Saturday, February 15th, was one for the books as NairobiRnB curated a night of sonic magic at Masshouse Nairobi.
Dubbed Lovers Rock, the event was a perfect blend of rhythm, nostalgia, and fresh energy, headlined by none other than the phenomenal international artist, Lady Donli.
Joining her on stage were Kenyan music icon Fena and the fast-rising star Maya Amolo amongst other acts, making it a night to remember for Nairobi’s R&B and reggae lovers.
The Magical Lady Donli
Lady Donli took to the stage and brought the house down with ballad after ballad, serenading the partygoers with every note and they were responding in the same vigor, passion and tumultuousness.
A Nigerian-born Pan-African artist who has grown to become a force to reckon with in the RnB scene. Renowned for her fusion of soul, RnB, reggae, and afrobeat, her music is soul-touching and on this particular night, she had the entire venue in the palm of her hand.
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, the energy in the place shifted. By the time time she finished her first track everyone was on their feet. They sang, swayed, danced, and got completely lost in the music. It was pure magic. The excitement and anticipation really paid off and Lady Donli mesmerized her fans with hit after hit. She even debuted some of her unreleased music. Her set was a journey, each song pulling us deeper into her world. So good was this performance that we felt disappointed when it ended, we wanted more, the people wanted more. No one was ready to let go of her just yet, a testament to Lady Donli’s artistry and standards in performance.
In an exclusive post-event interview with Music Custodian, Lady Donli shared her love for Nairobi’s unmatched energy. “There’s something special about performing here. You can feel a lot of energy from the crowd. This performance in Nairobi was different, and I would love to come back and do more events,” she said, her enthusiasm unmistakable.
Lover’s Rock , A Celebration Of Local Talent
Earlier in the night, Kenyan iconic artist Fena and fast-rising star Maya Amolo took to the stage, setting the tone for what was to come. Their performances, sandwiched by excellent DJ sets, added layers of soul and vibrancy to the night in a buildup towards Lady Donli’s performance. Their energy and connection with the party-goers were just the perfect blend for the night of love. On a side note, her new EP Fenergy is out; you can stream it here.
Beyond Lady Donli’s unforgettable performance, the night was an ode to music’s ability to bring people together. The DJs curated an impeccable selection of throwback R&B and reggae classics, keeping the Valentine’s mood alive between live performances. The crowd swayed to slow jams, then erupted in movement as the beat picked up, fully embracing the Lovers Rock theme of the night. The overall atmosphere had love, passion, and nostalgia woven into every moment, making it quite unforgettable.
The R&B and Reggae Renaissance in Nairobi
Lovers Rock was more than just an event, it was a reflection of the evolving music culture in Nairobi. R&B and reggae have long held a special place in the city’s heart, especially with the older folks, and recent years have seen a revival of these genres in fresh, contemporary ways. With platforms like NairobiRnB championing alternative music spaces, there’s a growing appreciation for soulful, lyric-driven music that extends beyond mainstream Afro-pop, something that people can connect to either at home or at their local hangouts.
What’s Next?
If Lovers Rock was any indication, the future of Nairobi’s live music scene is looking brighter than ever. With artists like Lady Donli eager to return and local talent continuing to rise, we can only anticipate more unforgettable nights.
I’ll end this by asking you one simple question, what is love? To find out what others answered on this particular night, click here.
