Shmu and Ziller Bas turn their attention to love, intimacy and resistance on “Njoroge,” the third single from their upcoming album Safari ya Bamba.

The song follows two people who find a connection despite opposition from those around them. Rather than treating love as a purely emotional experience, “Njoroge” frames closeness as a choice that sometimes requires courage.

Samaal responds to Shmu’s composition with a vocal performance that gives the song its emotional centre, while Shmu and Ziller Bas keep the production relatively restrained. That restraint leaves room for the relationship at the heart of the song to unfold without losing its physical, danceable quality.

“Njoroge” forms the third stage of Safari ya Bamba, a seven-single project built around themes of movement, friendship, departure and the connections formed along the way. The album continues the musical relationship between Swiss rapper and producer Shmu and Kenyan rapper Ziller Bas, whose sound brings together hip-hop, Afrobeats, reggaeton, electronic textures and East African influences.

Their collaboration began after the two connected at a concert in Winterthur and continued with Shmu’s visit to Kilifi, Kenya, in February 2025. Their first album together, Mekatilili, was inspired by Giriama freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza.

On Safari ya Bamba, Swiss German meets Ziller Bas’ combination of Swahili, English and Giriama. Across the project, the duo uses their musical exchange to explore different forms of connection and the realities surrounding them.

With “Njoroge,” that journey becomes more intimate, asking what it means to remain close to someone when that connection is challenged by the people around you.

“Njoroge” is out now.