Hey music junkie,

I won't lie. It's been quite a heavy week, juggling between super busy days and sleepless nights. But we're still here, arent we?

On Wednesday, we had our first Karaoke Night at Marakua Restaurant in Kilimani. It was intimate, engaging, and we ended the 3-hour show by singing Mama Papa together like a choir. Even though it was a small turnout, my intentions came true - we had fun, made new friends, and sang about the 50 Shades of Love.

On Thursday, everyone I met at The Salon said I looked stressed. They were right, as I was trying to prepare everything for our guests from Sweden. The Artist Talk with Swedish-Senegalese couple Sousou and Maher Cissoko thankfully went well. They openly shared stories of how they started playing Kora, met each other in Senegal, and their bassist in Sweden.

The audience asked about the languages they sing in (5), their favourite festival experiences, and what it means to be a modern day griot. According to my friend Mwaniki, you don't have to be born into a specific family to be a griot. Anyone can be a storyteller, even you!

At the end of the interactive session, they invited us to their December retreat where they teach yoga, kora playing and drumming around the bonfire. Perfect reason to visit Senegal, no?

Myself and 4 other lucky people also won complimentary tickets to their Nairobi concert thanks to the Swedish Arts Council. I don't know how else I would have ever visited Beit e Selam, a fancy artistic lush restaurant in Parklands with prices off the roof. Even though a ticket cost 4500, they sold out 100 tickets on both nights. We don't need money to be rich, but there are rich people in Nairobi.

Mostly expats, I mean immigrants.

Anyway, from 8pm we watched Maher defly finger the 22-stringed Kora with his thumb and forefinger. His wife Sousou taught us the Mandika lyrics while Felicia finished us with the flute. And Samory made the Senegalese drums talk to the beat of our hearts.

When Sousou invited us to the dancefloor, I danced (barefoot) with Wambo, part 2 of our Sauti za Busara experience in Nairobi. Part 1 was watching Tanzanian musician Leo Mkanyia and Swahili Blues Band at Geco Cafe, remember that? We promised each other we’d go together to Sauti za Busara 2027 in Zanzibar.

Would you like to join us?

At the end of that wonderful night, I was happy and stress-free. Muziki ni dawa kweli. Highly recommend listening to their album Stockholm to Dakar - it sounds almost as beautiful as their live music 🎶

Friday began with Kilele Summit planning because we have less than 2 weeks to go! In case you're wondering, I'll be co-ordinating music industry workshops at the Salon and hosting a special edition of Hadithi Hangout. Come find out on Friday 27th February 😉

Upstairs at the rooftop, I ended up painting the Greek Titan Atlas alongside professional visual artists. Ng'at Maler’s Afrofusion set during Zahabu Sundowner was the perfect soundtrack. And before leaving The Mall at night, I check out the newly reopened Mist. Doesn't look too different, just an extra door and cemented floor.

Friday 1am found me in the hospital. My first mission on Saturday was visiting Mathare. I met the freshly-arrived DJ Boogiemeister aka Adrian who flew all the way from the US to teach young kids at MSJC Creative Hub how to deejay and produce music.

After planning the when's and how's, we later met at Our Wonderhouse Spring Valley. From 6:30pm, he led an Ecstatic Dance silent disco experience, playing global bass music with Indian, Arabic and native American elements. I danced with a tree to qgom music, then sat down on the grass - I was not the only one. I didn't dance around the fire but with it, letting it burn the baggage I was carrying.

We closed the 1.5 hour musical journey with a circle of reflections. I didn't feel ecstasy this time round, but I connected deeper with myself. Because Ecstatic Dance is moving meditation.

Afterwards, Shayur, Adrian and myself (aka the ED DJs) had dinner at Barrels and Stools Westlands. My fourth week in a row eating Indian food - because it loves me back. We shared a meal of maru bhajia, jeera (cumin) rice, butter beans and vegetable stew so hot we had to cool it down with some yoghurt.

I love how these Indian restaurants always serve a plate of freshly cut vegetables, a Kenyan twist.

On Sunday afternoon after sleeping for 12 hours, I was back to the prison meets hotel. There is barely any fruits on the menu this time. Nurses respond slower, or my patience has become thinner. And at 2am, a child (not mine) screams their lungs out for a good 20 minutes. When you think it's over, it starts again. Children are so good at crying, they can be professional wailers if their parents let them.

It's always frustrating being here: interrupted sleep, piling bills, and being locked up. But in hindsight, this happened so I can press the brakes and slow down. Otherwise if I continued rushing like a train I would crash. So for 3 days, the main work I do is babysitting my son and running after him all over the hospital. And lowkey flirting with a nurse who looks like someone I know, hehe.

And speaking of flirting, what are you doing this Valentine's?

PLAYLIST OF THE MONTH

Music of the month - January 2026

While January blazed fast and furiously, it left us with some memorable music. Like urban Kikuyu bops by Ayrosh, Wanjine, and Mutoriah who recently released a new album.

Ngomani made up of Kasiva Mutua and Bernt Isak, tease us with Semba off their debut Afrofusion album. Iddi Singer uplifts us with a soulful acoustic cover because we all need some hope. Mordecai Dex gives us a proper kichapo, and it's Savara to the world forever.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Social Friday at Nairobi Street Kitchen

If you're not feeling the Valentine vibe this weekend, here's one way to still have fun. Social Friday kicks off with a group dance class where you'll learn some Salsa, Kizomba, Samba and Konpa. And familiar Afrobeats moves at Nairobi Street Kitchen.

If dancing is not your jam, you can dive into the competitive board games and curated conversation cards to break that awkward ice with strangers. You also get 2 drinks on the house to keep the night flowing 🥂

LaSauce at Chronos Lounge

The African dance party LaSauce is back in Nairobi this Saturday. This second edition features legendary DJs Hasira Hasara, Badman Bantou, Moige, and BBrave from Accra Ghana.

Dance the night away to rumba, benga, soukous, highlife, and any African sound you can think of. Yup, under that dazzling disco ball at Chronos Lounge Lavington. It's time to show love to yourself, your friends, and African music 💃🏾

Afrogoodness Social Club in Tigoni

You've probably heard me talk about this event if you've been here since last year. Afrogoodness is a family fun day full of music, movement, and kids activities.

Having moved from Kilimani to Tigoni, expect more trees, walks in the tea plantation, and nature therapy. Stretch with yoga at noon, enjoy live music by Ambasa Mandela, and dance under the stars at sunset. You can bring your own food and drinks, or buy some too 😋

Wishing you rest, balance, and a whole lot of community. Don't be like me, take life easy. And remember to breathe, mkay?

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha