PHAT!buzz™ | October 2014 | Issue #167

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Pb: Your Sound is definitely Unique. What would you Categorise it as?

MK: My sound doesn’t really have a set Definition, because it keeps Evolving. My Sound is whatever the listener chooses to call it. It can be House music today or Jazzy Soul tomorrow. Whatever you want to call it, as long as it’s Beautiful! [smiles] Pb: What is the Music Industry in Kenya like, for an Artist starting out?

MK: I would say that starting out in Kenya as an Artist, requires a lot of Drive and Faith in yourself. You must Continue, regardless of whatever opposition you may face. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it, if you want to see your Dreams unfold.

Pb: Speaking of Dreams...most Kenyan artists Dream of pursuing their Career in the USA. With your Parents still there, you could have or still can; but you amazingly returned to Kenya for your Music! Why? MK: I personally don’t care much for the Western Music scene. My heart has always been in African Music, so that’s why I came Home.

Pb: We know you, but our Readers may not. Kindly introduce yourself.

MK: Hi. My name is Christine Mumbi Karanja, but I simply go by Mumbi. I was born in Kenya, but left when I was about 3 years old. I was raised in Botswana, til the age of 12. Then I lived in Miami - Florida, in the United States of America, until I was 18. My Family is now in Texas, though I’ve moved back to Kenya on my own, to pursue my Music. I just turned 23.

Pb: Tell us more about your Family life.

MK: My Family is very much grounded and influenced by all the different Cultures that we have been exposed to. My Dad is a Pastor, who has a Masters in Film, so that’s where I get my Creativity from [laughs]; and my Mum is a Nurse. I’m the eldest of two Children: my Brother and I are only a year apart.

Pb: What are your Musical influences?

MK: My Music has been influenced by a lot of different Sounds. I grew up Listening to a lot of Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Rebecca Malope and a mix of other African sounds. That’s always been my Foundation musically. The most influential Artists that I’ve been exposed to, I would say, are: Miriam Makeba, Lauryn Hill and Billie Holiday.

Interviewed by: Kevin Oyugi

Photos courtesy of: Mumbi

Pb: What’s has been your most memorable Performance to-date?

MK: I’ve performed since I was 15 years old. First at a Jazz Club in downtown Miami, until I was about 18. I have consistently performed in Church and at Weddings. The biggest Platform was probably in London, where I performed at the UK Global Summit.

Pb: What do you Love most: the Studio or Stage?

MK: Honestly, I like both, but nothing gets your blood rushing like a Performance. There’s nothing like being able to Connect with your Audience. Then again, there’s also nothing like the Privacy of the Studio; where you can go into the Booth and Sing your Heart out without having to worry about who is watching. Okay, I can’t decide! [laughs] Pb: You’ve got an Extended Play coming out really soon. What can we expect?

MK: Well, I’m someone who is naturally Optimistic. My upcoming E.P. is mostly influenced by my House music side. It will also be a Visual E.P., where each Song will have its own Video. Expect a lot of Tunes stuck in your head and a lot of Vocals. I’m going to stay true to my signature Mellowness though. @Mumbi_K

Official.Mumbi

Mumbi_kay

Mumbi Karanja

christine-mumbi-karanja

DJ UV @djuvlive djuvlive djuvlive djuvlive

Interviewed by: Kevin Oyugi

Photos courtesy of: DJ UV

ABOUT MY STAGENAME: contrary to popular opinion, UV actually means Urban Vibe; so has nothing to do with Lights. I got the idea way back in 2008, when 6AM Entertainment had a gig at Blue Times, with Deejays Gich, Drazen and Mikhail Kuzi. Gich was supposed to do the Opening Set, but wasn’t feeling well, so I decided to step in before Drazen arrived. I didn’t have a Stagename then, so that’s when the idea for UV struck me. My real name is Allan Munene Anjichi.

Back then, when I was starting out, it used to be an Underground Movement. I’ve had gigs all over: in Nairobi , Mombasa, Kigali and Bujumbura. I’ve even shared a Stage with industry Heavy-weights, such as: Edward Maya and Amine Edge.

I SCHOOLED AT: Arya Primary, though I was born in Machakos. I was raised in Nairobi, from the age of 1. I went on to attend Kamuthatha School in Embu, then went to Lenana School for my Secondary Education.

Eventually, I ended up at JKUAT for a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science.

MY PRIMARY FOCUS: is EDM. Simply put: House music is a Feeling; and the only way I can Express how it makes me Feel, is through Deejaying.

I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: purely out of Interest. I was really fascinated by the Art; so I went to my Local joint: Seasons, in Nyayo Estate (now it’s called Infinity Lounge) - instead of an Academy, to learn the basics from the then Resident Deejay: DJ Mike. I really Appreciate all he did for me, because he didn’t charge me a dime! I was in my first year of University then, during 2008.

IN TERMS OF DEEJAYING EXPERIENCE: I’ve been around for a minute! My biggest joy is witnessing the rapid Growth of the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene, over the last five years.

CURRENTLY: I have a regular Residency at Bacchus Lounge in Westlands, every Thursday; alongside my good friend DJ Protege.

MY INSPIRATION FOR DEEJAYING COMES FROM: the fact that I can Turn one’s Day from a Gloomy one, to a Happy one, using Music. The smiles that grace every Dancefloor whenever I play, show me that Music is the Answer.

IN THE FUTURE: I want to complete my Identity as an EDM Deejay by Producing a few Tracks; which I have begun working on.

ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC: is definitely growing Locally, as it is Internationally. The crowds at our Events and the ever-increasing number of upcoming EDM Deejays, Producers and Artists - like Mumbi, is a Sign that the only way for the Scene is up!

ANIMATION

FILM

SOUND

Breathe Sunshine

AFRICAN MUSIC CONFERENCE CAPE TOWN

Brought to you by:

@yemialadee

KingYemiAlade

OfficialYemiAlade www.afrima.org

ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Wednesday 1st to Sunday 5th.

Finding Voice 3.

The Village Market, Gigiri, Nairobi.

Fantasy, Rhythm & Blues, by the Little Art Gallery.

9.00am to 6.00pm.

Free.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Wednesday 1st to Wednesday 8th.

Pipes that Bind, Faces in Places.

Goethe-Institut, Monrovia Street, Nairobi.

A Paul Onditi Showcase that examines the cyclical nature of Human Experience and Behaviour, encapsulated in the often-touted expression: ‘what goes around, comes around’.

1.00pm to 6.00pm on Monday to Friday.

Free.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Wednesday 1st to November 15th.

Our Nairobi / Westgate Memorial.

Nairobi National Museum, Westlands, Nairobi.

Photographs to Commemorate the Victims and Survivors of the September 2013 Westgate Mall Terrorist Attack.

8.30am to 5.30pm.

KES 200/-.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS:

Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th.

International Student Fairs Africa – Fall 2014.

Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

Meet Representatives of Universities and Colleges from more than 10 Countries, including: Canada, Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.

10.00am to 3.00pm.

Free.

TIME: ENTRY: DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Friday 24th to Saturday 25th.

AfricaHackOn Infosec BootCamp.

Strathmore iLab Africa, Strathmore University, Madaraka Estate, Nairobi.

Learn how to Hack into Mobile Phones and Computers, from some of the best Hackers in Kenya. A Forum for Hacking, Networking and having Access to top Vulnerability Researchers.

8.00am to 5.00pm.

KES 5,000/- for Students and KES 10,000/- for Corporates.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th.

157th Dudu-Krin East Africa Kennel Club Championship Dog Show.

East Africa Kennel Club, Jamhuri Road, Nairobi.

Obedience Tests and a Showcases of Labradors, Gundogs, Rottweilers, GSDs, Working Hounds, Terriers, Toys and Utility Groups.

9.00am to 5.00pm.

KES 200/- for Adults and Free for Children.

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 interesting Training, Art & Trade Exhibitions every week, Dial *411*2*8#.

PARTIES & CONCERTS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Wednesday 1st to Friday 31st.

Oktoberfest 2014.

Brew Bistro Lounge, Ngong Road, Nairobi (& Participating partner Outlets).

Enjoy special Performances, Happy Hour and Specials on Premium Draft Beer, plus Signature Beer Cocktails on Offer.

5.00pm-12.00am.

Free.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Friday 10th.

Thembassa Launch.

Alliance Francaise, Nairobi.

Lulu Live launches his Album, featuring Mbuvi and Alliwah & Cal. 7.00pm.

KES 800/-.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Thursday 16th.

Thursday Nite Live.

Choices Pub & Restaurant, Baricho Road, Nairobi.

Experience Kenya’s premier Pop Artist, the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards’ Best Female: Amani, backed by a live Band.

8.00pm to 11.00pm.

Free.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Saturday 18th.

Mashujaa Pool Party.

Crayfish Camp, Naivasha.

With Deejays Joe Mfalme, Creme de la Creme, Hypnotic & Pierra; Emcees Jalang’o, Shaffie Weru & Chipukeezy and Performances by Rabbit, Khaligraph Jones and Kristoff.

5.00pm til Late.

KES 1,000/-.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Thursday 23rd.

Nairobi Rapsody.

Ebony Lounge, Museum Hill, Nairobi.

Featuring music by the Prisoner of Conscience hitmaker: Talib Kweli.

9.00pm til 3.00am.

Free.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS:

Saturday 25th.

Oktoberfest.

Mamba Village, Langata, Nairobi.

Featuring a Beer Village, BBQ, Beer Games, Miss Oktoberfest and Deejays Joe Mfalme, Saint, Purpl, Abstrakt, Meta & The Housekeepers.

12.00pm til 6.00am.

KES 1,000/- in Advance or KES 1,500/- at the Gate.

TIME: ENTRY:

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 hottest Festivals, Parties & Concerts every week, Dial *411*2*6#.

PLAYS & THEATRE DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY: DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY: DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS:

Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th.

Forbidden.

Alliance Francaise, Monrovia Street, Nairobi.

A hilarious Festival of Creative Arts comedy about a Group of Thugs who suspect a Taxi Driver of Stealing their Money. Starring Janet Kirina, Nick Ndeda, Robert Agengo, Xavier Nato, Nice Githinji and Veronica Waceke.

6.00pm & 8.00pm on Friday; plus 3.00pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

KES 500/-.

Saturday 4th.

Thingira.

Alliance Francaise Garden, Monrovia Street, Nairobi.

The first-ever Gikuyu Music & Stand-up Comedy Show Series, hosted by Jokonia and Githingithia; featuring Njomo wa Nyathira, Mundu Particular, Mwana Mwende, Gathemba and Mike Rua. 6.00pm to 11.00pm.

KES 1,000/-.

TIME: ENTRY:

Friday 10th.

They Say/I Am. The Michael Joseph Centre, Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.

A Kike Tele Initiative play, intertwined with Monologues of Poetry that explore the different Stereotypes of Women; with the intention of Shattering and revealing them as Fallacies.

6.00pm to 9.00pm.

KES 600/- in Advance or KES 800/- at the Door.

DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:

Sunday 12th.

Unchained Voices.

Alliance Francaise, Monrovia Street, Nairobi.

A double Album Launch by two phenomenal Spoken Word Kings: Mufasa Poet and Tear Drops; plus Music by Vereso.

4.00pm to 6.00pm.

KES 500/- in Advance or KES 800/- at the Door.

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#.

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