Yesterday the first Blankets and Wine of the year went down with AKA, the “Supa Mega” hip-hop star as the headline act. The amazingly carefully curated performances that take place at Blankets and Wine is what keeps it many peoples’ favorite festival. This edition brought together acts from East, West and South Africa all on one stage.
The bright Sunday started off with a showcase set by the new generation of artists and creatives of Nu Nairobi. With sets from EA Waves’ Ukweli, Muroe and Kiwango. Powerful vocals from Ciano Maimba, Prisca Ojwang, Trina Meka Mungai and Janice Iche. Finally, Tetu Shani entertained the increasingly sauced audience and brought Mayonde up as a surprise act for their beautiful ballad ‘Chemistry’.
Prisca Ojwang
Tetu Shani
Tetu Shani and Mayonde performing ‘Chemistry”
Stylistically diverse and politically inclined Nigerian singer and songwriter Nneka was next on stage. She performed ‘Africans’ and ‘Lucifer’ among many of her hits.
‘Fenamenon’, Fena brought it back to the East, performing many of her hits,including ‘Sema Ng’we’. She also brought out a series of fantastic guest acts. Firstly, Xtatic came up to perform their jam ‘Jabulani’. And finally, her entire ‘Squad’ shared the stage, Muthoni DQ, Kagwe Mungai, Blinky Bill and Mayonde. Finishing up her set with the crowd favorite, ‘Kama Kawaida’
Fena
Xtatic
Xtatic
Kagwe Mungai
Mayonde
Muthoni DQ
Blinky Bill
Fena
Finally the headline act AKA, came up and shut it down. Hyping up the audience into a frenzy with his tracks such as ‘All Eyes on Me’, ‘Baddest’, and ‘The World Is Yours’.
Producer and DJ Suraj closed out the night with his sonic signature of electronic beats over ethnic tribal vibes.
Suraj
