Discover the Vibrant Underground Music Scene of Nina Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya's bustling capital, is a vibrant and energetic city that beautifully melds modernity with tradition. Known for its lively street life, bustling markets, and abundant wildlife, Nairobi offers a unique blend of experiences for residents and visitors alike. 

The city's music scene is equally diverse and dynamic, boasting an eclectic mix of genres from Afrobeat to electronic dance music. 

It’s undisputed that Nairobi, and Kenya in general, has one of the most diverse musical scenes anywhere in the world. Influenced by the different cultures, locally and internationally, Kenyan artists are able to integrate not just different instruments and sounds but also add to that a wide range of languages that allows them to express things in their own unique way - Aziz Mola, New Documentary Showcases the Diversity in Nairobi’s Music Scene #NuNairobi

Nairobi is home to the annual Safaricom International Jazz Festival, attracting talented musicians from across the globe and showcasing the best of local and international jazz, further enriching the city's rich tapestry of sounds. It is one of the greatest music fiestas in all of East Africa and a haven for all Jazz music lovers.

But despite the bigger well-known music events, there is something hidden under the surface!

Enter Nina Nairobi, a musical adventure that takes you through Nairobi's pulsating underground music scene. Curated by the talented producer, vocalist, and community organiser MR. LU*, Nina Nairobi is the first in a series of Nina Hubs showcasing underground music communities from around the globe. Through the Nina Nairobi Hub, you will be able to explore five extraordinary artists through their music and exclusive interviews, where they share insights about their creative process and influences.

Let's meet the Artists!

MPHILO - "no way home"

Hailing from Nairobi, MPHILO presents "no way home," a track inspired by experiences as a diaspora kid who moved from Canada to Kenya. Through a blend of English and Kiswahili, she tells the story of a woman searching for a sense of belonging and a connection to her roots. MPHILO's unique fusion of guitar and nyatiti, an 8-stringed lyre from the Luo community of western Kenya, creates a captivating and heartwarming sonic experience.

7headc0 - "BBPS RAD.II"

Kamwangi Njue, the creative mind behind the 7headc0 moniker, introduces "BBPS RAD.II," a track that serves as a prequel to his musical journey beyond the confines of his mind. This Nairobi-based artist delivers an infectious beat that invites listeners to join him on his artistic expedition into the real world.

RVMP - "Comodo"

"Comodo" is a standout track by Nairobi's very own RVMP, a song that began with a sample from Justin Timberlake's "Let The Groove Get In." RVMP later discovered that the sample originated from a 1983 Burkina Faso Rhythms of The Grasslands recording. Regardless, "Comodo" showcases RVMP's ability to take inspiration from various sources and craft a distinctive sound that resonates with listeners.

Mush from the bush - "Nipe Time"

Muchigi Kimari, also known as Mush from the bush, presents "Nipe Time," another prequel to his musical journey outside his mind and into the real world. 

MR. LU* - "Klabu"

Last but not least, the curator of Nina Nairobi himself, MR. LU*, shares "Klabu," the first single off Nairobi Lost Tapes, Vol. 2. Inspired by his passion for highlighting local Kenyan music with a modern twist, MR. LU* has created a project that brings the sounds of Nairobi's underground scene to the forefront.

Nina Nairobi is a testament to the power of underground music communities and their ability to bring together diverse artists with unique sounds and stories. This Hub not only serves as a new (web3) platform for these talented musicians to connect, expand and monetise their music but also offers a glimpse into Nairobi's thriving underground music scene.

Nina's series of Hubs, starting with Nina Nairobi, showcases the authenticity of the decentralised Web3 music industry and Nina specifically. It's a fresh breath of air in a closed echo chamber that it sometimes feels like we are living in due to traditional music publishing and the traditional industry it resides within. By giving these artists a chance to connect with listeners from around the world, Nina Hubs ensures that underground musicians receive the recognition and support they deserve.

In case you missed it!

Nina has also just dropped Episode 4 of their 400 FLOOR Podcast.

Nina has dropped the fourth episode of their 400 Floor podcast, featuring an engaging conversation between Cory Arcangel and Jacob Ciocci, two influential contemporary artists who share a long history of friendship. In this episode, they reminisce about their experiences growing up in the 80s, meeting in college, and bonding over music, art, and the early days of the internet. Fans can listen to this insightful discussion on any major podcast platform. Additionally, 400 FLOOR episodes are available as collectable editions on Nina, and grabbing one means collectors are granted access to a bonus extended edit of the conversation, providing an additional 78 minutes of exclusive material for a deeper dive into the artists' stories and perspectives.

Wait, what are Hubs?

As the world of music continues to evolve, so does the way we discover and appreciate new sounds. Nina Hubs represent a groundbreaking innovation in the Web3 music industry, offering a new way of thinking about how artists, listeners, reviewers, and record labels can interact and collaborate. A Nina Hub serves as a decentralised network of sorts, connecting users in an intricate web of relationships that shapes the entire Nina ecosystem. By using a Hub, users can publish their releases, repost and review others' releases, and link collaborators to their Hub. This enables the creation of a personalised network with on-chain programmatic management of royalties. Hubs pave the way for a more decentralised and inclusive Web3 music industry, where artists, reviewers, and other stakeholders can interact fairly and receive their deserved share of the revenue.

What is Nina?

Nina is a decentralised Web3 music platform that seeks to address the inequalities in the music industry by providing a new standard that supports artists and fans alike. With Nina, users can buy, sell, and stream music online, and artists are able to receive 100% of the initial sales from their releases. Nina’s platform is built on the Solana blockchain and all data is stored on the Arweave blockchain.