The Soil deliver heavenly performance in Nairobi

Roots International boss Abdi Rashid Jibril introduced the trio to the crowd about 10pm by giving the attendees a brief history of the group and highlighting a few of their achievements. At that moment, the crowd had already begun building up around the relatively modest stage.

“I would like to ask that we all move back and as the performance builds up then we can move to the dance floor,” Jibril told a rather steamed-up crowd as dozens held up their mobile phones to capture videos of The Soil getting onstage.

The Soil, comprising Buhlebendalo 'Soil Sister' Mda, Ntsika 'Fana-tastic' Ngxanga and Luphindo 'Master P' Ngxanga, started off the show with a twist, their opening number ‘Unspoken Words’ dedicated to a couple in the crowd.

“We had another song we wanted to start with but we were asked to do ‘Unspoken Words’ as a special dedication to newlyweds somewhere in the room. Apparently that song was their wedding song,” Soil Sister said.

The nostalgia continued with ‘Celebrate’, which was so rhythmically animated that it brought the kind of fire and energy reminiscent of the great South African a capella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

A section of the crowd had already begun to move closer to the dance floor, which was in line with the lyrics delivered by Fana-tastic. “Calling all the nations and everyone from different races / Stand up and make some changes for a better human nation,” he sang.

After ‘Celebrate’, it was time to introduce the group. “We are originally from heaven, born in Soweto, destined to triumph all over the world,” Soil Sister said.  

The group then went on and kept it up-tempo and humorous with hits like ‘Kofifi’, ‘Sunday’, ‘Lokutshona’, ‘Lizzy’ and ‘Bomba’, which showcased the group's incredible vocal prowess. The lead-singing duties alternated between the three to demonstrate the joint nature of The Soil's make-up. The grand vocal interaction of rhythm, melody, counter-melody and harmonies continued and by the end of the concert, the group had delivered 13 songs sung in their mother tongue.

This, however, had no effect on the audience’s level of pleasure, especially the ladies whose screams got louder and louder every time Master P showed his masculine beatboxing skills accompanied by harmonic basslines.

Fana-tastic and Soul Sister's effortless high notes also left the audience breathless and caused everyone to cheer and clap enthusiastically.

Diverting away from their popular songs, a standout single on the setlist was ‘Asante’ (Thank You). Fana-tastic said the song was written for African countries like Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania, which had offered refuge to South Africans who were exiled there during apartheid.

“This is a song that we sing for everyone that was against apartheid. We simply say, thank you. When the likes of Nelson Mandela and Albert Luthuli were exiled, they were actually home. We hope you can use your hearts and souls to listen to it.”

The hit ‘Suzan’ ended the concert with the group hugging several fans and leaving people energised and satisfied.

By 11.30pm, The Soil Live in Nairobi concert had proved that one's voice is enough to make music and move a crowd.

The concert also featured Kenya's Box of Beats as the opening act. Comprising rapper and beatboxing guru Checkmate Mido and guitarist Kevin Munyi, the duo performed original compositions and a capella versions of popular tunes. The addition of Swahili slang to their performance created a carefree and fun atmosphere for the audience.