Hey music junkie

It's officially a new year! Yup, March 20th aka Spring Equinox has finally ushered new beginnings. So feel free to wish me a happy new year, and I'll do the same 😉

Before the Equinox, I played Kenyan Funk Affair at Chronos Lounge in Lavington. We faced sound issues for the first 30 minutes but finally figured it out. For the next 1 and ½ hours, I tested different shades of Kenyan Funk and saw what people responded to the most. They helped refine my setlist for the next funky party. While DJ Paps took over after me with disco chakacha from Tanzania 🕺🏾

The Mall was also eerily empty on Friday. Maybe because it was a public holiday and people had other plans. Or they were afraid of Nairobi rains and the accompanying floods. They definitely scared me away from doing my regular Ngara Market run and buying madafu from my guy.

Safe and dry inside The Mall, I visited Watchdogs of The Night exhibition at Munyu Space. Head straight to The Avatar and studied him head to toe - even though he didn't have those. I felt his royal guardian energy so strongly I almost carried home a print version.

Njogu Kuria’s sculptures which he made from scrap metal were all a marvel to watch. Next time I'll to admire the vinyl acrylic paintings on the wall. And maybe, just maybe, enter the explicit content room 👀

I spent the rest of the night at The Mall - not partying at Zahabu Sundowner or dancing to gqom at The Mist. But editing and uploading 2 two-hour recordings of Hadithi Hangout. A lot of work but someone had to do it.

After sleeping for 3 short hours, I was back in action. Had deep conversations with deep friends about self worth and self love. And listened back to my Chronos funk set while designing the cover art for Sirudi, my upcoming single.

Shoutout to Adam Yawe who taught me how to design kangas using an app called Inkscape 🙌🏾

Baada ya kazi, sherehe. With black coffee and jaba tea in my system, I went up to the 2nd floor parking lot at 11am. Nairobi Dub Club was full of rastas, black and white, left right and center. That’s when it hit me - this is not a rave, this is rasta church.

The bass from Umojah Sound System speakers took over my whole body during Jah Marshall and Majestic Bee’s set. When the coffee wore off, I sat down on a cushioned seat in the Zahabu area. The went back down for more music and jaba shots which kept me alive for the rest of the night.

At 5am, when there was literally one person on the dancefloor, I stood next to the DJ and took the mic. Then sang on top of the dub versions of the reggae songs - channeling messages of love, freedom and meditation. Damn it felt so freeing ✨

While setting down at 6am, I asked Jay and Joe a big question - why do you guys do this? NDC has such a cumbersome setup which started at 2pm, for a show that starts 9pm. They now had to take down all those giant wooden speakers to the basement with the help of more manpower.

Joe gave me the best answer - so that people like you can ask us that question 😁

But to be honest with you, I think it's for the healing of the nation.

With jaba still in my system, I went up to the rooftop to admire the graffiti art, the Westy highrises, and the Sunday sky. And went home after sunrise - behind the Umojah team. Needless to say, I slept for the next 12 hours.

Here are some more beginnings for your life.

PODCAST OF THE MONTH

My Producer Stories Community Episode

If you remember, a while back I shared this Kenyan podcast that had the most impressive sound design. Its first community episode features myself and 2 other Kenyan artists - Akoko and Shihembetsa.

In this episode, I introduce my upcoming single Sirudi. You'll discover what #TaaRnB is, who produced it, and what makes it different from other urban taarab songs. Talk about a teaser! 🎶

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Industry Social at KODA Nairobi

This is for the creatives who want to meet other creatives. Industry Social is the place to make new connections, learn from industry experts, and share your music in front of an audience.

I'm looking forward to tonight's panel featuring Anyiko, Foozak and Peng Cheng about community support. And listening to open DJ sets and original music in KODA’s room 2. But most of all, having deep and real conversations about the Kenyan industry 🙏🏾

Hadithi Hangout at Santuri Salon

For the past year, Hadithi Homies have been exploring Kenyan music history through Shades of Benga. Now we're turning the page to discuss another timely topic - political consciousness.

Our first book “Mathare” uncovers how this overlooked Nairobi settlement played an important role in Kenya's anti-colonial struggle. Did you know it was once the base for the Kenya Land And Freedom Army? Come discover Mathare’s hidden history this Thursday - before relaxing with The Clearing at The Mist 😌

TCHNO Takeover at The Mist

And on Friday night, the techno family reunites! TCHNO Takeover is finally back at The Mist with more conscious conversations and electrifying beats. Panel discussion at 8pm, live techno performance at 10pm, and techno DJ sets till the AM.

Come for the healing bass that hits almost as hard as dub. Because you can never have too much healing 😏

What's new in your life? I’d love to know. Also watch out for Sirudi finally coming out this Furahiday on Bandcamp 💃🏾

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha