MUSIC (Kenya): Nairobi by Mayonde feat Stonee Jiwe

Sunny Nairobi City has a worthy, and just as sunny, champion in Mayonde and her co-singer, Stonee Jiwe -- who is obviously at peace rapping and lingering in the video clip's less-lit places. Their 2017 song of Nairobi was a risky conception, but the duo has swept all that aside -- with great cheer(fulness) and unabashed love for their city. The team, of two, certainly doesn't pander to any powers that be -- unlike Mbilia Bel, whose Nakei Nairobi blatantly and sadly did.

The video clip doesn't quite have the tell-tale grandeur of Olamide's own Lagos. And one gets the sense that Mayonde and Stonee unwittingly undersell Nairobi here, even as Mayonde's smiles and upbeat 'manner' hug everyone in, and out of, sight with unrestrained enthusiasm. 

Still, Mayonde looks good and has the presence of a worthy ambassador. She's going to be an influencer, for sure. So much potential. She mentions in the song many of the place-names that dot and map out the city -- more than well enough for those who are already its living markers in those very same locales that she mentions (and more): South C, South B, 111, Westie, Kangemi, Dondii (!), Bama, Buru Buru, Mathare, Kawangware. You see in that list the places that the spirit is comfy with. And so be it. 

Images of downtown Nairobi are sort of flipped through, though, and rushed in the clip. Many are seen in the dimming light of a rapidly retreating evening. What the Director had in mind only the Director knows. But one thing is in no doubt at all in all of this: Mayonde does love her city. She clearly prefers the peri(er) sides; but that's OK, too. Comparisons between her Nairobi  (see the video at the link given below) and Jua Cali's Karibu Nairobi are bound to be made.

"I love my city
O yes I do,
Na na na Nairobi" ~ Mayonde declares

Click to watch her do Nairobi thing