In June 2024 Kenya saw an unprecedented uprising against the government which was a leaderless, youth-powered revolt for a fairer society. Dubbed the ‘Gen-Z’ uprising, many of the people on the streets across the country were creatives, deeply frustrated by rising costs of living, more taxes, and repressive policing. Beyond the street demos, activists in Kenya have used the arts to protest against climate change, femicide and many other injustices. In this opening panel of Kilele 2025, we look at some of the ways art and activism coalesce, and seek ideas and inspiration for 2025.

Moderator: Gregg Mwendwa 



Panelists:
           Njeri (MSJC)
           Mwanase Ahmed
           Bizi Bingi 

In the digital era, music production tools proliferated at an unimaginable rate - making and releasing music on the continent (and around the world) was no longer the preserve of big studios and well- funded labels. Digital Audio Workstations and other software were cracked and shared, sample libraries amassed and passed on, and tips and techniques codified broadly into genres or movements. How exactly did some of these tools end up creating the wildly diverse sounds we celebrate now? And what's the role of music tech in the region going forward?


Moderator: Mars Maasai




Panelists: 

Lukorito   

 


MPhilo




 
Cee Schwanz (Ableton)



Jungle dweller, producer, DJ and all around maverick. Over the years, spotted sharing stages with Missy Elliot, Modeselektor, Jimmy Edgar, Dorian Concept, Tokimonsta …

Cee has been in the game for two decades now, involved with projects like Al-Haca with 3 albums, lots of EPs and remixes, plus years of touring and more recently, Bass Sekolah with the radio single “Lighthouse” & “The Dusun Sessions” featuring the likes of Daedelus, Perera Elsewhere, Phon.o and many more good friends.

Cee is the Ableton Senior Marketing Manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa.



            Blinky Bill

 
                      

“Everything sounds somehow Western—very mechanical, not organic like the rough tones and raw drums I heard growing up in Nairobi. Even as I try to break away from the loops and the 1-2-3-4 drive of these music tools, I always end up back there somehow.” - Slickback on Digital Audio Workstations

At Kilele 2024 we heard Astrid Bin’s comparison of the musical interfaces (midi controllers etc) with ultra processed food - generic, functional and predictable. This year we are diving into instrument creation from another direction. What can digital instrument makers learn from local creators, and what forms of hybridity are possible and desirable in the instruments of the future?

Moderator: Astrid Bin 



Panelists: Sam Kaguru 


Basile Huguenin-Virchaux



DJ Rph 



Monrhea
 

With little to no state funding available for arts and culture, arts organisations in Kenya play a precarious game of chasing the same limited, short-term resources. Some find success pivoting to business models, many others fall by the wayside unable to compete in the marketplace. The funding that is available is dominated by international institutions and platforms, the bar to entry too high for many creatives and collectives not versed in European funding models and challenging reporting requirements. Brands, investors and redevelopment projects offer alternatives, but what are the pros and cons of these relationships? We’ll look into the reality of the current situation, and seek ideas for better futures.

Moderated by: April Zhu



Panelists: Brian Harris (TO Foundation)


Dr. Akati Khasiani  (HEVA Fund) 


Shamina Rajab (The Mist / Wana Wake)



Biki Kangwana (The Mall) 
           

As major streaming platforms continue to dominate music sales and their questionable business practices squeeze and marginalize independent music makers - why and how should we release music in 2025?

Co-curated with Africa Rising Music Conference, will assemble a wide range of practitioners - label owners, self-releasing artists, global distributors and others - to meet and exchange on the rooftop. This will be a chance for artists and managers to connect with professionals and dreamers, and come away with new ideas and practical networks.


Participants to include;

Ralph Boege (Paradise Worldwide),  Auntie Flo, Pwani Tapes, Mina,  Endre Dalen,  Jane Arnison,  Luca Jacob,  Tamasha, and more.

Workshop Tuesday - Friday 

At Kilele 2024 we heard Astrid Bin’s comparison of the musical interfaces (midi controllers etc) with ultra processed food - generic, functional and predictable. This year we are diving into instrument creation from another direction. What can digital instrument makers learn from local creators, and what forms of hybridity are possible and desirable in the instruments of the future?

The nexus of this stream lies in the Instrument Makers Lab - a five day workshop involving creators of kalimbas, nyatitis, xylophones and other ‘traditional’ instruments, as well as programmers, technologists and representatives from music technology partners. A flagship project supported by Pro Helvetia will see Samuel Karugu and Basile Huguenin-Virchaux create new hybrid digital-physical instruments inspired by polyrhythms and micro tonalities common in African music. The instruments created during Kilele will be showcased with a series of performances on Friday evening.

Read more here!

Supported by Elektron. 

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

An introduction to electronic wind instruments (also known as wind synths) and an overview of using breath to control MIDI. This presentation will discuss how to use MIDI to enhance the artistry of a performance by controlling parameters for an audio track as well as touching on more experimental techniques.

Justin Pflughaupt is a producer, deejay and performing artist from Houston, Texas, who creates and spins music that spans the sonic spectrum. He specialises in electronic wind instruments to add a unique touch to his compositions and performances.

Pararira - Adam Yawe (KE) (11.30am - 12.00pm  - Creatives Garage)

Adam has designed and prototyped a musical instrument using the musical horn systems used in Nairobi's Matatus. Bombarded by the sounds of vehicle horns when traversing Nairobi's cityscape; Adam wonders what it might mean to reclaim agency by not only producing these sounds, but also composing our own sonic patterns with them. This presentation will focus on conceptualising, designing and prototyping the instrument and play some videos of artists using the instrument while it was presented during the Sonic Mass exhibition at Munyu space in the mall.

Adam Yawe is a 3D artist and product designer based in Kenya. Adam’s practice focuses on urban material culture and the objects we encounter on our everyday journeys, where they come from, why they exist, and how they may be reimagined.

Stories in Scapes and Spaces - Muha (Mozambique) (12.00pm - 12.30pm  - Creatives Garage)

Sound is one of our earliest connections to the world, and yet, in today's visually dominated cultures, we often overlook its immense power. In this talk, Muha will explore how sound can be a profound medium for storytelling, transporting us to the heart of environments we may never physically visit. Drawing on ongoing work in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, supported by National Geographic, I’ll discuss how we can use soundscapes and technology to create immersive narratives that allow us to experience the dynamic changes of a landscape through sound.


Dércio Gomate (Muha) is a composer, aural collector, diver and storyteller from Maputo, Mozambique. As a NEWF Fellow and NatGeo Explorer, his world of sound is rich. Scoring for film, collecting soundscapes and storytelling are just some of his passions. Muha is placing sound at the centerstage of his aural narratives.

A new approach to Qaraami Music - Sven Kacirek (DE) (13.00pm - 14.00pm  - Creatives Garage)

Qaraami: The etymology of the word is Qaram, from the Arabic word, love. Somalis used qaram or qaraami to describe the oldest modern music composition, mainly from late forties to mid sixties. The word became a synonym of “old good days music”, or for young people just “old music”. In fact, today Qaraami sometimes is confused by the young generation who use to describe any type of old music (relatively to their age) like even 1980ies.

Sven Kacirek has been working to transcribe the melodies of 30 songs, providing scores and creating midi files to give these songs new avenues for reinterpretation and recognition.

He has collaborated with musicians from different music cultures on several occasions for more than 15 years. His highly praised album “The Kenya Sessions” won the “award of the German Record Critics”. His album “Songs From Okinawa” was nominated for the VIA music award. Furthermore he has closely collaborated with Kenyan singer Ogoya Nengo for several years.                
           

Workshop   

Navigating the PR and Promotional Landscape w/ Naila Aroni and Anyiko (KE) (14.00 - 15.00 Creatives Garage -  Wednesday)

An educational workshop focused on PR and digital marketing for emerging musicians. This session complements Kilele’s mission by equipping emerging artists with actionable skills by providing emerging artists with the tools and insights they need to effectively promote their music in today's digital landscape.


Naila Aroni will be drawing on four years of experience as a PR and communications specialist in music journalism in Kenya. At the end of the session, Naila will share a valuable asset directory with contacts for music magazines, playlists, and digital platforms so attendees have practical tools to continue their PR journey after the session.

FEMX - Breaking Barriers in Music Production (15.30 - 17.00 Creatives Garage - Wednesday)

Panel Description: Despite emergent conversations about women in the music industry, the spotlight often falls on DJs and producers, leaving out the critical roles women play in music tech. This panel sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women who get us moving, on and off the dancefloor, whether it be with live sound engineering, lighting design, graphic production, or mixing.

Join us for a compelling discussion with leading women in the industry as they share their experiences, challenges, and successes in male-dominated fields. From the technical aspects to the broader systemic barriers, this session will explore the realities of working in the industry and strategies for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Featuring a diverse lineup of live sound engineers, lighting designers, graphic producers, and mix engineers, this session will highlight the depth of talent and expertise women bring to the field. Whether you’re in the industry or simply interested in the intersection of technology and music, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Panel

Moderator: Sonic Griot
Panelists:

• Sound engineer - Joy Ndinda
• Light engineer - Mwitikia
• Graphics engineer - Mary Beth
• Sound engineer - Daisy Nduta

 

Exploring Unique Workflows in the Ableton Ecosystem

SOUND COMMUNITIES - screenings at Unseen Nairobi (18.00 - 23.00)

Short music documentaries from different communities around the world. Screening and then after party.

COSMOS Embassy Film: Karachi, Pakistan

Discussion

6SENSE

Discussion

PAM presents: Off the Map | Steve Happi, Freedom beats from Douala (Jail Time Records)

Discussion

Come Dance With Me by nwao

DJ set by nwao

Ubuntu in the contemporary music scene   Santuri Salon (2.00 PM - 4 PM)

Wycee Wagithi is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Armed with her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Kenyatta Universtiy, she is a multi-instrumentalist, Cultural Practitioner, Researcher and Music Educator. She is also an underground Dj championing African and Afro-diasporic Electronic Music.

Wagithi is actively involved in both the contemporary and traditional music scene; playing with African ensembles, performing with an all-female metal band, Nova and her energetic Dj sets as Hasira Hasara.

She will be accompanied by The Weavers to share insight on the interconnectedness of the two musical scenes.

Signal Flow 2.0: Global Connections and Opportunities (in partnership with ARMC) Creatives Garage (11.30 PM - 1.00 PM)

Last year we kicked off Kilele with a truly insightful panel on some of the ways artists can connect with different organisations, opportunities, funding, and events. This year we bring this session back with a new set of perspectives. How can artists build effective networks, find like-minded collaborators and build global communities?

Moderator: Sisian


Sisian is a multi - faceted music maker & lover, with deeply rooted interests and wide visions for both the creator and the climate, culture, and conditions that surround us. She operates both on and off stage, singing and songwriting as Sisian, djing as Naisis, and producing as one half of the experimental electronic duo ¡AC!.


Guests:

       
Muthoni The Drummer Queen (Goodtimes Africa / Blankets and Wine)


Muthoni Drummer Queen (MDQ) is a Kenyan, genre-bending singer, rapper and drummer. Hersound sits at the intersection of hip-hop, reggae/dancehall, neopop and soul, with distinct drum patterns from traditional music of Kenya. Parallel To her international music career, MDQ is an acclaimed creative entrepreneur.

Luca Jacob (Piranha Arts)



Luca Jacob is the CEO of the Berlin based independent creative company Piranha Arts, operating both locally and globally with events such as Karneval der Kulturen and WOMEX. Previously he co-founded Wolf Kino in Berlin in 2017, while steadily engaging as producer and curator at the intersection between music and film.

Mina (Funding with Mina)




Mina is a producer, DJ, and curator based in the UK. Her vibrant and melodic productions connect the dots between diverse styles, fusing together sounds from her London hometown, with rhythms from around the world.

Nyokabi Kariũki 




Nyokabi Kariũki (she/her) is a Kenyan composer, sound artist, and artistic researcher. Her sonic imagination is ever-evolving, spanning across various genres from classical contemporary to experimental electronic music, explorations in sound art, pop, film, (East) African musical traditions and more.

 SJ Nicholson (ARMC)


Sarah Jane Nicholson stands at the forefront of the global music industry, spearheading the evolution of African music on an international scale. As the Managing Director of Paradise Worldwide (Africa), Nicholson is dedicated to creating a seamless and transparent infrastructure for revenue collection.
       

Speed Talks  Creatives Garage

Harnessing Data Science and Technology to Enhance Music Experiences - (KE) (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)

A talk/presentation featuring Tish Mwendwa, Urbanus Kathitu, and Risa Okech, on how data science and tech can enhance both the creative and commercial aspects of music.

Sustaining Art Through Connection: The Future of Community-Based Monetization (2:30 PM - 3:00 PM)

Usanii’s Sam Achola will give a talk on the art of community building and monetization options for artists in Kenya.

Surround sound and immersive technology for music performance

Victor Munyaysa will speak on the utilisation of free immersive audio technology as a stepping stone for local production and live performances.

Surround sound and immersive technology for music performance (3:00 PM - 3:30 PM)

A presentation on the utilisation of free immersive audio technology as a stepping stone for local production and live performances by Munyasya.  

Where music meets gaming (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)

A talk by JIWE Studios, a hub for creating, publishing and playing games in Africa.

Workshop:

Not In The Manual 2.0 w/ DJ Rph  Classroom (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)

iNgoMa Liyeza: Exploring Indigenous Instruments as Technologies for Vibrational Healing with Sisonke Papu (SA) Santuri Salon (11.00 AM - 1.00 PM)

This workshop is designed to create a sacred space for deep connection through breath, sound, and movement, using African indigenous instruments as advanced technologies for healing. We aim to showcase how instruments like the adungu harp, marimba, and mbira are not just tools of sound but vibrational technologies grounded in ancient cosmology and quantum principles. Participants will be guided through breath awareness and grounding exercises, followed by a sonic journey with these instruments, each uniquely tuned to different vibrational frequencies.

The workshop will also delve into the mythology, ecology, and cosmology surrounding these instruments, offering participants a multi-sensory experience that opens pathways to healing, balance, and reconnection with the natural world. We believe this is a vital contribution to reimagining how ancient wisdom can interface with contemporary technological approaches for holistic well-being.

Sisonke Papu is a multi-disciplinary artist, breathwork facilitator, iGqirha (traditional healer), and founder of NgoMa Technologies. Hailing from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Sisonke bridges the ancient and the modern, blending indigenous knowledge, African healing traditions, and contemporary sound technologies to explore the power of vibration in healing and consciousness. Self-taught in sound and instrument-building, he crafts instruments like the uhadi, xitende, nyatiti, adungu and n'goni and reimagines them for modern therapeutic applications.

FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY  

How to start a DIY Club - w/ Mina, Raph and guests (UK / KE)  Creatives Garage (11.00 AM - 1.00 PM)

Join Mina, curator, event promoter and DJ, and Raph, co-founder of the Mist for a workshop on running DIY spaces and events. Following a research trip to the UK where they visited a variety of DIY spaces, Mina and Raph will share case studies and findings from the trip, and insights from their experience working in grassroots venues in the UK and Kenya. Following this, there will be an open forum for participants to share ideas and insights with each other.

Climate Convos - Past versus present perspectives on Climate Change   Santuri Salon (11.00 AM - 1.00 PM)

Mashariki Vibes, a newly formed East African collective dedicated to creating music with a purpose will host a 2-hour workshop that combines a short skit, an engaging panel discussion, and a live music performance, all focused on the pressing issue of climate change.

The panel will feature Kenyan climate experts, who will enlighten the audience on traditional methods of conserving the environment alongside contemporary solutions being applied today. To close the workshop, Mashariki Vibes will perform original music which delivers powerful messages about climate change while engaging youth through captivating beats and melodies.

Mixing in Flow w/ Jane Arnison (Australia)  Creatives Garage (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)

This session will see Jane Arnsion expand on her recently released book ‘Mixing in Flow’ through a talk and practical demonstration of her philosophy of mixing. Not to be missed!


Jane is a multi-disciplinary artist and technician. She divides her time between working on her own artistic projects, working commercially as a composer, engineer or producer as well as offering her expertise as a university lecturer in music.
Jane has finished writing a book on Mixing Sound signed by publisher Routledge/Taylor & Francis that is slated for release in early 2025.

New Jit Wave w/ Joshua Madalitso Chiundiza (Zimbabwe)  Creatives Garage (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

A talk/listening session on New Jit Wave, a new Zimbabwean electronic music genre, that has strong connections with Kenyan Benga music. New Jit Wave pays homage to the Zimbabwean traditional and contemporary sounds of Chimurenga, Jiti and Sungura music. Jiti and Sungura music in particular, claim the closest link to Benga music and the late great Kenyan music producer Phares Oluchi Kanindo. The Sungura genre took its name from a famous Kenyan music label and Benga music is ultimately known as Kanindo in Zimbabwe and is a sub-genre of sungura.


Joshua Madalitso Chiundiza is a music producer, artist development strategist, audiovisual artist and music researcher from Zimbabwe. Crafting unique music brand identities, Joshua has created and scaled local music concepts internationally, signing off projects with acclaimed record labels, touring and publishing houses such as BBE Music (UK), Parma Recordings (US), Nyami Nyami Records (FR) and Bi:pole Productions (FR).

Plant Music with Brian d’Souza (UK) Santuri Salon (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

Brian d’Souza’s compositions fuse field recording from around the globe with electro-acoustic production techniques to create ‘acoustic ecologies’ that are centred on exploring the psychological and physical benefits of sound. Join us in the Salon for this unmissable workshop and performance!

A State Of Flo - his blog and record label is an exploration into the biological and ecological basis for music. It achieves this by releasing music which incorporates sounds from the natural world with cutting edge technology and new formats. A State Of Flo supports the environmental charity Earth Percent. Its first release, Mycorrhizal Fungi, incorporated the sounds of various fungi and was featured on the BBC, New Scientist, Glastonbury Festival, Tate Modern and more.