Kenya National Theatre’s Band Wednesday, beside the Mugumo, brings back memories of Mombasa’s Art Cocktail, on the rooftop beneath the stars, at Jukwaa. Talents put up their best shows to the small audience in attendance, interacting and exchanging ideas, as well as collaborating.
Meeting Nate Speaks here after nearly three years, since our last encounter at Jukwaa, spelt déjà vu, as I signed the visitors' book at the gate.
And then there was Blood Moon Studios, our cauldron of art, I mused as I made my way towards the Mugumo Courtyard, walking past Geco Tribes’ teardrop and food truck.
“Yoh Charo!”
There he was, seated under the tree, in dark shades, a bucket cap awash in colors, a black t-shirt, hoodie, jeans, and white Jordans.
“Man, umezeeka,” he said, getting up to embrace me and laughing in my face. “Hadi uko na ndevu!” He laughed some more.
“Speak, your name asks you to,” I jabbed.
The Art Talks Entertainment founder and CEO had been in Nairobi for 2 months, doing shows and interacting with local industry players, having left Mombasa for a new challenge, as he termed it over the phone when he called to ask if I’d be available to attend one of his shows.
The dynamic Swahili poet, who began his career as a spoken word artist and mastered rap and singing to melodies, was already a fan favorite at the show, I realized as we got to the shade where the show was almost starting, where fans came to say hi and ask for selfies and every tick, and he was relishing every moment of it.
“The city has been kind to me thus far. New people mean potential, and more resources, and I’ve decided to throw myself into this whirlpool, and I’m holding my own,” he told me.
Commenting on how the consumption of his art has rocketed since coming into the city, he says, “Music ya Coast is consumed by everybody as ours is a universal language. Ni ngumu mtu apitwe na bars za Swahili as opposed to some street lingo, and that’s why I’ve stayed true to my roots to hone my trade,” Nate Amani says.
As if to dispel any doubt, he referred me to his latest 9-5 EP, doing numbers on Spotify, from which he’d be performing a few songs that evening. Produced by Massacre of Ajus Media, he’s featured the self-proclaimed best rapper at the coast, Boywaley-4, and Baba Z.
Watching the crowd sing along to Plan B made me wonder if Nairobi is finally softening to coastal sounds. For decades, artists from Mombasa have had to migrate north to prove themselves. Nate’s story isn’t just about one artist; it’s about a cultural bridge slowly being built.
He’d intimated that he was already receiving requests for collaborations and joint projects, as the stage shook to ‘Intoxicated’, and the audience sang to ‘Rahisi’, a household was the picture.
“The second edition of Vibe with Nate will definitely be here in Nairobi, peel your ears for the date and venue,” he said to the animated audience as he came to the end of his set.
As I left the courtyard, I realized my déjà vu wasn’t about Mombasa at all. It was about artists like Nate proving that no matter the city, true art always finds a home.
