Makadem goes on European tour to ‘expose nyatiti’

“This is my story to the world that doesn't know the nyatiti as an instrument let alone as a music genre," he said. "The world doesn't know East African music, it doesn't know Makadem as an artist. Music is a culture and this is what I am taking to Europe. It is my hope that after the tour the world will know and enjoy East African music as much as it knows West African music”.

The nyatiti genre has been embraced by many Kenyan musicians and music teachers. Makadem says that he is indirectly mentoring many curious Kenyan artists, especially those with an interest in deep contemporary African music.

Kenyan artists are more enthusiastic about local shows at home but Makadem challenges them to cross borders and be part of a revolution that tells Kenya’s music story to the world.

“I organised this tour on my own without an agent here in Europe. This is something we Kenyan artistes rarely do so it’s a breakthrough for me as a musician," he said.

"My main aim was to take our music to the global audience since they aren't looking for us like they do with our African brothers and sisters from West Africa. I also want to challenge my nyatiti performance with an international audience away from home”.

Makadem’s music repertoire is largely nyatiti music that also employs kalimba, mbira and acoustic guitar . His tour comes to an end on 25 July 2017.