Hey music junkie,

May I ask how your day has been? Hehe. As promised, I took it easy last week.

On Wednesday during my Raja Yoga Meditation course, I learnt about the cycle of life which absolutely blew my mind. So according to Brahma Kumaris, the World drama circle contains 4 consecutive stages Golden age, Silver age, copper age and the Iron age. Can you guess which one we're currently living in?

Thursday night was for The Clearing, as always. On Friday, I attended UK/ Kenya 2025 Season Launch party. After getting through British Council’s strict security, I finally entered the colourful hall. And I was not the only who got the memo : delegates, corporates and artists dazzled in red, white, green, black and blue.

Aka the colours of the Kenyan and British flag 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

To be honest, I felt a bit awkward being in this former colonizer space. So I sipped my hibiscus tea as I listened to the speeches and grant opportunities. Ngartia’s poem was poignant. He celebrated the fun aspects of both cultures but also pointed out the thorny issues that still exist - visa rejection, expatriation and exploitation. I hope we all get to read that poem because it was 50 Shades of deep!

Afterwards, Mutoriah supported by Robin Marcel on guitar entertained us with his original love songs and fun mashups of bangers like Kwama and Baby Come Down. And then Coco Em took over with serious dance music. Including an Afrohouse remix of Manzi wa Nairobi.

Meanwhile, we networked, ate free food, and checked out the showcasing artists. Including fashion designers Shiko Onyango, Kiarie Afrika and Mabatini Studio who were not only part of BC’s Creative DNA mentorship program but also last Sunday’s Amkia Afrika to the world. Talk about a small world.

I also got to reconnect with Mutana of Sounds of Freedom. And listened to the episode 2 trailer of their audio film series which recreates the Mau Mau freedom fight. They'll showcase the whole episode during their Cinema in Nature experience in Karura Forest at the end of May.

Saturday night was for Geng Geng. But before stepping into the Kenyan party, I bought a branded button and uploaded a new DJ mix on Mixcloud. More on that later.

Since I missed Wendy Kay’s soulful set, I had to catch Mbithi. And boy was I impressed. Backed up by his four-man band with bass, lead, keys, and saxophone, Kamba boy performed a mix of slow jams and party bangers. And made sure we never forgot that as long as he's on stage, “ni season ya maembe!”

His electrifying set was followed by an experimental mix by Basthma. And an eclectic DJ set by Karuga featuring gengetone remixes and dancehall tunes that brought everyone to the dancefloor. Karrl took over with Kenyan pop songs which you could dance and sing along to. And finally SnSe closed the party with dancehall, gengetone, and one Kikuyu jam.

But enough of sherehe. Let me help you take it easy too. And heal along the way.

MIX OF THE WEEK 

DJ Raha presents Soulful Kenyan music 

A lot of you have been asking me when DJ Raha is playing next. As I formulate a proper answer, here's something to keep you company - a recorded mix from The Clearing’s one year anniversary in March.

This one is special as it features soulful R&B and Afrofusion tunes from as far back as the early 2000s up to 2025. The perfect playlist to relax with after a long day of work - or school.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

In Her Name playreading at iHub Nairobi

Did you know Sunday is Mother's Day? In honour of this special day, PlayReadingKe has organized a unique edition featuring plays that celebrate the beautiful strength of women. These include I will marry when I want, a raisin in the sun, and Vagina Monologues.

In case you're wondering, PlayReadingKe are the same people who organized the well-attended readings of “A Parliament of Owls” and “The Trial of Dedan Kimathi”. This time at iHub Nairobi, come find out what's in Her Name this Friday.

Tupone 2.0 at Sparrows Creek Ecocamp

When is the last time you went on a trip out of town to just relax and connect with mother earth? This Sunday, that's what we're doing at Tupone 2.0 - a community gathering that's all about conscious living, wellness and healing.

Imagine spending the day with yoga, smudging, art therapy, dance and uplifting conversations. Before we share nourishing food, sweet muratina, and fun laughter around the bonfire. The complete recipe to replenish your soul and reconnect with your peaceful self 😌

P.S. Here's a little fact about me you didn't ask for. Almost every night, I play the kalimba aka thumb piano in bed to help me fall asleep. And I might just bring it to Tupone this Sunday 😉

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha