Nyokabi Kariki, a Kenyan composer and sound artist, will unveil her debut EP, ‘peace places: kenyan memories,’ on SA Recordings next month.
Kariūki, who divides her time between Nairobi, New York, and Maryland, combines elements of experimental electronic music, modern classical, choral pop, and East African traditional genres into a composition that explores personal memory over the course of the EP’s six tracks.
Kariki drew on memories of her homeland for solace and inspiration while writing throughout the pandemic while residing in the United States. Kariūki’s usage of field recordings, pianos, kalimbas, and electronic tools channel these recollections into the EP. She sings and speaks in Kiswahili, Kikuyu, and Maa languages, and also English, throughout the album.
