South Sudanese artist Emmanuel Jal has announced the second edition of Jal Gua Afro-house festival, set to take place at Koda, Nairobi, this Friday, December 20.
Created by Jal, this event celebrates the merge of Afro-house music and African culture while providing a platform for emerging talents, including graduates of the Jal Gua DJ Academy.
The Jal Gua DJ Academy that began in January 2024 has a mission of nurturing artists from diverse backgrounds—including students from the Kakuma refugee camp.
Jal says, “This is at the heart of Jal Gua’s mission. We want to showcase these students to the world, providing them a platform to achieve greatness at par with icons like Black Coffee.”
This year’s festival main headliners will include Miishu, a frequent collaborator of Jal, alongside Juliani and Tandrah Souls. The lineup will also include Emo Rugene, Tina Ardor, ShammaLee, Wandat and Afula, all promising the audience a diverse and electrifying musical experience.
Adding an extra layer of joy to the event is the planned premiere of a brand new single by ShammaLee and Jal’s new single.
In an exciting twist, Juliani will make his DJ debut, adding a new dimension to his already storied career as a socially conscious hip-hop artist.
This will be Juliani’s first showcase of Juliani into DJing at Jal Gua promises to be a groundbreaking moment for both him and the festival. Born and raised in Dandora, Nairobi, Juliani has built a reputation as one of Kenya’s most iconic musicians. He is celebrated for his socially conscious lyrics as his music tackling themes of social, spiritual and political emancipation,has inspired many youth and our collective vision of a united Kenya.
Jal Gua is more than just a celebration of Afro House sounds but fashion and cultural expression. Emmanuel Jal says, “We want to bring joy and happiness to people through high-quality experiences that showcase new talents and well-established artists, DJs and producers.”
The first edition of Jal Gua held last year attracted 450 attendees. This year, the festival aims to double its audience while continuing its mission to spotlight emerging talent and provide unforgettable entertainment. As a quarterly event, Jal Gua is already gearing up for its next edition in three months.
“Come looking good and expecting a cultural affair as the event will showcase the rich cultural heritage of Africa,” the organisers added. “Budding fashion designer Shiko Onyango of Tribal Trends will also be at the event directing the fashion and culture part of the show.”
Event details:
- Date: December 20, 2024
- Time: 8pm – 6am
- Venue: Koda, Kenrail Towers, Nairobi (Note: Koda has two rooms and the lineup for Room 2 will begin at midnight)
- Tickets: Tickets are available via Hustle Sasa
About Emmanuel Jal
Emmanuel Jal is a successful international recording artist and peace ambassador, splitting his time between Toronto, Nairobi, and Juba. He recently opened Jal Gua, a café and health food store in Nairobi’s Kenyatta Market.
Inspired by his passion for giving back, he founded Gua Africa, a UK/Kenyan charity that supports those affected by conflict and displacement. Jal’s story is one of resilience, having survived as a child soldier in war-torn Southern Sudan before being rescued by British aid worker Emma McCune and smuggled to Kenya. Today, he uses his platform to inspire change and give back through music, food, and charitable initiatives.
