October 2, Impala Grounds - Nairobi is quite the gig-city. Sometimes you attend good ones, other times they’re dreary. But every now and then, an exceptional one comes along that you’ll be talking about for a while to come. The Spread the Love gig with Deitrick Haddon & Javen was absolutely one of the exceptional ones.

From the moment the day’s MCs Amani and Tina kicked off the gig, the energy was sky high. Far from the sometimes below par performances given by curtain-raisers, the artists outdid themselves in entertaining the enthused crowd.

After a great opening by Neema, doing her now famous rendition of the national anthem, the acts came thick and fast: the hilariously entertaining Chris Adwar and The Villagers Band with hits like Ms. Walker, Atemi Oyungu with her ballads, and even a bit of hip-hop delivered by Astar, Rigga and Jaya as well as Kamlesh who earned plaudits for witty lyricism. The local segment was rounded off by Juliani, Eric Wainaina and Kanjii, before the spotlight moved on to the day’s chief guests.

Though little known in Kenya, one would never have guessed it when Javen hit the stage. Sweeping the crowd away into an atmosphere of praise and worship, he soon had everyone singing along to some of his popular jams including Keeping the Faith and None Like You, setting a great mood for Deitrick. And when the finally came on, it was like a set of fireworks had been lit.

The gusto, oomph and fervor he landed with was rewarded by his eager audience whose thirst only increased his energy. Backed by his wife Damita and local acts, Deitrick ran the whole gamut of his top jams – Sinner’s Prayer, I’m Alive, Love Him Like I Do, It's Raining, as well as Happy and of course, one of Nairobi’s favorite jams at the moment, He’s Able and more still. Damita’s No Looking Back also featured in the set that ranged from deep worship to non-stop dancing for well over an hour.

Sometimes, you miss a most exceptional event, and there’s really no way for someone else to describe it to you, viz this!

Co-MC Amani

 
& Tina

 
Chris Adwar Checks In

 
Dancing To The Beat

 
Fun Moves

Atemi's Turn On The Mic

 
Enjoying The Ballads

 
Astar Leads The CTA Team

 
Rigga Enjoys Himself

 
Juliani Hits The Stage

LC Joins Him

 
Trying The Crunk Thing

 
DJ rIQ On The Turntables

Another DJ, Shock, Hangs Out With Sheila 

 
Eric Wainaina On The Mic

 
Daddy Owen On 'Kapungala'

Saints Get Ready To Intro Kanjii

 
And There He Comes

 
Javen Arrives On Stage

 
Joyful Worship

 
'No One Like You'

D.Hardy Hits The Nairobi Stage

 
His DJ On The Ready

 
Atemi, Jaya & Damita Share A Whoop

 
'He's Able!'

The Crowd Agrees 

Damita Passionately Delivers

 
There Were Moments To Dance

 
And Moments To Pray

 
Deitrick Urges On Haimie

 
And Dares Neema

The Love All Spread

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