Santuri Signal – Details, episodes & analysis

Fighting heaviness with heaviness. Despite the weight of the current Coronavirus Pandemic, DJ Coco Em channels the bass of Nairobi's trap & rap scene for a half hour mix of the freshest and loudest East African tracks. 

Follow Coco Em on all platforms:

https://soundcloud.com/coco_em

https://www.instagram.com/coco.emmah/

https://www.facebook.com/coco.emmah/

“I’m an old soul in a young body.”

Part 2 of SS005.  Justin and Coco Em speak with Monski at Aepath Studios. One of the most talented rappers in Kenya, Monski is an artist you should get to know. We discuss pre-show rituals, Powerpuff Girls, and her project HipHop In the Hood

Find Monski’s music on all streaming platforms https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JXxoFsBe5W---7iFEkNzw

Free ressources, software for DJ’s and Producers: http://www.santurisafari.org/

Artwork by Akiba Haiozi.

“I just go to the washrooms, I say a little prayer for myself. Then I go on stage, and I kill it.”  

Another Kenyan Hiphop Special! Justin and Coco Em interview @Monski254 at Aepath Studios Nairobi. She is one of the most talented rappers in Kenya, an artist you should definitely get to know. We discuss her trajectory, some of our favorite tracks she’s released and recent awards she’s won. 

Find Monski’s music on all streaming platforms: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JXxoFsBe5W---7iFEkNzw

Free ressources, software for DJ’s and Producers: http://www.santurisafari.org/

Artwork by Akiba Haiozi.

 Bonus content! A short audio treat until we release our next episode with Nairobi hiphop artist Monski next week. This is an outtake from our previous interview w/ Swahili Emcee, Historian, Activist and Youth ambassador for African culture, Kaa La Moto (SS004).  We had a great discussion on Kenyan Hiphop, lyricism & traditional tribes.

Of course, if you’re on itunes, hit that subscribe button, if you’re on soundcloud, make sure to follow Santuri East Africa. For now, listen to Kaa La Moto break down his song Msafiri, one bar at a time.  

Listen and purchase his latest album, “KESI”, independently released 2019 record.  available on all platforms. 

Mookh: https://mookh.com/album/kesi 

Bandcamp: https://kaalamoto.bandcamp.com/releases

Artwork by Akiba Haiozi.

“Kenya is now almost reaching the fifth generation of hip-hop artists. We come from the third generation. And [even] in the third, most of us have forgotten our roots, and the basic [lyrical] mechanisms of Hiphop & Rap.”  

Pt.1 of Santuri Signal 004. Justin interviews Swahili emcee, historian, activist and youth ambassador for African culture, Kaa La Moto. Tune in for a discussion on Kenyan Hiphop, traditional tribes, and a break down of some of the lyrics from his independently released 2019 record. 

Listen and purchase his latest album, “KESI”, available on all platforms.

Mookh: https://mookh.com/album/kesi 

Bandcamp: https://kaalamoto.bandcamp.com/releases

Part 2 of episode 3. Justin and Coco Em continue to look back at Nyege Nyege Festival 2018 in Uganda, this time listening to Justin’s interview with Kenyan experimental electronic music producer Slikback. This was recorded just a few hours before his first Boiler Room set (he would go on to do another at the legendary Dekmantel Festival in 2019) and months before his subsequent international tours (notably in China & Poland). Music featured throughout the episode from his collaborators as well as Slikback’s original productions. 

Tracklist:

1. Slikback - Pita Pata (ft. Black Bandana)
2. Reniss - Pilon (Prod. Jovi Le Monstre)
3. Blessed San, Blaq Bandana, Ecko Bazz - Control
4. Slikback & Yen Tech (SVBCVLT) - Zeno
5. Slikback - Gemini
6. Slikback - Venom

Artwork by Akiba Haiozi.

Support the artists and labels featured in this episode by purchasing their music: 

1. https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/slip-a
2. https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/tomo
3. https://newbellmusic.bandcamp.com/

Part 1 of a 2 part episode recorded on location at Nyege Nyege Festival 2018. We start off with a flash interview with Bushfya (formerly known as Fya Leboof). After her performance, we asked the Ugandan DJ about her journey, her approach to DJ'ing & we even debated the gender politics of the industry. 

Stay tuned for part 2, our interview with Kenyan DJ & Producer Slikback.

TRACKLIST:
Faisal Mostrixx - Omusamba Ndegee ft Nalweyiso                          Dj Rachael & Kastimo - Conga Jinka (feat. Mama C) Scraych Mix    Boneye Presents Jack Rooster & the decimators - Wamlambez.      DJ Shock - Shockolate (demo)                                                    Slikback - Pita Pata (ft. Black Bandana)

Our second episode of Santuri Signal is a 2018 discussion with Arlen Dilsizian of Nyege Nyege Tapes. He is one of the founders of the Kampala based label and festival that explores, and releases outsider music from around the region and beyond. DJ Coco Em and Justin host & curate the soundtrack, while Arlen takes us through the Nyege Nyege Team's mission to establish a project that showcases the exciting transformations happening in contemporary African music.

TRACKLIST:
Disco Vumbi - Ukuti
Bamba Pana - Wateranga (Domadana Remix)
Jay Mita - Tatizo Pesa Feat. Dogo Janja
Nihiloxica - Endongo

With this first episode of Santuri Signal, we are officially launching our podcast. A fresh showcase of East African sounds - diverse, innovative and experimental music from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and beyond. We record interviews with the DJ's, musicians and producers themselves, about their art. Stay on the look out for DJ mixes too!

SS001 is our interview with Nairobi based ambient producer KMRU. He tells us about making outsider music in East Africa, being the grandson of a Kenyan music legend, and what it's like to be signed to a german label at only 21 years old. Hosted by Huilly Huile and DJ Fluid.