The Open Mic 254 Story

In 2023, we began our events calendar with a listening party for AAMANI at our Muthaiga Suites studio before officially launching the new studio location at an event that was attended by supporters of the Keep Radio 254 Alive campaign that helped Radio 254 equip the new radio studio. On April 20^th, Radio 254 had a smoke and paint event at Summer House in Karen, Nairobi. It was during this event that Radio 254 was reminded of the huge desire by Kenyan artists to perform at live events. Radio 254 realized that every time they announced an event more people would reach out about wanting to perform at the event than those interested in purchasing a ticket. Further enforcing the notion that Radio 254’s core audience is the upcoming Kenyan creative who would like their song played on the station or are interested in an interview or performance opportunity.

In May 2023, Radio 254 announced Open Mic 254, a monthly performance platform that Kenyan artists could sign up to perform. Artists would sign up online between the 1^st and 15^th of the month. Once sign-up closes, Radio 254 would create promotional material and a setlist for the event which would take place on the last Saturday of the month. The first edition of Open Mic 254 had a total of 50 performers sign up alongside Lil Maina and NJERI at the beer district in Westland’s.

The final edition of Open Mic 254 happened at the Sarakasi Dome in Ngara with headlining performances by Buruklyn Boyz and Dyana Cods with the event hosted by The Ado Veli Podcast.

The theme for the final edition was CREW EDITION with 50 CREWS(GROUPS) signing up to perform. In total, both Open Mic 254 editions gave performance opportunities to over 100 Kenyan creatives who had the opportunity to perform. 150 people attended the first edition of Open Mic 254 at the beer district while 280 people attended the second edition at Sarakasi.