Hey music junkie

Happy Lunar New Year! We’re finally back home, so no more flirting with nurses. How do you feel about the rain that has recently arrived in Nairobi?

On Thursday, I attended Speed Dating rehearsals at Marakua Restaurant. That's where we had Karaoke Night the other Wednesday night. I also sampled their delicious Nile Perch which made up for the disappointing mbuta I had at Addis Ababa. Fresh fish, sauteed potatoes and steamed vegetables for 1000 bob, it was filling and tasty too!

On Friday, I attended half of Janturi at The Mall. That's Santuri’s alumni reunion which first happened last January (hence the name). After having fun and playing games, I realized all of us DJs have the same problem - getting consistent gigs. The answer? Curate your own gigs and network.network.network

Afterwards, I sped to Marakua to moderate my first Speed Dating event. What does that look like? Welcoming the participants into the restaurant, easing their nerves, then facilitating the session. 8 people, 4 rounds, 10 minutes each - I was the one saying start, ringing the timeout bell, and asking the men to switch tables until they talked to every lady. Pretty simple, right?

And occasionally, I’d walk to a table and throw a fun question to them so that they can loosen up even more.

After watching strangers talk, laugh and flirt, we mingled over drinks, played Cards Against Humanity and realized how dirty some of us are. Including me 😁

I spent Saturday afternoon at the Museum garden sharing fruits with my friends while our little ones played with other little ones. Families and couples were in plenty because Valentine's Day. Who is Valentine btw? 🤔

After drinking uji power in the depths of the CBD together, I head uptown to Lavington. I was right in time for Badman Bantou’s opening set at Chronos Lounge. Nabalayo and I opened the dancefloor as he played funky Kenyan and Congolese classics.

BBrave, the French DJ and curator of LaSauce, blazed the party on faya with African dance tunes from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and even the Caribbean. Meanwhile, I was busy taking a nap upstairs cause I was tayaaad. And when I felt hungry, the night kibandaski outside took care of that.

Moige, as always played gengetone hits because you have to keep it Kenyan. BBrave’s second set made Congolese gay men shake what their mamas gave them. And Hasira Hasara calmed down the party with Ghanaian highlife, while Petiole finally brought me back to life.

Sunday was “sleep in for as long as you want” day. Which means I didn't attend Afrogoodness in Tigoni. Did you?

And on Monday, I was back to recording my 30 Days of Kenyan Album videos. Less than 9 days to go, have you been following the series? I’d love to know what your favourite album review has been.

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH

Reflections from Preserving The Sound residency

Remember that time in December I went to Addis Ababa? It was not (only) for Ethiopian coffee and injera but to attend a week-long residency on preserving African music.

In this interview with Singing Wells, I shared the biggest challenges East Africans face when it comes to archiving our music. Plus discoveries on how we can make culture cool again. Like bringing traditional and contemporary musicians together to collaborate and make new music 🎶

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Introducing Singing Wells panel at Santuri Salon

Speaking of Singing Wells, I'm hosting them this Thursday evening. In case you haven't met them -Singing Wells is the world's largest online archive of traditional East African music, and they've been recording cultural groups all over the region since 2011.

In this hybrid panel event, we'll be joined by its founders and team members who’ll share their origin story, their top highlights, and what they have in store for the future. If you're interested in preserving/ evolving our cultural music, then this is where you need to be. Plus we'll also watch some special videos from their archive together 🎥

The Demo at The Living Rooms Ngara

This Friday, The Demo by Daraja Studio is back. The first one in 2025 featured Kenyan Afrofusion band Sarabi band and junzele producer Kuriba, and it was one crazy party!

This time, Kenya's conscious lyricist Trabolee will perform live versions of his unreleased demos. And Kuriba will bring more junzele (jungle + mwanzele) heat from Kilifi. Oh, and I might just be emceeing this party too 😁

Ngoma Inaita at Nairobi Arboretum

After learning on Thursday and partying on Friday (and maybe Saturday), it's time to relax on Sunday. Ngoma inaita i.e. sacred songs from around the world are calling us to Dance for Universal Peace.

DUP is a spiritual practice that uses movement and music to help us heal. This Conscious Kenya community gathering invites us to sing and dance together in nature in order to lift our spirits. And afterwards we'll have a potluck so bring your favourite fruit to share 🥭

And remember, Kilele Summit 2026 is finally around the corner. Panels & music workshops during the day, rooftop sundowners every evening, and powerful performances at night, check out the full schedule here.

And see you at The Mall starting Moonday 🙂

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha