Kenya’s Winyo; Nina Ogot to debut their duet at the Live & Unplugged Kigali - 14th July at Ubumwe Grande Hotel



Tickets available

Responding to an invitation by the Rwandan-based Afropean music network and entertainment outfit AFROGROOV, the Kenyan duo of Nina Ogot and Winyo are set to take their soulful and bluesy rhythms to Rwanda and participate in the third instalment of AFROGROOV’s critically acclaimed LIVE & UNPLUGGED KIGALI music series. 
In the past 5 years, AFROGROOV has consistently introduced world class musical events and boundary-pushing creative activities to a Rwandan audience as they embarked on a nomadic journey across different venues. AFROGROOV aims to add vibrancy to Kigali city by creating platforms for high quality musical performances while serving the needs of a niche audience that seeks world-class entertainment while unearthing musical discovery in the capital. 



Nina Ogot and Winyo are following the footsteps set by luminary artists and world-class pan international, singer/songwriters and musicians such as Thais Diarra from Mali/Senegal, Keziah Jones and Nneka from Nigeria, Joss Stone from the UK and Rwanda’s own cultural custodian and music legend Cecile Kayirebwa.
Winyo & Nina Ogot participation at the Live & Unplugged Kigali live music series is an outcome from ONGEA! 2017 - The Eastern Africa music summit that focuses on introducing Eastern Africa music acts to newer markets.
The organisers behind ONGEA 2017 and AFROGROOV share a common objective of promoting Eastern Africa authentic sounds. ONGEA! is held annually in Nairobi and hosts up to four festival bookers who then identify the entertainment acts they are interested in booking. The annual summit that is held for four days is keen on creating synergies within the regional music industry through a trade exhibition, knowledge exchange industry panels and artist showcases. 



 Kenyan afro-acoustic songbird Nina Ogot made her musical debut in 2009 with the album Ninairobi. Known to sing in Kiswahili, English, French and Dholuo, Nina's music career is all about celebrating her Luo roots as it is about urban interpretation of her tradition.



“It will be our first time to brace a Rwandan stage and to debut this new acoustic performance out of Kenya. We hope a new musical connection will be established with the people of Rwanda who love to listen to authentic African music,” says Nina of their showcase.

Commenting on the Rwandan show Benga blues singer Winyo notes: 

“The very fact that we have this wonderful opportunity to showcase our music in Rwanda means that we are already making a huge attempt to tap into the Rwandan Market.”

The artists’ further hope that this live acoustic show will be an unforgettable introduction of their music in Rwanda and from there henceforth a beautiful long musical relationship with the music lovers of Rwanda. (I feel like this is repetitive. Winyo is a singer/songwriter of great sensitivity, addressing various social issues ranging from the plight of homeless children to courtship and love. His musical style ranges from afro-fusion and afro-jazz, to a contemporary interpretation of Benga, transformed into an authentic acoustic sound. Winyo sings in Dholuo, and Swahili with a smattering of English.

Karengera Kirenga – also known on the Pan African music scene as DJ Eric Soul, is the creative force behind AFROGROOV. He comments on the reason for hosting these two outstanding artists: 

“By introducing world-class regional talents and not just mainstream artists in the commercial music radar, we are disrupting the status quo and influencing other promoters, marketers, media, venues and policy makers to explore a wider musical scope and think differently about music & live performances in general.”
“It has always been our mission from the start to use AFROGROOV as an avenue to promote this kind of music and artistry that sparks change and trigger acceleration in the development of our creative Industry,” Kirenga further notes.

Mike Strano who is the Founding Director of ONGEA! also shares the same sentiment; 
“It is a great opportunity for us to take these two acts to Rwanda. As ONGEA!, our key priority is making festival bookers such as AFROGROOV discover new acts through our annual four-day music summit held in Nairobi.” 
--end
watch Winyo and Nina Ogot perform POLO

Listen to Winy and Nina Ogot new duet album project YOTE YOTE
 NOTE TO THE EDITORS

About ONGEA!
ONGEA!- The Eastern Africa Music Summit evolved out of the KENYA MUSIC WEEK Limited which was founded in 2004, to create an accessible public Forum for Industry stakeholders (i.e. Musicians, Producers, Promoters, Distributors, Media, Consumers, Government & NGOs) to interact and produce Solutions to Industry challenges. The first-ever KENYA MUSIC WEEK was successfully held in Nairobi’s Sarit Centre Expo Hall for 4 days, from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th December 2004; followed by one every December for a total of 10 Years.

About AFROGROOV.
AFROGROOV has gained a reputation as a reliable source of high quality music event and production value. AFROGROOV connect creative people, ideas and concepts to sparks new conversations about afro culture in the 21st century. 




WINYO
NINA OGOT

To interview the artists or more about ONGEA!
Contacts: Beth Achitsa via email ongea@phatafrica.com or call +254 774 386 060.
For showcase opportunities, press & media enquiries in Kigali
Contact AFROGROOV afro.components@gmail or whatsapp +250 784 999 402

Comments