{"id":91653,"date":"2021-11-04T17:31:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T15:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/?p=91653"},"modified":"2021-11-04T17:34:18","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T15:34:18","slug":"guide-to-kenya-alternative-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/guide-to-kenya-alternative-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to Kenya\u2019s alternative music scene"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Kenya, \u201cAlt.\u201d, as the creators call it, is increasingly the sound and identity for gatherings of niche audiences. Experimental events & curated festivals, weekly coffee shop mini showcases, selectively curated online playlists and annual award ceremonies are just some of the chosen avenues of Kenya\u2019s blossoming alternative scene. Live performances (now online and in person) are also a key way to build new fans as music lovers step out to interact and discover fresh new sounds.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PAM set out to explore the alternative music scene in Kenya, getting in touch with some of the fields\u2019 leading pioneers to understand what\u2019s happening on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tetu Shani (courtesy<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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An introduction from a pioneer<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Tetu Shani, a key alternative musician in Kenya, who recently got nominated for the AFRIMA Awards under the African Rock category and earned himself a music placement on Netflix\u2019s Blood and Water<\/em> series, set us off by sharing his understanding of the scene, it\u2019s history and the key players.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlternative music means something different depending on the context or country. I\u2019ll share what it means to me as a Kenyan musician. Alternative music is always off-center. Say, at any given point, you have what is the mainstream \u2013 the collection of sounds that specific culture has embraced, at that moment. This is what you ubiquitously hear on the media, say radio for instance. So, Alternative musicians then, are the people who create a sound that is different from the mainstream sound in their culture at that point. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I consider myself as part of the alternative music movement in Kenya, and one of the pioneers along with other great names like Muthoni Drummer Queen, Blinky Bill, Mayonde, Just A Band and a bunch of other people.<\/em>\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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