Producer, DJ and all-round musician Blinky Bill is ready to throw down an electrifying performance on 20th December from 7:30 pm at The Elephant in what he says will be his last performance of the year.
“Tomorrow night we are live. Playing my last show of 2018 then I take a break, appreciate everyone that has shown support this year. Hope you can make it so we can jam. Joined by my young bro @samuel_sichangi and these dope musicians @wanjawohoro @taiotriiipper@tetushanimusic @itsureel link to Tix in my bio!” said Blinky on his Instagram.
Some of the acts expected to open the show include Sichangi, Wanja Wahoro, Taio Tripper and Tetu Shani. Blinky Bill released his debut album dubbed ”Everyone’s Just Winging It and Other Fly Tales” on October 19. The album has been positively been received by fans, if online reaction is anything to go by.
Blinky Bill represents a contemporary, edgy urban sound that is being fronted by a generation of artists in the continent and is gaining traction globally. The innovative, multi-dimensional artist combines the best global influences with African roots to produce music with a devoted fan base that hardly gets airplay on mainstream radio but relies on live shows and online streaming platforms.
According to Blinky, the album expresses the idea that human beings float through life doing their best, sometimes succeeding, other times failing, and that our existences have their share of upsets. He uses the music to live up to his credentials as an experimental artist who defies the routine production template and instead channels a sound that transcends genres with an eclectic range of influences.
Blinky Bill, whose real name Bill Salanga, takes his stage name from a famous cartoon character. He started his career with Just a Band, a group that he formed with his college mates at Kenyatta University in 2003.
Just A Band became an international success thanks to the song “Ha-He” whose video became an Internet sensation in 2010 because of the fictional superhero character, Makmende.
Blinky attended the One Beat Music programme of the US State Department in 2013 and the following year became the first Kenyan participant in the Red Bull Academy of Music, a global music training institution that brings together some of the best musicians in the world.
After three albums, Just A Band took a hiatus in 2016 to allow the members to pursue their solo projects. Blinky’s first project away from the group was the EP “We Cut Keys While You Wait” featuring five songs including collaborations with soul/jazz singer Maia Von Lekow and ShappaMan formerly of rap group Camp Mulla.
So who’s going for Blinky Bill’s live concert?