How Nairobi’s rare vinyl haven is preserving African history
Africanews · Just In
Africanews
Just In
What started as one man’s fight against piracy has grown into a cultural archive, preserving the rhythms, stories, and pride of Africa’s musical past — one vinyl at a time.
Breakdown
- James Rugami has curated a rare vinyl collection in Nairobi's Kenyatta market for over three decades. 10s
- Vinyl records are seen as vessels of African history, especially as many are hard to find outside South Africa. 53s
- Regional instability in countries like Congo, Somalia, and Ethiopia has made preserving records challenging. 1m 19s
- Collectors value the unique experience of listening to full albums on vinyl, as intended by artists. 1m 40s
- The shop has grown into a cultural archive, preserving Africa's musical past one vinyl at a time. 2m 6s