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SEPTEMBER PHAT!buzz™ is distributed FREE to cafes, cinemas, clubs & pubs in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru. PHAT!buzz™ - now in its 14th year of telling you Wazup! To advertise, Call: +254 20 238 6060 or E-mail: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com Website: www.phatafrica.com © PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited.
2014
FREE COPY
No. 166
Pb: You guys seem very Tight, you must have Schooled together? E: No actually. Bryan went to Moi Educational Centre from Nursery School, through to Class 8. Wambui went to Ruaraka Academy and Green Garden Schools; while Maureen attended Loreto Convent. We met socially at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi in 2008. Pb: What makes ELANI so Passionate about your Music? E: Life itself, influences our Music… What we go through Personally from Day-to-Day, what our Friends go through and even the Experiences we Read about in other People’s lives. Each of these things influence our Music in one way or another. Our passion for Music grew after we formed ELANI in 2008. We realised that we always found ourselves where the Music was: be it at small Gigs or big Events. We love Writing Songs, making Harmonies and Listening to other Artists sing and play instruments. In the end, we all share a common Passion for Music and this has kept us Together. Pb: How would you Categorise your Sound? E: We call it Urban Afro, because our Music is different. It’s new, it’s Funky fresh and it has an African twist. Pb: A good number of Bands find it Challenging to keep it all Together. How does ELANI manage? E: Balancing Music and School was quite a Challenge for us. We each pursued very demanding courses: Wambui was Studying Actuarial Science, while both Bryan and Maureen were in Law School. We are glad that God has been faithful to us, so we were able to Graduate. Money also was a major Challenge. Getting Studio time with some of the best Producers, Costs loads of Money. Recording an Album costs even much more Money, so that’s why we took 5 years to Release our Debut: Barua ya Dunia. Pb: With all the Work you’ve put into your Music, how has ELANI been Recognised? E: We won a Talent Competition at the Kenya National Theatre as the Best Group. We have Performed at plenty of places! We are also lucky enough to have graced the same Stage with the likes of Suzanna Owiyo, Eric Wainaina, Anthony David (USA) and
Jonathan Butler (South Africa). Pb: What’s your most memorable Performance? E: There was a time at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi, back in 2010. We had around 1,000 people attending our Show! That was so Special to us. Pb: We’ve noticed a shift in Musical style with some of your newer Work: ‘Barua ya Dunia’, ‘Milele’ and ‘Koo Koo’. Is there any particular Reason? E: Well, we’re here to Change the Music Industry and you can see how hard we work for all our Videos. Each of these have a Message: ‘Milele’ speaks about Love and how Good things always Come to those who Wait. ‘Kookoo’ talks about that Person that you Love who also makes you go Crazy. ‘Barua ya Dunia‘ is a Song that spreads the message of Hope - we want to let the World know that we all go through different Trials and Tribulations, but we are never alone. We are all Together in this. So, you can see that we Strive to Drive unique Messages home in each Song. Pb: Is ELANI Signed to a Record Label? E: No, we are Independent Artists. Pb: Which Artists do you Look Up to? E: There are so many, but we’ll pick out Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Owiyo, Sauti Sol, Diamond Platnumz, Davido, Beyonce, Boys to Men and Usher. Pb: So, what’s Next for ELANI? E: We are constantly in Studio, working on new Projects. We’ve also got a special Event planned for Tree House at Museum Hill, on the 5th of this Month. There will be plenty of surprises for our Fans there! Pb: Where can we get some of your Music? E: Elani Muziki is available on iTunes, while CDs are at any Text Book Centre in Nairobi. @elanimuziki
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DJ ABSTRAKT MY STAGE NAME: Abstrakt, inspired by Art. Just like Art, people have different Views of my versatility in Spinning the Decks.
OTHER THAN DEEJAYING: I hire out Sound Equipment, for a number of Events and Activations, via a company called Drama Sounds.
I SCHOOLED AT: Westlands Primary in Nairobi and later joined Meru School.
MY INSPIRATION IN DEEJAYING COMES FROM: the Crowd I’m playing for. It’s an Amazing experience when you’re Playing and the Crowd responds positively to your Performance. I also look up to people like HBR’s DJ John, DJ Stylez and DJ Creme de la Creme.
I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: primarily because there were plenty of Deejays - like Mr. Dru and Q, in the Hood of Lower Kabete, where I grew up; so it was bound to catch on. IN TERMS OF DEEJAYING EXPERIENCE: I was a Resident Deejay at Santa Fe Lounge at The Mall in Westlands and went on to play at numerous other Clubs. I’ve also played at a good number of Events, including the popular series: Barbecue Live.
IN THE FUTURE: I want to start an Events Company that will primarily deal with Branding Organisations & Individuals, recording Artists and also take part in Artist Management. MY ADVICE TO UPCOMING DEEJAYS: is summed up in 3 words: Talent, Persistence & Delivery.
CURRENTLY: the number of Gigs I get to Perform at depends on my Manager, but I’d say the main one would be Barbecue Live. @amdjabstrakt djabstrakt.kimathi djabstrakt
Interview by Kevin Oyugi • Photo courtesy of DJ Abstrakt
Brought to you by:
@Wembadio
Papa Wemba
papawemba.fr www.afrima.org
ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Monday 1st to Sunday 7th. The Silent Memories. Alliance Francaise, Monrovia Street, Nairobi. Photographs commemorating the Abolition of the East African Slave Trade, on the Occasion of the United Nations International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition. 9.00am to 6.00pm. Free.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th. Property & Home Living. Sarit Centre Expo Hall, Westlands, Nairobi. Building Networks to foster County Home & Real Estate growth. 9.00am to 7.00pm. Free.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Friday 5th. Joomla Day. iHub, Bishop Magua Centre, Ngong Road, Nairobi. A Full Day of Learning, Connecting and Collaborating with the Joomla Community; that includes Programmers, Developers, Web Administrators and Open Source Enthusiasts. 9.00am to 6.00pm. KES 800/- for Adults or KES 500/- for Students.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Friday 12th to Sunday 14th. 62nd KCB Safari Rally. Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi. A Great African Experience that Showcases the best of Rally Driving in the Region. 11.00am to 7.00pm. Free.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st. Storymoja Festival 2014. Nairobi National Museum, Westlands, Nairobi. A 5-day Celebration of Literature and the Arts, featuring Nobel Laureate: Prof. Wole Soyinka, renowned Poets like: Kwame Dawes, Neal Hall & Ladan Osman, Fiction Writers such as: Andrea Coddington, Duduzile Mabaso & Oduor Jagero, and more. 9.00am to 6.00pm each Day. KES 1,000/- per Day, KES 1,500/- for Weekend or KES 6,000/- for VIP.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th. Print Making Workshop. Kuona Trust, off Dennis Pritt Road, Kilimani, Nairobi. A Beginners Class by John Silver, teaching Monoprint. 10.00am to 1.00pm. KES 1,000/- per Class.
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Email information on the Date, Title, VENUE, TIME, DETAILS and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
To get the 411 on interesting Training, Art & Trade Exhibitions every week, Dial *411*2*8#.
PARTIES & CONCERTS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 6th. Sub-Sahara Nyama Fest. Sadili Oval Sports Academy, Kitengela Road, Langata, Nairobi. Celebrate the Cultural Diversity of Kenya with Meat-Eating Competitions, Mingling Activities, Swimming Pool and Music. 11.00am to 7.00pm. KES 500/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Sunday 7th. 55th Blankets & Wine. Carnivore Gardens, Langata, Nairobi. Performances by Dela, Andrew Wambua, Anto Neosoul and Vereso. 1.00pm to 10.00pm. KES 2,500/- (Ticket and a complimentary Bottle of Wine).
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 13th. Star Status. Ebony Lounge, Museum Hill, Westlands, Nairobi. The Essence of Africa’s Premier Glitz and Glamour, with Music by DVJ Mobi, DJ E, Will the DJ, MC Point Blank and the Monster Army. 9.00pm til Late. KES 500/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 20th. Storymoja Music Concert 2014. Nairobi National Museum, Westlands, Nairobi. Part of a Celebration and Showcase of Literature and the Arts, which will have Live Performances by a Selection of Artists. 7.00pm. KES 1,000/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Thursday 25th. Thursday Nite Live, featuring Kaz. Choices, Baricho Road, Industrial Area, Nairobi. Roots International presents the Afro-Soul Singer. 8.00pm to 11.00pm. Free.
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Email information on the Date, Title, VENUE, TIME, DETAILS and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
To get the 411 on the hottest Festivals, Parties & Concerts every week, Dial *411*2*6#.
PLAYS & THEATRE DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS:
ENTRY:
Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th. Butterflies Are Free. Phoenix Theatre, Professional Centre, Parliament Road, Nairobi. A classic rib-tickling Romantic Comedy on a Blind Man’s attempt at Independence, a Young Woman’s fear of Commitment and a Mother’s struggle with letting her Son go. 7.00pm on Wednesday & Thursday, 7.30pm on Friday and 3.00pm & 6.00pm on Saturday & Sunday. KES 500/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th. Kinyia Nginyie. Alliance Francaise, Monrovia Street, Nairobi. A hilarious Comedy in Kikuyu, Directed by Njomo Nyathira. 6.30pm on Thursday, 6.00pm & 8.00pm on Friday and 3.00pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm on Saturday & Sunday. KES 500/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Friday 5th. My Last Poem. August 7th Memorial Park, Moi Avenue, Nairobi. Poetry, Spoken Word and Music on that Last Word you would Tell the World before you Quit? 2.00pm to 5.30pm. KES 200/-.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Friday 5th. Open Show Nairobi No. 7. PAWA254, off State House Crescent, Nairobi. An evening of Visual Storytelling, that includes five Curated Presenters (Students or Professionals) who have 10 minutes each to show a 20 Image or 3-8 minute Video Project with the Audience for Questions and Feedback. 6.00pm. Free.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 13th. Ciku. The Kenya Aeronautical College, Wilson Airport, Nairobi. A hilarious Comedy around the Aviation Industry, as Presented by the Pilots Drama Group. 3.00pm. KES 300/- in Advance, KES 400/- at the Gate and KES 1,000/- VIP.
DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Wednesday 17th to October 4th. Damu Nyeusi, Betrayal in the City and When the Sun Goes Down. KICD, Muranga Road, Nairobi. A performance of Set Books by Jicho Four Productions. 9.00am Daily, except Sundays. KES 100/- per Performance.
TIME:
WANNA PROMOTE YOUR EVENT FOR FREE?!
Email information on the Date, Title, VENUE, TIME, DETAILS and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
To get the 411 on the most captivating Theatre, Comedy, Poetry, Literature & Dance every week, Dial *411*2*7#.