From Vinyl Addiction to R&B Brunches, Kisumu Catches the Old School Fever

The second edition of Vinyl Addiction took place on Saturday, the 5th, at Radio City in Kisumu’s Milimani Estate, amidst a weekend filled with several other old school events across the city.

DJ Nijo, the headline act of Vinyl Addiction, once again proved himself to be among the best of the dying breed of DJs who still spin vinyl in the country. Having honed his craft in the early 90s under the mentorship of DJ Pinye, Nijo took revelers on a musical journey through various genres of old school music—from the 60s to the mid-90s—selecting each vinyl record meticulously from his crate from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Personally, I enjoyed his classic soul segment the most. The music brought back memories of my adolescent years, so much so that I called my childhood friend, Voke, to join us. We both grew up in the teachers' quarters of a rural High School, and the songs reminded us of those days we used to listen to radio and tape.

DJ ED OG, DJ Herbo, and Kisumu’s celebrated DJ Slim had the decks from midday till evening, each bringing a unique flavor of nostalgia in their choice of music. DJ Herbo catered to hip-hop fans, while Slim dominated with R&B and a touch of hip-hop. ED ensured smooth operations behind the scenes, managing the technical aspects of the setup and playing every other thing else.

Technicalities of Playing Vinyl

Speaking to Orals East Africa after his set, DJ Slim discussed the intricacies and challenges of playing vinyl on ancient technology. He emphasized how delicate the stylus or needle is, which, if worn out, can cause the music to distort, more like the sound of a malfunctioning cassette tape. This happened during his set for a couple of minutes before being sorted.

 "The stylus comes in pairs, with a diamond-coated pin costing around KES 60,000, offering better durability compared to regular needles priced at KES 25,000," Slim explained.

Earlier in the event, DJ Nijo shared with Orals East Africa that playing vinyl makes him feel like a true DJ. "Playing vinyl engages all your senses; there's no room for distractions like drinking or socializing with friends," he remarked.

Despite a smaller crowd compared to the debut event, and the feeling of an event that was put together in a rush, the attendance was manageable, and vendors like Jajamelo Pizza confirmed they found value in partnering with Urban Radio and Radio City for the event.

Alleyways Old Skool Retro

Half of the crowd moved to Alleyways Beer Garden at 10 pm, where DJ Nijo headlined the Alleyways Old Skool Retro event, held every first Saturday of the month. Transitioning from his white attire at Vinyl Addiction to all black, Nijo showcased his versatility by seamlessly mixing digital decks with live MCing backed up by MC Bob and MC Mackenzie, anteing-up the crowd with hits spanning R&B and hip-hop classics.

Club Da Place’s RnB Brunch

Club Da Place also catered to old school lovers with an R&B Brunch, featuring early 2000s fashion and themes, marking their return to the old school scene they were known for 7-8 years ago.

Speaking to Orals East Africa on Sunday, Sydney, a reveller who attended the R&B Brunch, applauded the club for a well-organized and executed event.

'The music was top-notch, and there was a great variety of performances, including a violinist and a saxophonist, which added to the entertainment,' he said. 'I got there at 6, and it was almost full. My plan was to cross over to another spot later in the night, but I couldn’t leave until way past midnight,' he added."

Game Night at Natzar Bistro

The Kisumu entertainment scene seems to be re-embracing old school themed events, which had been overshadowed by Amapiano and reggae concerts. Recent events like Game Night at Natzar Bistro on September 27th, featuring 90s music alongside card games, are a testament to this revival. A second edition is scheduled for October 25th, featuring a blend of old school and new school Afrobeats.

Perhaps, the most anticipated old school event remains the Kisumu Old School R&B Brunch on October 20th at Radio City Milimani. It’s clear that Kisumu has caught the old school fever once again.