Ongeza Volume Podcast

Ongeza Volume
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Dive into the heart of the Kenyan live music scene through our event reviews, Kenyan music appreciation and insightful conversations around the entertainment industry through the perspective of our host, Abigael Diana.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 39: Mafans tutulie ft. Mordecai Dex

    Mordecai Dex joins the Ongeza Volume Podcast for a conversation about his music career as a solo artist, a member of H_art the Band and Kodong Klan. Tunachambua his projects, including Journey of 1000 Songs, Safari EP and his latest EP, ViBES & LoVE SoNGS. We get into his discography, collaborations, live performances and the different creative roles he occupies, before discussing the making of the EP, the use of AI in music, and the freedom artists have to grow, change or even plateau. We also talk about balancing his solo career with H_art the Band and Kodong Klan, the realities of performing as part of a collective, the Kenyan music industry, and the business and community structures that support creative work. Mordecai shares more about his upcoming live showcase, DEXCLUSIVES, his first solo show happening on 11th October 2026 at The Alchemist in Nairobi. Tickets to DEXCLUSIVES:https://alamuziki.hustlesasa.shop/ Referenced in the episode: Sio KAWAiDA LIVE:https://youtu.be/scDKd6Q5J-s?si=VW_vA4eBj90ndF9_ Paloma Visualizer:https://youtu.be/Gl6xwITiQyE?si=4ZcjNVs7qIplJg52 Kichapo MV:https://youtu.be/rmvICCmJ7rA?si=322zR0p9tr966Vph Nimeonja MV:https://youtu.be/SwzqsaN3hqM?si=INCzig6Uiz8qKIEs Kodong Klan performance:https://youtu.be/KTaakT1u7V0?si=21R1zjUf1KdnxK3T Link Up ft. Brandy:https://youtu.be/nVFupebOvVE?si=sJHv6AXT_FaY4udz Her Bills:https://youtu.be/xy5yM6tnLb8?si=P0ctYOA2fL00br7N Credits & Special Thanks:Kophen Location:Baraza Media Lab, Industrial Area Follow Ongeza Volume for conversations around Kenyan music, live events and the creative spaces around them. Podcast available on all platforms:https://pod.link/1691488834 Everything Ongeza Volume:https://linktr.ee/ongezavolume

    Episode 39: Mafans tutulie ft. Mordecai Dex

  2. Sep 2

    Episode 37: Pressure relieves pressure ft. Zaituni

    Zaituni joins Ongeza Volume for a conversation about her music, her journey as an artist and the sound she has come to call Urban Taarab. We get into Labor of Love, the project that introduced many listeners to her sound. Zaituni also talks about her new song Unanipa, the creative process behind the song, its music video and the people and ideas that found their way into it. From live performances and collaborations to navigating the Kenyan music industry as a woman, we talk about what it means to build an artistic identity on your own terms. We also get into her upcoming A Tamu Experience on 27th September, an upcoming release, how she consumes music herself and what she wants to explore next. Plus, a quickfire, because we couldn't leave without one. A Tamu Experience — Tickets:https://zaituni.hustlesasa.shop/products/6a69026ee0235cc6e65654bf Watch / Listen / References:Midnight Musings by Roger: https://youtu.be/oWJqHOs2bYY?si=cCgJfFHRvBX7Dh9n Sanaa kwa Sana: https://www.youtube.com/@SanaakwaSana Labor of Love Review: https://youtu.be/BpKnVH_ndQk?si=T2T_UJZyzzCH-s0f Credits & Special Thanks:Miss Njeri StudioKefaAnariko

    Episode 37: Pressure relieves pressure ft. Zaituni

  3. Aug 18

    Episode 36: Wisdom overload ft. Modest Chabari

    It’s been a minute, but we’re back with a conversation that takes us beyond the usual. For Episode 36, we sit down (technically stand up haha) with Modest Chabari who describes himself as a creative, an artist, music producer, music director, film composer, mixing engineer, songwriter and performing artist, to talk about the different sides of his artistry and the person he has grown into creatively. [00:01:50] We get into his discography including his recently released Rockstar EP and Rockstar Deluxe. We get to talk about his introduction to the Meru music scene and how that experience contributed to his development as an artist. [00:08:10] [00:19:00] The conversation then gets bigger than Modest. We talk about the Kenyan music enthusiasts bubble [00:26:10] From there, Modest reflects on lessons from previous artist experiences [00:27:14] We also get into the importance of community [00:29:20] We then review the Rockstar Experience, an event curated by Modest. We talk about the experience itself, what made it different and the thinking behind putting the event together. [00:30:52] We also discuss the meditation session led by JT Bulinda and how something like that can exist within a music experience. [00:36:10] That leads us into a bigger conversation about the art of curating events intentionally [00:40:20] And then… an EXCLUSIVE. 👀 [00:41:18] From there, we ask how do you measure whether an event was successful? [00:41:55] The conversation then returns to the wider music industry, including the biggest lessons Modest has learned so far and the collaborations he's manifesting [00:45:58] [00:47:30] We close out the conversation by looking ahead at what's next for Modest Chabari, before checking out some of his most streamed songs. [00:52:18] [00:52:54] We then finish with a QUICK FIRE [00:54:14] Finally, we get into why Ongeza Volume exists 🧡 [01:00:00] If you've been waiting for the podcast to return, welcome back. If you're new here, this is a pretty good episode to start with. Watch, listen and join the conversation. New episodes of the Ongeza Volume Podcast are available across podcast platforms with additional conversations and visual episodes on YouTube - https://youtu.be/i6LMBKs_81Y Follow Ongeza Volume | Podcast, Kenyan Music & Live EventsPodcast available on all platforms: https://pod.link/1691488834Everything Ongeza Volume: https://linktr.ee/ongezavolumeOngeza Volume is a community based platform that is about showing up for Kenyan music fully. We create spaces where artists can be seen, heard and celebrated; while making it easier for listeners to discover and connect with the sounds shaping our culture. From live performances to real conversations, we’re here to bridge that gap between creatives and consumers, one story, one song at a time. Ongeza Volume!To support: Till Number 9179037 #TebuOngezaVolume #OngezaVolume

    Episode 36: Wisdom overload ft. Modest Chabari

  4. Jun 16

    Episode 35: Would you say yes? (April 2026 events)

    This episode takes a look back at the events attended throughout April 2026 while also marking a milestone for a platform that has spent the last three years documenting music, events and creative spaces through conversations, reviews and firsthand experiences. We cover Genge Must Soul by Billy Black, live performances by Modest Chabari and Mutoriah at Geco, Nyashinski's Showman Residency, KE Takeover Vol. 6 by Kenyan Pick, Now It's Experience Talking listening experience by Muthoni Drummer Queen and Blinky Bill, Fresh Finds Sessions by oneRPM and Spotify, Hildah Watiri's listening experience for Watiri's Trouble, Rituals and The Clearing by Bizi Bingi. From live performances and listening experiences to recurring event series and new releases, the episode reflects on the moments, conversations and observations that stood out throughout the month. The episode also marks a special milestone for Ongeza Volume as the podcast celebrates three years since its launch in June 2023. Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode, attended an event, joined a live session or contributed to the conversations over the years. To commemorate the occasion, Ongeza Volume has launched its newsletter, creating another space to continue the conversations, reflections and discoveries that have shaped the platform over the years. Subscribe here - https://readongezavolume.beehiiv.com/ Thank you for being part of the journey over the last three years. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or joined along the way, your support has helped shape what Ongeza Volume continues to become. Join us live every Wednesday at 8:30 PM on TikTok for additional discussions around music, events and everything happening across the creative spaces. Links and references mentioned throughout the episode can be found below. Modest Chabari performance highlights: https://youtu.be/_HXodu7nmmo?si=Ytc13D8BCEtQj4uA Episode 7: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-7-reveling-at-illusions/id1691488834?i=1000625907497 Sanaa kwa Sana Showman Residency review: https://youtu.be/XRFtLT9Z_94?si=uRwUPnD9uOB_xaku Article on the Showman Residency: https://citizen.digital/article/the-showman-residency-is-nyashinski-still-the-goat-nope-n380899 Hotbox Listening Party by SHLM vlog: https://youtu.be/tbMDEsXBo9Y?si=7j0nNrjtchvt4cYs Calotropis radio - https://calotropis.xyz/ #OngezaVolumePodcast #TebuOngezaVolume

    Episode 35: Would you say yes? (April 2026 events)

  5. Apr 29

    Episode 34: The OV Setlist 2.0 Revision

    With The OV Setlist returning this Sunday, 3rd May, this episode revisits key conversations from the first edition held in November 2025. Originally shared across two separate episodes, one focused on music (EP 25) and the other on events (EP 26), the discussions are now brought together in one place as a recap and reset ahead of the next live session. This episode looks back at the standout songs, releases, performances, collaborations, and moments that shaped the previous edition, creating context for where the conversation now moves next. The upcoming edition of The OV Setlist will focus on January to April 2026, picking up from where the last session left off and continuing the reflection on Kenya’s music and events landscape through community conversation, live insights and shared perspectives. The session will also feature OV First Listen, a space where selected unreleased music from artists will be shared with the audience for live reactions and feedback. Event Details - The OV Setlist 2.0🗓 Sunday, 3rd May 2026⏰ 2PM📍 Two Grapes Nairobi 🎟 Tickets: https://gig.co.ke/event/1213/ticket 🎵 Artist submissions for OV First Listen: https://forms.gle/UK8tVhjDhWptgXk26 Join the conversation as we look back, catch up and see you on Sunday!

    Episode 34: The OV Setlist 2.0 Revision

  6. Apr 16

    Episode 33: Power of community

    This episode opens with an update on The OV Setlist date changes to May 3rd, 2026 and a question to the audience. From there the episode moves through the events attended across end of March, starting with Kenyan Funk Affair at Chronos Lavington on 19th March themed around the songs that defined East African dancefloors in the 70s and 80s. It also reflects on a moment of noticing familiar Splice samples used across different artists, and what that means for how music is being created and received. The episode continues with Hornsphere and The Unit Live at Orchid on 22nd March, followed by the Building Trusted Voices and Advancing Information Integrity Among Content Creators workshop held from 25th to 26th March, organized by Bloggers Association of Kenya and UNESCO. Also covered is Industry Social at Koda on 25th March, and the Bridget Blue RnB Listening Experience, with a note to the dedicated episode and released visuals for a deeper dive. The episode then highlights The Long Run by Hunja on 28th March, an event organized to support his mother’s cancer treatment , grounding the episode in what it means for people to show up for each other beyond the music. It closes with a roundup of Kenyan music releases from March 2026, capturing what stood out across the month. Power of Community reflects on how people gather, support, create and contribute across events, conversations, and moments that extend beyond the music itself. The OV Setlist tickets - https://gig.co.ke/event/1213/ticket Lamusicjunkie newsletter - https://lamusicjunkie.beehiiv.com/ Santuri Workshops - https://santuri.org/SEMA

    Episode 33: Power of community

  7. Apr 1

    Episode 32: The Rhythm in Blue ft. afrikan kodo

    This episode is a reflection on the Rhythm and Blue listening experience. The album by Bridget Blue was released on 31 March 2026. Having hosted the session, the episode brings together a dual perspective both from within the room as the host and from the audience. It explores the energy of the space, how the music was received in real time and what stands out when people come together to listen with intention. Joining the conversation is afrikan kodo of Sanaa kwa Sana, who was in attendance and shares his own reflections on the album, the experience and the dynamics of listening spaces. His presence in this episode marks a full circle moment having played a key role in encouraging the start of Ongeza Volume in 2023. Together, the episode moves through the music, the event itself and the broader conversation around how people show up for such experiences offering honest observations from both sides of the room. Tickets to The OV Setlist - https://gig.co.ke/event/1213/ticket Sanaa Kwa Sana - https://linktr.ee/sanaakwasana Sanaa kwa Sana Colours Album Review - https://youtu.be/jXRFqjHuVWQ?si=P-sDYeD5oldUdd1d #TebuOngezaVolume

    Episode 32: The Rhythm in Blue ft. afrikan kodo

  8. Mar 31

    Minisode: Bridget Blue's RNB Album Listening Experience

    This is a special Ongeza Volume minisode capturing Bridget Blue’s exclusive album listening for RNB, Rhythm & Blue, recorded live at Koda on 26th March 2026. The session blends music and conversation, as we listen through the project while unpacking the stories behind the songs, her artistic growth and the journey leading up to the album’s release on 31st March 2026. This is not a typical episode it’s an intimate, in-room experience shared as it happened. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this one and special thanks to Bridget Blue's team.

    Minisode: Bridget Blue's RNB Album Listening Experience
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About

Dive into the heart of the Kenyan live music scene through our event reviews, Kenyan music appreciation and insightful conversations around the entertainment industry through the perspective of our host, Abigael Diana.

Information

  • Creator
    Ongeza Volume
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ongeza Volume
  • Show Website
    Ongeza Volume Podcast