Rarely does one have the privilege of being in the presence of unashamedly God-worshipping musicians who have mastered their craft, won countless awards and accolades, toured the world, mentored other musicians to greatness, and still express themselves in a down-to-earth way that speaks humility at all levels. Mine was last Thursday as I soaked in Kirk Whalum, Norman …
His energy on stage is infectious and his music continues playing in your head long after it’s over. He is one of Kenya’s greatest entertainers and comes top of my list, together with The Villagers Band. Missing an opportunity to see him on stage is something I’d regret so even if it was a Sunday …
When I started out in photography about nine years ago, concerts were I clicked the most. The opportunity to interact with great performers live and move freely yet discreetly at concerts kept me going back for more. Then career happened and with that, other projects, sending concerts to the backseat. This year, I want to WD40 …
I woke up this morning to the news of the passing of Dr Myles Munroe, his wife and others in Bahamas. I usually get sad when I hear of the death of someone I knew, but not this time. There was a sense of celebration in me. Celebration of the life of a man who gave …
A chance to experience my favourite musicians on one stage was not to be missed. Not even with the rain. Not even with the Friday evening traffic. Not even with the fever that I had.
I remember this day quite clearly: it was Saturday 17th October 2009; there was an Oliver Mutukudzi concert going down at Bomas and the JAB 82 launch at GoDown Arts Centre; I was torn between the two and I’m glad I made the better choice. JAB’s sound was still relatively new in a country where many …
Ketebul Music have put together a CD/DVD compilation of Kenyan protest music from the past 50 years that you need to get your hands on. It chronicles music that has been a force of change, from 1963 to 2013. This is the latest of a series of compilations put together with the help of the Ford …
Top on my list of spectacular music events this year has been the Niko na Safaricom Live concerts that have been touring the country. For the #KenyaAt50 celebrations, Kijiji Entertainment were called upon by Safaricom to put together an all-stars edition at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on 13th December. Kijiji then called upon me to …
I just got back to Nairobi after the coldest of weekends in Meru. I never knew the place gets so cold! Limuru has nothing on this place I tell you. I was covering the Niko na Safaricom Live concert for Kijiji Entertainment on Saturday and what a stage production it was! The choreography, sound, lights, …
The Niko na Safaricom Live concert directors had an idea that many said couldn’t be done. We listened to them, planned how to and did it. Every year, Safaricom promote their brand through countrywide music concerts dubbed Niko na Safaricom Live. They get the top music artists and have them perform in major towns with …
There’s events and there’s experiences; there’s concerts and there’s Niko na Safaricom Live Launch. Put together by Kijiji Entertainment and Mo Sound it was an amazing experience well worth enduring Nairobi’s mad traffic to attend. We parked our cars at Splash and were ferried in matatus, tuk tuks and boda bodas to the Carnivore Gardens …
I attended my first Aflewo in 2012. NPC Karen was packed to overflowing and we all enjoyed the experience, from sunset to sunrise. This year, it moved to the more spacious Winners’ Chapel on Lusaka Road and what a wonderful time of praise and worship we had… it was Amazing! And since I didn’t audition …
It doesn’t matter what part of Kenya you come from, there is a high-pitched guitar call to which your body answers to. You may be dressed to the nines and trying hard to impress the lady you are with, or in a courtroom, making the closing remarks on a monumental case. When that guitar calls, …
I can’t say I knew Maranga much. We did get to meet at a couple of concerts and he was always in a do rag, a camera slung on his shoulder. He had a simple point and shoot when we met at Hillcrest for Blankets and Wine on 7th March 2010 which had grown into …
DJ Sparrxx and I met in July 2007 when doing Mizizi. We were teamed up as prayer partners and we’ve had a high-impact Kingdom friendship ever since. Sparrxx asked me to shoot his profile pics and I agreed. He wanted something different though. It didn’t take long for us to decide to shoot in a …
Much respect to the Mo Sound crew for putting together another great event. I can’t wait for Groove to go Africa-wide with the accolades being sought after like Stellars and Doves. And salutations to all the nominees and this year’s winners. It is because of you Kenyan music is flying high on the continent. May …
Sara and Blackman make a glorious combination. It was the first time I was seeing Sara perform since 2007 and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Kavutha’s cameo was my most memorable moment of the night. The guy on lights was a bit stingy on the watts.
Photography is painting with light. And when there is no or limited lighting, photography becomes a challenge. And to overcome the challenge, I’m forced to shoot at very high ISOs which introduces noise that ruins the music. (Get it?) What I love about Elani is that they have fun when doing what they love.
At the 2009 Groove Awards is where I believe I discovered my skills in concert photography. I’ve become a regular attendee since. Mo Sound do a great job in putting the event together. Their level of professionalism is impeccable. My only suggestion is they move the red carpet to a place where we photographers don’t …
Asiyo, Aceda and Adwar on one stage. It’s got to be the Gentleman’s A-ffair.
