Tag: greasy tunes

Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Nairobi Brings the City’s Soundtrack to Life

July 21, 2026

Two people behind a DJ booth

What happens when a familiar, everyday space becomes a stage for music, conversation, and community? That’s the idea behind Greasy Tunes, Spotify’s multi-week residency in Nairobi that brings Kenya’s listening culture off the playlist and into the real world.

Inspired by the original concept of transforming a classic “greasy spoon” cafe into a cultural hub, Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Nairobi is a 12-day program at Nairobi’s Heltz House, a community events space, with programming running July 15-26. More than anything, Greasy Tunes reminds us that music is best experienced together.

From data to IRL 

The lineup for Greasy Tunes was built around how Nairobi listens. Spotify data from June 2026 showed that listeners 18-24 are responsible for more than half of all streams in the city. With listening peaking in the evening, music is clearly a key part of how young Nairobians unwind and connect—and Greasy Tunes is designed to capture that vibe.

“Greasy Tunes brings the energy people experience on Spotify into a shared physical space,” said Agnes Opondo, Artist & Label Partnerships Lead for East Africa. “The program reflects how music already connects Nairobi’s young listeners, whether through food, conversation, creativity, or community.”

Week one: A taste of the city

The first week, themed “Starters,” explored the intersection of sound and culture. The Greasy Tunes Café turned Heltz House into a daytime hub for work and connection, while the week’s events showed how music is part of the city’s social rituals. The week kicked off with a Kitchen Opening Party with The BAG, a leading Nairobi music and culture platform, setting the tone by celebrating the links between food, music, and community.

Karibu Night, hosted by Studio 18, a creative collective known for championing the local fashion and cultural scene, translated the sound of Spotify’s Made In Kenya playlist into a fashion showcase. The night included a live performance from BURUKLYN BOYZ, whose hip-hop and drill sound added another dimension to the Made In Kenya story.

 

The week flowed from fashion into conversation with live podcast recordings from Culture Club, Spotify’s editor-led podcast exploring African music and culture, featuring Kenyan songwriter and producer Eric Musyoka, and The 30 Percent Podcast. Live performances also took over Heltz House, including The Fisherman’s Experience and ADUMA Presents. The week closed with Smocha Sundays, which brought together gospel music, community, and a live football watch party, showing the many ways people gather around sound. 

 

Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Café Serves Up the Sights, Sounds, and Flavors of Lagos

October 28, 2025

For three weeks in Lagos, Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Café pop-up brought the city’s mealtime soundtrack to life with local food, vibrant conversations, and unforgettable performances. 

The event was inspired by Spotify data showing that a high-energy Afrobeats pulse is the constant backdrop to Nigerian Gen Zs’ daily meals. From breakfast to dinner, mainstays like Wizkid, Asake, and Burna Boy, podcasts such as I Said What I Said, and playlists like Hot Hits Naija and Gbedu all set the table for the city’s next generation.

“Nigerian Gen Zs are truly a testament to how music and culture are deeply connected,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa. “A familiar high-energy mix of Afrobeats acts as the constant, unifying soundtrack to their daily lives.”

The three-week event featured a packed schedule of music, panels, and culinary fusion. Here’s a look at the highlights.

Week 1: Lineage fuels the future

The opening week kicked off with an electric launch party where South Africa’s Thakzin set a global Amapiano vibe. The energy then shifted to thoughtful conversations about how African music evolves while honoring its roots. In a panel moderated by Benewah Boateng, producers Andre Vibez and Braye, alongside Brazilian artist Melly, explored the role of percussion and heritage in shaping identity.

A ceremonial Eyo masquerade connected contemporary Lagos to ancestral rhythms, leading into a discussion on cultural symbolism with SPINALL and Vector. The week closed with a performance from RADAR Africa artist FOLA, followed by Adekunle Gold, who surprised fans by bringing Yinka Ayefele onstage for “Many People.”