In the recent past, Kenya has seen its fair share of international stars coming to grace our stages. For Kenyan artists however, they seem to have felt an unfair advantage when an international act would get more recognition than themselves but this might see a change in pace this August with the Terminal Music Weekend
6 international acts including Knock you down singer Keri Hilson and ‘Anonymous’ RnB artist Bobby V will be jetting into the country in the beginning of August for the Terminal Music Weekend which will be held at the KICC. This is a show with a new dawn in entertainment and music shows where all artists are served an equal chance to perform as opposed to the norm where the Kenyan artistes curtain raise for the international artistes.
One of its kind
The name ‘Terminal Music Weekend‘ derives its name from the terminal at an airport with its main objective being to bring people together from all over the world and all walks of life, just like at an airport terminal, to one music weekend.
The Terminal Music Weekend aims to provide not only high caliber concerts at an extremely affordable price but also ensure that Kenyan acts are not sidelined and are accorded the same amount of time on stage as the international acts.
According to KICC CEO Nana Gecaga, Kenyan acts need to be recognized for their talent even more when they’re on home ground. “We know these artists, we’ve seen how hard they work and we know how the music industry can be, so it’s only fair for us to create a platform where they can be appreciated and recognized for their true talent.”
On the 3rd, Keri Hilson, Bobby V and Horace “One for the money” Brown will perform alongside our very own Habida, Sage and June Gachui on the 3rd of August for a mature “grown and sexy” audience.
The next day will see Big Shaq, WSTRN and Big Tobz perform alongside Khaligraph Jones, Steph Kapela and Shukid in what is dubbed as “UK Grime meets Kenyan Hip Hop.”
Sunday morning will see the artists having a sit down to relax, chill and talk about how musicians can work better together and who knows, maybe a collaboration may be born from the discussion.
The weekend will also host DJ Joe Grinds who is an international DJ from the UK and he will perform alongside local DJ’s Stylez, Pinye, Adrian, Mixmaster Lenny and G Money.
“It’s great when the appreciation culture for local acts in the space of international acts, shifts for the better and this is a good opportunity to allow that to continue to happen,” said Chemutai Sage.
Commenting on the Terminal’s decision to have international acts accorded the same time on stage, Steph Kapela said “I feel like it’s about time Kenyan artists were given the same platform and access the international acts get, it’s strange that we haven’t been doing this all along. If we demand quality music quality visuals quality marketing from our artists we must also appreciate their efforts on the big stages.”
Ticket prices
The tickets for the 3rd August will be sold in three waves and cost Kshs 2500, Kshs 3500, Kshs 4000 and Kshs 5,000 depending on how early you buy the ticket.
Tickets for the second day during the “UK Grime meets Kenyan Hip Hop” will also be sold in three waves costing Kshs 2000, Kshs 2750, Kshs 3500 and Kshs 4000 also dependent on how early you buy the ticket.
