University of Brighton student Jesse Mugambi has secured a grant from Jägermeister to develop a nightclub and music studio in Nairobi, Kenya.
With a background in architecture and currently studying for a master’s degree in sustainable design at the Moulsecoomb campus, Mugambi plans to use the €50,000 ($50,000) received to repurpose decommissioned shipping containers for the project in his native Kenya. The project is known as Studio Can-V.
“Having faced challenges in pursuing my own passion for music, I’m driven by the belief that there are countless young and old people longing for opportunities to explore their musical itch,” Mugambi said.
Mugambi’s project, which was conceived during his undergraduate studies, intends to establish a flexible venue, shifting from a daytime hub for aspiring DJs to a vibrant nightclub after dark.
He explained that he would be collaborating with local artisans to construct the mobile sound studio using repurposed shipping containers in Nairobi.
He aims to foster positive change by incorporating local vernacular designs that celebrate youth cultural identities, promoting music, dance, and community connection, according to the BBC.
“Studio Can-V promotes inclusivity by foregrounding the voices of young DJs from various communities and backgrounds, who represent the future of an equal society,” he said.
“I aspire to create those spaces where they can really explore their creativity and pursue their musical dreams without constraint.”
He added: “I’ve received massive support from friends, mentors, lecturers, and professors at the University of Brighton who’ve helped shape the project’s trajectory.”
Mugambi emerged as one of two victors in Jägermeister’s Save The Night competition, dedicated to backing nightlife initiatives globally.
His Studio Can-V proposal triumphed over 300 entries from 50 nations.
Kai Dechsling, Mast-Jägermeister’s director of global culture and experiential marketing, remarked: ”An inclusive, diverse, and safe nightlife opens up unique pathways for self-expression worldwide. It is a space of freedom and creates sanctuaries.”
