Hey music junkie,

Have you ever been admitted to a hospital? To me, it feels like being in a hotel and a prison at the same time. Let me tell you what I mean.

Here's the hotel part: you get 5 decent meals a day, nurses at your beck and call, and if you're lucky - an ensuite private room. But you have to politely decline chai na mkate. Even they should know one of the best foods to break fast is fruits.

As for the prison part, you get ugly pyjamas with a branded name on them, kinda like uniforms. You're forced to take drugs you don’t want, or need. And you can't leave the premises until the doctor discharges you - 3 days later.

And then there's my son. Whenever he's bored, he leaves the room alone so I can run after him and find him climbing an old tractor in the parking lot. Mahn I could write a whole book about him. Oh wait, I am.

Being stuck in the hospital made me realize I want more. My dream healing centre has plants inside and out, wonderful art on the walls, and a common area where people watch inspiring documentaries, play games and listen to healing music. Oh, and receive the healthiest of foods from green juices to giant salads.

Is that too idealistic? Good 😁

Luckily, on Thursday night I broke out of prison to attend Sets in the City. Aka my first stand up comedy night alongside my two white friends. I mention white cause race was an running joke (see what I did there)

We laughed at tear-jerking jokes while others left us cringing. Funnily, the short 5’9 male host was the funniest comedian of them all. Made me think - I can also do this with all the puns in my kitchen 😉

On Furahinight, I practised on Raph’s magic Denon controller until I was comfortable. At 9pm, I could hear Nile Dawta playing reggae dub and singing her original songs. While I listened to Hadithi Hangout the Akorino Chapter and uploaded it on Soundcloud.

Back at The Mist at 1am, Deejay Annxiouz was playing dirty dancehall, gengetone and kapuka tracks. Including some Kenyan songs I had planned to play. Oh well, I would adjust.

However, my DJ Raha set didn't go as planned. Tech issues ruined the experience, and people left the dancefloor. To save the night, Raph asked if we could B2B instead and after a little convincing I said yes. Playing 2 songs each, I had more fun that way #adjusting.

I had such a fire playlist though I'm thinking of recording it. Would you like to experience it?

That Saturday, I manifested bed and breakfast at Chester House simply by imagining how wonderful it is being there. Buffet breakfast which becomes lunch, a warm bath inside the spacious apartment, and balcony overlooking Nairobi uptown. Imagination is a manifestation trick, feel free to use it.

On my way to Thika later that day, I sat next to a man who reminded me of my father figure. He entertained me with stories about his interesting life - his passion for renovating vintage vehicles, being a benga artist in the 70s, and now as a hip rapper called Mr. 50 plus. Check him out 😁

At the Thika stage, I came across a boda boda guy who sang beautifully. He sounded just like an Akorino, even though he didn't wear a kilemba. Turns out he was just a pastor.

And at midnight, I walked into the madness that was Nairobi Dub Club at The Mall parking lot. I was right in time for dub DJ producer Tippy I who took us deep state. He played the most conscious reggae music I've ever heard, from Akae Beka to Midnite. “Let the bass open your chakras.”

What?!

Micah Shemaiah later joined him on stage with his powerful voice. He looks like J Cole if he had waist-long locks and sang reggae instead of hip hop. They never told us… that Chronixx is not the only conscious Jamaican reggae artist - I mean listen to Shemaiah.

Meanwhile, the dancefloor was alive with Afreekans waving green, yellow and red flags. Locks freely flowing or covered in rasta-coloured mavins and headscarves (like me). If you left there without feeling like a rasta, something was wrong.

But the weekend was not over yet. After a few winks of sleep, my soul family and I met at Chez Mahmadi in Kitisuru for their Wellness Open Day. We started with Acupuncture where the practitioner pierced two pins per ear lobe and we lay down for 30 minutes. And you know what, it was actually pretty relaxing.

Energy talk was my favourite session because we gained practical tips and exercises on how to raise our vibration through breath, sound and crystals. We even got a free Crystal each. Mine is opalite because you can see light through it 💫

The final session was Sound healing inside the house, with shakers, hand pan and flute. It reminded me of the Kisima Festival days where we also lay down eyes closed and let the music lift us up. One thing about music: when it hits you you feel no pain.

Life keeps getting better when you keep raising your vibration. But healing is not all butterflies and singing bowls. Sometimes in order to transcend you have to face your feelings. Notice your triggers. Question your insecurities. Like

• Why are you afraid of talking to strangers even when you have good intentions?

• Why do you feel rejected when someone says no?

• Why do you turn to food whenever you're sad?

Speaking of food, on Tuesday I was feeling as heavy as uji power on Ronald Ngala street. But after music conversations with Mbutch, a sound healing with didgeridoo/ yidaki, and hugging a powerful mukuyu tree, I felt free. As happy as Santi. How your mood can change in just a few hours.

As you can see, healing never stops. That's why we're doing Tupone 4 this October 4th. A day of healing together through nature, yoga, art therapy, crystals (again), music, dance, bonfire conversations and more. If you need some healing in your life like Okello Max, RSVP hapa tu hapa tu 💚

Here's what else to look forward to…

PLAYLIST OF THE MONTH

Hadithi Hangout presents Akorino Music

Remember that recording I was uploading on Friday? Well Chapter 11 of Hadithi Hangout will reintroduce you to the world of Akorino in a whole new way.

For example, did you know this independent Gikuyu church started as early as the 1920s? That their music is divinely inspired? Or that the members never remove their kilemba no matter what? 😏

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Hadithi Hangout Chapter 12 at Santuri Salon

And because it's the last Thursday of the month, Hadithi Hangout is back! We're just about to finish reading Shades of Benga together. But first we have to go to Kisumu Ber to listen to one of the biggest Luo sounds.

Fun fact: Ohangla Music was first played by traditional drums before the keyboard took over. Come let's discover whether this popular Kenyan genre originated from, who pioneered it, and where it's going 😎

TCHNO Takeover at The Mist

And if it's the fourth Friday of the month, it's TCHNO Takeover time. Aka the coolest techno music gathering in Nairobi IMO.

The theme for this Friday’s panel is on why we intentionally make the room dark when techno takes over a space. Followed by an experimental live set by Taamuli (Swahili for meditation) and healing dance sets by Kenia, Zvuka and Davis B. It’s gonna be… wait for it… LEGENDARY 🔥

Freestyle Friday Session at Santuri Classroom

And on Saturday, Freestyle Friday Sessions is back at Santuri Classroom. This is a open-for-all event where you can watch some of the baddest rappers in Nairobi freestyle their way to fame. Or you can also take the mic and drop bars you've been holding inside all your life.

If you love hiphop, hype, or just a good time, Freestyle Friday is your kind of gig. Even though it happens on a Saturday 😁

Have a funtastic and healing weekend ahead. Don't get yourself stuck in a hotel-prison situation. And if you're coming, Tupatane Blankets 🙂

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha