Goethe Institut Nairobi Jam Charisma "The Luhya Heat"
- oneal otutu
- May 15, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 12, 2021
When Charisma takes the mike you know it's about to get personal and just listening in the comfort of our homes we couldn't help but simply sing along his performances.
The Goethe Institut Nairobi Jam Locked in Session second edition featured Charisma who took us through the journey of love.
The show which is hosted by the calm and collected George Nderitu takes part at the Goethe Institut and plays out not just like a live performance but also a candid conversational interview with the artist.
Charisma who has just debuted his first solo EP, and essentially his first full solo project he takes full account of his self and looks forward to releasing more beautiful songs throughout the year. He is also more excited to do a rather fully-fledged live performance.
Having successfully balanced between a demanding time in Law school and his music wart and all, the crooner is happy with the reception that "With Love Charisma is getting." The sprawling EP from the self-evident singer-songwriter widens the scope of his work with a naked emotional connection and this is a kind of superpower that has been overwhelming new converts since the release of his first single as a solo artist, "Unavyonipenda" back at the start of 2019 featuring Mbithi The Kamba Boy.
The EP which has 4 songs took about four months to deliver enlisting various producers and writers to add that extra touch of glow and man the arrangement of the sound is intimate. Beyond the awesomeness of this crystal voiced artist is that he feels at rest and comfortable enough to let us in and draw us to the tunes about love.
Kicking off the performance with "Tuthi Nawe" a soulful heavenly embrace of two lovers longing to spend time together saying "Kuwa Nawe, Tuthi Nawe (Twende Nawe)." He examines the complexity that defines love in an era where almost nothing is certain but reinforces the hope that everyone has that someone.
He teams up with the amazing pianist Eugene Kanyugo, who directs Charisma's live music performance. Together they indulge us on the concept of aromanticism- the unwillingness to reciprocate romantic feelings of love- with "Nikumbatie." He comments that he wrote the song coming from a break-up where he showed all the love to this person and they never reciprocated.
I suspect some couples will realize the much they have taken for granted and just take the moment to hug and appreciate who they have in their lives.
"Nisife Moyo" is a cry out to the most-high God. After hitting a few bumps on his journey hitting the desolate void in search of answers, Charisma seeks refuge in God and prays for understanding. The song is an Ode to God, a revelation of his discovery and newfound trust in God. It might confound others who don't think the pursuit of those things is necessarily completely opposed.
Throughout the performance, he made a couple of interludes on leading songs from the 254, a couple from Le Band, and ultimately a cover to Rihanna's Diamonds.
"Betty" wins points for delivering intense raw feelings with Charisma's voice careening to the fore targeting the lady who is never ready to commit to you. Charisma reckons with himself head-on to accept and break free, you can't force yourself on others.
The EP | "With Love, Charisma" |caters to pessimists who argue that love is a bit too elusive in an era where trust in relationships is just fickle. The emphasis on love exhumed in this work of art delivers detoxification from the exhausting stream of selfish politics and COVID-19 blues that constitute the normal day of news.
Relive the full Experience Here:
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