Maia Lekow is a soulful trailblazer igniting Kenya’s musical landscape. Daughter to musical legend Sal Davis, her magnetic vocals in Swahili and English are woven into the hypnotising poly-rhythms of the Big Sky Band, creating a familiarity and warmth that transcends continents.
Maia & The Big Sky have built a formidable reputation as one of East Africa’s most explosive live performers, gracing festival stages that include Africa Utopia (UK), HIFA (Zimbabwe), Kigali UP (Rwanda), Sauti za Busara (Zanzibar), Woodford Folk Festival & Perth International Arts Festival (Australia) and Cool Waters Jazz Festival & Blankets & Wine (Kenya).
Her second studio album, the self-titled “Maia & The Big Sky” LP, is the culmination of a five-year musical journey exploring the songs and rhythms of her coastal homeland. This journey will also see the release of Maia’s debut feature-documentary, The Letter, in late 2019, which is a deeply personal exploration of the inter-generational conflict happening between elders and youth amongst Kenya’s coastal communities.
The album features some of Africa’s finest instrumentalists as well as an impressive list of international guests. The first single Lola, includes a stop-motion music video of beating, paper-hearts, and the second video Pawa (ft. Blinky Bill) features the two Kenyan artists taking over the Nairobi airwaves with some media-mind-control.
Maia’s previous achievements include winning two African Academy Awards for her 2009 track Uko Wapi as well as being named a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR on World Refugee Day 2013.
What the Press say:
“Maia fuses her musical influences like a lounge chameleon”.
The Guardian
“Her tunes bring a new sense of chill to the African music scene”.
Okayafrica
“The songbird who causes ripples whenever she performs”.
The Standard