In Conversation With Sayankah

Sayankah is a multimedia artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a fan favourite. You’ve no doubt heard him play at Alchemist or Nairobi Street Kitchen. If not, perhaps you’ve caught his mixes on Oroko Radio. His preferred genres are Lo-fi, RnB and anything smooth. Sayankah brings chill vibes anywhere he plays, or creates. Contrary to his Samburu decent name, dubbing thee a blessed warrior (in case anyone was wondering). He joined me in the chilly month of July for an interview. A closer look into his world.

What mediums do you work with?

I work with Music, sonics. I’m a. musical curator. I love making playlists. I recently did a collaboration with Oroko radio. I DJ too.

I’m also a Visual artist. I’m a. graphic designer, I work with ceramics, digital art and new media art projection mapping installations. I studied fine art and design at Kenyatta university. I used to draw a lot at the time. I don’t anymore. There never seems to be enough time.

When did you start DJ-ing?

In 2018. I was 19, maybe 18 putting things up on nyx cloud.

Do you remember your first DJ booking?

*laughs* Yes I do. First gig happened as an extension of my lovely mother. She was a dance instructor for a few years and used to host a gig a couple of nights. She happened to host one at Sankara and invited me to play. The crowd was way more mature than the crowds I usually play for. I had to dig up salsa music, merenge, Zamba. Usually i’m more Inclined towards alternative, lo-fi, chill RnB vibes. I left class earlier that day, took a matatu, got off at Ngara. It started at 7:40 or 8. The crowd was very punctual.

What are your biggest influences as an events curator?

The youth in Nairobi. Ndung’u. Meet Mes. Anjiru. Luku. Other people in Munyu. I lean towards transmodernism. An event taken creative agency. Sila silata. Light art. Cultures merging digital and physical spaces. Forward thinking.

You’ve had your music take you all the way to Accra and back, what was the most meaningful experience your art has taken you to?

I would say festivals mostly. I love having that space to meet people. I had a residency at Oroko radio too (the one that took me to accra) . I leave there feeling like I have a deficit of knowledge. I love experiencing new things.

Would you say your work creates meaning for you?

Yes of course

How so?

Theres either a story to tell, or a feeling. Its usually a feeling. Especially sonically. Like its healed me, or held me. A song thats changed my perspective on how i look at life or how I look at a situation. Or how I feel and approach music and music making. If its visually, I’ll have new forms of media that expose me to how I can tell a story differently in novice ways that appeal to me personally. Yeah, I love creating. The virtue in that, I think love is also a feeling that creates purpose. Love also resonates in the meaning that creating brings for me.

I imagine what i’m feeling is the most meaningful part of the art I create, and what meaning someone consuming my art might feel.