Whilst on a recent trip to Kenya, particularly in the capital city of Nairobi, I was keen to embrace a culture that I had very little knowledge of; to connect with people whom were virtually unknown to most Westerners, and to share with them a common interest that binds us and builds bridges between our two very different worlds. And I found all this through the medium of some brilliant Kenyan music.

On a quick stop outside one of the many supermarkets that littered Nairobi, I had to stretch my legs and get out of the bus that was starting to smell like a changing room after a decathlon (in other words very sweaty and musky). So I walked blurry-eyed into the piercing rays of the harsh Kenyan sun, and slumped down on the side of the road. Casting a shadow over me, a young Kenyan man approached me clutching a small bag and asking if I spoke French. After realising I only spoke English he proceeded to tell me (in the Queen’s own) how he used to be a criminal robbing stereos from cars and selling drugs. He looked remorseful when he told me about his past, but was not looking for sympathy or money – just a bit of conversation with a visitor to his country. The curiosity bounced both ways.

We chatted away, and the subject somehow switched to how he discovered music through some friends of his, gradually turning his life around, inspiring him to leave the crime world behind him and focus on making beats. His name was ‘Le Grand Nesta’, and in time he made an album with his partner, Junior Hill, about redemption and finding peace through music. He offered me one of his CDs for 100KSH (about a quid), and ever a sucker for a bargain, I snapped one up. And you know what, it’s not half bad.

The four-track E.P. called ‘Dieu Soit Loue’, ‘God is Rent’ to me and you, is a fusion of reggae, ska and a little hint of Congolese beats despite being from Kenya. I have not stopped listening to the CD since I got back home, and despite the lyrics being in French (with my grasp of the language of love being limited to ordering a brioche), its catchy and great to listen to on public transport - it kind of drowns out all the miserable coffee-breathed, frowning commuters on the daily trudge into the office.

It was an inspiring and humbling experience to meet an aspiring musician trying to better himself. He was genuine, sincere and obviously had a great passion for music - something we both share (except I jam to the beats on my iPod, whilst the Kenyan is making music to rise from the slums). Unfortunately Le Grand Nesta does not have a MySpace page or a Twitter feed, however in the coming months Ctrl.Alt.Shift will be able to play music through our website. So hold tight, keep your eyes peeled, Le Grand Nesta and Junior Hill will be coming your way very soon.       

Words: James Prosho

Photo: Flickr user Naarinha

Did you know:

In Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, 250,000 people have no roof over their heads. Of this mass of people ravaged by poverty, war and globalisation, it is the children who have to struggle most. Some are sent out by their impoverished parents to work or to beg. Others have lost their families through war or illness, and some have simply been abandoned.

For more information on how to help orphans in the developing world please click here