This track is part of:
TIMEZONES
Nairobi's next generation music Producers and performing artists speak out.
In recent years, small-scale studios in Nairobi have begun producing music locally, and some of their output reaches millions of listeners in Kenya, or create buzz and noise in international niche music scenes. Their producers and musicians are turning old hierarchies upside down, often calling for social and political reforms. But they’re also facing a lot of resistance.
Full Podcast:
norient.com/thomas-burkhalter/timezones-episode-1-nairobi
Featuring:
Baby Elephante, Blinky Bill, Boutross, Coco.em, DJ Raph, Hitman Kaht, Kamwangi Njue, Karun, Janice Iche, Jinku, Joseph Kamaru (KMRU), Manch!ld (debe), Moroko Kalahari, MR. LU (XPRSO), MUNYASYA and Wambui Kamiru
A podcast by Thomas Burkhalter
Director, idea, interviews: Thomas Burkhalter
Music: Thomas Burkhalter, Daniel Jakob
Additional Samples: Joseph Kamaru, Boutross +
soundofnairobi.net
Additional Voiceovers: Kacey Moore, Selasia A. Djameh
Trailer Voiceover: Nana Akosua Hanson
Editing: Thomas Burkhalter, Daniel Jakob
Mastering: Adi Flück, Centraldubs
Graphics Cover: Šejma Fere
The Timezones Podcast Series is co-initiated and co-produced by Norient and the Goethe Institute.
Release: October 1 2020
TIMEZONES: A podcast series
The TIMEZONES podcast series plunges into the world of artists and their practices, asking: What does living and working in culture and the arts involve in different countries, cities and contexts today? The artists’ thoughts on their moods, their social, political and intellectual realities and their philosophies (of life) have been worked up into experimental audio collages.
The podcasts run the gamut of formats and content, from straight journalism to experimental and documentary approaches, ethnography and fiction, sound art and improvisation. The TIMEZONES series endeavours to create new artistic forms of storytelling, listening and exchange across the boundaries of geography, time zones, genres and practices.
The TIMEZONES Podcast Series is co-initiated and co-produced by Norient and the Goethe Institute.
«I think the best word you can use is frustrating. You can be book smart. You can be street smart. Most kids are book smart; then you find a kid cannot even afford an exercise book. I've grown up with like a couple of them. I've seen where they've ended up. Even from my childhood, we have I think three friends who just remained. Most of them were super smart but, after you finish high school, that's it. Most of them died because of violence. Some of them are still in prison. Opportunity is not for everyone. People decide to do other things because of pressure, maybe there in a vulnerable position. Because if your mom can't afford to or your dad can't afford to pay for you university or get you an apartment or even food... I'm pretty sure even in your right mind... Most of the guys they sort for violence which is stealing or anything so it's always just frustrating. It's really frustrating and inequality in Kenya is just super absurd.»
Boutross