Google Africa Celebrates Alte Movement & Honours Creatives who Identify as Non-mainstream

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Google recently hosted a two-day Residency Programme in Nairobi to celebrate and up-skill young African creatives who identify as Alternative or Non-Mainstream. The Alternative Movement, colloquially known as the ‘Alté Movement’, traces its roots to Lagos, Nigeria, where young Africans embrace the idea of being misfits or non-conformists. 

The movement champions for unconventional self-expression in all aspects of life but mainly through Music, Fashion and Visual Arts. During the two-day residency, creatives got to interact, share their experiences in their respective countries and discussed possible future collaborations amongst each other. 

Dorothy Ooko, Google Head of Communication and Public Affairs

“Alternative youth culture is rarely recognised on mainstream media, therefore creators have turned to YouTube to connect with their audiences because there are no barriers of entry. Speaking during the Residency, Sharon Machira, Communication and Public Affairs Manager for Google Kenya said.  The aim of  the residency is to celebrate and amplify the impact on the Alté movement in Africa and the world. “We also want to showcase how products like YouTube Shorts  can help drive the culture forward,” added Sharon.

Here are some of the incredible alternative creatives at the residency and their stories.

Karun

Musician, singer, song-writer, producer, and artist who makes alternative RNB music.

“Making alternative music isn’t always going to be easy. For the most part its been introspective for me because it’s meant that I either rely on other people or I dive into my own process and so creating music especially recently has been fun because I have grown into my own process. Initially it was difficult to be in this space because of the lack of platforms that could recognise what alternative music is on this continent.”

“It’s really cool that Google is celebrating the Alte movement and trying to bring alternative artists from across the continent together. Our cultures and little bubbles can function on their own, however, having this cross pollination and a chance to collaborate is very necessary for the growth of our culture.”
L-R: Karun Musician, singer, song-writer and artist; Agnes Gathaiya Google Country Director in a kibanda designed by Vinette

Mpho Sebina

Born and raised in Botswana to a family of music lovers, Mpho grew up listening to the sounds of Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, amongst other artists who have inspired her music today. She is a singer, melodist and songwriter who describes her music as soul, fused and influenced by many other genres from Rnb to Hip Hop to Jazz, to Amapiano, Rhumba to EDM.

“I didn’t choose to be an alternative! Alte chose me. I love music and all its aspects and my music isn’t necessarily what most people would call mainstream. It has been an interesting experience deciding to stick to what I love outside of what the rest of the world is doing. “

Rezah Sampson

Multifaceted creative, makeup artist and piano player, popularly known as Zah.

“I knew I was different when I was in 5th grade. I was a young innocent boy when I found one of the male teachers at my school attractive. I remember wondering why do I look at this man this way, why do I find him attractive, that’s not okay, I’m a man.

I prayed it away, did everything I could to make it go away. Once I accepted myself, my sexuality and the fullness of my roots, I able to see my art as alte. We grew up in systems where we were told to be quiet, stay still, answer only when spoken to. Now that we’re in a space that is so different it’s amazing.”

My sexuality has helped me because back then, I only had art to express who I was, I didn’t know how to speak it. When I was able to use my makeup as a means of expression of my sexuality, I was able to speak it better and in the truest form of myself.

Studio 18 Kenya

Studio 18 Kenya, is a creative hub that is home to four Nairobi-based street wear brands: Nairobi Apparel, Metamorphisized, SMK, and Akiba Studios. Collectively, they tell new African narratives from their individual perspectives; focusing on building streetwear fashion consumption, inspiring the community, and promoting Kenyan culture.

Mziyanda,

A South African born creative, model, photographer, DJ and all round free spirit. 

“My queerness is not something that I used to think about, It was just me naturally choosing myself and living my life authentically and truthfully. Fashion for me is my creativity and alternative. It’s something that I celebrate. It has always been my amour!

“Today, I am inspired by the people I meet, those who somewhat look like me, and are somewhat like me, in the things that they are doing.”

199X Org

Contemporary visual art production, film and apparel company based in kenya.

Brian Msafiri

Creative director, photographer, film and commercial producer based in Kenya. He is passionate about facilitating creative visions and bringing them to life.

“I consider myself Alte! If its not from how I dress, it’s from how I speak to how I try to keep certain traditional values that may not be considered ‘normal’. Over the years, my purpose has been to find my own voice and to pursue what I want. That has propelled me to so many levels that I am surprised that what I do has amassed to something.” My goal now is to continue to uplift young people and create a community of upcoming creatives and designers in different spaces.”

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Today is not the but tomorrow will be. Doubt is very natural but its important to acknowledge not only the small wins but also the attempts to create something new.

Vinette

L-R: Vinette, kibanda designer and digital creator; Agnes Gathaiya Google Country Director
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