How much does it cost to record a song in Kenya?

    A finished, releasable single in Kenya costs roughly KES 6,000 to 15,000. Below is where every shilling of that goes, using the live prices at StreetChaos in Nairobi.

    ItemKESNotes
    Basic beat licence (MP3)1,000 – 3,000Non-exclusive, capped streams
    Premium beat licence (WAV + trackouts)3,000 – 8,000Non-exclusive, higher stream cap
    Exclusive beat purchase15,000+Full ownership, removed from catalogue
    Studio tracking (per hour)1,000+Engineer included
    Half-day session (4 hrs)5,000+Suits a single with doubles
    Full-day session (8 hrs)10,000+Suits an EP or group session
    Mixing & mastering (per hour)1,000+Returned in 2–4 days

    Three realistic budgets

    Book a sessionSee beat prices

    Frequently asked

    How much does it cost to record a song in Kenya?
    Budget roughly KES 4,000–15,000 for a finished single: a beat licence from KES 1,000, two to four hours of studio time from KES 1,000 per hour, and mixing and mastering from KES 1,000 per hour. Exclusive beat ownership pushes it higher, from KES 15,000.
    Why do studio prices in Nairobi vary so much?
    Rates track the room and the engineer. A treated room with a working vocal chain and an engineer who can comp and tune costs more per hour than a bedroom setup, but usually needs fewer hours and less mix repair, so the finished song often costs less overall.
    Is mixing and mastering included in studio time?
    Not at StreetChaos. Everything, including mixing and mastering, is billed at the hourly rate from KES 1,000, so you only pay for the time you actually use.
    What is the cheapest legitimate way to release a song?
    A Basic MP3 beat licence at KES 1,000, two hours of tracking at KES 2,000, and an hour of mix and master at KES 1,000 — about KES 4,000 plus distribution. Skipping the licence or the master is what costs you later in takedowns and lost playlist placements.
    Can I pay in instalments?
    Bookings are confirmed with a 30% deposit and the balance is due on the day. Payment is by M-Pesa or card through Pesapal.

    StreetChaos · streetchaoss.space · Nairobi, Kenya