opportunity to collaborate with Nikita Kering’. The rapper, a fan of Nikita’s music, emphasized the exciting blend their collaboration brings, considering their different social backgrounds.
“I want to express my gratitude to COKE STUDIO for giving me this opportunity as I’ve been a fan of her music. We come from different social backgrounds, so it’s an exciting blend, and I can’t wait for people to witness what we’ve created together,” Khaligraph said.
He eagerly awaits the release of their joint creation and believes that fans will be thrilled by what they have produced together.
Since its inception in 2017, COKE STUDIO Africa has established a strong presence in Kenya and has now evolved into a global platform for fostering greater consumer engagement. The upcoming season promises a plethora of exciting initiatives, including increased partnerships with festivals, listening parties, and campus tours across the country. Coca-Cola will also unveil a web-based platform, offering exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content and new music releases from partner artists, showcasing a diverse mix of global, regional, and local talent.
In June, Coca-Cola announced the collision artists for COKE STUDIO 2023, featuring breakthrough stars from South Africa, Egypt, the US, UK, Canada, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, China, Korea, and the Philippines. The global program aims to create original music that transcends borders and excites music fans with fresh sounds and unexpected collaborations.
COKE STUDIO Africa has become a revolutionary music show that brings together artists from different genres, eras, and regions to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion. It celebrates the magic of human connection and the belief that our differences enrich the world. The platform continues to evolve, inspiring fans and showcasing the talent and diversity present in the music industry.
As Nikita Kering’ and Khaligraph Jones embark on their COKE STUDIO Africa journey, fans eagerly anticipate the fusion of their unique styles and the creation of captivating musical experiences.
With COKE STUDIO 2023 promising to push boundaries and showcase borderless collaboration, the stage is set for the real magic to unfold, leaving a lasting impact on the music landscape.