I wanted to dance along!

This concert is music, dance and theater all in one. Many of the dances are still in my body. 

By Amalie Skotner

The concert with Matata was played at Hjertnes Kulturhus at the Market for Music and Performing Arts. Matata is a music and dance collective that has roots in Kenya, but is based in Oslo. The music has East African rhythms, and they play genres such as hip-hop, afrobeat and a modern Kenyan genre called gengetone and genge. This genre mixes rap with dance music.

I listen to a bit of everything and have been into hip-hop before, but this type of music really stood out in a good way. I expected a good dance group with good music and that's exactly what I got!

What struck me the most was the atmosphere these boys bring to the stage. It starts strong with good bass and catchy music. The African genge and gengetone music makes me want to hang out. "Move your body, move your body" they sing in one of the songs, and I hang out and dance with them. They take the audience dancing and teach everyone Swahili, which is one of the official languages ​​in Kenya. A lot of good singing and good choreography by these boys creates a very good dynamic. When the theme changes to a slightly sadder song and they talk about what it's like to be a man in Kenya, I get tears in my eyes. The song and dance give so much emotion and it really touches me. Marcus Ojiambo, Ken Kimathi, Freddy Milanya, Richie Mathu and Festus Mwenda are five boys full of emotion and energy that really bring the audience to life.

The concert opens with a DJ coming out and playing something that sounds like a download: "Initiating system download complete" you heard. Then four guys come out from the side like robots and walk in a line to the middle where they are divided and go their separate ways. They start with a little dance before they continue talking to the audience and telling a little about themselves. This concert is music, dance and theater in one. They take the audience on a journey where they teach us dance steps that we later use in their song so that everyone dances together. Many of the dances are still in my body. They keep good music and rhythm throughout the concert and sing and dance to many songs with different stories. 

But gradually it turns to a slightly more serious theme. They dim the lights and stand at their microphones in their own lights. They look out at the audience and it's as if you can see the emotions in their eyes. They sing about how men in Kenya are expected to keep their emotions inside. "When life gives you lemons, you better squeeze and make some lemonade", was a phrase that was repeated in the song "Siko Fiti" which means "I'm not feeling well". They danced with their emotions and showed them throughout the song. That song and dance really hit me and I could feel the emotions of these boys. After the song they play a little more of the happy and catchy music that they started with. It all ends with even more inclusion of the audience and a lot of life where they divide the audience in two and have a competition about which side can cheer the loudest, before finally saying goodbye.

For me, the concert was very inspiring and it was truly an experience. I love when the music has a good rhythm that you can easily get hooked on, and that's exactly what Matata had. If I could see them again, I would gladly do it. The song "Siko Fiti" was for those who might be having a bit of a tough or difficult time. That song really hit home, and there was a lot to relate to. This concert gave me joy, and I felt like I was understood. Matata are some guys that I will listen to again and again.