Hey music junkie,

This past weekend was one of dancing with old people to old music. Not your kawaida weekend in Nairobi. Fasten your seat belt as I tell you all about it…

First, we attended the Creative IP workshop at Santuri on Thursday. Together with other creatives, I learnt about different music copyrights, contracts, and public policy. Thanks to four faya ladies: Ima, Chepkemoi, Selo and Wairimû.

We then attended Kulture Klub’s event at The Mist. I missed the opening documentary A King Displaced about a fishing community in Nigeria that was displaced by its own government. But I caught the feature film Eyimofe which means this is my desire - about two Nigerians who desired to travel and work in Europe.

It's always more interesting watching and discussing films with people than alone. For example, I noticed things I didn't see the first time I watched it online during NBO Film Festival. Lagos is eerily similar to Nairobi - treeless neighbourhoods, crowded markets, and even flooded roads.

On Friday, I attended Zahabu Sundowner just to catch Sayankah’s funky set - and the full moon. Maganda Shakul’s unique Bakisimbatronics set also called me to The Mist for a few minutes. I spend the rest of the night recording and uploading my first Kenyan RnB set which you can enjoy on Mixcloud.

Just like last Saturday, I spent the day editing and uploading another episode of Hadithi Hangout. In case you missed the special edition at Kilele Summit, here's the short and sweet recording.

At 3:30pm, my sistar and I attended a play reading of The Competition by Ato Malinda, curated by Esther Kamba. Let me you Maina, that was the most intellectual play I've ever experienced - it felt like listening to an essay. Even with the difficult English, I learnt a thing or two at Munyu Space.

We then went to The Mall rooftop for some sunshine. Budalagi was playing private piano over sunset and later deep house which got us on the dancefloor. Doing a B2B set with Curtis C, who knew deep house was this tamu!

But this was just the beginning. At 8pm, I head to Duet restaurant, next to Quickmart in Bus Station. Why? To meet fellow music journalist and DJ Mixanthrope from Berlin who was in town. And to experience Luo benga music together.

I expected it to be a tiny, sweaty and dingy bar. Up the stairs, I instead found an airy, spacious semi outdoor space. And approached the only white guy there.

Benga comes from the word “obengore” which means let loose. And that's exactly what we did, even though we couldn't understand a thing. Other than “Nyako” 😁

Throughout the 10-minute songs, the drummer maintained the fast beat while watching football on the TV. The guitarists played expertly while the rotating musicians harmonized each other as if they attended music school. But mahn, that lead guitar could sing to me all day every day!

Being music journalists, we dissected elements of Benga like

• The call and response between the vocalists and guitars

• How the lead and rhythm guitar speak to each other

• How every song has a climax for wild dancing 💃🏾

The band also played Rumba which is slower and makes you sway side to side - muziki bila jasho. And when the Guinness and Tusker finally entered their systems, men and women our parents' age stood up to dance too.

The funniest scene: one of the vocalists singing into his beer like it's a microphone 😁

The most impressive thing: we had soda, ugali and kunde, and a flask of black tea. For a total of 250 shillings! If that's not affordable, I don't know what is.

Duet Restaurant have live Benga every night from Tuesday to Saturday. I'm definitely going back. This time with you, if you're willing to experience this benga magic.

Just don't take any photos or videos without asking. This is not Westy - different folks, different strokes.

Sunday was Showman day! Before leaving the house, I listened to Nyashinski’s Therapy EP, Yariasu album, and watched the 2017 American film The Greatest Showman. Which was so beautiful it made me cry a little at the end.

My date and I found two seats two rows from the stage in the giant Carnivore field. And the show started exactly at exactly 8pm. This was different from the rehearsal I told you about last week.

Nyashinski looked like a showman in the movie with black hat, bowtie and pants, white shirt, and the shiniest red jacket you have ever seen. Everyone on stage rocked red, black and white - right on theme. Even the audience got the memo.

Something else that was different - people laughing at the actors’ jokes, copying the dancers’ moves, and singing along to almost all his Shin’s songs. During some songs, the pianist played “the grandest piano” while the guitarist looked and played like a rockstar. And after the final song, fans threw flowers at Nyashinski for being the greatest showman in Kenya.

My only disappointment in the show is I didn't get a hot dawa. Luckily, I sampled three different brands of jaba juice in the vendors section. Not to mention names, lakini JabaWaba iliSlap cause theyGhatus.

Before leaving, Mwende and I strolled into Carnivore Restaurant, basked around the bonfire, then we went to the restaurant’s dancefloor. The event - Soul Sunday. Under the disco ball, we danced to 80s music alongside people our parents’ age. We watched them hip bump each other, bust moves in the middle of a circle, and even do a group shuffle for two whole songs!

That was a huge eye-opener for us. You're never too old to boogie. Because music keeps us young and alive.

So in case you're attending The Showman Residency finale this Sunday, make sure to pass by there for the afterparty!

Here are other cool opportunities to interact with young and old people too!

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MONTH

The time is now

• Apply to perform live at Sofar Nairobi

• Attend the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA) in France - 12th April

• Join the Sauti za Busara team in Zanzibar - 12th April

• Pitch a radio program or podcast on the intersection of climate and labor- 15th April

• Experience Kisima Festival 2026 as a visual artist or music performer - 20th April

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Too Early for Birds at Jain Bhavan Loresho

During the Sunday night show, one of the Showman’s legends on the giant screen behind him was Wangari Maathai. Which is right on time for Too Early for Bird’s theatre play on Shawry for Trees. Through acting, storytelling and music, we'll experience the revolutionary story behind one of Kenya’s greatest heroes, environmentalists, and baddies.

You can catch one of the 5 shows between this Friday and Sunday. And while the Mũkĩma ticket honours Wangarĩ’s favourite fast-growing tree, your Mũgumo ticket will also give you backstage access and best seat in the house 🙂

African Beats and Pieces at Santuri Salon

Remember the music journalist I experienced live benga with? Well French DJ Mixanthrope is also throwing his African party this Saturday night. This will be the first Nairobi edition of his African Beats and Pieces party which has been happening in Berlin in 2017.

What sets him apart from other DJs is he plays music from lesser known artists and countries like Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Seychelles. Come ready to discover amazing African sounds you've probably never heard before 🎶

BAITU Community Hang at Thogoto Forest

If you're craving a break from the city to connect with nature, this is for you. This Sunday, we're spending the afternoon at Thogoto Forest near Karen to experience community wellness. Expect yoga under the trees, conscious conversations and a fruit potluck!

Afterwards we'll explore the forest together, visit a natural water spring, and even camp over (if you feel like it). Remember to carry food to share, camping gear and warm clothing 🔥

May today's newsletter inspire you to get out of your comfort zone, try something new, and dance to old music. benga DJ set this Furahiday at Zahabu Sundowner. See you on a dancefloor near you 🕺🏾

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha