Peculiarities in the Nairobi art scene

So with the Nairobi art scene experiencing some sort of renaissance, it seems to be going through some unnecessary peculiarities of sorts. Why? Because few artists in Nairobi seem to have brainwashed themselves with the idea that they are major gifts to the country’s art scene. Please note that the only reason they think so is the plus of having journalists, bloggers, events planners and ‘fans’ who are friends. This guarantees them all the publicity and no review of their work, no criticism and no comparison to others artists countrywide to see capability and talent abounding from others who may as well be more talented and more gracious.
And with this mentality of being ‘the greatest’ or ‘the providers of premier East African musical experiences’ has even made them form their own ‘cool crowd’ which ranges from groupies to hanger ons (those of the ‘I know so and so at every gig’!) and users as well (these ones vary in their talents; from using other people’s husbands to furthering their career to kissing anyone for the paparazzi so as to get some extra press/publicity). And to be with the cool crowd you have to adhere to some unwritten commandments;
Thou shall show up at every major gig (in Nairobi only, few exceptions are made for bourgeoisie gigs at the coast and some exclusive parts of the Rift Valley) thrown by any artist members of the ‘cool crowd’
Thou shall continuously refer to these gigs (to a nauseating effect) in any conversation held with the cool ones
Thou shall seriously ostracize non religious attendees to the ‘cool crowd’ artists gigs
Thou shall aspire to be identified with all the gig throwers and artists affiliated with the ‘cool crowd’
And the list goes on and on methinks, but its never that serious in my opinion off to pay attention to real talent!

Jav Adventures in the new hood

So after having moved to a lovely neighbourhood in the middle of a weird new area code, I have had to endure some serious matatu torture rides-and I mean TORTUROUS!
Why I am sure you ask-picture yourself on Jogoo road, but instead of driving towards town, you deviate to the other side of the road and drive against oncoming traffic (please note when you’re boarding the jav, they say jogoo road, town so obviously you assume its via city stadium past Muthurwa and presto, uko town!). Well this is not the case and some of us green ones learn this the hard way.
Back to my story-as the driver nonchalantly drives at 100kph against oncoming traffic, we sharply swerve and enter Shauri Moyo, against some more kidogo oncoming traffic. And the journey from there into the mazes of Eastleigh Sector 4 on some seriously bumpy, nonexistent roads over which the dere still pulls a 100kph over. And as you look around you fear for your life because of the existing perilous situations (both inside where death is possible from an accident and outside the jav where you could get jacked and thrown into one of the numerous sewage rivers running in the area or worse). Suffice to say by the time you get to town-hopefully in one piece (albeit with rattling teeth, bad back, heart in throat and purse and rosary/prayer beads tightly clutched in fist) you do not want to ever want to get into a 33/34jav ever again considering the crazy ride as well as the cost-kshs70-100 depending on whether its raining, there is mad jam or the kange feels generous! Unfortunately, jioni you’re back at the stage chilling for one to take you home and that will be in part of this storo 
Ciao people