- country:Kenya
- region:East Africa
- style(s):Afro, Benga
- label:Culture Connect Ltd
- type:Band
- gender:male, female
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, percussion, rock band, piano, guitar
- artist posted by:Culture Connect Ltd
Line up
- Adam 'Dushman' (Acoustic Guitar)
- Antony Kimangu (Percussions)
- Bernard Oduor (Drums)
- Christabel Were (Backing Vocals)
- Haron Waceke (Bass Guitar)
- John Nyamai (Keyboards)
- Nelson Mandela (Lead Vocals)
- Peter Mbau (Electric Guitar)
Links
At the age of 11 – 14 years, growing up in different informal settlements in Nairobi, SARABI was among the groups formed at the Haba na Haba Art Center now known as VOCAL (Voices for Change All Over).
Today, after 10 years of playing together, SARABI’s music centers on Social Justice and is the bold voice of the youth. The music itself is electric, engaging, emotional and still hard hitting. With energy as a central element, it is a blend of traditional East African rhythms, Benga and Afro Beat, fused with Rock and Reggae.
In 2013, SARABI released a single Fuata Sheria (Respect the law). The song was SARABI’s summary of Kenya at 50 years and highlights major corruption scandals that have never been resolved despite the formation of numerous tribunals.
Their social engagements extend to their own neighborhoods, from teaching kids from the informal settlement of Kibera, to mentorships for kids in the ghettos or as they call it, ‘The Humble Kingdom’.
A documentary film about SARABI, their story and their music, titled Music is Our Weapon is currently in the making. It is a film about the power of music as a tool for social change and is scheduled to premiere in early 2016. SARABI have recently been appointed as the Kenyan Ambassadors for African Artists Peace Initiative (AAPI).
Within the last year, SARABI have become one of East Africa’s most popular live bands, performing at Sauti Za Busara Festival in Zanzibar, Selam Festival in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Bayimba International Festival in Kampala Uganda, DOADOA Cultural Market in Jinja Uganda, Tanzania’s East African Vibes Concert hosted by Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA) in Dar es Salaam and Karibu Music Festival in Bagamoyo Tanzania.
SARABI had a successful 2015 summer tour in Europe performing at Africa Oyé Festival in Liverpool UK in June and Roskilde Festival in Denmark in July. SARABI was a Showcase Performer at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Budapest Hungary in October 2015.