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!
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