Hey music junkie

I’m back with 2 weeks worth of stories. It’s also full moon season which means it’s time to release excess emotional baggage and old limiting beliefs. Here’s how we’ve been releasing through music.

Last last Friday, I attended Out Film Festival 2026 at Goethe Institut in the spirit of Pride Month. Well to be honest, I only watched one film - written by Mathendu starring Brian Kimani who I call Banek!. Biker is a short film about a queer Kenyan man whose parents didn't accept him until he died. How? We don't know. 

Baneki later told me he thinks its suicide.

We interestingly met at Fête de la Musique happening next door at Alliance Francaise. Because of the aforementioned film, I only caught Nabalayo’s last song Mwana wa Ghorofa. And watched the rest of her hybrid live set on Alliance Francaise’s YouTube page.

My fellow music junkies and I also witnessed Anyango Nyar Siaya, the Japanese nyatiti player. What amazed me the most was hearing her sing in Dholuo, Swahili and even Gikuyu, while playing the nyatiti and kayamba too. She made me and my sistar wonder, why aren’t we wearing kitenge too?

In the middle of her very Kenyan set, she was joined by Joseck Asikoye of “Jabari Afrika” - because there's no “l” in Japanese, just like in Kikuyu. Asikoye is a burly man with a larger than life presence and voice. He looked like he was about to burst on stage into African confetti.

Afterwards, BBrave closed the World Music Day party, and what a party that was! I was so impressed with how quickly he would switch from one genre to another, from ndombolo to singeli to gengetone - all African dance sounds.

When I grow up as a DJ…

Luckily I got to play next to him the next day. But first, I attended The Unveiling by Sound Healing Africa on General Mathenge Drive. People were lined up outside Navnat Hall carrying their sleeping gear - you'd think they were going camping. I was probably the only one without a pillow, duvet and mattress.

As we entered the huge hall, pretty Indian ladies smudged us with herbs. It was so full you almost couldn't get a slot. We were at least 200 people, surrounded by strange musical instruments on all corners.

After an intro of Sound Healing Africa by Narissa's father, we did a grounding meditation. To prepare us for the biggest sound healing event in Nairobi. Then we lay down, covered our bodies, and let the music do the magic. 

It was like an orchestral piece with different sections. First was the giant didgeridoo from Australia which sounded like an angry elephant. Then the magical Himalayan bowls and Crystal bowls. Followed by metal gongs of all sizes. And finally back to the flute and didgeridoo.

While some people zoned out and even slept, I talked to myself throughout - like a self therapy session. Sometimes my mind would keep quiet and let the healing vibrations wash all over my body. It felt like a mini mushroom trip - my first one actually included Narissa’s sound healing.

90 minutes later, I woke up feeling so zen, like I had processed so much. The biggest takeaway - You don't need to change or be perfect, you deserve love as you are. After that affirmation, Kim and I walked around the room talking to almost all the 14 musicians. The drank complimentary watermelon juice and ate overpriced vegan food.

After filling my heart and belly, I rushed to Chronos and set up while BBrave played the opening set. I took over at 10pm with 2000s genge classics and kapuka this kapuka that. Truth be told I was not in my element - I made many mistakes even though people were too busy dancing to notice.

For my second set at La Sauce, I breathed enough beforehand. And thanks to that, I had so much fun playing gengetone and connecting with the diverse audience. Even white people were vibing. 

Back under the disco ball, I danced so much until I got into a trance. Just like the previous night when BBrave played at Alliance.

At 4am I went back to the decks, picked up where I left off with benga then moved to new school pop. Because this isn't Westy where people let you do their thing. They come to ask you to play Sauti Sol or some American classic you've never heard before.

After recovering from that fantastic weekend, I was back on the Nairobi streets on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately I missed the free screening of How to Build a Library at Goethe Institut. Fortunately I got a synopsis later from 2 sistars who attended. And as we had supper at G&R Restaurant in CBD, we engaged in such deep conversations you’d think we were at Hadithi Hangout. Which didn't happen that Thursday because of Maandamano Day.

On Friday, Zahabu Sundowner called us to the rooftop to catch live music curated by M.Rumbi of SasaSasa. I really enjoyed soulful performances by Macua, Boiblacc, Rita Wangui and Attara - one of them even performed a TaaRnB track live! Before Mtwotisa and Selo on the decks turned up the dance party.

At midnight, we witnessed the great mass migration to The Rift for a release ritual party called Shake it Off. Meanwhile I descended to MAGMA at The Mist which was laced in black (curtains) and red (lights) just like the event poster. Eyes closed, my worries melted to the floor and my body breathed out heavily just like during the Unveiling sound healing experience. Talk about releasing without whining. 

For a moment, the music was so spiritual I felt like I was in church. It made me think about Akorino techno, a concept I first heard from DJ RpH. All that was missing was a ndarama and karing'aring'a.

Saturday was too busy a day. I was coordinating two events happening concurrently : Queer African Histories at The Salon, and 47 Matatu The Show at The Classroom. In between that madness, I squeezed in a few minutes to visit the Forging Urban Citizenship exhibition at the temporary Munyu Space on the mezzanine floor. Curated by conscious artists from Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe, they showcased visual art, written posters and a film talking about police harassment, injustice and inequality equal in the different countries. 

Because sometimes, Africa IS a country.

Baada ya kazi, I connected with a friend, ate kibandaski food and dodged police officers patrolling Westy at night. Oh, and I watched the almost-full moon set behind Beer District at 5AM. Have you ever seen a red moon before? 

Even though I was super tired, I was out again on Sunday. This time not to Westy but South B to meet a musician called Noel Sanafwanya. Fun fact, he’s the drummer behind this Afro-funk-rock record from 1975 called Awengele that’s part of Kenyan Special Vol 2 album. Another fun fact, he was in the same band as Job Seda before he became the great Ayub Ogada.

Would you like to read his full story?

PLAYLIST OF THE MONTH

Music of the month - June 2026

As we welcome July, now’s the perfect time to listen to some new music. In between Arya Starr's Tiny Desk and trippy Tornado video, Steph Kapela is officially back and he’s telling you to Come Over for the ride. Mordecai and Cedo have crafted an World Cup-worthy anthem, nd two Kenyan OGs Abbass and Harry Kimani have joined forces to create one classic RnB record.

As for our Afrofusion queens, Liboi’s first single from her upcoming album is about the city we love to hate and vice versa. Whereas Serro fervently fans the romance flames with Coster Ojwang’ in their hot new video for Ilomba 😏

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Hadithi Hangout at Santuri Salon

Even though transport lockdowns shut down events last Thursday, we’re finally back at The Salon. We're also about to finish our book of this season, Mathare. And this chapter of Hadithi Hangout will remind us of the brave women who fought for our freedom, from Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima to Nyakinyua Dancers. 

Because bado mapambano, we'll also recognize the young people who are continuing to defend human rights through social justice centres. And then head to The Mist for more conscious conversations and music at World’s Loudest Library 📖

Live Jam Session at K1 Klubhouse

If you’ve missed live Kenyan music in your life, this is your answered wish. Over the past few months, 6 young Kenyan artists have been sharpening their craft through an intensive artist development programme called Base to Billboardz. And this Friday night we get to watch them live together on one stage.

You are probably familiar with some of them, like the Kamba crooner Manasseh Shalom, the ever bubbly Zawadi Mukami, or the athletic Kikuyu queen Muringi. I don’t know about you, but this will be one show will be worth watching 🙌🏾

Dance Life Festival at Kenya National Theatre

This weekend, Kenya’s biggest dance showcase event is back. The 7th edition of this annual festival is bringing together choreographers and performers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Switzerland, and Mali. Expect exceptional dance performances from them on Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, all for free!

The only ticketed event is the concert by renowned Malian kora musician Wassa Kouyaté, making her debut performance in Nairobi on Saturday night. I’m thinking of going for the festival finale, how about you?

Here’s your chance to heal with music, dance and deep conversations. Also, one of you asked me to share a tip me link here because they love this newsletter. If you do too, you can show some love here 🙂 

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha