Ballantine’s x Boiler Room's True Music Studios Returns To Kenya
Ballantine’s and Boiler Room’s True Music Studios residency is coming back to Nairobi for its fourth edition in the city. True Music Studios is a series of global residences presented by Ballantine’s and Boiler Room that spotlights unique emerging scenes and musical movements from countries around the world. Each residency lasts 3–5 days and includes live performances, workshops, educational events, and community experiences curated by local promoters. Last month, they were in Soweto, highlighting the role the township has played in South Africa’s musical history. In Nairobi this year, dance music and community-building is at the heart of the festivities.
Running from March 28th to 30th, the 3-day event series will feature a panel discussion, a dance master class, and a party. All of these components were curated alongside pioneering Nairobi DJ, Coco Em. It’s a full circle moment, as Coco was featured in the first ever Nairobi edition of True Music Studios back in 2018. Since then, she has grown to be an international champion of East African dance music.
As a DJ she has graced stages across Europe and Africa with electrifying sets fusing afro-house, Lingala, kuduro, and other left-of-center rhythms from across the region and continent. She also works as an instructor and program facilitator at Santuri East Africa, an organization that empowers East Africa’s underground electronic music scene through music production and DJ courses, showcases, workshops, and studio services. She has funneled her wealth of experience to curate a program of events with community at the heart. “I’m a huge believer in the power of community,” Coco says. “This was the main driver of what I based the curation on. Who is in the scene, pushing for safe and supportive community run spaces? Who is in the scene and has been pushed and backed by their own communities?”
The panel, hosted by music journalist Tela Wangeci, will feature speakers DJ Shock, Huilly Huile, Bakhita, Njukia Kihia of Radio 254, and Coco Em herself, will focus on the rise of East African club music and how community-run spaces and collaboration can nurture Kenyan alternative music. The dance class will be led by renowned local dance troupe Gifted Queens and will take attendees through quintessential Nairobi dance moves. Lastly, the show, which will be streamed on Boiler Room’s YouTube channel, will feature live performances by Boutross, Brandy Maina, and [Monrhea] alongside DJ sets by Coco Em, DJ Boboss, DJ IV, Monateng Music, and Budalagi.
In a small and still developing music industry like East Africa’s, grass roots collaboration and DIY ethic have been essential to driving sustainable growth in the sector. Many of East Africa’s recent cultural breakthroughs in music like Nyege Nyege Festival, NuNairobi, and Gengetone were the result of community-led movements that created spaces and blueprints for success in the industry that previously did not exist. “This program aims to showcase the beauty of community and collaboration and knowing that there is enough in this industry to go round.”
All three events are free with an RSVP. Secure your spot here!
