Counting the days…(Kinanda Fest Recommends)

So!!We’re counting the days till the next Kinanda. We’ve missed you a whole lot. The 7th edition was an absolute blast: the music, poetry, you fabulous lot and of course the infamous #HemediSwag… Check out the pics in the last post.

While we’re counting the days to Kinanda Fest 8, here are a few musical gems to keep the longing away(or enhance it all the more… ).

We’re traveling across the continent with this post. First up is the very talented Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, who has graced the Kinanda stage (or is it grass?).Introducing: July, the first single from her new album- ‘Introducing Ngwatilo‘. The lyrics are from her book ‘Blue Mothertongue‘. Talk to her on twitter @Ngwatilo if you want to find out more.

From Nigeria, Nneka is back with her second album. The first single off it is the title of the album “Soul Is Heavy“, a powerful, poignant song which remembers the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. It is a heavy song, the truth of which she sings will tug at your heart no doubt.

Next up is Y’akoto,who I discovered on my twitter stream. I love the crowd I follow; so brilliant and ecletic. She has a beautiful haunting voice with traces of Sade.  I haven’t been able to find out much about her so if you do please let us know in the comments.

Next up is another African Queen, just noticed all the artistes featured are women. Got to do one for the fellas (coming up soon) Her name is Fatoumata Diawara, who is Cote d’Ivoire born and Mali raised.  The video is interesting, you can so appreciate the culture that is uniquely African. Language not withstanding, that is some beautiful music. So you better watch out for the next post on  gentlemen from across the continent.

Nairobi Kinanda Arts Festival,
Discover Something New.