This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Abigail Arunga spoke to DJ Midl East, a seasoned DJ and co-founder of online concerts The Pit and Livin' Proof, about his journey in the music industry.
Midl East describes himself as 'a crate digger and curator extraordinaire of dope sounds.'
He is associated with rapper Trabolee and has been instrumental in showcasing East Africa's young and talented artists through his online concerts.
Started in 2018, Livin' Proof was a collaboration between Trabolee, media production company Monsoons Studio, and Midl East. The platform aimed to provide a platform for budding artists to showcase and hone their live performance skills, as well as have authentic peer conversations regarding the industry.
Some of the gifted artists and writers featured on Livin' Proof include High Renaissance, XPRSO, Kerby, Hozef, Monski, Aurie, Mazzi, Planet Asia, and African Kodo.
When asked about his favorite hip-hop artists in East Africa, Midl East mentioned Kaa La Moto, Trabolee, Nikki Mbishi, Kitu Sewer, and Romi Swahili. He also highlighted the need for more support for these artists, citing the difficulty of accessing Kenyan music online.
Midl East has been the official DJ for Trabolee since 2014, when they first performed together at The Pit. He describes Trabolee as 'like my little brother' and highlights their natural chemistry on stage.
Midl East also touched on the importance of Kenyan hip-hop in contributing to the country's cultural fabric, citing its potential as a medium for social change.
When asked what he would be if he weren't a DJ, Midl East revealed that he would love to be a chef, citing his passion for cooking and experimenting with new recipes.
