This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
Located in Elimu House near the intersection of Tom Mboya and Ronald Ngala streets, Melodica music shop has been a staple of Nairobi's music scene for decades.
However, in recent months, the shop's rhythm was missing, and its music was silenced due to a protracted court case over the construction of a wall blocking the entrance to the business premises.
According to Abdul Karim, the owner, the wall was erected by the management of the building, and the shop's losses were mounting as a result of the blockage.
But the wall has since been pulled down under orders from the Nairobi County court, and the refurbishment suspended.
Unfortunately, disaster struck when robbers attacked the music shop one night in early August, leaving vintage record players gone, others damaged, and cassette tapes and records shattered.
Thankfully, much of the collection of rare, vintage vinyl records and other musical memorabilia locked in the library in the back room remained untouched.
“Of course there was a lot of concern among our customers,” says Karim. “This whole debacle has led to a lot of loss of revenue. The break-in was devastating, but luckily we have a backup of our library.”
Despite the setback, Melodica is back in business, and Karim believes that the support from its customers has been overwhelming.
Initially named Bonanza, the store, which was founded by Karim’s father P. Daudia in 1962, operated on Luthuli Avenue, relocating to its current address in 1971.
Today, Melodica is the only music shop in the city where one can still purchase a record player, and it has served as a reference point for music researchers and historians.
