Studio Can-V launches music hub in Nairobi

The initiative, spearheaded by Kenyan DJ, architect and sustainable design advocate Jesse Mwenda, opened on 2 July at the Kuona Artists Collective with support from Jägermeister’s global Save the Night Fund.

The launch event brought together key figures from Kenya’s nightlife community, including Kenyan Feierstarters campus ambassadors, local creatives, and representatives from Viva Global, Jägermeister’s regional distributor. Also in attendance were Jägermeister’s global leadership team: Kai Deschling, director of Global Experiential and Culture Marketing; Lewis Jones, vice president for the Middle East and Africa; and Kea Kleihauer, global culture and experiential manager.

Jesse, who first performed as a DJ at Nairobi’s Carnivore aged just 14, developed the concept in response to the challenges he faced as a young creative without access to professional equipment. In 2023, his idea won a €50 000 grant from Jägermeister’s Save the Night Fund, selected from hundreds of international submissions.

The result is Studio Can-V: a modular, container-based studio fitted with DJ turntables, mixers, streaming cameras and acoustic treatment. By day, it functions as a classroom and rehearsal space; by night, it transforms into an intimate showcase venue with live sessions to be streamed and archived on YouTube and social media, building a living archive of Kenya’s contemporary DJ scene.

“Today is a beautiful collision of many things,” Jesse said during the launch. “It’s the launch of a dream I have been nurturing for a long time and a vision born from my love for architecture, music and sustainable design. That vision comes to life in the form of Studio One.”

Reflecting on his journey, he added: “Back then I had to borrow gear and sneak into a friend’s house to practise. When conceptualising Studio Can-V, I thought about what support I needed back then and Studio Can-V is my answer to that struggle: a space where anyone, regardless of background, can learn, rehearse and share their sound with the world.”

Speaking at the event, Jägermeister’s Kea Kleihauer said: “No matter what you want to do, it’s important to have people like Jesse who make it possible for everyone to take part and feel included. That’s what Safe Zone is all about: bringing people together, creating night spaces where everyone can have fun, enjoy their night out and feel a true sense of connection. It’s such a beautiful thing and we are genuinely happy that we all get to share this moment together.”

Studio Can-V is not a one-off project. Jesse confirmed that a second studio, focused on music production and sound engineering, is expected to launch later this year. The initiative will also offer DJ lessons and livestreamed sets, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, sustainability and community-led development.

“From safety to sustainability, nightlife is under pressure everywhere, but young Kenyans still need stages,” Jesse said. “Studio Can-V puts those stages back in their hands, free of charge, as a non-profit. Thanks to the support of the Jägermeister Save the Night Fund, we’re recycling containers to recycle opportunities.”

Founded in 2022 by RIBA Part 1 architect and DJ Jesse Mwenda, Studio Can-V is a non-profit organisation that converts disused shipping containers into modular, off-grid rehearsal and performance spaces. The platform aims to expand access to equipment, training, and exposure for emerging DJs and music producers, while documenting and sharing Kenya’s evolving music culture with the world. Its first project was made possible by a €50 000 (about $58 300) grant from Jägermeister’s Save the Night Fund.

Meanwhile, Save the Night is Jägermeister’s global initiative that is designed to support projects that make nightlife safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable. The fund provides financial support and mentorship to creatives worldwide, enabling them to bring innovative ideas to life in communities where access to nightlife infrastructure remains limited.