For more than a decade, Javan Okelo, the CEO of One Vibe Media has been promoting Kenyan and African music in the USA through Madaraka Festival, an annual music concert tour that honors African and African American culture.
In the 2023 edition, Javan and his team flagged off the annual tour back in New York with performances in Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle before embarking on a major media tour in East Africa, this month.
“In May and June 2023, the Madaraka Festival USA TOUR united various African musicians like Sauti Sol, King Kaka, Draze, and Anthony Cole, reaching over 30 million people online. This initiative played a pivotal role in bridging African and African American communities,” Javan said.
In his media tour of East Africa which is scheduled to begin in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 15, Javan will be accompanied by American rapper and Hip Hop star Manic Mayne whose hit songs include Star Boy, By My Side, and Jungle.
“This November, the Madaraka Festival team embarks on an East Africa Media Tour, aiming to deeply engage with audiences, sharing their fervor for culture and community in preparation for Madaraka Festival 2024, marking a decade of celebrating cultural richness,” Javan said.
He further asked Kenyan musicians to borrow a leaf from Maniac Mayne who has heavily invested in his craft. “By coming to Kenya, Maniac Mayne is investing his time and money in his music career since he will be connecting with the East African community and musicians.”
Javan and Manic Mayne will be in Nairobi for two days before heading to Dar es Salaam on the 18th and 19th.
From Tanzania, the CEO of One Vibe Media will conclude the 2023 Madarka Festival here in Nairobi, Kenya on November 20th.
Speaking to Nairobi Journal, Javan who moved to the USA ten years ago said The Madaraka Festival stands as a beacon of cultural celebration, championing unity and diversity.
“Before I left for the USA, I was a music producer and event organizer. I have been organizing live music festivals from my days in high school both at Kisumu Boys and Maranda. Coming up with and settling on the name Madaraka Festival was my own way of rebranding from Unite The People Concert,” Javan said.
Javan whose ultimate goal is making The Madaraka Festival, the biggest touring music concert in the world says he seeks to create the best platform for East African musicians and artists to thrive.
“South African and Nigerian musicians are currently taking the lead in the African music industry and one way to place Kenya and East Africa in the global music and entertainment map, especially in North America is through The Madaraka Festival,” Javan said.
While expressing his gratitude to Kenyans both at home and abroad for the support they’ve accorded The Madaraka Festival, Javan said that he seeks to partner with the Kenyan government in his quest to champion cultural diversity.
“I want to connect with the Kenyan government so that they can be involved with the growth of Madaraka Festival. I also have a lot of love and respect for Bien and the entire Sauti Sol team. Without them, The Madaraka Festival would not have grown as fast as it has,” Javan added.
The festival has brought together different African musicians such as D’banj, McLemore, and more than 100 other award-winning and influential artists from more than 18 countries.
“One Vibe Media is dedicated to giving part of the proceeds from the Madaraka Festival 2023 to One Vibe which supports the education, music and arts program of over five thousand East African youths and artists,” Javan told Nairobi Journal.
