Studio Can-V has officially launched its first portable music hub in Nairobi, transforming once-derelict shipping containers into a cool fully equipped creative playground for Kenya’s next generation of DJs and music makers.
Designed and founded by Kenyan DJ, architect and sustainable design advocate Jesse Mwenda, the brand-new Studio Can-V has opened its doors at the Kuona Artists Collective.
The launch event, held on July 2, 2025, celebrated the unveiling of Studio Can-V’s first studio project—made possible with support from Jägermeister’s global Save the Night Fund. The event gathered leading figures from Kenya’s nightlife community, Kenyan Feierstarters campus ambassadors, local Meisters, Meera Karia – Director Business Development from distributor Viva Global, media partners and the Jägermeister global team including Kai Deschling (Jägermeister Director Global Experiential and Culture Marketing), Lewis Jones (Jägermeister Vice President Middle East & Africa) and Kea Kleihauer (Jägermeister Global).
Jesse started out as a DJ who spun his very first set at Nairobi’s Carnivore aged just 14. In 2023 Jesse’s concept won a €50,000 grant from Jägermeister’s global Save the Night Fund, beating hundreds of submissions worldwide. The result is Studio Can-V—a modular container-studio fitted with turntables, mixers, streaming cameras and acoustic treatment. By day, it functions as a classroom and rehearsal pod; by night it morphs into an intimate showcase venue with sessions that will be streamed and archived on YouTube and social media, building a living library and a showcase of Kenyan DJ talent.
Speaking at the launch event, Jesse said, “Today is a beautiful collision of many things. It’s the launch of a dream I have been nurturing for a long time and a vision born from my love for architecture, music and sustainable design. That vision comes to life in the form of Studio One.”
Inspired by his own circumstances and past experience, Jesse says, “Back then I had to borrow gear and sneak into a friend’s house to practice … When conceptualizing Studio Can-V, I thought about what support I needed back then and Studio Can-V is my answer to that struggle: a space where anyone, regardless of background, can learn, rehearse and share their sound with the world.”
Speaking at the Studio Can-V launch event, Kea Kleihauer, Global Culture & Experiential Manager at Jägermeister said, “No matter what you want to do, it’s important to have people like Jesse who make it possible for everyone to take part and feel included. That’s what Safe Zone is all about: bringing people together, creating night spaces where everyone can have fun, enjoy their night out and feel a true sense of connection. It’s such a beautiful thing and we are genuinely happy that we all get to share this moment together.”
Studio Can-V is not a one studio project but looks at sustainability and longevity among its core values, Jesse states. The first studio launch is poised to respond to DJs needs and will offer DJ lessons and livestream sets. Jesse confirms that studio 2, set to launch later this year, will be geared towards production for music producers and sound-engineers.
Jesse concludes, “From safety to sustainability, nightlife is under pressure everywhere but young Kenyans still need stages and Studio Can-V puts those stages back in their hands, free of charge, as a non-profit,” adding, “Thanks to the support of Jägermeister Save the Night Fund, we’re recycling containers to recycle opportunities.”