Hey music junkies,

What happens when you only sleep 6 hours within 2 days? You get one looong weekend. Here's what it looked like.

The city adventures began with Live Acoustic Wednesday at Ankole Grill. Despite being tired, I danced from the first to the last song by Cheif & The Marshalls. Their first live gig together since their music comeback, everybody shone on stage - not just the lead vocalist.

With the most captivating music arrangements you've ever heard, every reggae song sounded different from the rest. This was revolutionary African music - if Mau Mau made music instead of war, it would probably like this. One song called Tayari was so deep and spiritual I almost cried mahn 😭

Meanwhile, Thursday was nice and easy with Hadithi Hangout. After stretching and getting to know each other, we read Shades of Benga where we discovered the difference between original ohangla and modern ohangla. Hint: one uses drums, the other one uses the keyboard.

The highlight of the night is when we danced to both 💃🏾

On Friday afternoon, I met with my fellow practitioners to plan our Kisima Festival sessions. One is a Spiritual Open Mic/ Circle where we'll share our favourite spiritual practices with each other. The other is a Kenyan dance class called Cheza Ngoma za Kenya, highly inspired by Hadithi Hangout 🙂

In the evening, I visited Bambino Kitchen & Bar - a swanky restaurant at 9 West Westlands. Apart from the nature-inspired decor, I was impressed by the musician of the night who sang covers while deftly playing his guitar, accompanied by a saxophonist. Turns out it was Burundian singer Hope Irakoze whom you might remember from Tusker Project Fame (or not) 😉 

After passion juice and hot dawa, I played board games with attendees of the main event - Social Friday. This is a weekly social where strangers become friends, or at least acquaintances. And I bonded with one lady over spiritual books, and our love for discovering and documenting hidden gems- like restaurants.

Past midnight, I caught two techno sets - Kenia’s during TCHNO Takeover @ The Mist, and Budalagi’s during Oroko Radio Nairobi show at The Mall rooftop. I enjoyed the latter more as it put me in meditation mode. Even sang to the stars at 5AM.

Saturday was another long day. It started with a sistar’s celebration at Nairobi Museum which was teeming with children and adults. Since it was World Tourism Day, we also took advantage of the free entry and visited the marine park. At first it was sad seeing how these wild animals were locked in glass boxes and cages. Free the animals - and the humans too ✊🏾

At the same time, we were super fascinated by their unique shapes, colours, and textures. Nature is truly amazing. And before leaving Museum, we shared fresh fruit, tamarind juice, and the sweetest gluten-free cake 🙂

I then had to rush to The Mall to help set up the Santuri Classroom. As Freestyle Friday Session went on, I recorded my DJ Raha Kenyan banger mix and uploaded it on Mixcloud. I also sent a newsletter and Ohangla playlist to the Hadithi Homies, jaba juice keeping me alive. That's how I arrived home at 6am, after uji power of course.

I would have slept in on Sunday if it wasn't for Blankets and Wine. I arrived at 3:30pm, and went straight to Onja Onja stage. With Mr Lu* on decks and Jumadi on guitar, they played benga, highlife and even ohangla music. Muziki bila jasho 💃🏾

I then caught Zaituni Wambui on the main stage who couldn't believe she was playing at B&W, a literal dream come true. Her band was having too much fun on stage. And with that crazy cover of Tuendelee, Zaituni proved she can not only sing but also rap. Next time we'll see her live is during Kisima Festival in Kilifi 🙂 

During the break, I sat down eye shopping for African outfits I'd like to get. Because B&W is a proper music fashion show. I wouldn't be surprised if some people plan their outfit one month in advance.

We are Nubia were dressed like private-school high school students, in short pleated skirts and tight shirts. Joined by female dancers and Zaituni for DND, the brown chic was charming. I don't know many of their songs, but Mapenzi ya Sinema is my fave ❤️

Chimano played a half-live set which would have been better if he didn't use backing vocals. Probably because he danced throughout while singing both original songs and Sauti Sol classics. The only artist with an outfit change, he's all about Fashion 💁🏾‍♂️

After his set, my homie and I finally checked out the vendors. I got a unique kimono dress just as I did the LiquidLemn kimono 2 years ago at Blankets. I didn't plan on buying this one but it was love at first wear.

Back at the main stage, Tems was in all white and the crowd was so huge we could only see her on the giant screen. She gave me Beyonce vibes with her wavy hair, curvy body and sensual dancing. She felt so much love from Kenya that she stepped down to the audience and sang with her biggest fans who knew her song lyrics. Before ending her R&B set with her biggest hits and a lost voice.

I missed Toxic Lyrikali and Joshua Baraka, which I didn't mind. We ended the night where it all started - Onja Onja stage. It was so full you'd think it was the BTB main stage on New Year's Eve.

During Ghedi B2B Hiribae B2B Paps set, they played exclusive Afrohouse tracks where Paps sang “Nasaka Mali”. Tina Ardor joined them on stage to sing Sumbua. And the crowd sang South African house songs as if they're Zulu. Wonder if they know Kenyan house songs that well - only one way to find out.

I was not there to enjoy myself but to hear how they were deejaying. Like Zaituni 3 years ago, I want to play on this stage someday. And sometimes you have to learn from those who've come before you 💪🏾

But let me tell you, I have never seen so many people in one place at the same time since Nyege Nyege - the B&W crowd keeps getting bigger. Pro tip: always go with people you know because everyone is in their clique or with their partner. Or you'll be all alone in a massive crowd of middle class Nairobi.

The biggest lesson was B&W is not my kind of festival. I prefer smaller intimate festivals where you can easily make friends and feel like a community. Festivals like Kisima where we'll be next weekend 🙂 

But before Kiliving, here's what we'll be enjoying first…

MIX OF THE MONTH

DJ Raha present Strictly Kenyan bangers

Let me be honest with you, recording a mix is more nerve-wrecking than playing live. Why? Because there's pressure to be perfect since the mix will be on the internet for months, maybe even years.

Still, i wanna share my imperfectly perfect Kenyan banger mix with you, flowing from kapuka to gengetone to Afropop to hiphop and even Akorino music. It's also the most mainstream mix I've ever made - is that a good or bad thing? 😏

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Ua Bloom Tour live at Goethe Institut

You might remember in August, Checkmate Mido hosted Waridi 3 - a unique concert blending Afro hiphop and live orchestra. Now the touring Kenyan hiphop artist is back on stage to celebrate his Ua album which has been out for 5 months.

Ua includes faves like the empowering Excellence featuring Ach13ng and Brian Sigu, the sombre Sunny Days, and romantic Pete. And he'll be performing them live this Thursday at Goethe with his talented band. Which song would you like to hear live? 🎶

Kenyan Reggae Night at The Mist

KRN is back this Friday with a super special edition. You know Nazizi as The First Lady of Kenyan Reggae/hiphop, from her legendary days in Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew. And now she's back with solo singles including Mau Mau Cry, an upcoming EP, and a live performance at Kisima.

Sharing the Mist stage is Mz Karmali, a conscious spoken word artist from Uganda. Hosted by MC Binti Afrika and DJ Zygyzaga, it's going to be one faya East African connection 🔥

Tupone 4 at Ngong Hills

We end this weekend not in sherehe but in nature. Yes, Tupone is back and this Saturday we'll be hiking Ngong Hills while experiencing Afrikan yoga, art therapy, crystal work, live music and ecstatic dance. And in the evening, we'll unwind with African food, sweet muratina and conscious conversations around the bonfire.

If you choose to camp with us, we'll plant trees the next day at Corner Baridi to heal Mother Earth as well. Basically, we'll leave feeling lighter, freer and happier 🙂

Hope to see you on the Nairobi streets (or Ngong Hills) before I disappear to Kilifi. And if you'd like a Kisima Wellness Festival ticket at a discounted price, reply and let me know. You deserve to heal beneath the baobabs ✨

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha