On Saturday the 19th, 2024, I witnessed a night of territorial war to claim the throne for Nairobi Music. Like every faction of life, like every tiny detail in the world, like Isaac Newton said, for every action their is an equal and opposite reaction. Everything in life is divided equally by one thing, East or West, Nairobi is not an exception and this weekend at the Nairobi Street Kitchen, artists from Eastlands and The West lands faced off in a musical showdown.
For starters, the venue, The Nairobi Street Kitchen in Westlands, was a perfect pick by the organizers.
This is due to the fact that by default, Westlands is where the real East vs West happens in Nairobi, every weekend young culture enthusiasts galavant Westland’s vibrant music scene in support of their favorite artists. May it be NSK, SK8 city ,The Muze, The Alchemist, The Mist ,Cavalli or the pre game and post game shots at Molly’s ; Westlands is where everyone meets to enjoy the Nairobi Culture.
We all know it’s never that serious, but in music, controlling stake in your city is a show of might and East vs West is always the perfect avenue for the City’s finest to fight for the throne. The line up was an indication of how far the Nairobi music has come in matters growth and acceptance of sound. Each side of the city was well represented by the finest in the scene at the moment, with the highlight of the day being Arbantone star YBW Smith.
The crowd was a fair representation of the avid Nairobi music fan, people that have travelled the journey with the parlicular artists witnessing their shortcomings and success. Guys from the eastside, as rowdy and calm in equal measure made their presence heard as their artists tore the stage. The westside were even more rowdy with Spinx mafia perfoming with flame throwers for a song that has the lyrics “Tuna drop ma fire emojis” it was poetic and comical at the same time.
Spinx Mafia perfomed with the Mad Clan group that has been featured in alot of his tracks, what I found peculiar from the organizer however, was allowing Spinx as Mad Clan to battle against an individual, Jodye Faneto. They kept interrupting his set with subtle subliminals, which is normal but a group vs a single artist didn’t make sense to me.
The battle between Vallerie Muthoni and Shekinah Karen was heated, with both artists bringing the heat on stage. Vallerie even claim she resides in the West but hails from East, I don’t know how true those words are because she is boujiee through and through.
ThirtyFourBrick, my new favorite group from Eastlando, perfomed with an energy that electrified the masses, once the DJ hit that “Nishai chai nishai chai na ndenga mboi.(I have robbed someone with a fake gun before)..” the place went berserk. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.
Fashion was a big statement in the event, an aspect of art that Nairobi creatives have been able to master and incorporate into their craft. I saw outfits of all manners of diabolicalness, some I never imagined but truth is, the culture popped. It looked like a UK roadmen fiesta with youngins with Shiestys and Balaclavas and baggy jeans. Here is a question though, what’s up with young kenyans and baggy clothes? it’s like a pandemic that I don’t understand.
As a lover or art, music and the entertainment culture, I would love to see more of these showcases. It is the best avenue to introduce audiences to both sides of the same coin, you maybe from East or West but at the end of the day, WE ARE ONE NAIROBI.
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