Hey music junkie,

Happy full moon season! How are you feeling today? And what are you grateful for, other than the gift of life?

Personally, I'm grateful for the opportunity to enjoy life with people I love. Be it friends, family members, or friends who feel like family.

I'm also grateful for Thursday. 10th October was Mazingira Day, did you know that? Or do you still call it Utamaduni or Huduma Day?

At Santuri Salon, we marked this new Kenyan holiday with a very special occasion. DJ producer and Santuri alum DR. OBWAKSS brought his friends over to perform music they've been making together for the past year. Which is all about climate change and the environment!

Let me tell you Maina, I haven't heard conscious music that is so deep yet so danceable at the same time. Dunda with a cause, they call it. And by they, I mean Mashariki Vibes.

As the host of the event, I also got the chance to lead a conscious conversation about environmental conservation. And we had a heated discussion (pun unintended) about our role in reducing and refusing plastic, planting trees and so much more. The power is really in our hands, and our wallets. We are the ones to save Mama Earth if we want to continue living here.

I was able to record a few videos of the live performances, featuring catchy songs that encourage us to plant trees and clean our rivers. I kid you not.

And an upcoming Kenyan band I fell in love with at first listen performed as well. Kikosi are the next superstars of this generation with their unique and infectious Afropop sound. Just check them out.

This is only the beginning of the exciting events happening this October. Let's find out where else it’s going down, shall we?

MIX OF THE MONTH

This is NuKenyan Kapuka

Now that sherehe season is officially with us, I made a DJ mix to reflect the party mood. This Kapuka mix is an ode to the Kenyan pop sound which blew up on the early 2000s with akina Nameless and E Sir. And guess what, it's still alive and well - even Mashariki Vibes have kapuka songs.

Now this is the kind of music you'll hear at #GengGeng, which is happening this weekend. In the meantime, go stream this short & sweet mix before I drop the next one!

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Elsy Wameyo at Geco Cafe

This is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Why? Because the Kenyan-Australian rapper/ singer Nilot G aka Elsy Wameyo will be performing in Nairobi for the very first time!

This Geco Cafe gig is part of her Saint Sinner album world tour (yup, girl’s international). Whether you've listened to Piny Lara or Conquer or the whole album, this show is for you. Let's go show her some Kenyan love in style.

XPRSO. Geng Geng at The Mist

For the afterparty, all roads lead to Geng Geng. The Kenyan sherehe which took over Onja Onja stage during Blankets and Wine is back at The Mist. This time featuring some special guests.

You've probably heard of XPRSO. the uber cool collective making bassy bumpy beats all across Nairobi. If you haven't, then check out their celebrated EP Nairobass and new single Ngili Ngili in preparation for their live set on Saturday.

Nyokabi Kariuki and iAC! live

You know Sunday is Mashujaa Day, right? Since Monday is also a holiday, we can stay out late thanks to this unique event at The Mist.

Experimental Kenyan musician Nyokabi Kariuki (who was featured on COLORS) and live electronic duo AirConditioner will be cooling us down from the intense Sunday heat. Expect soulful soundscapes, a sneak peek of iAC!’s upcoming album and DJ sets too. And it’s BYOB - bring your own bottle of whatever you like!

These are just some of the coolest events happening in Nairobi. I hope to see you at one or all of them. Oh, and remember to bask in the full moon 🌝

Until next time,
Stay high on music
Furaha

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