Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina sparked attention at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi after using a keynote address to weigh in on the gay debate during the 2018 Music in Africa Conference For Collaborations, Exchange And Showcases (ACCESS).
The remarks were delivered at the three-day Pan-African conference at the weekend, with Wainaina telling delegates that many of his colleagues are gay and that people should focus on their own affairs. He said: “A lot of our colleagues are gay, who someone chooses to love has nothing to do you, concern yourself with things that do. We have to play our part in defining African present, and future agenda; we can’t let the agenda be decided by the conservative, polyester, oversized suit, bald headed men,” Wainaina has said.
His comments came as ACCESS 2018 opened with a formal honour for the singer. He received the 2018 Music In Africa Honorary Award at the launch of the conference and later performed at the opening night concert on Thursday, drawing a standing ovation.
The award is presented by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) to recognise musicians whose work has significantly shaped their national music industries and the wider African scene. Last year’s recipient was Senegalese legend Baaba Maal, whose country hosted ACCESS the previous year. Outgoing MIAF chairperson Aisha Deme accepted the award on Maal’s behalf on Thursday night.
ACCESS is a pan-African gathering for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and build business links. The event moves to a different African city each year and attracts participants from more than 10 countries and other parts of the world.
ACCESS 2018 was organised by the Music In Africa Foundation in partnership with Goethe-Institut, Siemens Stiftung, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission, MagicalKenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre.
