Snaps

Conscious Kiswahili rap gave the youth a voice of protest towards the turn of the millennium. Today, more mainstream popular musicians have joined in, making music with direct critical messages.

Nairobi’s Westlands district is the rich side of a highly unequal city. But it also provided a space for electronic musicians and music-lovers from across social divides.

Nairobi’s West/South C area was the home of the «Boomba» party sound. Now only the bars remain. What happened?

Juliani, a self-confessed «musician with a mission», runs a community center in the heart of Nairobi’s poorest district, building on the legacy of conscious rap that began in this part of the city.

All music is social commentary, argues Joyce Nyairo, as she deviates away from «conscious music» to consider the intended and unintended messages in current Nairobi pop.

A remixed profile of young Nairobi-based DJ/producer Victor Munyasya, an exciting newcomer to the city’s electronic scene. Baring his soul in this abridged interview, he challenges the need for false identities and the social pressures behind it.

Don’t believe the hype. Despite its reputation as a global city, Nairobi is a mostly chaotic, starkly unequal place, with the majority struggling to get by. Emma Nzioka’s photography captures this inequality, accentuated by musical selections by Kamwangi Njue.

Oscar Mizani is a rapper using Nairobi public transport as his stage. We take a ride with him as he spreads his message through the streets.