To launch the release of her new album ‘9’ Jah9 came to Kenya! As a yogini herself, she collaborated with Kenya’s finest teachers here at Distant Relatives to bring a weekend of Yoga On Dub; yoga, music, dub, magic.
It’s 7:50am and I get a text from Jah9’s promoter saying “A truck with a few speakers will be there soon,”. After a few hours of sweat & graft & questions of “Where’s it all gonna go?” our stage has been transformed into a real reggae soundsystem with 30+ speakers and amps and bass bins like we’ve never seen before! Containing my excitement was hard and anyone who’d come into contact with me audibly saw so through my uncontrollable squeals.
The empress Jah9 arrives, The Dub Treatment band follow and yogini Kui begins her first Hatha class under the shade to the rhythm of the soundcheck. This is yoga like no other. It’s was a complete sensory experience; feeling the stretch through your sides with the warmth of the setting sun on face, appreciating the carpet covered in pink of the fallen bourgainvillea, seeing a phenomenal band meticulously working together to create that perfect sound, it coming and hearing her mighty voice, strong like a lioness, the harmonies, keys, reverb… everything fit perfectly together with almost divine quality.
Keeping the non-yogi’s entertained, The Musafir held a bazaar upon the boat in the afternoon showcasing locals artisans work. Biko Wesa held a photo exhibition of his own work below deck in the creaky depths of the hull which made for a fantastically atmospheric venue for his beautiful photography. Beaded jewellery, art made from flipflops found on the beach, recycled jeans with kanga accents and cute t-shirts were amongst the goods on show. A spoken word performance from John at Kwela Arts Centre was pure beauty!
Seedling Kenya’s upclycled baobab pods charmingly lit up parts of the boat including a shisha lounge and well stocked bar! All donations made to the Musafir go towards maintaining their awe-inspiring project (read more about it here).
Back on land a Soul Flow class with Salim took us into the darkness full of energy ready to get our knees up. The support acts Dady Silk & Dula started the night with some banging lovers rock and sing-a-long classic reggae vibes. Lavosti killed it with supreme rhymes before the crowd became more anxious for Jah9 and scattered the edge of the dancefloor pre-empting greatness. Jahmby, a fuller than life female MC & singer was having none of it and within minutes a conga line of reggae knees up screaming “MORE FIRE!” dissipated into a lively dancefloor. She was a warm up act from the Gods!
Jah9 humbly walks onto a slow dub beat wearing a beautiful dira with eyes down building up tension. With cymbals blaring her voice takes hold of some high notes before she simmer down to a sweet harmony… Jungle drops and everyone be skanking! Her stage presence is dominant and principled, mirroring her lyrics, that captivated the audience at times where there would only be her speaking. Speaking of being true to oneselves, to fighting together against the man, to living life only with love! Cheers and screams all around especially from Christine my colleague, who Jah9 referred to as “That girl!” due to her almost operatic screams front row – led to good vibes and much love.
After wake-up Ashtanga with Felix was an Afro-Fusion dance class by Joanne that started the morning off nicely. The Yoga on Dub concept is to have yoga, with dub! 11am saw Jah9 teach a glorious, mellow, refined class with her band The Dub Treatment playing what I can only describe as the perfect type of music for the occasion. Beforehand I was slightly baffled by the thought of having a live band play whilst your chilling in ya downward dog but I couldn’t have been further from the truth! It was truly a unique experience that everyone appeared to walk away mind blown.
Afterwards Jah9 planted an avocado tree that she has affectionately name Orlando and one day we hope she will return to see how he’s getting on!
The weekend ended with the band watching the sunset on the Musafir talking of life & love & Jamaica! It was truly a special weekend and we all feel truly thankful for the opportunity to host something so special.
Stay blessed, Claudia and the Distant Relatives
