Hosted by Munala Mabinda From a construction worker's jazz lounge in Chicago, 1986, to a packed nightclub in Nairobi, 2006, to the professional stages of Braeburn Theatre in 2026 — this is the story of Poetry Slam Africa.In this episode:• The origin: How Shailja Patel brought the slam format to Kenyan soil and sparked a movement• The institution: Poetry Slam Africa, founded in 2008 at Dass Ethiopian Restaurant, is now the longest-running spoken word platform in East Africa• The global stage: Kenya's membership in the World Poetry Slam Organisation and the road to Durban 2026• The champions: Timelines, Dorphanage, Nyash, Kazu, Aminatuzahra, and the voices shaping the culture• What's next: The June 14, 2026 preliminary at Braeburn Theatre and the Grand Slam scheduled for January 28-31, 2027Poetry Slam Africa exists to nurture creative expression. Sixteen years strong. Still slamming, still speaking truth to power.Follow Creative Spills for show dates. The mic is open.#SlamAfrica

AfroWay — Soul From The East: Poetry Slam Africa

Can a book have a bassline? In this session of AfroWay - Soul From the East, host James Mabinda dives into “The Cinematic Read”—focusing on books from the continent and the global diaspora that move with the kinetic energy, sharp editing, and scale of a widescreen film.James dissects three distinct literary masterworks: Marlon James’s aggressive fantasy epic ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’ (paired with experimental, heavy Afrobeat); Yaa Gyasi’s sweeping multi-generational masterpiece ‘Homegoing’ (structured like the history of Black music from traditional drumming to jazz and hip-hop); and Oyinkan Braithwaite’s razor-sharp Lagos thriller ‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ (dripping in cool Afro-funk).Turn the pages, adjust your headphones, and explore how these global stories bridge the gap between rich cultural history and modern, widescreen art.Host: James MabindaFollow our official WhatsApp Channel for updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0sSupport the station: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/afroway-soul-from-the-east--6846244/support👉 Subscribe to AfroWay for weekly deep-dives into global Black music, business tech, and storytelling.

The Soundtrack of Storytelling: 3 Cinematic Novels from Africa & The Diaspora

Did Eddie Butita just save the Kenyan music industry, or did he walk into a political minefield? In this deep-dive episode of AfroWay – Soul From The East, James Mabinda breaks down the "Sipangwingwi" copyright scandal, the 700 "stolen" songs, and the government’s new plan to put your royalties on e-Citizen.

Is This a Creative Revolution or a Political Trap? 🎙️🇰🇪

From the roots of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela to the modern African Jazz Renaissance. James Mabinda takes you on a journey through the history, struggle, and rebirth of the African sound.

The Power of Trumpet

Mystery, Mountains, and Five-Note Scales! 🎹🇪🇹 We are diving into the world of Ethio-Jazz and the legend Mulatu Astatke. It’s haunting, and it’s funky.

The Ethio - Jazz

Independence had a sound, and it was called HIGHLIFE! 🎷🇳🇬🇬🇭 From the fancy ballrooms to Fela Kuti’s street rebellion. 🌍✨ Host: James Mabinda #highlife #FelaKuti #Afroway #soulfromtheeast #africanmusic #podcast

The Highlife Independence

Jazz didn’t start in America—it just went there to get packaged. 🛡️🇿🇦 Deconstructing the "Port of Return" and how South African Marabi became the ultimate sound of resistance. 🎷🔥 Host: James Mabinda WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s

The Port of Return

It’s not a boys' club anymore. 🛡️🇰🇪 Deconstructing the rise of Kenya’s Slam Queens—from Mumbi Macharia to the new champions Nyash & Kazu. This is how the Matriarchs of the Mic are redefining the 254. 🎙️✨ Host: James Mabinda Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s ​#SlamPoetryAfrica #WomenInPoetry #MumbiMacharia #Afroway #JamesMabinda #SoulFromTheEast #NairobiCreatives #PoetrySlamKenya

The Queens Who Own the Nairobi Mic

3 Minutes. No Props. No Mercy. 🕒🇰🇪 Deconstructing the rules of the Kenya Poetry Slam and why the 'Judges from the Crowd' make it the most honest art form in the 254. 🛡️🎙️ Host: James MabindaFollow US on Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s​#SlamPoetryAfrica #KenyaPoetrySlam #JamesMabinda #Afroway #SpokenWord #PoetryRules #SoulFromTheEast #NairobiCulture

Slam Poetry - The Arena and The Blade

Deconstructing the rise of the Kenya Poetry Slam and why our poets are the new voice of the revolution. 🛡️✨ Host: James Mabinda Follow US on Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s​​#PoetrySlamKenya #DominionPoet #SpokenWord #Afroway #JamesMabinda #SoulFromTheEast #Kwani #NairobiPoets

The Oral Revolution — The Rise of Kenya’s Slam Poets

Deconstructing why the 2026 Drill scene is the true successor to the Mau Mau legacy. No gatekeepers, just the hustle. 🎤🇰🇪​WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s ​#Wakadinali #BuruklynBoyz #NairobiDrill #254HipHop #SoulFromTheEast #JamesMabinda #Afroway #KwaniniKesho

The New Kings of the Nairobi Block

One voice starts a fire. A Clan changes a country. 🔥 Deconstructing the Ukoo Flani legacy, with our host James Mabinda. 🎙️🇰🇪 Music Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Feathers_of_a_Seraphim_-_Featherstep.wav Follow US: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn @afrowayonline on TikTok @afroway_online Whatsapp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s #UkooFlani #KenyanHipHop #CultureReport #SoulFromTheEast #JamesMabinda

The Mau Mau Battalion

⚡ One track. Three prophets. A nation finally found its voice. Deconstructing the K-Shaka legacy on Afroway. 🇰🇪🎤 Host: James Mabinda Music Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Feathers_of_a_Seraphim_-_Featherstep.wav Follow: @afrowayonline, @afrowaypodcast WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6ryFu3wtbGgOVawX0s #TafsiriHii #Dandora #KenyanHistory #Afroway #soulfromtheeast #jamesmabinda

The DNA of Kenyan Hip Hop

If you want to know the temperature of the streets, don’t look at the weather report. Look at the rappers.” ​In this landmark episode of Afroway — Soul From The East, host James Mabinda delivers a masterful deep dive into the hardcore roots of Kenyan Hip Hop. We are moving past the commercial glitter to find the raw, unyielding spirit of the concrete jungle. Music Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beat_Hip_hop.wav#Licensing ​Connect with the movement:📸 Instagram/TikTok: @afrowayonline / @afroway_online💬 Join the conversation: #SoulFromTheEast🎤 Hosted by: James Mabinda ​"Respect the roots. Frame the future. Stay Afroway

The Concrete Jungle: Why Kalamashaka and Ukoo Flani Still Own the 254

​🎨 Is Kenya the world’s next great art frontier? From the sacred beadwork of our ancestors to the neon-lit street murals of 2026 Nairobi, art in Kenya is more than just "decor"—it’s a revolution. In this week’s episode of AfroWay Soul from the East, your host James Mabinda takes you on a 10-minute journey through the soul of the 254.​We’re diving into:​🇰🇪 The Ancestral Pulse: How traditional art survived the colonial era.​🖌️ The Modern Icons: From Michael Soi’s satire to Wangechi Mutu’s global takeover.​🚀 The 2026 Shift: Why the Nairobi Arts Biennale is changing the game for local creators.​Art is the heartbeat of the East. Are you listening?

The Living Canvas – Why Kenya is the New Global Art Capital

Why is a song from 2013 the biggest anthem of 2026? 🌍 Host James Mabinda takes you on a journey through the tragic Rwandan history of Stromae and the modern digital crisis that brought this song back to life.​Highlights:​The tragic loss of Pierre Rutare in 1994.How Stromae invented the 'Brussels Sound.​The 'Digital Mannequin' theory: Why we are absent in 2026.​The controversy behind the AI Afro-Soul remix. ​Listen to the full AfroWay - Soul From The East special now! 🎧 #SoulFromTheEast #Stromae #Papaoutai #KenyanPodcast #RwandanHistory #MusicCulture

DEEP DIVE: Why Stromae's "Papaoutai" Is Anthem of 2026 🎭🕊️

Why does a Kenyan guitar sound so unique? In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda breaks down the technical 'Secret Sauce' with a special look at the 'Nairobi Twist' master, John Nzenze. ​What you'll learn:​The 'Thumb and Index' technique: Why we don't need plastic picks.The Legend of John Nzenze: How he turned finger-picking into a national dance.​The 'Interlocking' puzzle: How two guitars finish each other's sentences.​Music Credit: John Nzenze - Angelike Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

The Guitar Talk: The Secret of the Strings

In this deep-dive special, James Mabinda honors the legendary George Mukabi. From a self-taught shamba boy to the creator of the Omutibo genre, learn how Mukabi's unique finger-picking style forever changed African acoustic guitar. ​What's inside:​The story of Mukabi's first handmade guitar.​How Malawian 'Nyasa' bands influenced the Kenyan sound.​The legacy of hits like 'Sengula' and 'Mtoto si Nguo.' Music Credit: George Mukabi ​Join the tribute with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

Soul From The East Special | George Mukabi: The Father of Omutibo

Benga is more than just a Lakeside rhythm. In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda tracks how Benga traveled to Central and Eastern Kenya to create new sub-genres.​What you'll hear:​How Joseph Kamaru brought Benga to Central Kenya.​The rise of the Kamba Benga kings like Kakai Kilonzo.​Why Benga is the musical language that unites Kenya. Music Credit: DO Misiani - Peres ​Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

The Benga Map: How the Sound Traveled

In this episode of Afroway: Soul From The East, host James Mabinda introduces the legends who made Benga a global sound. Meet the King of Benga, D.O. Misiani, and discover how River Road became the heart of African music.​What you'll hear:​The story of D.O. Misiani and Shirati Jazz.​Why Benga was the 'voice of the people.'​How Nairobi became the hit factory of the 70s.Music Credit: DO Misiani - John Nyunja​Join the conversation with #soulfromtheeast and follow us @afrowayonline.

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