Hey music junkie,

How is your heart? How are you healing? And what's making you happy today?

I started my healing on Friday night at Zahabu Sundowner. Budalagi’s surprising set made me dance to the banging bass and beats in the cold until I could feel it no more. Now that's the power of music.

On Saturday night, I applied for ThisChord X Our Ppls open call for DJs to play at their Discovering Sounds of Kenya event. In case you're wondering, ThisChord is a social club for music listeners in the UK. And this was going to be their first music listening party in Nairobi.

Despite not wanting to get out of bed on Sunday, I had to attend Tupone 2.0 at Sparrows Creek Ecocamp. One nduthi and two matatu rides later, i arrived at 2pm feeling tired and heavy. After smudging with aromatic herbs, talking about sustainable living and learning a dance routine, I loosened up. We did the latter under the wooden structure because it was raining cats and dogs.

The new definition of dancing in the rain.

When dusk fell, 15 of us shared an ital dinner and listened to Bob Marley’s uplifting music - because 11th May is also Bob Marley Day. And after half of the people left at 9pm, more friends joined us : Shiko and African Vibration, the Zanzibari band who also performed at the first Amkia Afrika to the world event.

They brought their acoustic guitars and djembe, their tools of work. After sipping sweet home-brewed muratina, they played even sweeter Afrofusion music by the bonfire. We cheered, danced and sang along with them all through the night. Even my kalimba made a cameo appearance. No wonder we went to sleep at 4AM. After admiring the full moon of course.

On Monday, we were woken up from the camping tent to attend class. Animal movement by Fela, which I last experienced during the Kisima Community Day. Remember that day?

We started with body stretches before trying out different animal movements. For me the easiest was the gorilla, the toughest was the crab. The kids did all of them so effortlessly. This fun class reconnected us all to our playful inner children. I can still feel the impact in my muscles.

After fresh fruits and a refreshing shower outdoors, we had our final lunch. Sweet potatoes + warm uji + conscious conversations. And we ended Tupone with a mini performance by African Vibration in the green garden. Plus dancing to Bob Marley's songs together. Africa Unite! 

I can confidently say tulipona.

What about the Our Ppls open call? Did i win? Nope, but my dear friend Dvbliew did, which was just as exciting. And our TaaRnB collective Mkobani went to support him at Baobox Cafe that rainy Tuesday evening.

Thankfully, the eclectic mix and conversations about what music means to us warmed us up. Plus we got a chance to hear R&B singer Xenia Manasseh and Ghanaian producer Julsbaby talk about their own musical journeys. And I gave a 4-minute Ted Talk on whether we have a Kenyan musical identity.

In short, Tuko Mkobani (we're in our bag) 😎

Because of the pouring rain, I know you wanna stay warm and cozy. Here are some perfect plans to help you do that.

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Alté Swing May edition

Do you love alternative music? Me too. That's why you're going to love this brand new playlist by Alté Swing, a cool DJ party in Nairobi that curates the coolest alte music in town.

This one will prepare you for their 9th edition on Friday 30th May at Shelter Ke. Hints of their Nyege Nyege artist lineup is in the playlist, can you spot some familiar names? 😏

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Kollektive Kulture at Bla Bla Nairobi

Lovers of Afrohouse music, please stand up. And get ready to dance your heart and soul out this Friday night!

In case you're wondering Bla Bla Nairobi is the new swanky restaurant club at Fortis Tower, Westlands. And the lineup is super hot, featuring amapiano legend MGM Kenya, Dawa Movement’s Kadawa, Kilifi’s favourite DJ Küribã, and more. And what's better than African dance music with live percussions on top? 🙌🏾

The Live Area by Nem R at Santuri Salon

Nem R is the best of both worlds. A hardcore rapper and soulful singer who I had the honour of interviewing during The Top 5 with LaMusicJunkie podcast back in 2022. And since then, she has released 8 EPs in total, talk about consistency!

This Saturday, the rising rapper invites you to her most intimate show - a live acoustic performance of her 8 AREAs featuring raw vocals, melodic keys and groovy bass. Expect an evening of heavy bars, relatable stories, and a live Kenyan hiphop experience you've never seen before 🔥 

And if you love to save that money, I don't want you to miss this opportunity. Die hard tickets for Alté Swing: Nyege Nyege invasion are going for only 500 bob. But they end this Friday, so get yours now at the best price!

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha