Coco Em

Emma Nzioka, more commonly known as Coco Em, is a photojournalist-turned-DJ making huge movements in the African music scene. We caught up with her after her set at Beat Hotel festival to discuss the evolving music scene in Nairobi, which you can read about 

. Below are her top tips for visiting the Kenyan capital.

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It’s a craft fair market place where you can buy stuff made locally in Kenya and I often DJ there with a couple of my friends. If you’re looking for t-shirts, perfume, cards or books, you can find it there and just chill and listen to us DJ for you. It happens every 2 months.

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The name ‘Oliech’ is indigenous of Western areas of Kenya. They’re known for fish because they have Lake Victoria there. She sells a lot of fish and plays a lot of Rumba Lingala music too. It’s a crazy vibe because they have live bands there too. It’s really cool.

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Mama Oliech

WLL is an amazing space in Westlands that’s one of my favourite places to hang out. It was started by a DJ/producer, who was really into book swapping. He’d host these big book swap event with people talking about literature and DJs playing. It really is the world's loudest library.

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Worlds Loudest Library

Labdi is a rule-breaker and proud. In her music and in her tact, she continues to challenge the norm; Ladbi even plays the traditional Western Kenyan single-stringed fiddle, called the Orutu, which is widely considered a taboo for women to play. Her daringness and cheek is perhaps the perfect reflection of the cultural scene coming out of Nairobi today. Check out her favourite spots in her hometown, Nairobi, the city she describes as having a BPM of 170.

A little bougie, but you get to have breakfast with giraffes

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Labdi's Guide to Nairobi

Karungari, AKA Karun is a Nairobi Based Alternative R&B musician making waves in the growing alternative scene.

Her sound airs on the soulful side with tangible influences like Andre 3000, Ciara and Erykah Badu.

Her career started with the BET nominated hip-hop group Camp Mulla who catapulted her into the music industry when she was just 15 years old. Since the group disbanded, she has been on a winding journey, discovering her sound and creating her own path. 

Above all Karun’s music is raw, honest, and meditative, and at the heart of all her songs is the message to her listeners both young and old to walk their own path and create timeless art.

Nairobi's fast-paced, frenzied nature has been one of the defining roots of her sound and she continues to draw inspiration from this bustling city that moves to its own beat. Scroll down for her favourite spots in Nairobi...

It's a super cute Vegan-friendly and child-friendly cafe that has an all-deaf waiting staff. They also sometimes have a market of all sorts of Kenyan made crafts.

Especially when they have the flea market, or on Wednesday evenings when they have the ‘Speaker Box’. Speaker Box is a series of live acoustic music performances curated by Patricia Kihoro. (Check out her socials, she has great taste in music and always find the best underground indie/folk/jazz Kenyan artists to play.)

I like this restaurant because she always has some dope Kenyan art on display and for sale (Painters, Photographers, mixed media) and live acoustic music on Saturdays.

Or this one, depending on what’s closest. Also great trails. (Also Tip, there are multiple entrances to Karura, find the lesser-known ones for a more peaceful time.)

Coco Em: Trippin in Nairobi

Coco Em: Trippin in Nairobi

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Mama Oliech

Worlds Loudest Library