Draft:Rayvanny's Flowers EP trilogy

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Rayvanny’s Flowers EP trilogy consists of three extended plays by Tanzanian Bongo Flava artist Rayvanny. The series began with Flowers (2020), followed by Flowers II (2022) and Flowers III (2023). Each installment was released around the Valentine’s season (with the first two arriving in February) and centers on romantic themes and love. The trilogy showcases Rayvanny’s evolution in sound—from traditional Bongo Flava love ballads to experiments with Afro-pop fusion—while maintaining a focus on love and relationships. All three EPs achieved commercial success, featuring high streaming numbers and popular singles, and include collaborations with various East and Pan-African artists.[1]

Background and Concept

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Rayvanny (born Raymond Mwakyusa) conceived the Flowers EP series as a Valentine’s Day-inspired project, delivering love-themed tracks for the “month of love.” The first Flowers EP was released in early February 2020 as a special Valentine’s gift to fans[2]. Its songs were steeped in Bongo Flava style with romantic lyricism at the core. Building on that concept, Rayvanny released Flowers II in February 2022 as a sequel, expanding the musical palette to include elements of reggaetón, Afrobeats and kizomba while still exploring themes of attraction and sensuality. After parting ways with WCB Wasafi and launching his own Next Level Music label in 2022, Rayvanny issued Flowers III in 2023. This third installment marked a return to the romance motif that defined the series, blending Bongo Flava with R&B/electronic touches for a “reintroduction to the motif of romance” across its tracksmusic.apple.com. Throughout the trilogy, Rayvanny enlisted numerous guest artists from Tanzania and beyond, reinforcing the pan-African appeal of the projects. The Flowers EPs are known for their Valentine’s season promotion and multiple music video releases, which helped many songs garner millions of views on YouTube and other platforms.[3]

Flowers (2020)

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Flowers is Rayvanny’s debut EP, released on 8 February 2020 under WCB Wasafi. The EP comprises 8 tracks and was deliberately timed for Valentine’s, with Rayvanny describing it as a collection of love songs for the season. Musically, Flowers stays true to Bongo Flava’s melodic afro-pop sound and Swahili R&B, focusing on romantic themes of love, heartbreak, and longing. It features guest appearances by Mozambican singer Messias Maricoa[4], and Tanzanian artists Karen and Mr. Blue[5], who contribute to the EP’s bilingual love duetsafrikalyrics.comafrikalyrics.com. The full track listing is as follows:

  • 1. “Ex Boyfriend”
  • 2. “Teamo” (featuring Messias Maricoa)[6]
  • 3. “One” (featuring Karen)[7]
  • 4. “Vumilia”
  • 5. “Sweet Melody”
  • 6. “Mama La Mama” (featuring Mr. Blue)[8]
  • 7. “I Love You”
  • 8. “Naogopa”

Production of Flowers was handled by a team of Bongo Flava producers: Gach B, Lizer Classic, Bob Manecky, Zest, and Nusder Venom were credited with engineering the EP’s sound.[9] Rayvanny promoted the EP by releasing several music videos, notably “Ex Boyfriend,” whose visuals echoed the Valentine’s theme of love and heartbreak. Within a month of release, Flowers proved to be a commercial success – the EP’s songs accumulated over 20 million combined views on YouTube by mid-March 2020. Local media praised the project’s impact; Mdundo reported that Flowers “performed well” and showcased a new level of versatility in Rayvanny’s artistry, helping to propel him toward a global audience. Critics and fans appreciated the heartfelt songwriting and Rayvanny’s vocal delivery, cementing Flowers as one of the most streamed Tanzanian releases of early 2020.[10]

Flowers II (2022)

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Flowers II is the second installment in the trilogy, released on 10 February 2022 via WCB Wasafi Records (in partnership with Rayvanny’s Next Level Music). The EP contains 9 tracks, expanding on the romantic theme with a more experimental sound palette. Unlike the purely Bongo Flava style of its predecessor, Flowers II incorporates diverse genres – it infuses Afrobeats grooves, reggaetón rhythms, and even kizomba influences, resulting in “a lively thesis on attraction and sensuality” across the track list. Rayvanny collaborated with a pan-African lineup of guest artists on this EP, reflecting a broad musical vision. Notable features include Tanzanian songstress Zuchu on the lead single “I Miss You,[11]” Zimbabwean singer Roki on “My Love,” Kenyan pop star Nadia Mukami on “Falling in Love,” Nigerian artist Guchi on “Sweet,” veteran Tanzanian vocalist Ray C on “Honey,” and Bongo Flava crooner Marioo on “Te Quiero”. The complete track listing is:

  • 1. “I Miss You” (featuring Zuchu)[12][13][14]
  • 2. “My Love” (featuring Roki)[15]
  • 3. “Falling in Love” (featuring Nadia Mukami)
  • 4. “Fundi”
  • 5. “Bonnie & Clyde”
  • 6. “Wanaweweseka”
  • 7. “Sweet” (featuring Guchi)[16]
  • 8. “Honey” (featuring Ray C)
  • 9. “Te Quiero” (featuring Marioo)[17]

Flowers II was introduced with the single “I Miss You”, a Swahili love ballad featuring Zuchu that Rayvanny released alongside an official music video in early February 2022[18]. The track, produced by Tanzanian beatmaker Sound Boy, became a hit and set the tone for the EP’s Valentine’s rollout. Rayvanny confirmed the EP’s tracklist on social media prior to release, emphasizing the project as a “special package to light up your Valentine”. Other songs like “Te Quiero” (a bilingual Swahili–Spanish title meaning “I Love You”) and “Falling in Love” capitalized on cross-cultural collaboration, broadening the EP’s appeal.

Critically, Flowers II was noted for its ambition and genre-blending. The Apple Music editorial review praised the EP’s experimental approach for mixing bongo flava with international styles while maintaining romantic sincerity. Fans and bloggers received the project positively; it was lauded as a bold follow-up that “employs both English and Swahili lyrics with a combination of R&B, Afrobeats, pop, and Bongo Flava” genres. In terms of commercial performance, Flowers II broke records on streaming platforms. By March 2022, it amassed over 20.5 million streams on Boomplay, becoming the most-streamed EP by a Tanzanian artist on that platform. This, contributed to Rayvanny’s milestone of 100 million total Boomplay streams, underlining the EP’s popularity and his status as one of East Africa’s top music stars. Several tracks from Flowers II also charted on regional radio and YouTube trending lists, buoyed by music videos (for example, “Te Quiero” and “Sweet”) that kept fans engaged beyond the Valentine season.

Flowers III (2023)

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Flowers III, the final chapter of the trilogy, was released on 12 May 2023 under Rayvanny’s Next Level Music, with distribution by Ziiki Media. It features 9 songs and continues the artist’s tradition of crafting love-centered records, though this time with a slightly delayed launch (May instead of February) following Rayvanny’s departure from Wasafi. Flowers III is characterized by a blend of Bongo Flava and contemporary R&B/afro-fusion elements, described as “tincturing his bongo flava sound with splashes of R&B and electronica” while delivering a cohesive message of romantic devotion. Guest collaborations on the EP include Tanzanian singer-songwriter Jay Melody, who lends his voice to the sultry track “Dance,” Kenyan gospel-pop star Bahati on the upbeat duet “Mtamu,” Next Level Music signee Mac Voice on “Mwambieni,” and Tanzanian songstress Phina on the track “Mchepuko.” These features complement Rayvanny’s vocals across a varied tracklist.[19]

The full Flowers III track listing is:

  • 1. “Forever”
  • 2. “Habibi”
  • 3. “Dance” (featuring Jay Melody)
  • 4. “Mtamu” (featuring Bahati)[20]
  • 5. “Mwambieni” (featuring Mac Voice)
  • 6. “Mchepuko” (featuring Phina)
  • 7. “My Babe”
  • 8. “Nakupenda”
  • 9. “One Day Yes”

Upon release, Flowers III was accompanied by multiple music videos and promotional events. Rayvanny launched the project by premiering “Forever” with an official video, which garnered millions of views (over 17 million on YouTube within two years) and became one of the standout love songs of 2023.[21] He also released visuals for “Mtamu” (feat. Bahati) – a cross-border collaboration blending Bongo Flava and Kenyan Benga vibes – and “Mwambieni” (feat. Mac Voice), both of which were used to promote the EP on digital platformf. Flowers III did not coincide with Valentine’s Day but maintained the romantic narrative; Rayvanny explained that the songs speak about “love, pain, betrayals and forgiveness,” encapsulating various stages of relationships. The production on this EP involved several Tanzanian producers, including Nusder Venom (credited as producer of “One Day Yes” and other tracks), and presumably Sound Boy and others, continuing the polished afro-pop sound of the series.

Critics and listeners found Flowers III to be a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Apple Music’s Africa editors highlighted it as “an engaging listen that elucidates its message of romantic satisfaction clearly across its nine tracks”, noting how the EP reaffirms Rayvanny’s strength in love-themed songwriting. Particular praise was given to the tracks “Habibi” – described as a “stirring ode to a lover” with compelling guitar riffs – and “Dance,” an infectious duet with Jay Melody that invites fans to the dance floor. While detailed reviews in independent music blogs were limited, the audience reception was positive. Flowers III quickly climbed streaming charts; within the first week, all its songs collectively had several million streams across YouTube, Boomplay, and Spotify. By late 2023, Rayvanny performed songs like “Forever” and “Habibi” live at concerts, and their popularity reinforced his reputation as one of Tanzania’s premier hitmakers in the romantic Afro-pop genre.

Reception and Impact

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Commercially, the Flowers trilogy solidified Rayvanny’s position in East African music. Each EP registered strong streaming numbers and digital sales. The first Flowers EP (2020) not only amassed significant YouTube views (20 million+ within a month of release), but also introduced songs that became staples on radio during Valentine’s season. Flowers II (2022) achieved record-breaking success on Boomplay, with over 20.5 million streams, making it the most-streamed Tanzanian EP in the platform’s history as of 2022. This achievement contributed to Rayvanny receiving a Boomplay Golden Plaque for 100 million total streams, reflecting the EP’s wide reach[22]. Flowers III continued the trend, with its tracks collectively garnering tens of millions of streams across YouTube and audio platforms in 2023. Songs like “Forever” and “Mtamu” became cross-border hits, aided by their high-quality music videos and the star power of featured guests.

Critical reception for the trilogy was generally favorable. Though the EPs were primarily released for streaming audiences with limited traditional reviews, music journalists noted Rayvanny’s artistic growth. The Flowers EP was applauded for its consistency in theme and Rayvanny’s versatility – as one writer observed, the project “gave us a new Rayvanny” ready to go global. Flowers II drew positive remarks for its ambitious collaborations and genre fusion; the mixture of Swahili love lyrics with Afrobeat and Latin influences was seen as an innovative step for Bongo Flava. NotjustOK cited Flowers II’s streaming dominance as evidence of its popularity and impact among fans. Flowers III, while not reviewed in depth by many outlets, received praise in Apple Music’s editorial for its cohesive romantic narrative and engaging production. The inclusion of diverse East African voices (Kenya’s Bahati, Tanzania’s Phina and Jay Melody, etc.) in Flowers III was highlighted as a strength that added richness to the project’s love stories.

Beyond numbers and reviews, the Flowers trilogy had a notable cultural impact. The EPs became annual (bi-annual) fixtures that fans anticipated during Valentine’s, effectively branding Rayvanny as an “artist of the season of love.” He leveraged this by organizing Valentine’s concerts and online events themed around the Flowers songs. The trilogy’s songs have been used in wedding playlists, dedication videos, and even sparked social media trends (such as dance challenges for tracks like “Sweet” and “Dance”). Rayvanny himself acknowledged the trilogy’s role in his career, stating that the Flowers series allowed him to explore the depths of love-themed songwriting and reach new audiences in different countries. In 2021, he noted that the success of Flowers EP encouraged him to release his first full album Sound from Africa, and in turn, the later Flowers sequels continued to bolster his international profile.[23]

In summary, Rayvanny’s Flowers EP trilogy stands as a distinctive three-part musical journey centered on love. Across Flowers (2020), Flowers II (2022), and Flowers III (2023), Rayvanny blended heartfelt Swahili lyrics with evolving Afro-pop production, collaborated with a wide array of artists, and consistently earned both commercial rewards and fan admiration. The trilogy not only provided a soundtrack for Valentine’s celebrations in East Africa, but also demonstrated the artist’s growth from a local Bongo Flava sensation to a versatile, internationally-recognized hitmaker.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Rayvanny's Flowers EP Hits 20 Million Views on YouTube ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  2. ^ "Rayvanny Finally Meets Artiste behind His Viral 'Flowers' EP Cover Street Painting ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  3. ^ Mokeira, Gladys (2021-03-12). "Rayvanny new songs: latest MP3 and videos to download 2021 - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  4. ^ Branny (2020-02-11). ""Teamo" by Rayvanny featuring Mozambique's Messias Maricoa gives you every reason to fall in love". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  5. ^ "Rayvanny Features Mr Blue in New Release 'Mama La Mama' ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  6. ^ "Rayvanny Drops 'Teamo' Featuring Messias ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  7. ^ Nderitu, Catherine (2020-02-13). "Rayvanny band together with Karen for One". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  8. ^ Branny (2020-02-18). "Rayvanny and Mr. Blue treat fans to raggae love song dubbed "Mama la mama"". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  9. ^ "Rayvanny Put on the Spot for Failing to Credit Producer Behind His 'Flowers' EP ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  10. ^ "Rayvanny Goes Aggressive in New Song 'Ex Boyfriend' ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  11. ^ Kenya, Soundcity (2022-06-06). "[WATCH] New From Rayvanny and Zuchu: 'I miss You'". Soundcity. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  12. ^ "Rayvanny sets his expensive car ablaze in new music video". Nairobi News. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  13. ^ "Rayvanny: Why I torched my Sh1.5million house". Nairobi News. 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  14. ^ Kenya, Soundcity (2022-06-02). "No More Faking: Rayvanny Burns House Down During Filming For 'Authentic shot'". Soundcity. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  15. ^ "Zimbabwe: Roki, Rayvanny, Koffi 'Patati Patata' Disappoints". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  16. ^ legit9ja (2021-07-29). "Rayvanny – Sweet ft. Guchi". LEGIT9JA. Retrieved 2025-11-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Mira-Mara (2022-06-28). "Rayvanny – Te Quiero Ft Marioo (Video) (Mp4 Download)". TrendyHipHop. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  18. ^ Kenya, Soundcity (2022-06-06). "[WATCH] New From Rayvanny and Zuchu: 'I miss You'". Soundcity. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  19. ^ "Hatimaye Rayvanny Aachia FLOWERS III Tanzania ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  20. ^ "New Music Kenya: Bahati Ft. Rayvanny 'Mtamu' ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  21. ^ Muli, Davis. "Rayvanny's next music video to feature baby mama amidst reunion rumors". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  22. ^ "Rayvanny finally receives his 100M plaque". The Citizen. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  23. ^ "Rayvanny's 'Sound From Africa' Album Debuts on American Billboard ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  24. ^ "Albamu EP zinavyompa Rayvanny upekee!". Mwananchi. 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-11-15.