From the quiet surroundings of Kasangati to one of the world’s biggest music platforms, Kyle Simbwa is beginning to take his sound beyond familiar territory.
The Ugandan vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist has been selected as Apple Music’s latest Up Next artist in East Africa, giving the rising musician another platform to introduce his music to listeners across the region and beyond.
It is a significant moment for an artist whose music has been shaped by an unusually broad collection of influences.
Simbwa grew up listening to 1990s R&B and soul, 1980s synth-pop, A.O.R. and Disney television, before discovering the Afrobeats and Hip-Hop sounds that influenced his teenage years. Rather than settling on one of those sounds, he has combined elements from each to develop an Afrobeat and Alté-influenced style of his own.
“Being selected for Up Next East Africa by Apple Music means a lot because I’m part of a generation of African artists building something uniquely ours,” he says. “I want people to hear my music, feel where I’m from, and see how far it can travel.”
His growing profile has been built largely from the ground up. Simbwa is deeply involved in the creative process, handling songwriting, production, recording, mixing and engineering. The approach gives him room to experiment and, perhaps more importantly, allows him to control how his music ultimately sounds.
His debut project, Person, released in 2025, marked an important step in that journey. He has since followed it with singles including Mwana Gwe, Love Me or Don’t and East African Girl, gradually expanding a catalogue that reflects his interest in both contemporary African sounds and older musical influences.
The studio, however, is only part of the story. Simbwa has also been developing his live credentials, headlining at Xpressions and performing at Afro Urban alongside artists such as Mike Kayihura and Kohen Jaycee.
His latest project, East African Summer, takes his musical exploration further. The seven-track EP explores love, nightlife, freedom, movement and relationships while capturing the carefree experiences associated with youth culture across East Africa.
Although the music carries international influences, its identity remains rooted in Uganda and the wider region.
“2026 is about taking everything I’ve been building and pushing it further,” he says.
That next chapter now comes with the backing of Apple Music’s Up Next platform, joining a global programme that has previously featured artists including Billie Eilish, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems and Megan Thee Stallion.
For an artist still defining his place in Uganda’s evolving music scene, the spotlight offers an opportunity to make one thing clear: Kyle Simbwa is ready for his sound to travel.
