Kenyans appreciate their own music and Ngoma Festival proved just that

david nganga

March 13, 2018 6:20 PM

Kenyan music has often been faulted for lacking 'the authenticity and uniqueness of our identity.'

The first edition of Ngoma Festival went down last Saturday at the Carnivore Grounds, Nairobi with Kenyans turning up in hordes to celebrate the artistes who pioneered the local music industry.

The event, a first of its kind, brought together nine legendary artistes including Nameless, Redsan, Nonini, Jua Kali, Mr Lenny, Jimwat, Mr. Lenny, Pilipili and the Necessary Noize duo of Nazizi and Wyre.

Kenyans were treated to energetic live performances from the artistes as they reminisced the good, old school local music that rocked the airwaves in the early 2000s.

The artistes also paid tribute to E-Sir, a promising rapper who passed on in his prime following a road accident. His brother Habib represented him at the event.

To many of them, it was the beginning of a revolution for the country's local music scene given that Kenyans tend to 'largely sideline' it at the expense of Nigerian/Bongo music.

That the festival was organized by a group of millenials under the name 'Stalwart Entertainment' —an events management company — speaks volumes of the admiration bestowed on Kenyan music which has often been faulted for lacking 'the authenticity and uniqueness of our identity.'

The large crowds at the festival was a sure testament that Kenyans appreciate their own as long as the music is pegged on quality rather than quantity.

Here are some photos from the event:

Photos courtesy: Pulse Live Kenya, SimplyKech

david nganga