Nairobi-born DJ Poizon Ivy comes through with an expansive, all-Kenyan double hitter for the latest installment of our mixtape series Africa In Your Earbuds.
Having relocated from Nairobi to Texas when she was young, Poizon Ivy will soon become the official DJ of Dallas’ new WNBA team the Dallas Wings. She’s also recently been featured on radio shows like Sway In The Morning, Dash Radio, and regularly contributes mixes to Nairobi’s popular station 103.5 Homeboyz Radio.
For her AIYE, Poizon Ivy surprised us by delivering not one, but two high-energy mixtapes, which she charges to her “unbounded Kenyan pride."
"I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. I am a Nai girl," DJ Poizon Ivy tells Okayafrica. “I have recently discovered that so much of who I am, as a lover of music and as a DJ, was subliminally created during my youth while riding matatus that blasted local music with my grandmother, while walking through town, and even through the integration of music into the school system. Nairobi is a very much a melting pot of so many cultures, tribes, and people as is evidenced in the music."
"Most recently, Kenya has been in the news for both positive and negative happenings," she adds. "Every nation in this world has its up and downs but with an upcoming election next year, I am choosing to use my platform as DJ to ignite a sense of pride amongst my generation, both those in the country and diaspora."
"If you listen to this mix, it is very patriotic and also nostalgic for those who are familiar. But I am also hoping to spark the interest of those who are curious to know more about this wonderful East African nation—more about the people, the culture, and the music," Poizon Ivy continues.
"This is an ode to those who have helped to 'inua na ku jenga jina la taifa yetu.' As in, an ode to those who have helped to lift up and to build our nation's name, from the past to the present. Both musicians and others alike. President Barack Obama, Lupita Nyong'o, Sauti Sol, Just A Band, and the list goes on."
Stream DJ Poizon Ivy's two "Kenya takeover" mixtapes below and see the full track list underneath.
AIYE KENYA TAKEOVER PART 1 TRACK LIST
1. Intro (Auma Obama’s introduction of President Barack Obama at Kasarani Stadium on July 16, 2015) X African Sunset – The Bata Shoeshine Boys
2. Dunia Mbaya – Princess Jully
3. Mariru – Albert Gacheru
4. Fundamentals – Ken wa Maria
5. Tiga Kumute – Salim Junior
6. Mtoto Si Nguo – Johnstone Ouko Mukabi
7. Feel It (Robba Doba Doba) – Yunasi Ft. Wyre
8. Koolio – Stella Mwangi
9. Furi Furi Dance Remix – Jimmy Gait & D.K.
10. Party Don’t Stop – Camp Mulla Ft. Collo
11. Coming Home – Nameless
12. Wazee Wakatike – Them Mushrooms
13. Kenya Nchi Yangu – Habel Kifoto
14. Kwangu 254 – Ali B, Bahati, Bwana DNA, Collo, Size 8, Suzzana Owiyo, Wahu
15. Sura Yako – Sauti Sol
16. Aoko – Jabali Afrika
17. Ndambararia – Kayamba Africa
18. I’m Not Sober – Jamnazi Afrika (Awilo Mike)
19. Chonga Viazi – Boomba Clan
20. Najivunia – Trapee Ft. Avril
21. Tushangilie Kenya
22. Leta Wimbo – Sema
23. Adhiambo C – Deux Vultures
24. Kinyaunyau – Deux Vultures
25. Kibow Wow – Wahu
26. Ninanoki – Nameless
27. Amenitendea
28. Zuzu Remix – Elani
29. Lini – Rabbit Ft. Rich Mavoko
30. Hello Baby - Avril Ft. Ommy Dimpoz
31. Teso – Tattuu
32. Mateke – Size 8
33. Lingala Ya Yesu – Pitson
34. Tam Tam Remix – Willy Paul Ft. Size 8
35. Bajuka Remix – DJ Flip Ft. DNA
36. Welle Welle Remix – Timmy Ft. All Stars
37. Dandia – Kristoff Ft. Frasha, King Kaka
38. She Say Dat – Wyre
39. Shika More – Longombas
40. Anisa – King Stone Ft. Bed Bug
41. Jaa Jaa – Mr. Lenny
42. Julie – Redsan
43. Hepi (Huku Nairobi) – Historians
44. Furahi Day – Nonini Ft. Nameless
45. Baby Don’t Go – Kunguru Ft. Mr. Lenny
46. Atoti – Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
47. Amka Ukatike – C’Zars
48. Hela – Juliani Ft. L.C.
49. Why Lie – Nameless Ft. Big Pin
50. Juala – Circuit & Joel
51. Weka Weka – P-Unit
52. Ting Badi Malo – Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
53. Shake – DNG
54. Deadly – Nameless
55. Tukawake – K-Rupt
56. Swing Swing – Kleptomaniacs
57. Githurai (Remix) - Mr. Googz, Vinnie Banton & Mr. Lenny
58. Kamata – E-Sir
59. Tafuta – XYZee
60. Karibu Nairobi – Jua Cali
61. Paulina – Rhaptaz Ft. Jimwat
62. Kiboko Changu – Amani Ft. Radio & Weasel
63. Bank Otuch – Vicmass Luodollar
64. Dumbala Reloaded – Jay A Ft. Sage, Kenrazy, Visita, Madtraxx & DNA
65. Dabotap – The Kansoul
66. Unbwogable – Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
67. We Be Happening (All Stars Remix) – Khaligraph Jones & Kristoff Ft. Frasha, Abbass, Nessa, Wyre, Ulopa & DJ Joe
Mfalme
68. Tokelezea – Abbas Ft. Chantelle
69. Kenya National Anthem
AIYE KENYA TAKEOVER PART 2 TRACKLIST
1. Intro (Lupita Nyong’o’s 2014 Acacdemy Awards Speech X My Land is Kenya – Moipei Quartet)
2. Usilete Compe – Bamboo
3. Jambo Bwana – Them Mushrooms
4. Keep It Moving – Shadz O’Blak
5. Wild – Xtatic
6. Dunia Ina Mambo - Just A Band Ft. Octopizzo and Stan
7. Oh Ndio – Five Alive
8. All The Way – Victoria Kimani Ft. Khuli Chana
9. Hakuna Matata (Mpenzi) - Swahili Nation
10. Bounce – Bamzigi
11. Mapenzi Tele – Nikki Ft. Kalamashaka
12. Songa Hapa – Kalamashaka Ft. Nikki
13. Sitaki – Mercy Myra Feat. K-South
14. Dandora Love – Zaka na Kah Ft. Kabee
15. Tuendelee – Kleptomaniaxx
16. Mama Milka – Kenzo
17. Mwikulu – RuffTone
18. African Princess - Sentimentah
19. Otongolo Time – Poxi Presha
20. Dunda – Bucaneers
21. Vanity – Daddy Owen
22. Kare – P-Unit
23. Talk To You - Patonee Ft. Amani, Big Pin
24. Kioo – Jaguar
25. Moto Moto – Amos & Josh
26. Risasi Ft. Suzuki – Mr. DJ
27. Kenyan Girl Kenyan Boy – Necessary Noize
28. Naskia Utamu – The Bugz
29. Doesn't Really Matter – Redsan & Kaz
30. Tetemesha – Redsan
31. Nibebe – Nonini Ft. Nyota Ndogo
32. Uhiki – Hardstone
33. Prezzo – Prezzo
34. Halo Halo – Wakimbizi
35. Double – Ukoo Flani Mau Mau Ft. Wenyeji
36. Feelo Ft. Bug - Mtoto Wa Kicole
37. Uliza Kiatu – H_art The Band
38. Tabia Mbaya – K-South
39. 4 in 1 – Darling P
40. Kiswahili – Idd Aziz