Muthoni Drummer Queen “MDQ” – The MVP
#iNCONVERSATION
iN had the rare opportunity to sit down with none other than Muthoni Drummer Queen, MDQ herself. A musician, cultural architect, and the main festival organiser behind Blankets & Wine, Muthoni has played a defining role in shaping how Nairobi gathers around music, culture, and community.
As Blankets & Wine prepares to return to Nairobi, we spoke to MDQ about leadership, legacy, and the unseen work that goes into building one of East Africa’s most influential lifestyle festivals.
iN Nairobi: How has Blankets & Wine influenced your growth as a live performer over the years?
Muthoni Drummer Queen:
Running the festival has given me a front-row seat to see exactly what works and what does not on stage. It taught me that it is not just about my set time. It is about making sure that even one person in the crowd really feels something.
iN Nairobi: As one of the core festival organisers, how has that behind-the-scenes role shaped your perspective on the event?
MDQ:
After 17 years as an organiser, I view the festival as a machine that constantly needs fixing and improving. It has given me a 360-degree view of the entire ecosystem. The logistics, the infrastructure, and the massive planning required to maintain the quality Blankets & Wine is known for. It is a constant masterclass in learning and growing.
iN Nairobi: What have been the biggest obstacles in organising a festival of this scale, and how have you navigated them?
MDQ:
The biggest hurdles are usually related to the fact that we have to create a stable venue environment from scratch each time we produce the festival. In a matter of days, we build tech and network infrastructure to run bars and vendor services, electric grids to support lighting and power, and security, human, and traffic flow systems.
At the same time, we are managing sound and staging, sponsor needs, health and sanitation, and artist hospitality. The workload is staggering, daunting even. We navigate this by approaching each edition as if it were the first. We review each experience deeply and implement concrete, high-impact changes every time. Sometimes that means completely redesigning the venue layout for smoother flow and better service areas.
iN Nairobi: What makes the Blankets & Wine crowd different from other audiences or pan-African festivals you have experienced?
MDQ:
Our crowd is unique because Nairobi itself is a mish-mash of taste. Most people arrive ready to discover new music, party with their favourites, and engage with the culture. They bring their fashion, their energy, and their openness, making the festival an active, co-created experience.
iN Nairobi: How do you tailor your sound or setlist specifically for a festival like Blankets & Wine?
MDQ:
I approach the Blankets & Wine setlist with storytelling and high energy in mind. The set has to flow and take the audience on a journey, with plenty of wow moments, from costuming to choreography to vocal delivery.
I balance feel-good dance energy with the depth and message of my music. For me, it is about delivering a performance that is authentic to who I am, while honouring the celebratory, communal spirit of the festival.
iN Nairobi: What moments or collaborations have been the biggest milestones in your career so far?
MDQ:
Collaborations with my Swiss producers, Greg “GR!” Escoffey and Jean “Hook” Geissbuhler, have been monumental. They led to albums like MDQ and SHE. On the business side, founding Blankets & Wine and watching it evolve into a premier platform for East African talent has been a defining achievement in my career.
iN Nairobi: How do you prepare mentally and physically for high-energy festival performances?
MDQ:
Preparation is multi-layered. Physically, it is about being fit enough to land the show and rehearsing until the set is second nature. My vocals have to be ready for the demands of the performance.
Mentally, it is about reconnecting with the intention of the show and reminding myself of the opportunity to share my art and create a genuine connection with the audience.
iN Nairobi: Blankets & Wine has become a cultural home for East African music. What does performing there mean to you personally?
MDQ:
It is profoundly personal. It is performing in a home that I built. It validates the original vision, to create a platform for alternative, compelling, world-class African artistry. Every time I step on that stage, in a space created to celebrate the culture I represent, it feels like a full-circle moment.
iN Nairobi: How do festivals like Blankets & Wine shape opportunities for Kenyan artists on the rise?
MDQ:
Blankets & Wine is a critical launchpad. We offer international-standard stages, a massive audience, and a platform that validates an artist’s readiness for a wider market. It helps artists move from being known within their immediate community to being discovered beyond it, which is invaluable for their growth.
iN Nairobi: Who are the artists inspiring you right now, locally and globally?
MDQ:
I have a very wide palette. Right now I am deep into Kenyan funk from the 70s, Brazilian funk, alternative pop, female voices in global hip hop, different variations of oontz, and always Beyoncé.
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Blankets & Wine returns to Nairobi Sunday December 21st once again bringing together music, culture, and community under the stewardship of Muthoni Drummer Queen.
Follow @blanketsandwine and @muthonidrumerqueen for full festival details, line-ups, and ticket information. Stay tuned to innairobi.com for full coverage.
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