Top Ten Alternative Bands In Nairobi
Nairobi will soon be like Greenwich Village, New York back in the 1950s if artists realize the power they hold and decide to use them. Today we look at some of upcoming bands in Nairobi. Granted there are a lot of bands forming now and some of them are actually doing the right things. Here’s our Top Ten.
1. H_ART the Band
The members of this trio are the ultimate entertainers not only in Nairobi but in Kenya. Their song “Uliza Kiatu” is one of the most popular and best songs in town. In a relatively short time, they have become a serious crowd puller with their comical lyrics and fashion style. The world is theirs to take and its just a matter of time before they take over it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd00ZV9yPAU
2. Yellow Light Machine
One of the largest bands we’ve ever seen perform in Kenya. It’s amazing how they even co-orporate considering that all 9 of them are in their very early 20s. Like a rolling stone that gathers moss, this band started three years ago with only two members and are already causing trouble in international record label boardrooms.
Having played some of the biggest festivals in Kenya including the Rift Valley Festival and Blankets and Wine, they are ready for the world. They are also in the process of releasing their sophomore album recorded live. Some of the music can be heard here :
and watch an interview here
3. ParkingLotGrass
PLG, as they are also known, have been trail blazers in the Kenyan rock music scene. Through their former singer Raphael Sipalla, they started recording rock in Swahili, a trend that is now being followed by many other rock bands. They are also the first “international” Kenyan rock band having played at 49 Degree Metal Festival in Germany last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhB7ZZTHf38
4. Dove Slimme
This is one of the most consistent rock bands in Kenya. They started around 2007 and officially became a band in 2010. They have a brand new video off their first album “Leo Ni Leo” and have played numerous events including Rift Valley Festival and won the Oktoberfest Battle Of The Bands in 2008. Check out their videos here
5. Tune Dem Band
These guys are yet another big band doing big things behind the curtains of mainstream media. The reggae/ ragga and dancehall band are not your usual Jamaican influenced musicians that idolise the Rastafari movement and marijuana. They are a Christian gospel band that besides performing at various European festivals are engaged in active community service in Nairobi schools and prisons. Their first album, “The African Way” was launched a few weeks ago and you can sample some of their material here
7. The Claymore Project
This isn’t a musical project by some white guy called Mr. Claymore, it’s a Kenyan indie rock band. The four young men met at Daystar university and their unique sblend of African melodic guitar fused with heavy bass and funky drum beats has seen an Irish talent scout run around town looking for them. Their popularity among uptown college girls is a sign that they are talented goog looking guys. They are also working on an album as their single “We On The Night” continues to enjoy heavy rotation on local FM stations. You can listen and watch them here
8. The Hot Plate Posse
These guys are the living definition of young, talented and cool. Coming from the award winning label Son Of a Beat , these boys are full of life, spitting sweet and witty rhymes on funky African beats. Their last performance at Sondeka Festival left many flsutered by the fact that they aren’t famous yet.
here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQF3CNIo20w
9. Murfys Flaw
Definitely the most hardworking Kenyan rock band and probably the weirdest as well . It’s made up of five ladies and one (lucky) guy! All six of them are also architects and they should probably be called the Culture Club because they are a mix of divere cultures. Musically speaking, they mean business as almost each song from their two albums has a video. We won’t ruin the surprise any further, you check them out here
10. RASH
Rush are undisputably the Crown Princes of Kenyan rock music. These young lads from USIU are very different in that beside releasing singles almost every other month, they also play a sub genre of rock music from way before they were born, Hard Rock. They have frequent gigs around the city as they polish a new single to be released in a few weeks. You can listen to their music here
Daniel Kobimbo says:
Its great to see this bands get recognition. This is duly earned because some of them like Rash, PLG and Doveslimme produce very good quality music especially considering what investment rock music requires. rock on \m/
Joost Kappé says:
personally I’m so thrilled that live music is returning to the Kenyan scene. Finally original music is coming back. I’m sort of fed up with computer beats. Not that they are always bad, but my main issue is that many beats are look alikes, and lack emotion. The one thing about computers is that a machine doesn’t have feelings, and that is exactly what music is about. Lastly, and also the reason for my comment here, is that i would like musicians to know that here in nanyuki (Yes, Nanyuki, the end of the railway!) we have a large studio for live music only. 48 tracks, and run by a musician. I’m proud to have worked with Yellow Light Machine, and Murfy’s Flaw, besides Eric Wainaina, and the Moipei Quartet. Please feel free to record your music in the only studio in Kenya that does proper live recording. Karibu.
Philip Roy says:
The yellow Light Machine band got something good going on..they get my vote…..but of concern is the copy and paste Rock and Roll thyme this bands got going on…..this guys have to figure out how to generate their own adaptation of Rock as Seattle did with Punk Rock or the way Washington D.C. created Emo Rock…..
simonj@techno-associates.co.ke says:
Hi,
We are looking for a Local Kenya band to play at our Company’s annual Christmas party which is due on December 5, 2014. Please very urgently either mail me back or call me on +254734560012 so that we can discuss and close.
This is really urgent.
Warm regards
Simon
Alice says:
Wow,you guys just rock!!!I to am talented in singing and I believe I will be big someday.