Hey music junkie,

Guess what? I'm back from Lamu Tamu and Chillifi adventures. What an experience that was. And I'm here to tell you all about it.

Remember when I said travelling to Lamu was one of the wildest decisions I've made? Well, it was because I didn't know where I was gonna stay. All I knew was We're Loud Fest was happening and I wanted to be there for all of it.

Luckily, I found a sistar who was also travelling that Moonday by Bus(car). We arrived on Tuesday 12 hours later at Mokowe, took a speed boat, and landed on (L)Amu island. And that's when the magic began!

In the afternoon, we joined the festival crew from all around the world on 5 dhows. We went on a sunset sail in between the islands, docked in the middle, then partied on the boats to vinyl DJ sets and live acoustic performances. Some of us even jumped from the top deck, danced with the glowing bioluminescence in the ocean, and got stung by a jellyfish #truestory

On Wednesday while the musicians taught children instruments at DJ Satan’s children's home, I chilled inside Jannat House. Let me tell you, Lamu’s architecture is out of this world! Outside a hotel looks like an old fort, inside you step into a world with green plants, a cool pool and balconies upon balconies. You could literally stare all day.

That evening, we had our final concert featuring some of the rock bands who played in Nairobi. And when the volume was too loud for the neighbours, we transitioned to funky vinyl DJ sets till 2am.

On Thursday, we said goodbye to Lamu Tamu and sailed back to Mokowe town. There we boarded 2 vans which took us on a 6-hour ride to Kilifi. With two military stops in between 🙄

While most people were too tired to leave Distant Relatives, a few of us made it to The Terrace for the film screening. After watching A Band Called Death, I led an interesting discussion and trivia around the powerful documentary. The biggest takeaway - embrace death and never waver.

How I ended up walking all the way from Terrace to Distant Relatives barefoot at 2am - blame it on jaba juice. And great company 🙂

The next day, we were loud at Distant Relatives. Friday night showcased my favourite Kenyan dub band Asili Dub, Spanish rock n rollers Commando 9MM and South African energy bunnies Twenty One Children. DJ Raha (that's me) played a pure Kenyan reggae set, Hasira Hasara served Afrofusion music, and our vinyl DJs played everything from Latin funk to Kikuyu benga.

On Saturday night, Afrosimba opened the stage with their Mijikenda x rumba music - before travelling back to Nairobi for another performance. I played in between the live sets before DEATH from Detroit stole the show. Lord Spikeheart from Kilifi shocked almost everyone with his heavy metal music.

While the rock and roll music was fantastic, this coastal trip was more about connecting with the other crazy punks who travelled from different countries to attend this underground festival. And learning how to play vinyl records. After listening to Hasira Hasara and Lucky Records from Iceland, it was great to discover I'm not the only one on these streets who loves to play Kamarû 🇰🇪

After visiting the ocean one last time on Sunday sunrise, I was ready to travel back to Nairobi. But then a bus scammer decided I should stay till the evening. That's how I spent the day at Vegan Basket napping, drinking delicious kombucha and dancing with my Kilifi friends. At night they escorted me to the bus stop where I finally got a ride home - without getting scammed this time.

Moral of the story: don't trust any number you find on Facebook. You'd rather get it from a friend, buy a ticket via an official website, or from the office itself. Kapish?

I'm super grateful for taking that risk, buying that ticket and getting on that bus to Lamu because it opened at world full of opportunities and connections. If you say yes to yourself, the universe will say yes to you and give you what you want. Simple math.

Now, say yes to these opportunities!

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MONTH

Let's fly

• Attend Hukwe Zawose artist residency in Tanzania for musicians and cultural workers

• Get a Goethe mobility grant to travel and work as an artist

• Partner with a European organization and get funded by the Connect and Create Creative Tandems programme

• Join the Beneath the Baobabs Festival team as an Events Operations Manager - 10th December

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Panel on Recording traditional East African music

Have you ever wondered how to record, archive or sample traditional African music? Well wonder no more because this Thursday, I'm bringing together the best cultural practitioners to share their knowledge with us. Think of unique recording labels such as Ketebul Music, Music from East Africa and Baobab Studios Kilifi.

In this 1.5 hour online panel discussion, we'll talk about the process, the challenges and the lessons they've learnt along the way. Plus valuable opportunities for people like us to tap into this cultural work and make music history 🙌🏾

Monateng Turns 4 at Two Grapes Kilimani

If you love Afrohouse music, you've probably attended Monateng. And if you haven't, then you really should. Because this Saturday they're celebrating 4 fantastic years!

Move to the uplifting sounds of Malkia Music, Avocado.theDJ and DJ Miss Ray alongside live musicians Jammy Muindi and Ankh. Honestly, this live Afrohouse fusion is something you need to experience cause it's truly one of a kind 🙌🏾

Pungulu Party at Ngong Racecourse

One of our panelists is from Pungulu Pa Productions, the creator behind Uli and Tata. Which is literally the coolest children series as it teaches us African folk songs that we forgot or didn't even know about. And this Sunday, they're bringing the music magic from the screen to real life at the first Pungulu Party!

Expect lots of music, games, workshops, culture and fun for the whole family. Whether you're have a kid, are young at heart, or love Uli and Tata as much as me, this is where we belong 🙂

My Uli and Tata dream of visiting Lamu Tamu finally came true! (Minus the madafu drinking and donkey riding). May it also come true for you. Just remember to say yes to opportunities that come to you 😉

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha