Hey music junkie,

It's full moon season which means a lot of emotions have been coming up. And woman, have we felt them. Now it's time to release!

But first, on Wednesday I met my sistar for an Ethiopian dinner date. We enjoyed vegetarian injera, bunna (black coffee) and cake - from Art Caffe. The latter was so savoury I declared that if it's the last gluten cake I ever eat, I'll be fine.

On Thursday, we had Hadithi Hangout Chapter 18 at Santuri. Through our book of the season Mathare, we discovered how shitty Mwai and Uhuru’s governments were. Not sure if they were as terrible as their predecessors or just continuing their corruption, tribal politics, and post election violence.

So how do we get out of this shitsytem? As Munyaka offered, Love is the answer. When we finally love each other, everything changes!

And afterwards, we took the love party to The Mist. Bizi Bingi and his Clearing guest A’isha Odera hosted an intimate poetry reading and music listening session. We wrote a collective poem, sat on the floor drawing and eventually stood up to dance 💃🏾

On Friday night, we were back in the dungeon. This time it had transformed from a cosy living room to a dark red underground club. For the opening set of Magma TCHNO, A’isha played an experimental techno set - some songs even had African rhythms.

Eric K took over 10pm. All alone on the dancefloor, I closed my eyes, let go and let the techno take control. You don't even need lyrics, Techno music is medicine 🔥

And once people started streaming in, I left because my job here was done. Plus I was too tired to dance afterwards. Let them pick up where I left off.

But the weekend wasn't over yet. On Saturday, I helped set up Ki.money’s River EP listening party. The Santuri Salon stage looked cosy and cute with cushions, flowers and fairy lights. The Kenyan singer-songwriter played, talked about each song, and even performed them live alongside her percussionist Franco and guitarist Shaddy.

You've probably heard Delulu, the first single from the Afropop EP. My favourite track sonically was Mali because of that catchy amapiano vibe, while Pretty Black Child had a pretty empowering message. You'll get to hear all of them this Friday 5th June here.

After the listening party, I stayed back to rehearse a Kenyan Bass DJ set. After midnight, I stepped into The Mist for more bass. Because DJ Shock & Friends were playing UK Garage in the dungeon.

The garage remixes of American pop songs hit the hardest - I can only imagine how Kenyan remixes would slap. I let loose part 2, feeling wild and free. And this time, I stayed till 5AM aka closing time.

Sunday was for babysitting. And I thought I'd attend the last day of Madaraka Yetu Festival at Karura Forest. You know, the Cinema in Nature experience by Sounds of Freedom during Madaraka Day.

Well you know what, mummy duties called. So instead, I took him out to slide in a church playground. Bought a storybook which I ended up reading with a bunch of kids we found inside an apartment block. He then played football with OTHER kids, I lay on the grass for a little bit, and found a magical tree I'll come write songs under.

A little story about the book. The only reason I bought it is because it had hilarious animations. On one page, the narrator - a lion cub - says he wants sharp teeth “Just Like My Dad”. On the other page, you see Simba wincing and holding his south, after biting - get this - an apple 👀

On another page, Simba plays hide and seek with his son’s friends. Who later find him hiding. Not behind a tree but behind a tiny branch.

Ebu tell me, are there goofy dads like this around? Because me I wanna meet them 😁

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MONTH

Learn and then earn

• Expand during this film residency in Kilifi for emerging storytellers - apply by 3rd June (today!)

   

• Become the Front of House lead at FAM Kitchen in Karen - 7th June

• Join this free literary workshop for writing news articles - 15th June

• Submit an essay or news article to be published by The Republic magazine

• Apply for the Audio Girl Africa S.U.M.M.E.R. 2026 Program for women in music - 22nd June

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

WLL at The Mist

Do you remember the World's Loudest Library? It used to be this quaint shop at The Alchemist where you could buy comics, listen to music and even read a book. But before that, it was a nondescript community space in Kijabe Street that opened in 2011!

After a long hiatus, the founders are bringing it back - the music, the conversations, and the book swap. Come through from 8PM with a book and leave with a new one 🙌🏾

SAM2024 Taking Over The Mall

If you've been to The Mall enough times, you've probably met Sam. He's one fun loving guy - and that's why he's celebrating his birthday with us this Furahiday.

From 4pm till midnight we'll keep it soulful and sexy at Zahabu (I'm playing the opening set!). And then from midnight till dawn, we’ll dance at The Mist to bass-heavy gqom until we can't sweat no more. Everyone is invited to this party, remember your reds, pinks and flowers 🌸

WPP Writing Award Ceremony at Shifteye Studios

In March, I shared an opportunity to write a short story about non-romantic love in an African context. Well, the competition is now closed and the top 3 winners will be announced this Saturday. And yours truly is hosting the awards ceremony!

Come through to listen to beautiful love stories beyond the status quo. And of course meet wonderful writers who might just inspire your next art piece ✨

There's so much more going, but this is a good start. Also Folk Fusion and Blankets and Wine are BOTH happening this weekend - which one will go for? And finally, have you experienced this fresh Kenyan-Ethiopian banger? 🎶

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha