Hey music junkie,

Wow! What a June it has been, not just personally but also collectively as a country. May these stories uplift you and give you some much needed hope.

Last Thursday, Afrikan and I recorded a brand new episode for his podcast Tunado? This one was called The Benga Story, because as you know me I'm an evangelist of Benga aka The Kenyan sound. For episode 1 of this new series, we discussed how benga came to be - from World War 2 to Nyanza villages to Nairobi city to all over Kenya. Watch out for that fun and insightful conversation coming soon to a podcast platform near you.

Because of the opening of Maandamano in June, Ala Zetu by Liboi at Goethe Institut got postponed. So we stayed back at Santuri Salon jamming to music, having deep conversations and listening to our first TaaRnB track Sirudi. Let's just say it's almost ready for your ears.

After work on Friday, I got the opportunity to attend The Demo at The Living Rooms. It was my first time at this new artsy space in Ngara above Soma Nami Books. With a neon sign saying Karibu nyumbani, it really felt like home with house plants, cozy carpets and inviting art everywhere you looked.

I was here to have fun and support my friends. But after introducing myself as a DJ and MC, Guta of Daraja studio asked - can you emcee? Of course I said yes.

And that's how I ended up introducing Sarabi, the world-touring Kenyan band who's been around for 20+ years. They electrified us with their Afrofusion music featuring reggae, chakacha, rumba, rock, and of course benga. It was really hot in there 🔥

After a lot of banter, I then introduced my Kilifi friend and one of my favourite Kenyan DJ producers. Kürïbã presented a jungzele set, his unique fusion of UK jungle, Coastal mwanzele and mchechemeko. As we danced till midnight, all I could think about is - now this is East African dance music!

Just see the energy for yourself

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, Monaja was launching his June 25th album live on Saturday. The conscious Kenyan artist was bursting with energy on the KNT Ukumbi Mdogo stage from the first to last song. Supported by a live band, he brought his hiphop friends: Skeme Music, LNess the Lioness, Elijah Moz, Nafsi Huru rais bila ikulu and Marleen Xplastaz from A Town in Tanzania. Can you guess where that is?

After the fiery music, Monaja and his journalist friend had conscious conversations about the album on stage. And just before I was about to buy his Tshirt outside, he gifted it to me! Which I rocked to KODA Nairobi - and everyone loved.

At KODA, I played a short and sweet opening set on the Afrohouse stage - warming up the dancefloor with Kenyan house tunes. This is before DJ Shock and Euggy rocked Room 1 with their heavy Afrohouse bangers. And Kimina played his one-of-a-kind live Afrohouse set like a tech wizard.

Meanwhile, Room 2 was buzzing with alien TCHNO sounds by Bot 21, [RHEINA] and Kichaka. It was truly the best of both worlds in one night 🙌🏾

After going ham on the dancefloor, I spent Sunday relaxing. And relistening to Angaza by Zikki, one of the best Kenyan reggae albums ever #ReggaeSunday. And of course June 25th to keep the revolutionary faya burning.

Monday took me back to Ngara, for the TED Summit dinner rehearsals at Shah Houses. On Tuesday evening just when everything was ready, the dinner event got cancelled due to security concerns. Which was quite disappointing since Ngara was serene all day long.

Turning lemons into lemonade, our Ngara hosts decided that the crew would enjoy the community dinner instead. So we sipped on cocktails, mocktails and fresh juice using bamboo straws at the basement while admiring giant African artworks on the white walls. And on the ground floor, we sat next to the decorated wooden tables and dined like we were international delegates. With the African music I had curated for the event playing in the background.

The 4 course meal started with a spicy savoury soup plus papaya croquettes and raw salad with the tastiest vignairette. The main course had black eggplant chapatis (yes!), sweet plantain, nile perch and black mushrooms. And to finish off was a sweet dessert of vegan cheesecake and Kalenjin mursik. Out of everyone on my table, I enjoyed myself the most. Shout out to the Embark restaurant in Karen for the treat 😋

Beyond fancy food, this was very symbolic for me. Where we would have been the ones watching foreigners wine and dine, we were now doing it kibandaski to Kempinski style - from sound guys to security people. The tables had literally turned. Africans taking back their place as kings and queens ✊🏾

After this satisfying meal, I ended up at The Mist in Westlands. And experienced Interlude, a music show organized by Ndung'u Mbithi featuring live performances, from acoustic to full band. Happening every third Tuesday of the month, this one had the greatest attendance - probably because of the maandamano.

As the pressure keeps on increasing and the streets get hotter, here's some musical and community support to keep you going.

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

June 25th by Monaja

I've mentioned this album one too many times, and it's for many good reasons. One because it honours the June 2024 protests that changed Kenya as we know it. Two because Monaja reminds us that we are not the first freedom fighters of our country, even our parents did it. And three it's the kind of music that gives you the strength and courage to fight for our liberation.

As we count down days to June 25th 2025, this is the perfect album to listen to over and over again 🎶

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Zahabu Sundowner: SEMA + Pawa254 exhibition at The Mall Rooftop

On Friday evening, we commune at The Mall rooftop for two reasons. One to celebrate SEMA deejaying and music production students who just graduated. And who'll be performing their first DJ sets and music productions in front of a new audience.

Second is to experience Pawa254’s Maandamano art exhibition happening this Friday and Saturday. A collection of powerful photographs, short films and other visual artworks that remind us where we've come from and show us where we're going as the new Mau Mau ✊🏾

Low End Theory at The Mist Westlands

On Saturday night, Low End Theory is back at The Mist. In case you've never been, this is a love and bass experience that will take you to the low end of music as you know it.

On the decks are resident DJs Basthma, Coco Kahi and Lukorito. And guests Moige and Bbyy on the island bringing the drum and bass beats. Possibly one of the best ways to release all the stress and trauma on the dancefloor 🕺🏾

With everything going on in Kenya right now, remember to take care of yourself, check up on your community, and find different ways of healing. We need you as much as we need liberation. And change is coming 🙂

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha