Tela Wangeci

Tela Wangeci is a Kenyan music journalist, DJ, cultural curator, and communications professional whose work operates at the crossroads of African music, media, and live culture. She is widely respected for her role in documenting, shaping, and amplifying Kenya’s contemporary and underground music ecosystems, with particular emphasis on hip-hop, alternative sounds, and emerging urban movements.

Tela began her career in music journalism at a young age, motivated by a commitment to telling local music stories with depth, context, and cultural integrity. Over the years, she has developed a distinctive editorial voice that blends critique, artist-centered storytelling, and industry awareness. Her writing has been published in leading local and international outlets including NATIVE Magazine, TANGAZA Magazine, BEDA Magazine, Pan African Magazine, and Rolling Stone, where her work contributes to global conversations around African music and creative economies.

In parallel with her writing, Tela has built a presence as a DJ, performing across Nairobi’s cultural and nightlife spaces under her DJ persona Prieste$$ TelzzzzZZ. Her DJ practice is deeply informed by her journalistic sensibility, rooted in research, archival listening, and a commitment to showcasing Kenyan and African sounds across genres. Through her sets, she functions as both selector and storyteller, creating sonic experiences that foreground local music histories while engaging contemporary club culture.

As a cultural contributor, Tela has participated in and moderated several industry conversations and public forums. She has served as a panelist for the UnKut Hennessy Hip Hop Awards, contributing to discussions around hip-hop culture and industry recognition in Kenya. She has also participated in panels and workshops at platforms such as the Ballantines X Boiler Room (2022//2023), where she has engaged audiences on topics including music journalism, artist development, media literacy, global club music and the evolving role of culture workers within Africa’s creative industries.

Alongside her public-facing work, Tela is an experienced PR and communications strategist, working with artists, brands, and cultural institutions to craft narratives, manage media relations, and execute thoughtful rollout strategies. Her approach to PR is shaped by her background in journalism, allowing her to bridge creative intent with strategic visibility.

By 2026, Tela Wangeci’s career reflects a multidisciplinary practice grounded in cultural documentation, sound curation, and community-building. Whether behind the decks, on the page, or in public discourse, she remains committed to preserving African music as both living culture and historical record, while supporting sustainable pathways for creatives within the ecosystem.

Experience Tela Wangeci at Beyond Vibes, The Managers Forum