Xenia Manasseh joins Unweli & Ywaya Tajiri on new single "AJE?"
Grammy-nominated Nairobi singer and songwriter Xenia Manasseh joins fellow Kenyan artists Unweli and Yawl Tajiri on AJE?” an intimate new single out now via Cinq Music, a GoDigital Music company. One of the first releases from Cinq’s partnership with Nairobi-based artist development platform Soul HQ, the track brings together three artists at the forefront of East Africa’s evolving R&B landscape, marking an early example of the collaboration’s mission to connect African talent with global audiences.
Translating to “how?” in Swahili, AJE? explores the complicated pull of a relationship neither person can quite walk away from. The song centers on the questions, “How can I give you up?” and “How can I leave you?” as two people reckon with the hurt they have caused one another while still believing their connection is unlike anything else. Rather than offering an easy answer, AJE? lives in the tension of knowing exactly what a relationship has cost you and choosing, despite it all, to keep holding on.
“I love 'AJE?’ because it's different from what anybody has heard from me up until this point. I fully intended to lean into my Coastal and Swahili roots, and I was working with the perfect people to do that,” said Xenia Manasseh. “Ukweli is widely respected and known as a producer that seamlessly blends different genres together–and Ywaya is such an incredible songwriter so the session was just really organic and fun. I'm excited for people to hear “AJE?” and to release more music very soon.“
Sonically, the track blends warm, atmospheric production with an understated Afro-R&B groove, creating an intimate backdrop for the trio’s soulful vocals and emotionally direct songwriting. Fluid melodies and a hypnotic rhythm give AJE? an effortless, late-night quality, bringing together contemporary R&B sensibilities with East African-rooted sounds.
Xenia Manasseh’s distinctive voice and emotionally candid songwriting have established her as one of Nairobi’s standout voices in contemporary R&B. Rooted in Neo-Soul, Afro-R&B, Afropop and Jazz, her music is deeply personal while drawing on experiences that feel universal, often exploring love, identity, vulnerability and the complexities of human connection. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Manasseh has earned Grammy recognition for her work with Teyana Taylor and collaborated with artists including Brandy, Burna Boy and Sauti Sol. Her solo work includes the acclaimed “LOVE/HATE” and “MAYBE” EPs, while appearances on COLORS x STUDIOS and NPR’s Tiny Desk, along with performances at New York’s Blue Note and across Europe, have further cemented her reputation as a compelling live and recording artist. With AJE? marking another chapter in her evolving sound, Manasseh has more music on the way, with new releases to come.
AJE? by Xenia Manasseh, Ukweli and Ywaya Tajiri is out now and you can stream it on your preferred platform HERE, and listen t it on YouTube below:
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Xenia Manasseh is a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter whose music blends Neo-Soul, Afro-R&B, Afrobeats and Afropop with an emotionally honest approach to songwriting. Known for her distinctive tone and expressive vocal style, Xenia draws inspiration from artists including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and India.Arie, alongside influences from R&B, Jazz and beyond. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, where she studied Music Business and Management, Xenia has built a body of work rooted in authenticity, relatability and universal storytelling. Her Grammy recognition for co-writing and performing on Teyana Taylor’s “The Album”, along with vocal contributions to projects by Brandy, Burna Boy and Sauti Sol, has expanded her reach beyond East Africa, while acclaimed solo releases including the “LOVE/HATE” and “MAYBE” EPs and appearances at COLORS x STUDIOS, NPR’s Tiny Desk and New York’s Blue Note have established her as a versatile voice in contemporary R&B. Through her music, Xenia continues to create work that reflects her experiences and values while connecting listeners across cultures and backgrounds through shared, human experiences.
