10 Video Clips from Nairobi

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Ten Video Clips from Nairobi
10 Video Clips from Nairobi

A selection of ten music videos from Nairobi from 2020 onwards, plus two older ones by DJ Raph’s algorithm. Some are examples of popular current music addressing heavy political themes, while others are a sort of antithesis.

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Design: dudusquad
Sound: Wakadinali, King Kaka, Kimani Sunz, Ben C, Juliani, Buruklyn Boyz

Urban Legends

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Urban Legends
Urban Legends

Kamau Ngigi aka Kamaa aka Githingithia (Earthquake) is one of the founders of legendary rap trio Kalamashaka, widely regarded as originators of Kiswahili rap in Nairobi. Here, he tells the story of the Nairobi of his day.

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Design: dudusquad

From Shamisen to Kayamba

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From Shamisen to Kayamba
From Shamisen to Kayamba

After growing up in Japan, Sally, a Kenyan teenager, wanted to reconnect with Kenyan music upon returning home, while dealing with the meaning of that term, «home».

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Design: dudusquad

Chapatis at Hip Hop City

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Chapatis at Hip Hop City
Chapatis at Hip Hop City

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.

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Design: dudusquad
Photo: Falkue (Wikipedia)
Sound: Recording from a DHC event

Norient Playlist 05/22: Nairobi

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Norient Playlist 05/22: Nairobi
Norient Playlist 05/22: Nairobi

Listen to this playlist of artists from Nairobi, Kenya. It traces different genres and schools and it features music released between 2001 and 2022.

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Design: Maria Uthe
Sound: Juliani

Norient Playlist 04/22: Kharkiv

Norient Playlist 04/22: Kharkiv
Norient Playlist 04/22: Kharkiv
Norient Playlist 04/22: Kharkiv

Listen to this playlist of artists from war-torn Kharkiv, Ukraine, and their current releases. Curated by Andrii Symonovych from Kyiv, during the invasion by Russia, 2022.

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Design: Maria Uthe
Sound: Ryba

Norient Playlist 03/22: Palestine

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Norient Playlist 03/22
Norient Playlist 03/22: Palestine

Listen to this playlist of artists from Palestine and their current releases.

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Design: Maria Uthe
Sound: Rawi Illiam

Gaza – When Beyond the Norm Becomes the Norm

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Gaza – When Beyond the Norm Becomes the Norm
Gaza – When Beyond the Norm Becomes the Norm

Episode 10 of the «Timezones» podcast series reflects the digital reality of being together as a people, thus shedding light on the challenges of working as a Palestinian artist today.

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Quote: Rehaf Al Batniji
Design: Šejma Fere
Photo: Rehaf Al Batniji

Sonic Gift-Giving on TikTok

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Sonic Gift-Giving on TikTok
Sonic Gift-Giving on TikTok

Since the advent of COVID-19, Algerian youth, artists, and studios have taken to TikTok to sell and promote the latest raï hits. One unique way for young people to engage in musical sociality is through so-called «sonic gifts».

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Quote: Luca Bruls
Design: Geke Zaal
Sound: Field Recordings, TikTok
Remix: Luca Bruls

When Silence Rises from Earth

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When Silence Rises from Earth
When Silence Rises from Earth

IR :: Sankara Future Dub Resurgence perform a ceremony for an anti-colonial future, recorded live at the Dub Museum in Kampala, Uganda.

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Quote: When Vision Meets Dub Architecture

Ears on/of Makiling

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Ears on/of Makiling
Ears on/of Makiling

A Timezones episode around the stories and sounds of Mount Makiling in the Philippines. A mythical site of tremendous importance for many Filipino artists.

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Design: Šejma Fere