A collection of the avant-garde artists blending various historical styles from Kenya and East Africa

Avant-Garde and Electronic music from Kenya

Recommended artists from the Kenyan underground scene

Bin Khalid recommends: Underground Kenyan Music

One Bad MF straight out of Luanda (Kenya)
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UGf9WYSKd3IeERl8gM2dq?si=nfkhZcRgR4C7Pm884xiFNw

Alvarez Anwar the Earl of Oats

Nalala Nikiloa
(Sleeping and Dreaming)
"I was sleeping and dreaming of you my Love Champion and now you come bringing me this piece of cloth!"

Alvarez Anwar has been performing in countless experimental bands for the past 20 years. Often found behind the soft-jazzy afro-samba perforating from the lounges of many a top hotel in Nairobi, Alvarez has been slowly crafting his art into highly creative 'afro-fusion' compositions in recent years. 

Alvarez venture started in the urban arts of hip-hop - dancing & toasting MC. He was one of the original B-boys/Grafitti artists of Nairobi in the '80's. He would breakdance in discos in Nairobi like Club Boomerang.  Rapping over the beats provided by DJ Parco Perez, he would earn his supper, and on tunes like 'Shalamar' he would win the crowd over.

He was attracted to the musical side of things after spending time see some exceptional Afro-rock and Reggae bands perform at the African Heritage club in Nairobi - to mention a few: Mosi O Tunya (Malawi?), The Makondes (Kenya), Gravity (Kenya). 

Supported by his father he learnt piano at the YMCA and later attended the Nairobi Conservatoire.

Supported by his teacher Mr. Karuma he quickly became a music teacher himself and began a journey of exploration into a multitude of musical styles funky attitude intact of course. Alvarez still teaches music theory across Nairobi. 

Most of Alvarez Anwar's work is unreleased, some existing on old reel to reel recordings. He features prominently as a guitarist/bassist on Bakawola Evolution and other works by the Bakawolas. B.K.S.P. is striving to bring as much of this material to the Soundcloud as is possible.

Adzeni

Nalala Nikiloa

Alvarez Anwar and Mtaani Survivors - Nalala Nikiloa

Alvarez Anwar has been performing in countless experimental afro bands for the past 20 years. Often found behind the soft-jazzy afro-samba perforating from the lounges of many a top hotel in Nairobi, Alvarez has been slowly crafting his art into highly creative 'afro-fusion' compositions in recent years. 

Alvarez venture started in the urban arts of hip-hop - dancing & toasting MC. He was one of the original B-boys/Grafitti artists of Nairobi in the '80's. He would breakdance in discos in Nairobi like Club Boomerang.  Rapping over the beats provided by DJ Parco Perez, he would earn his supper, and on tunes like 'Shalamar' he would win the crowd over.

He was attracted to the musical side of things after spending time see some exceptional Afro-rock and Reggae bands perform at the African Heritage club in Nairobi - to mention a few: Mosi O Tunya (Malawi?), The Makondes (Kenya), Gravity (Kenya). 

Supported by his father he learn't piano at the YMCA and later attended the Nairobi Conservatoire.

Supported by his teacher Mr. Karuma he quickly became a music teacher himself and began a journey of exploration into a multitude of musical styles funky attitude intact of course. Alvarez still teaches music theory across Nairobi. 

Most of Alvarez Anwar's work is unreleased, some existing on old reel to reel recordings. He features prominently as a guitarist/bassist on Bakawola Evolution and other works by the Bakawolas. B.K.S.P. is striving to bring as much of this material to the Soundcloud as is possible.

Alvarez and Mtaani Survivors - Pekeshe

Gebrüder Teichmann feat. Ukoo Flani: "Whateverman Dub" (2011 – Outhere Records) 
Since 2009 the brothers are curating the intercultural collaboration project BLNRB (Berlin ↔ Nairobi) together with the Goethe Institute Kenya. More than 25 artists and bands such as Jahcoozi, Modeselektor, Ukoo Flani, Nazizi & Abbas Kubaff cooperated in several studio sessions and performed several concerts in Kenya and Germany. The album "Welcome to the Madhouse" will be released in July 2011 on Outhere Records.

Kraut Und RŸben: GebrŸder Teichmann Play Staubgold

BLNRB/Gebrüder Teichmann feat. Ukoo Flani: Whateverman Dub (2010)

In the 90's Anekeya was working as a security guard at Kenya Breweries. He learn't guitar as a side venture - learning Franco tunes by ear on a self-made guitar. He jammed and composed songs with other musicians on off-days - rehearsing wherever they could find the space to play and sing loud. Dedication would sometimes take him out in the wilderness where the music could be free to emerge into many forms.
Unfortunately Anekeya lost his employment and was evicted from his house. Taking up residence with a friend he decided that it was time to pursue his calling as a musician and also acknowledge the spiritual aspect of this calling.
When the opportunity arose to record at River Road, drawing on his inspiration from the bush & ghetto, Anekeya was able to quickly lay-down all the melodic parts for this spectacular debut album. Papa Lefty accompanied Anekeya as a guest vocalist on many of the tracks and the studio engineer programmed all the rest.
The album was first released on tape in 1997 as "Hudson Anekeya Were presents: Kweli Yesu Ni Bwana Wangu, Volume 1, A Sound From the Mountain." and was never released on another format until being remastered by Gearz K. in 2011 and released simply as "Sound from the Mountain".

Anekeya H. Were - Beginning to Wonder

I dedicate this to @JusNery, @EmmyBelt, @FoxElijah, @CaptainTheThird, @CaptainNinetyThree

Sometimes I Dono If People Are Having Lunch Or Getting Married

The Mountain Of Truth And Beautiful Forests Produced by Sir Mr. D

Frenzied Nairobi fire for you here, courtesy of a team-up between 14-legged troupe Sarabi, and Auntie Flo collaborator / all-round good guy Esa. The track's development is engrossing, forged in the crucible of a collective dedicated to the advancement of East African cultural interests, through live festival jams and lightning-quick studio sessions. It's too long and detailed to tell here – you'll have to cop the physical release for the full story splayed across the inlay.
This radio-ready version of "Koko's Vibration", mixed and produced by Esa and Ambrose Akula Akwabi (a the man known as the 'East African Mr Fingers', fact fans), adds a subtle gloss to the rough takes floating about the web, but loses not an iota of passion. That means spirited yelps, polyrhythmic drumming, hooks flying in from all angles, and those wicked Onyeabor-esque keyboard runs. It arrives soon as part of the Highlife Series; they've gone from Cuba to Kenya, and soon to Uganda. Like we said: real good music made with real good intentions by real good guys.
Find out more here: http://highlifeworldseries.tumblr.com/

Sarabi "Koko's Vibration" - Boiler Room Debuts

Recorded live from the second stage which was a massive jam session involving the audience and members of the bands mentioned (apologies if not all bands represented)

Rift Valley Music Festival - Alvarez Anwar, The Beathogs, Owiny Sigoma Band ( "Hey Joe" )

Check out the pumping funky jam that erupted at the second stage at the Rift Valley Fest as members of the audience seized the stage to rave and jam along. 

Rift Valley Music Festival - Shit goes hard live (Bakawolas, Owiny Sigoma, Beathogs & More)

JJ Snowleopard - Maschine & vocals
Anwar "Earl Oats" - guitar & vocals

#post-rhumba

Jaba City

Wakhuthudilima featuring Alvarez Anwar

WAKHUTHUDILIMA

Produced by #Breadsteppas and Anwar. 
Guitar and Verse Vocals - Anwar Earl Oats
1st Rap - Sir Xangelix Mumo 
2nd Rap - Mudogo

La Vie Ne Pas

Mapenzi Ya Muziki

BREADSTEPPAS  - Mapenzi ya Muziki feat. Alvarez Anwar

Msoto Millions

Bin Khalid Sonic Pollution has been releasing a variety of eclectic music from from Kenya since 2002.  BKSP is a story of the junction of 2 musical paths -  one through the rocky, indie underground of the Nairobi City and one through re-imagination of traditional music from rural “shags” of Kenya.  Obsydian Media is a sub-label imprint dedicated to the Heavier output of music from this synthesis.
for enquiries
booking@binkhalidsonicpollution.com