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Kuwait Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Kenyan women jockey for place at DJ turntables
Headphones on her head, fingers on the controls, eyes fixed on the mixing software, Kwem Kimtai strung together Afro house beats during her DJ training in Nairobi. Kimtai gushed over the skills she learnt on the intensive four-week course at the Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA), which she hopes will help her thrive in a world historically dominated by men. 'I can do everything. I can mix, I can beat-match. I can assess the energy level of music,' said the 32-year-old aspiring DJ. Established in 2021 and named after the Swahili word for vinyl, the academy sees itself as a hub for musical innovation and inclusion. 'Prior to this I was just a lover of music,' said Kimtai, whose stage name is 'But I wanted to be able to fuse different genres - travel across different worlds.' Carving out a place in the electronic scene remains a challenge for Kenyan women. The organization that runs the academy interviewed dozens of artists in 2020 for a study and found women were gaining visibility as DJs in east Africa. Yet they remained marginalized and paid significantly less than men, while music production was also male-dominated and training costs too high for many. SEMA has since trained hundreds of people in production, mixing, DJing and other elements of the business. Besides encouraging women and minorities to take part, the academy also raises sponsorship funding for those who need it. 'When I started DJing, I would have really liked to have had something like this because the teachers I had were all men,' said DJ Shock, who was leading a class on the commercial side of the business during a visit by AFP. She only knew two other female DJs when she started out 20 years ago, and said the men would 'gatekeep' the art. 'It was a bit of a struggle to get them to share information equally,' she said. A learner at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, stage-named, J-Nzi (right) plays her set during a final examination showcase. A learner at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, stage-named, Stenje reacts as she presents her set during a final examination showcase. Learners at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, attend a practice lesson to prepare for a final examination showcase. Learners at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, attend a practice lesson to prepare for a final examination showcase. Learners at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, attend a practice lesson to prepare for a final examination showcase. Learners at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, attend a practice lesson to prepare for a final examination showcase. A learner at Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, receives her Certificate of Completion from her instructors. Newly graduated learners from Disc-jockey (DJ) academy, The Santuri Salon, sit with their certificates awarded. 'Equal dopeness' At the back of the classroom, speakers were stacked behind a turntable, while trainees tapped away on mixing software in preparation for an imminent final presentation. 'We're the people who are going to make spaces get safer for everyone,' said Daisy Nduta, 28, a recent sound engineering graduate. She was excited to be DJing live soon under her stage name Naniwho. Santuri organizes frequent events for the students to test their skills. 'We welcome everybody the same... We put anybody prime time who we feel can do the spot well,' said DJ Shock, denouncing the way clubs often relegate women to play the opening slots when audiences are sparse. Things are rapidly improving for women who DJ in Nairobi, however. Women are earning headline slots at major clubs while collectives like 'Sirens' organize women-centric events. That success is part of a global pattern. Industry network 'female: pressure' says the number of women performing at electronic music festivals rose from just over nine percent in 2012 to 30 percent in 2023. In Kenya, 'there are more and more female DJs coming up... They're getting more confident, which I love,' said Tina Ardor, who regularly performs at Muze, a Nairobi electro mecca. She said there was still a widespread, often unconscious, favouritism toward men. But the SEMA course, which she did two years ago, is helping to change attitudes. 'I'm not a fan of pulling the gender card,' said Ardor, hoping the scene soon gets to a point where there is 'equal opportunity and equal dopeness' for everyone. - AFP
France 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Kenyan women jockey for place at DJ turntables
Kimtai gushed over the skills she learnt on the intensive four-week course at the Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA), which she hopes will help her thrive in a world historically dominated by men. "I can do everything. I can mix, I can beat-match. I can assess the energy level of music," said the 32-year-old aspiring DJ. Established in 2021 and named after the Swahili word for vinyl, the academy sees itself as a hub for musical innovation and inclusion. "Prior to this I was just a lover of music," said Kimtai, whose stage name is "But I wanted to be able to fuse different genres -- travel across different worlds." Carving out a place in the electronic scene remains a challenge for Kenyan women. The organisation that runs the academy interviewed dozens of artists in 2020 for a study and found women were gaining visibility as DJs in east Africa. Yet they remained marginalised and paid significantly less than men, while music production was also male-dominated and training costs too high for many. SEMA has since trained hundreds of people in production, mixing, DJing and other elements of the business. Besides encouraging women and minorities to take part, the academy also raises sponsorship funding for those who need it. "When I started DJing, I would have really liked to have had something like this because the teachers I had were all men," said DJ Shock, who was leading a class on the commercial side of the business during a visit by AFP. She only knew two other female DJs when she started out 20 years ago, and said the men would "gatekeep" the art. "It was a bit of a struggle to get them to share information equally," she said. 'Equal dopeness' At the back of the classroom, speakers were stacked behind a turntable, while trainees tapped away on mixing software in preparation for an imminent final presentation. "We're the people who are going to make spaces get safer for everyone," said Daisy Nduta, 28, a recent sound engineering graduate. She was excited to be DJing live soon under her stage name Naniwho. Santuri organises frequent events for the students to test their skills. "We welcome everybody the same... We put anybody prime time who we feel can do the spot well," said DJ Shock, denouncing the way clubs often relegate women to play the opening slots when audiences are sparse. Things are rapidly improving for women who DJ in Nairobi, however. Women are earning headline slots at major clubs while collectives like "Sirens" organise women-centric events. That success is part of a global pattern. Industry network "female:pressure" says the number of women performing at electronic music festivals rose from just over nine percent in 2012 to 30 percent in 2023. In Kenya, "there are more and more female DJs coming up... They're getting more confident, which I love," said Tina Ardor, who regularly performs at Muze, a Nairobi electro mecca. She said there was still a widespread, often unconscious, favouritism toward men. But the SEMA course, which she did two years ago, is helping to change attitudes. "I'm not a fan of pulling the gender card," said Ardor, hoping the scene soon gets to a point where there is "equal opportunity and equal dopeness" for everyone. © 2025 AFP
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
FIA, SEMA Join Forces to Shape US Auto Safety Regulations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A new partnership between two major auto industry organizations is poised to change the way Americans buy, rent, operate, accessorize and repair their vehicles. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), a non-profit global governing body for motorsports, has accepted the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as a full member to represent the U.S. The working agreement is designed to give an amplified voice to the auto industry, which has a $337 billion annual impact, in the country. "This alliance unites two powerful forces. SEMA's deep connection to American car culture and the FIA's global leadership in mobility and safety. Together, we are shaping US transportation policy to better serve everyday consumers. As decisions are made at both national and international levels about the future of mobility, we're at the table to ensure the voice of real car owners is heard, championing innovation, safety, personal freedom, and sustainable growth through thought leadership and global best practice," Willem Groenewald, FIA secretary general for mobility, told Newsweek. There are five areas the partnership has eyed to impact: safer vehicles, a unified voice, aftermarket freedom of choice, economic opportunity and protecting motoring heritage. A driver uses the Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance system in an Escalade IQ SUV. A driver uses the Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance system in an Escalade IQ SUV. General Motors In its crosshairs are real world applications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). "As cars are increasingly equipped with ADAS, and globally we are seeing a clear advancement in autonomous vehicles, having both SEMA and the FIA at the table ensures that safety standards reflect real-world driving needs, not just abstract regulations. Safer, more reliable systems that are driver focused, with both organizations working as independent consumer champions," Groenewald said. When it comes to rulemaking, the partnership is expected to be particularly fruitful. "The combined credibility of SEMA and FIA will help ensure we have a seat at the table for these discussions, particularly as discussions kick off to reauthorize the Federal Highway Bill. That bill will have major implications to transportation policy, with particular focus on mandated technology in new vehicles," Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA's senior vice president for public and government affairs, said. Bailey-Chapman used the example of the recent passage of a law in California to show the might of the partnership. "We're also already seeing the impact of this relationship in California, where FIA submitted a letter of support for Leno's Law (SB 712), which seeks to preserve California's rich automotive history by exempting vehicles 35 years or older from the state's stringent smog check requirements, ensuring that these iconic cars remain on the road and remain a part of California's cultural identity when entered into private vehicle collections." "With less than one percent of vehicles in the state eligible under this law, the environmental impact would be negligible, yet this is a key step in protecting historic vehicles and aligning with legislation cross-globally," Groenewald added. The partnership intends to make the drivers of today and tomorrow in focus, to be their voice and advocates. "Drivers need someone in their corner who can speak to their needs as vehicle owners, and that's a role that SEMA and FIA have played for years. It can be seen in how closely aligned our organizations are on issues like preserving automotive culture, of finding ways to embrace and foster new automotive technologies and innovation in a practical way, and in preserving the rights of families and businesses to choose the vehicles that are best for them," Bailey-Chapman said.
Motor 1
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
We Get a Look Inside SEMA's Secret Garage in California: Video
When you think SEMA, you think about the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas in November, where the organization hosts its yearly industry show for the aftermarket sector. While the show is important, it's only a small part of the SEMA operation. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is an organizing body that represents over 7,000 member companies, spanning all areas of the OEM and aftermarket parts industry, from wheel makers and parts suppliers to real-deal car manufacturers, and everything in between. In addition to running the annual industry show, SEMA also offers market research, networking, and "legislative advocacy" for its members. The organization recently lobbied to help end California's 2035 EV mandate , for example. SEMA also offers emissions testing services for products developed by its members. This type of testing is prohibitively expensive to obtain externally; SEMA runs its two facilities—located in California and Detroit—at a loss so the aftermarket sector has a fighting chance at survival. In our latest video, West Coast editor Chris Rosales gets an inside look at what goes on at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, to see exactly what goes on there day-to-day. He gets a tour from none other than President and CEO Mike Spagnola, where we get to see the shop where SEMA's specialty builds are created. We also get a peek at the multi-million-dollar emissions testing rooms, as well as a look at Spagnola's tastefully modified Nissan Z. More on SEMA SEMA Is Becoming the Center of the Automotive Universe Toyota Built the AWD GR86 Rally Car of Our Dreams Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA to perform damage assessments in five counties in the Ozarks
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that FEMA will be coming to five southwest Missouri counties and perform joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) for storm damage caused by severe storms, flooding, hail and strong winds from May 23 to May 26. In a press release, Gov. Kehoe says FEMA, SEMA and local emergency management officals will do PDAs in Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon and Webster counties. Other counties may be added later depending on damage information from local officals. Starting Tuesday, June 10, three teams will determine whether the verified damage in those five counties is enough for public assistance to be requested through FEMA. Through public assistance, local governments and certain nonprofits can receive compensation for emergency response and recovery costs, like public infrastructure and debris removal. FEMA: Trump approves Missouri disaster declarations for March tornadoes 'The long Memorial Day weekend brought four consecutive days of damaging severe storms and flooding to southwest Missouri and led to the destruction of public infrastructure and emergency response costs that are well-beyond the capacity of Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon, and Webster counties,' Governor Kehoe said. 'Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) personnel have been working with local officials as they have been preparing initial damage estimates and we believe the destruction requires joint reviews by FEMA, SEMA, and our local partners, in anticipation for a request for a federal disaster declaration.' Missourians who have damage are encouraged to contact their insurance company and file a claim. Those who are still in need are recommended to contact United Way by dialing 211 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Other disaster recovery resources can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
