For years, gospel-turned-contemporary artist Mr. Seed has commanded stages and won fans with his infectious energy and chart-topping hits.
Yet, last Thursday night at The Alchemist, he showed Nairobi a completely new side of his artistry. In a candid confession to a packed venue, he admitted, “This is my very first time performing with a live band.”
The event, Live At The Alchemist, a showcase now in partnership with global music distribution company ONErpm, provided the platform for this pivotal moment.
Songs that fans knew from recordings were transformed into dynamic, living pieces of music.
The event drew a crowd that included other musicians and creative professionals. Among those in attendance were Mavo on the Beat, who collaborated with Mr. Seed on his recent track “DaiDai,” and artist and producer J Blessing, highlighting the showcase’s role as a networking hub for the industry.
Later in the evening, attendees were given an exclusive screening of the new music video for “DaiDai” before its official public release.
Seed’s decision to debut a new performance style on this stage highlights the crucial role such platforms play in the artist development ecosystem.
In a city with a rich history of industry nights that have shaped careers, like Thursday Nite Live at Choices and Band Wednesday at the Kenya National Theatre, a space that encourages mainstream artists to step out of their comfort zones is invaluable.