Hey music junkie,

How are you moving through this almost-new year season? Are you taking stock and planning your next steps? Or already in action mode?

For me, life feels so busy it might as well be August 🙃

On Thursday, we had our Hadithi Hangout Kenyan Funk edition. Before the show, we decorated The Salon with mashainoshaino, coloured lights and a disco ball. Yup, we went all out!

Even though we started out as a small group, we had the biggest turnout yet. First, we read Shades of Benga and discovered how James Brown influenced Kenyan funk artists, the fashion of them days, and why daytime teenager parties ie. boogies were cancelled.

Blame it on the moral police.

After deep and interesting conversations about the music industry, it was time to party! I played a 1-hour Kenyan Funk set from the 1970s, and people got down in their fros and bell bottoms. In short, it was funky 🕺🏾

On Friday, I visited Mwanzi Market near Westgate for the first time to meet a new acquaintance and music junkie. Then my Swahili student and I had lunch at Haandi, which honestly has the best customer service I have received. There's just something about Indian restaurants…

Before going up to Zahabu Sundowner, I stopped at the Mall basement where something interesting was happening. And ended up playing a virtual game shooter game by Black Rhino VR with headsets on. The goal was to shoot the opposite team while hiding behind imaginary walls only the players could see. And if you got shot, you had to go back to your base to resuscitate.

It was so much fun, I highly recommend you play it one of these fine Fridays 😎

Upstairs at the rooftop, we caught Kenyan rapper Boiblacc performing live with a Clark Keeng on keys and a bassist who really impressed us. Then Zawadi Mukami joined them and absolutely wowed us with her warm voice and stage presence. And guess what, she can sing funk too!

And because the Universe loves us, we watched a magical showcase of fireworks from the GTC building along Waiyaki Way. It made me feel grateful for having the ability to see such beauty. As for why they had fireworks, I have no idea since the Chinese new year is on Feb 17.

Speaking of the lunar calendar, I also talked to the almost-full moon and the visible stars. Then danced to DJ Karrl’s fire Kenyan set. I also played a few tracks because why not, and we had such a great time until midnight. Then spent the rest of the night editing and uploading my Kenyan Funk set which you can now listen to here.

On Saturday, I thought I would attend Kickz & Bars celebrating the hiphop legend Kitu Sewer. You know, the event I shared last week. Instead, I decided to kick back at home and rest because kesho pia ni siku.

The plan was to attend my first Sunday Session at The Mint Gym in Lavington. Even though I was appreciative of the free invite, I was apprehensive because I knew I would meet cool kids. Yet I'm so down to earth I would walk barefoot everywhere if I could.

Even though I woke up feeling cranky, I showed up for the 11am stretches on the mat. At some point, our female instructor told us to pair up like it was partner yoga. I was not prepared to hold hands with a stranger, but hey it went well.

After feeling the burn and relaxing with breathwork, it was time to cold plunge in one of the four round tubs. You could tell from people's faces whether it was their first time or fifth. The facilitator Kaz was fun - giving us pep talks, cheering us on, or simply teasing our reactions.

My first round was so shocking I had to talk Long Exhales to calm my body, as Nathan taught me. But then I wanted more because my body felt amazing afterwards. I was calm for the second round, but the water was so cold I just had to close my eyes and feel it sting my whole body.

1min 30 seconds later it was over. And I felt like a superwoman 🙂

After the ice cold therapy, I treated myself to a carrot cake by Acquired Palate. Because guess what, all their sweet pastries are gluten-free, plant based and use unrefined sugar. Talk about a guilt-free pleasure 😋

Food was also in plenty: spiced rice, kachumbari, vegetable mshikaki (my favourite) and barbeque chicken. DJ Architect from Studio CanV played some smooth deephouse, and also let me play Kenyan Afrohouse #DJRaha. And before leaving the gym, I wore these giant thigh high socks that massaged my legs for about 15 minutes. Now this is what technology should be used for.

“This is a fun way to spend a Sunday,” I overheard someone say. And I nodded to myself. If Stretching, Cold Plunge, Massage, BBQ and DJ music sounds like your vibe, go with the Flow one of these weekends.

And because I was enjoying the outdoors nature vibe at Arbor Place, I decided to walk around. And ended up drumming with children, painting on a used canvas, and making a new friend who was the art instructor. For a day which started out pretty pathetic, it really did a 180° turn.

Now let's see how things are looking up for you.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MONTH

Leveling up

• Learn how to make a professional podcast through this free podcast academy

• Apply to perform at Great Escape Festival in the UK - 15th February

• Get a Unity for Humanity Grant to create an AR/VR/ game project - 20th February

• Apply to win at the Podcast Pitch awards - 27th February

• Perform at Futopia Festival in Zanzibar - 28th February

• Facilitate a creative and interactive workshop at Futopia Festival - 28th February

• Participate/ perform at this Artivism conference in South Africa - 28th February

• Get a Kuonyesha art grant to create something fresh - 28th February

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Karaoke Night at Marakua Restaurant

Yes, the day we've been waiting for is finally here. Tonight Karaoke Night is back, and you know we'll be singing our favourite (Kenyan) love songs back to back. If you’re not confident in your singing skills, then I'm sure your listening and cheering skills are on top!

If you love a nice sundowner, come before 7pm to enjoy Marakua’s happy hour drinks. Or share a tasty meal with someone you love before we sing together 🙂

Artist Talk at Santuri Salon

Do you know the kora, the West African harp that sounds like heaven? Well these two musicians from two different worlds found each other 20 years ago and have been playing together ever since.

Swedish-Senegalese duo Sousou and Maher Cissoko are in town playing two shows before their Sauti za Busara performance in Zanzibar. They'll also host an Artist Talk this Thursday afternoon sharing about their musical journey touring the world and playing these indigenous instruments. If you're a live musician or music producer, this is definitely for you 🎶

Ecstatic Dance at Our Wonderhouse

Ecstatic Dance is not your ordinary sherehe. It's a conscious party where we listen to funky music from around the world (on silent disco headsets) and dance freely (and barefoot) under the stars.

Usually hosted by my brother Shayur, the selector of this Saturday night is DJ Boogiemeister. The seasoned ecstatic dance DJ is travelling all the way from the US to share his music skills with Kenyan youth in Mathare (and climb Mt Kilimanjaro, hehe). Come let's boogie to his world grooves together and feel the community spirit around the bonfire 🔥

If you're also doing something cool soon (like ice baths) let me know so I can support you too. Tuko pamoja 🙌🏾

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha