A new musical revolution is sweeping through the streets of Nairobi, and it’s being led by a fast-rising rapper Mad G who has successfully blended early 2000s nostalgia with the raw energy of the Kenyan underground.
Mad G (born Charles Odeya) has officially cemented his status as the king of the “Arbantone” genre with his viral smash hit, ‘Style Gani.’
Released in September 2025, the track has bypassed traditional radio play to become a global TikTok phenomenon, racking up over 550,000 views on YouTube by mid-December.
But the secret to the song’s infectious success lies in a clever nod to dancehall royalty: a heavy, pulsating sample of the legendary Applause Riddim—the same beat that powered Sean Paul’s 2005 world-beater, ‘Temperature.’
Working with producer Skinny Gean, Mad G tapped into the collective memory of millennial and Gen Z fans by reviving the iconic hand-clapping rhythm.
The track’s signature hook, “Unapenda style gani msupa?”, has become the unofficial slogan of 2025, spawning tens of thousands of TikTok skits and dance challenges.
By merging the familiar dancehall bounce with clever, humorous Kenyan slang, Mad G has created a “lightning in a bottle” moment for the local music scene.
“It’s the perfect blend of what we grew up listening to and what we are living right now,” says one fan on X.
“When that Sean Paul beat kicks in, everyone knows it’s time to move.”
The rise of ‘Style Gani’ was anything but traditional. The song first gained traction through grassroots TikTok creators before exploding into the mainstream.
Since its release on September 5, 2025, Mad G has capitalized on the momentum, dropping a string of successful singles including ‘Shake That Thing’ and ‘Romeo Na Juliet.’
His most recent offering, the provocative music video for ‘Sleep Over,’ released on December 2, has already begun climbing the trending charts.
Mad G’s dominance on the dance floor remains undisputed. By dusting off the Applause Riddim and giving it a fresh Kenyan coat of paint, he hasn’t just made a hit—he’s redefined the sound of the year.
