This project invited musicians from the Coastal region who had recorded their projects at Mbwana Radio to rework and earn from their music, inspired by 20 digitised cassettes from the Mombasa music archive. These co-creation sessions will spark fresh sounds and stories, leading up to their live presentation at The Kilele Summit 2026

Building on our 2023–2024 partnership with the Braid Fund, which brought the coastal cassette archive to life through a documentary and performances by Khonjo Kolio, Zuhura Swaleh, and more this new phase takes the work further by spotlighting coastal artists, preserving musical heritage, and opening new revenue and collaboration opportunities for the community.

Pwani Tapes in the Kilele 2026 program: Pwani Residency Performance, The Ethics of (Re-)Issuing African Music

Artist profiles: Nassoro Mwinyi, Mazera, Hotkeys, Mrezi