Month: December 2011

Just a Band has definately proved to be not just a band after all with their progressive magnificence. They posses the one ingredient that most musicians luck in the Kenyan music industry, originality. They are more than just a band, they are musicians, actors, comedians… the list is endless. Just full of talent. You all remember Ha-He? So no need to explain more.

Their Huff + Puff theatrecal video leaves you wanting more.

We at ghafla can’t get enough of it. And what’s up with the bushy mustache guy at the tail of the video?…hillarious!

Huff + Puff is the third promo in their upcoming 2nd album, 8.

Watch Huff + Puff.

The song’s proceedings will be used in aid for the internally displaced persons. The video was released last Friday. For those who haven’t heard the remix yet, here it is.

Nazizi

Ginjah

Wat a gwaan! Beautiful reggea song bird Nazizi Hirji is indeed going “higher”. Did you know that she has done a whole album with humble Jamaican singer, Ginjah? The album is called MOTHERLAND and was done during Ginjah’s visit in Kenya. 

She is set to fly to Kingston Jamaica to shoot more videos for their songs, with Ginjah. She will also be launching their album in the Carribean, early next year.

The video for #Brother Sister was shot in Kenya by Boomba Video and was recorded at Ark Angel Records Kenya.

We at Ghafla! say to you Nazizi…….Irie Sistren!!!

King of Kapungala

Top Gospel artist is shooting his own documentary. He will head to Kakamega, his birth place, to illustrate how he practicly grew up. Daddy Owen spent most of his life in Kakamega, and came to Kenya in 2001.

He will also feature his struggles as a youth growing up in Eastlands, and the trials and tribulations he  has had to face both in religion and the Kenyan music industry. The launching date has not yet been announced as it is yet to be completed.

Kriss Darlin’

Reggea DJ sensation Kriss Darlin’ of Dohty Family DJs is seeking to sue Galileo Lounge propriator, Ngatia,  for defamation. Apparently, they advertised him for a Thursday night show in their club, while he was set to play at K1 Clubhouse as he always does every Thursday with the Dohty Family DJs, confusing his fans. He is currently consulting with his lawyer on this matter.

Mgenge Jua Cali landed in Norway today morning. He’s set to perform two major concerts for the Jamhuri Day Celebrations. He will be performing tonight in Oslo, and on Saturday in Bergen. This is due to public demand for his music from Kenyans in Norway through the #Kenyans in norway blogspot. With his genge flow and drive, our fellow Kenyans in Norway will indeed feel at home far away from home.

OctopizzoAmbitious, talented, blazing rapper, Octopizzo has done it again. He has realesed a new track, “Vowels” and its video.

We say, keep them coming Octo! Proving his critics and haters all wrong.

Here’s a link to his new hot single, Vowels.

Dissapointed Colonel would give anything right now to have to dictate his love affares with ex-fiance Marya. The bad boy obviously misses his patner both in life and music as he clearly expresses in his

new song “Mena pyaar Kiya”, meaning, I have loved. He collaborated with beautiful Indian singer Alisha Popat, symbolising the religious barrier between him and Marya. “The song was inspired by the break up with me and Marya, she’s a Christian and am a Muslim. Kuna mmoja alifaa abadili dini so Mustafa niitwe Emmanuel so ikakua kuna tatizo kidogo so that’s it,” says Mustafa.

Clearly, the pressure from their community was too much to take as expressed in the song’s lyrics. Despite all these, Mustafa believes that religion should not be a cause of forbidden love. Does this mean that there might be some “kiss and make up” after all? Only time will tell.

Here is a link to Mustafa speaking out his heart.

With that cleared, it is evident in our weekly charts that Colonel Mustafa is still one of the best Kenyan artists of all time.

On Friday night at a cocktail organized by Unilever, MAMA award winner Wahu will be announced as the face of the company’s Rexona brand.

The following are pictures from the photoshoot that took place over a month ago in Khlong Tan Nuea, Thailand:

Sara Mitaru was live in concert last Friday at the Leakey Auditorium at the Museum in Nairobi. The concert was sponsored by Ford Foundation and .The attendees were from civil society, local artistes and fans, including the Nigerian High Commissioner and his lovely daughter who was caught up taking pictures of the concert.
The music that Sara sings is both African and inspirational, calling on Kenyans and Africans to stand up and speak out for their rights, following up on what the colonial and post-colonial freedom fighters fought for. The songs she performed at the concert were mainly drawn from jazz, soul and even reggae, which brought down the house. The highlight of the concert was when Kavutha Mwanzia stepped on to the stage for a duet with Sara named “Songea” which is a story about a lady asking a man to come closer to her to enable her to give him her all. The lovely artis

te was backed by a live band and several back-up singers which included Bien Aime of Sauti Sol.
At the end of the two hour concert, Sara thanked her producer who she confessed writes a large percentage of her songs, and her sister who wrote a catchy song called “Mala” that she perfromed that day. The concert was short and sweet however we wil just have to wait for Sara’s next concert: she does not sell any of her music on CD or tape to avoid piracy and probably to keep her fans thirsting for more!

Sara Mitaru’s Band

Sara Mitaru

Sara Mitaru

julianiJuliani. The conscience of the streets. The urban poet. Lyricist par excellence.

Possessing an unmatched socio-political nous, beautifully tempered in spirituality, Juliani comes correct with a message of religious, social and political emancipation, fresh and relevant in today’s society. His sleek lyrical flow and passionate delivery have gotten him hailed as “an important voice for our time” (Eric Wainaina).

Juliani grew up as part of a large family, with one sister and five brothers. He was born and bred in the high-density sprawling eastern suburb of Dandora, and it wasn’t long before the cultural hip-hop influences of the area began to rub off on him. Recognized as the spiritual home of many Kenyan hip-hop icons, idolized musicians Kalamashaka and Ukoo Fulani sprung to notoriety from this area, and heavily influenced him.

While in high school, his interest in rap peaked, and soon his sleek lyrical flow and passionate delivery saw him introduced to Ukoo Fulani, and with them he performed at various local gigs and clubs.

In 2001, the group released their first full-length album, Kilio Cha Haki, produced by the Amsterdam-based Red-Nose Distrikt producers. Even though it featured heavy hitters such as American rapper RhaGoddess and local heroes Kalamashaka, it was little surprise when Juliani’s Fanya Tena was selected as the single to spearhead the record. Their second album was the critically acclaimed underground classic, Dandora Burnin’, and again, Juliani’s song, Jesusnosis, which went on to become a hip-hop classic, was selected as a single.

Juliani was then quickly snapped up by Kijiji Records, a label led by local music pioneer Kanjii, formerly of Milele. There he teamed up with KORA nominee, Astar, and other musicians to set up the Hip-Hope unit. Together they have toured numerous schools and colleges, and released three compilation albums. Since then, Juliani’s star has continued to rise steadily, with many of Kenya’s top artists looking forward to working with him.

He has collaborated with the likes of KORA winner Eric Wainaina and Afro-fusion sensation Kanjii, as well as Kisima Nominees Holy Dave, and Wenyeji, to name a few. Following the post-election violence in Kenya in early 2008, he got together with other top name artists to record the multi-award winning Wakenya Pamoja single and video. It incorporated over 30 different acts, including comedian Churchill, Suzzana Owiyo, Abbi, Pete Odera and Rufftone, among others.

Very socially conscious, Juliani has supported causes such as the World Vision Peace Tour (around Kenyan cities & towns), Vina Na Maana (a campaign against Economic Partnership Agreements), Stand Up Against Poverty (UN Millennium Campaign For MDG’s), and has been a facilitator at the NCA conscious music workshop, not to mention his support for the monthly WAPI (Words & Pictures) initiative. His exploits have seen him perform at the annual Zanzibari music festival, open for Jamaican reggae sensation Chevelle Franklin, and partner with innovative French electro-fusion outfit Kanine Records.

In 2008 Juliani scooped awards both in Kenya and in the U.S., the former being a Groove Award for hip-hop song of the year (Mtaa Mentality), and the latter a Talanta Award as the coveted male artist of the year. Juliani was the first ever Kenyan artist to be signed to a full-fledged UK-based record label, Gatwitch Records. The result of that partnership is the very highly acclaimed 13-track solo album Mtaa Mentality, released in late 2008. A long-serving radio presenter, Eve D’Souza, prompted every lover of conscious music to get their hands on that album.

The future could not look brighter for this freakishly talented lyricist. Yet amidst all the excitement, Juliani stays grounded and never loses his focus.

I want to bless the world and we want souls to get saved,

he says.

Today Stella Mwangi’s newest song “Haba Haba” was the first Kenyan video ever to reach 1, 000, 000 views on YouTube, making it without a doubt, the most watched Kenyan production online in history! The irony of all this is that the video for the song has not even been released yet! What people have been watching was a live performance of the song at a Norwegian music festival named Melodi Grand Prix. The music video is still in production, and below are the exclusive, behind the scenes pictures:

Her excellent performance at Melodi Grand Prix also earned her a spot in Addidas’ new “All In” campaign. The promotional video which she shot can be seen below:

Jamaican teen celebrities are already in Kenya for this weekend’s CHAT awards at the Carnivore.
This years teen awards will take a different twist than the other eight times it has been held. This year, the organisers have contracted two teen Jamaican stars to headline at the April Award ceremony.
Denyque of Summer Love fame and QQ popularly known for his hit songs Skip To My Lou and RumRam will be in Nairobi on April 16 for the ceremony.

Denyque told Jamaican paper Jamaican Observer,

I’m not even thinking about winning. I’m just excited about the opportunity I’ve been blessed with, to visit and perform in Kenya and possibly other countries in Africa. I know my music has been getting crazy airplay and getting more and more popular on that side of the world, and I’m looking forward to meeting some of my fans there!

Easy FMKaraoke craze has hit Easy FM.

Easy FM is introducing the biggest Karaoke show ever in Kenya.

Easy FM Karaoke. Tuesdays from 8pm at Eternity City, T-Mall rooftop.

Hosted by Edward Kwach.

The singer who gets the highest applause wins Kshs 10,000.

Anyone can be a star and win cash. Don’t miss out.

Entry Free

The A-ffair is back! This time, Chris Adwar, Jacob Asiyo, Dan “Chizi” Aceda, and new addition Abbi take centre stage and bring you a show like no other! 😉 Also featuring, The Wananchi and The Villagers Band Thursday 21st April 2011 (Good Friday Eve) Alliance Francaise Garden Advance 500/- Gate 800/- Tickets now available at Alliance Francaise, www.ticketsasa.com and Sound Africa 20th Century Plaza.

Esther WahomeGospel artiste Esther Wahome recently signed a one-year multi-million shilling contract as the face of  “Lifebuoy School of Five” campaign. The initiative hopes to impress on school children the importance of good hygiene. The deal was sealed after a survey of select school children.

According to a statement from Lifebuoy’s parent company Unilever, the campaign will be implemented in 80 primary schools in Nairobi and its environs. It is an initiative by Lifebuoy Kenya and Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP).

I would like to thank Unilever for making me a brand ambassador. I’m honored and looking forward to working and informing children about the importance of hand washing with soap,

Esther said. Previously deals bagged by Esther include one with Alvaro energy drink together with Capital FM’s DJ Adrian.

noniniKenyan rapper, Nonini recently signed an American band as his official tour band for all his American concerts.

The rapper, currently on tour in the US, premiered the five-man-band made up of a Nigerian drummer, an Asian lead Gutarist, an American bass player and pianist in Oakland California over the weekend.
According to Nonini, the band mates from Bay Area, Oakland are all from different bands and played for the first time together at his successful gig.

“I hooked up with them a month ago but performed for the first time in Oakland Carlifornia. My DJ, Slim is the one who got me in touch with them. I liked there professionalism and work ethic na tuka discuss a deal,” says Nonini.
The band had to learn his songs in three days. Nonini thinks things will be better once they get their groove.
Here’s a video of Nonini performing live with the band.

The planned filming of the music video to Stella Mwangi’s winning single Haba Haba has been postpone to April 10. The decision was made as a result of STL’s busy schedule since arriving from Kenya on February 27 where she shot a documentary detailing her career journey. 

According a release, the team behind STL wanted more time to plan the filming following huge investment of resources by STL’s record label EMI records and Kenya’s mobile phone company Safaricom. Despite the shift in filming dates, the video will still premiere on the scheduled dates.

MutindaAfro fusion musician George Mutinda has been nominated under the category of World Music for his single Simama in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Award. Mutinda will be competing with other artistes from around the world for the prestigious award of Songwriter of the Year 2011.

Mutinda said,

I’m so excited and honoured to be among the shortlisted artistes, This will definitely propel my music career and give me maximum exposure on the international front as l embark on my Europe tour mid this year

The nominated single is off his debut album Matopeni that was launched last year. He is currently working on its video that will be released in three weeks time.
The ISC is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena.
A star-studded panel of judges including Peter Gabriel, Baaba Maal, Rihanna and Timbaland are currently going through the nominee list to choose the grand winner who will walk away with $25,000 (Sh2.1 million) in cash and up to $20,000 (Sh1.68 million) in prizes. The judging process will be over late April or early May and the winner will be announced then.

American singer Solange Knowles has teamed up with Coca-Cola Africa Foundation based in South Africa to front a new campaign for clean water access in Africa titled Kenya.
Beyonce’s little sister, along with rocker Chris Taylor and musician Twin Shadow recorded the track Kenya to help raise funds for the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN).

Solange

RAIN aims at bringing together businesses, local governments, NGO’s and committed individuals to improve access to water and sanitation in Africa. Half of Africa’s population suffers from diseases related to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation. a figure that may increase to 47 million in three years if nothing changes.
The song aims to raise $10,000 and Solange was quoted by S2S magazine saying; “It inspires hope when it’s more upbeat and spirited, and I think that that is what the conversation should be about,” said Solange, who’s also making a name for herself as a DJ.

Popular Benga musician Musa Juma Mumbo is dead.

According to his widow, Winnie, Juma died of breathing complications on Tuesday evening at a Mombasa hospital.

“He had been complaining of chest problems ever since he returned from a tour of the US a few weeks ago, and the problem worsened,” she said.

She said doctors had frantically tried to save his life at the Intensive Care Unit of Mombasa Hospital.

Last week, his group the Limpopo International, staged what turned out to have been his final show in Mombasa.

Speaking to the media his band member, Prezda Bandasonn, said Juma complained of chest problems related to a suspected bout of pneumonia during his tour of America.

“We have lost a talented an inspiring musician who will be missed by many,” Bandasonn said.

By coincidence, Juma’s younger brother Omondi Tonny, also a musician, died about three years ago in Mombasa from injuries sustained in a road accident.

The musician will be best remembered for his popular songs like Mercelina, Hera Mudho, Ufisadi and Freddy.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH MUSA JUMA FAMILY AND AND THOSE CLOSE TO HIM. RIP.

habida

The certified hottie that is Kenyan singer Habida must be feeling like the African Union. We are told she has Somali blood, is married to a Ghanian and is now a proud Tanzanian resident.

The “Sunshine” singer has relocated to Tanzania after her husband, Daniel Ebo of the Intercontinental Hotel was transfered to Tanzania on a promotion meaning he had to move with the wife and child.

She however says that she will be constantly coming to Kenya to connect with her fans and also record since this is her nerve center. Her new song “Get down tonight” produced by RKay promises to be a hit.

NoniniNonini has added another feather to his cap – acting. He is set to appear in a new movie, “Killer Mmoja” a 2011 African Genge drama film, directed by Willie Owusu and Produced by Hubert Nakitare and Aleks Kamau.

The movie stars Nonini (The Godfather), Lady Bee (The Queen), Chege Chigunda (TMK Wanaume), Introducing Hanako, Jaymz Kiama, Mustapha, Sandra, Stephanie and Danny.

A movie about Genge and how it gets 3 musicians in trouble with a very wealthy family because of there daughters association to the style of music and the Artists. “Coming from a hood back ground genge and the musicians dont sit well with an upper class family! Dropping IN 2011…” read a statement sent to us by the rapper.
From what we can see, this will be one brilliant movie, at least production wise since we can’t judge on the script until we watch the film. We love the strides Nonini is making in his career.
The movie’s soundtrack will be released soon, but click the link below for the movie preview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSJYnmVRC0

Juliani and Jimnah

Uganda’s president Museveni did it with his popular hit You Want Another Rap, now, Kenya’s business personality Jimnah Mbaru will be featured in a track with Julianiand Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal.
The single dubbed Tribalism is a Disease will be mastered in Jal’s Gatwich studiobased in London.

Jimnah spoke about the experience in the studio at Click Track Records in Kileleshwa. “I have been to many studios but this one was very interesting. The song highlights the serious cancer that is tribalism and it needs to be removed completely from the body. It is responsible for the slow growth of our society,” adding, “No one choses which ethic background to be born into.” The business tycoon laughed off the possibility of recording his solo track in future.
Juliani said, “It is more than a single it is a campaign that people should take seriously.” The Mtaa Mentality star said that the KKK political Alliance is a fallacy that doesn’t reflect on the ground. “The youth understand one thing, hunger and not tribalism. The alliance will not go far. If we are to fight, let us them fight corruption and not each other on the grounds of our tribes.”

Jimnah in the Studio

suzanne owiyoThis year seems to be Suzanna Owiyo’s time to really shine. She has bagged a deal where she will go on a European tour with legendary singer Youssou N’Dour in March.
Suzanna said in a statement,

I met Youssou N’Dour in Spain in 2008 during Africa Territories Festival. He must have been impressed by my nyatiti performance. That was where the idea was born. My manager Dudu Sarr was very instrumental in negotiating and arranging the tour. I’m scheduled to perform with Youssou in a collaboration tour dubbed New African Voices. The tour starts on March 4, 2011 in Copenhagen then head to other cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, Paris, Brussels, London, Besancon (France) and finally in Oslo. The feeling is way beyond what I would ever have imagined. I first met Youssou in Uganda in 2006. I curtainraised for him during his East African Celtel Tour, little did I know that one day I would share a stage with him but on another level. Youssou indeed is an African icon; to be more precise, he’s the best in Africa.“For the first time in my career, I will be engaging myself in a major tour across Europe and I’m excited, I just cant wait for it to start.

During the tour, she will launch her third album titled My Roots in Oslo on March 13. The Kisumu 100 singer promises that she will launch it in Nairobi too. She said, “I intend to have a major launch at home in August. I have featured Oliver Mtukudzi, Jua Cali, Makadem and Ogoya Nengo. The album was produced by Kirkelig Kulturverksted record label in Norway.
About her album, she said,

My roots is where my music comes from and for the first time I have introduced a traditional African instrument via the nyatiti. My grandfather was a nyatiti player and this album shows it’s my way of following his footsteps

Joining Suzanna and Youssou during the tour is Senegalese guitarist and singer Carlou D.

Stella Mwangi is the 2011 Norway representative in the annual Eurovision song contest. Stella emerged the most voted stlfor artist among the four super finalists gunning a total of 280,217 votes with the closest rival managing 155,059 votes only.

The Eurovision song contest will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany with semi-finals taking place on 10^th and 12^thMay 2011, with the final planned for the evening of 14 May 2011. Forty-three countries have confirmed their participation in this year’s contest.

Only one day after “Haba Haba” took the MGP third semifinal victory, it knocked Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” off of the top spot on the Norwegian iTunes chart.  Stella’s high-energy performance and easy-to-remember hook made this song a no-brainer for the victory.  If she can keep this momentum up, she might end up as a front-runner for this year’s ESC title…

And, as a point of trivia, “Haba Haba” will be the first time that Swahili will be heard on the Eurovision stage!  “Haba haba hujaza kibaba” is a proverb meaning “little by little fills up the measure”.  According to Wikipedia, this will be the 53rd language heard at the ESC (52nd if you don’t count imaginary languages

Check out Stella Mwangi reaction after her sweet victory;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAYUK5v3DD4

stlStella Mwangi (STL) has made it to the finals of MGP to be held in Oslo on 12th February 2011 after winning the 3rd semifinal held in SKIEN last Saturday. With her new hit song, Haba Haba, Stella moved the attendees to their toes, dancing and swinging to the tunes with great amazement.

Composed and confident, STL proved that nothing is impossible if you believe and work hard to achieve the goals you set.
Haba Haba has further more topped the ITunes charts in Norway and is promising to break STL into international stardom.
For more information check www.stellamwangi.com

dng
Yesterday night, Kora-award winning gospel artist and radio host DNG was accosted by thugs after spending a night out with friends in Nairobi’s Westlands area. He was lucky to come out of the ordeal alive, as the robbers shot one uncooperative hostage in the head, killing him instantly. DNG said in a statement:

After last night’s nerve-racking car-jacking ordeal, all I can say is that I thank God to be alive. I was totally helpless, but God stood by me till the very end. I know, without a doubt that I am on earth for a reason, for a greater purpose. Now to live it out. For the thugs, ni sawa tu. Hustle, au sio? For he who they shot in the head as I watched, RIP.

MustaphaThings aren’t rosy for celebrity couple Marya and Mustapha. Previously engaged and livingMaryatogether, the two have broken their engagement and Marya has moved back to her parents’ house in what they are calling a ‘break.’ They aren’t keen to speak about it, but we understand that their parents are at a crossroads on whether Marya should convert to Islam, Mustapha’s religion. “it’s true that we are apart at the moment, but probably that will give us time to think of a way forward,” Marya said in a statement.

The two have changed their relationship statuses on Facebook from ‘Engaged’ to ‘Single.’ Mustapha wrote, “If I knew, I wouldn’t have engaged her so early.” Meanwhile, Marya is just about to drop another song.

Tony

Tony, a member of gospel crew MOG, has been suspended from the group for a year. The other members, Kenti and Boss, are giving him time to ‘sort his issues.’ Tony has recently been dogged by allegations of an improper relationship with a certain girl, who spilled the beans on KISS 100’s 8 to 10 show with DNG.