Kenya’s EDM scene is on the rise

EDM in Kenya began as an underground movement of electro enthusiasts. It was characterised by private parties at a few clubs. Most of these events captured the imagination of upmarket youngsters before spreading their influence across age and social barriers. Because the scene was unknown, mainstream promoters and event organisers passed on it. They left it to a young crop of businessmen and women who shocked the industry when about 3 000 partygoers attended the Colour Festival in 2015.

This was a feat that many experienced event organisers had failed to achieve in many years. With no media backing or serious sponsorships, Peter Tanui, Malcolm X Andrew and the Yehlah Crew made history with Colour Festival, which rode purely on the EDM hype among young people. Colour Festival, Daylight Festival and Daylight Insomnia have continued their upward surge and claimed their place as major events in Kenya.

DJ Suraj is a top-rated Kenyan producer who has gained traction on the international stage. Every weekend he plays sold-out parties on the Nairobi club circuit. Suraj has made a name for fusing EDM and traditional Kenyan music.

“It’s pretty much a DIY space,” he says. “There are no rules or boundaries in EDM. I can bring in a nyatiti [Kenyan lyre] player in the studio and build an entire song around that. We have gotten to a point that the EDM sound is slipping into pop. I am in the studio with Sauti Sol a lot, and although they’re in the pop scene our music feeds off each other."

Suraj has played live for about seven years and seen the rise of EDM first-hand. He attributes the success of the scene to creative purists like Blinky Bill and EA Wave.

The success of Diplo's Kenyan concert last year was a clear indicator of the genre’s popularity. Backed by fellow Major Lazer member Walshy Fire, Diplo played to a capacity crowd in Nairobi. Even though many in Kenya didn't know who he was at the time, the success of the event took EDM further into the Kenyan mainstream.

"EDM started as a joke. Many thought a genre that doesn't have someone singing in it is just pure noise,” Mike Muema, who remixes popular hits, says. “People hated EDM for a very long time but I have to give it up to DJ Protege and Jack Rooster for holding their stand in this genre. And by doing so it has generated so much love for the genre. Today we have so many DJs and producers in Kenya."

Muema says that social media has been instrumental in popularising EDM in Kenya. “My remixes have created a huge buzz on social media, because I picked popular songs and gave them an EDM twist. I've had many guys approach me to remix their projects just because they heard my stuff on social media."

Although EDM has quite a way to go to reach the massive success it enjoys in Europe, the US and even South Africa, the Kenyan electronic scene is seeing an upward trend. With passion, dedication and a unique sound, Kenyan DJs are making a mark in the colourful world of EDM.