Future of Work: In Images – James

MEET JAMES

According to James, many people working in the arts see the creative industries as a route to both professional and personal prosperity. James is a musician and producer in Nairobi, driven by a lifelong love of music and a passion to make it his career.

Having spent his childhood immersing himself in music and after years of diligent practice, James is now a multi-instrumentalist. More recently, through self-directed learning, James has ventured into music production too, hoping to one day lead a fully-fledged production label that can support other musicians on their journey.

“There are many challenges, and if it wasn’t for my love for music, I would have already quit.”

James

Operating his recording studio from home due to financial constraints, and despite facing numerous challenges along the way, James remains steadfast in his love for music, recognising its ability to provide solace amidst life’s struggles.

In a landscape where governmental support for the creative economy is lacking, James also manages a phone and computer repair business whilst remaining focused on his ultimate goal of transitioning to a career solely dedicated to music.

Meet James Kariuki, professionally known as Le’ James, a dedicated music producer and musician based in the vibrant city of Nairobi, Kenya. His commitment to the art of music shines through in his versatility and creativity.

“I started by imitating other musicians at a young age, then I learnt the guitar, then slowly started buying instuments and studio equipment.”

James embarked on his musical journey during his primary/elementary school years, initially immersing himself in the world of music by imitating accomplished musicians. His creative evolution led him from poetry writing to mastering vocals. Over time, he expanded his instrumental skills, learning both the guitar and keyboard. Currently, James is in the ongoing pursuit of refining his expertise in music production, showcasing a continuous commitment to artistic growth and proficiency.

James honed the art and science of music production through diligent observation of seasoned musicians and producers, a testament to his commitment to continuous learning and dedication to the craft.

Meet James Kariuki, a music producer and musician known by his stage name, Le’ James. He has a studio set up, where he crafts and refines his music.

At present, James juggles his music production endeavors with his phone and computer repair business. However, he envisions a future where he can fully dedicate himself to music, aspiring to transition from the dual roles and concentrate solely on the creative pursuit that fuels his passion.

At present, James juggles his music production endeavors with his phone and computer repair business. However, he envisions a future where he can fully dedicate himself to music, aspiring to transition from the dual roles and concentrate solely on the creative pursuit that fuels his passion.

Due to budget constraints in its initial stages, James has established his recording studio within the confines of his home. Despite the makeshift setup, he is dedicated to creating quality music while navigating the financial challenges of securing a dedicated space for his budding recording studio.

The importance of the informal economy in Kenya cannot be overstated; it accounts for 24% of Kenya’s GDP and also employs five times more workers than the formal economy.

TRANSFORM has been working to understand the current realities and future possibilities for the millions of entrepreneurial Kenyans who hustle to sustain livelihoods across the informal economy (read more about the context of the work here).

Brink, Procol Africa, Busara, Laterite, Ideas Unplugged, and TRANSFORM have collaborated throughout to deliver this work, alongside hundreds of ecosystem actors and informal economy entrepreneurs.

These blogs offer an insight into the lives of some informal workers we spoke to over the course of the project, told through images.