Month: February 2012

Sources say that this comedian/ musician has been up and down looking for the prime minister RailaOdinga

and try to get him record a song with him. Fred Omondi wants a collabo with the PM and his brother the sensational comedian Eric Omondi.

The song will be called ‘kanyaga‘ and Fred said that not only will he involve the PM but also Martha Karua and any other politician who will be interested. His biggest hurdle is meeting with the PM  but if he succeeds he will be joining artiste`s like Juliani and Emanuel Jal who recorded a song with Hon. Karua, Ruto and businessman Jimnah Mbaru.

The sultry and soulful Kenyan musical genius that is Sara Mitaru has taken her spirited fight for  Kenyan ‘freedom’ to the next level.

Sara, who recently released her hugely successful single ‘Make Way’ that is off her yet to be released double disc album ‘My Freedom Songs’, has been spreading the positive message about Africans shelving oppression and standing up for their rights. 

The talented musician is today attending the Mzalendo Forum at the iHub Nairobi, which is a gathering to discuss issues on good governance and leadership in Kenya.

Have a listen to her latest track ‘Make Way’ below and tell us your thoughts.

After staging a couple of shows in Dubai the king of  genge is back

in the country. He entertained revelers in Dubai this past weekend with his songs but killed the show when he performed ‘Baba yao’.

The response was fantastic and this shows that Jua Cali is hitting big internationally. He said that he will be back in studio after today`s rest and also thanked his fans in Dubai for appreciating him. 

Kenyan-International artiste Stella Mwangi (a.k.a STL) is planning to do a host of collaborations  and remixes this year.

The 25 year old musician has gone through a tough time this past week with the loss of her father, Jeff Mwangi Kwirikia, who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Oslo, Norway early this month.

Read related post on Jeff Mwangi here >>

The artiste however gave her fans a taste of her latest single ‘Grand Kenyan’. The song has a funky hip hop beat to it, quite characteristic of all that is the phenomenal STL.

In order to have an EXCLUSIVE listen to it, one has to join her fan and mailing list HERE and proceed to download the track.

Fans of STL should also expect to see her in Kenya soon, around the Easter holidays, as she plans to perform in Mombasa on April 7th 2012. Stay tuned for more info here on Ghafla!

Meanwhile, have a look at her previous video collabo with Swedish- Congolese sensation, Mohombi below, and you can also check out the lyrics to the song HERE.

‘Fresh all day’ is the latest hot single from Camp Mulla and its yesterday`s

Safaricom skiza jam of the day. check the lyrics. This show`s that many people are using it as a skiza ring back tone and that the response of this song is overwhelming.

This song is also amongst the top most requested music in our local radio and TV stations and in a few day`s to come it will also be topping international charts.

This is a motivator to the group and hope they will keep up the good work. 

Word has it that singer Sanaipei Tande will no longer be presenting for Kiss 100. Apparently,

she wanted a raise and Kiss FM didn’t think it relevant since her show is not that popular(as they say).

It is likely that she might join Easy FM, though her contract with Kiss FM is not over yet. We would all be more than happy if Sana came back to music. That sweet voice shouldn’t be exhausted on talking only, but singing.

Stay on Ghafla for more on this.

He contested and lost overwhelmingly during the Kitutu masaba parliamentary by-election held last year

and still this has not dampen his political ambitions.

Gospel artist Alex Apoko a.k.a Ringtone promises that he will be contesting again for the same post come the general elections. He said that if he was allowed to use his stage name he would have won the by-election but he was not allowed by the IIEC.

Ringtone tells his fans that his political interest will not affect his music career or his faith in God.

Hot off the release of her newest hit love special single ‘Kitu Kimoja’, fans of Avril’s music can now download it straight to their mobile device.

To be able to have it as your ringtone, all you have to do is text the word ‘KITU’ to 8224 and wait for your reply. This is however only applicable to Safaricom subscribers.

Read related Avril ‘Kitu Kimoja’ video post here >>

Checkout the video below…

With her song ‘Take Care’ featured on the 2003 International World compilation album, this coastal princess is not resting on her laurels.

Nominated for Pearl of Africa, Kisima and that Tanzania Music awards in 2007 and 2008, Nyota Ndogo is braving the dynamically changing Kenyan music scene and sticking to her taarab style heartbeat with a new hit single titled ‘Moyo’.

This release is definitely heating things up for top of the charts this Valentines season, with at least three other leading Kenyan female artistes, namely Avril, Habida and Wahu dropping fresh hits over the same period. Have a listen to the new track below and tell us what you think.

Different talents are emerging especially in showbiz but the problem is

they don’t want to be natured. They don’t want to take time and master their talents in order to perfect their skills.

DJ Krowbar has a problem with the emerging djs because they are so impatient, instead of taking their time to master the game. His advice to them is to take time, djing is like baking give it time for the cake. They can not appear today and by tomorrow they want to be at the top.

Rome was not build in a day and thus they should perfect their skills first. Krowbar is known for naturing Young djing talent hence his speaking from experience. Lets learn from the best and respect those you found in the game

We always read about international artist who indulge into drugs and even others die due to the effects.MJ was one of them who died because

of overdosing.Whitney is still in and out of rehab, but also in our local music industry we have our own share.

Bamzigi came out of rehab three years ago and say`s that he has been clean since then.He would not want any young person to lure himself into drugs no matter what because he experienced it first hand and its not good.

Bamzigi admits that when he started consuming hard drugs it became a problem because his parents and friends did want anything to do with him.His music, education and health was affected badly and everything was going the wrong way until he accepted that his an addict and went to rehab for help.

He is trying to educate the youths on the effects of drugs and also helps those who are already addicts.Currently his music is doing very well in local charts and this story should be a lesson to the youths.Lets not learn from our mistake but from other peoples mistake because life is not the best teacher and not every one gets a second chance.

He is one of the best rappers in Kenya and belongs to both Ukoo Flani and Head Bangaz entertainment. Here is his own biography from himself.

Born in East Africa Nairobi, Kimya moved to the states at a young age and was raised in California, specifically L.A. county. I been Representing freestyles on the block and at clubs as far back as 92′ at the age of 12. A couple years later i relocated to Nairobi, Kenya on the east coast of Africa. Recognizing street level Hip Hop in Nairobi back around 94, i started hitting up freestyle clubs like Florida 2000 up against the Hip-Hop headz of that day. For roughly six years i represented underground conscious Hip-Hop and never messed with the media. 2001 I went to Tanzania, Dar es salaam on some hustling tip and ended up hooking up with Tanzania’s strongest Hip Hop group called Kikosi cha Mizinga (kiswahili for the cannon battalion). They got info at www.myspace.com/kikosichamizinga. Kikosi cha Mizinga is a group which is similar to ukoo flani mau mau of Kenya. Basically it’s a group of solo artists working together as a team and family and representing their respective hoods. Ripping mixtapes and freestyle battles all over east Africa including Kenya’s 98.4 Capital FM freestyle battles with DJ Adrian and eve d souza (where kimya kept the title for a couple months undefeated. After launching one members first album as Kikosi cha Mizinga which was titled Kufa au kupona (kiswahili for do or die), i opened my first studio in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The studio’s name which is House of music records is still open and rockin beats which ya’ll can hear on their my space page. 2006 after coming back to kenya, Kimya was nominated for kenya’s prestigous Kisima award for the best Hip Hop track for 2006. The track was a collaboration with Ibra da Hustla (nako 2 nako soldiers (arusha, tanzania) who got a track wit Loon from bad boy, Johhny (kalamashaka – kenya) and me (kimya-kenya) is called puchlines kibao (alotta punchlines). Ima put that up for ya’ll to hear later. During the Kisima awards main event which went down later that year at the carnivore gardens, we took the Best Hip Hop track of the year 2006 category. We did a Kisima awards winner’s party in Mombasa, Kenya about 2 months later and repped the stage a lil bit. Wit street credit goin to another level, I met up with some brothers in nairobi (Head Bangaz Entertainment-www.myspace.com/headbangazentertainment) who was hustlin in the game and i joined their label as a producer and solo artist. Our studio is located in westlands, Nairobi next to sarit centre. i aint even gonna talk much about our production, you can hear it on any of the myspace sites i named above and on this one. I represent conscious, street education, Hip-Hop in its realest form. it aint commercial even though it can sell as well if not better. My only affiliations are: Kikosi cha Mizinga (dar es salaam, tanzania),Ukooflani MauMau (Nairobi, Kenya), Cashmere of The cash administration (manhood, brooklyn, new york).
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A memorial service was held at Red Cross Court in the Norwegian capital over the weekend in honour of Stella Mwangi’s father who was killed in a hit-and-run incident mid last week.

Distraught family members, friends and well wishers filled the hall as they bade farewell to 54 year old Jeff Mwangi Kwirikia. Police finally caught the driver of the sedan that knocked Jeff off his bike, a 39 year old man, who turned himself in and admitted to being involved.

Leading Norwegian newspaper, VG reported yesterday that the family was going through a tough time with coming to terms with the fact that their father was gone.

Read related article on how Jeff’s death was reported here >>

I know what you’re thinking… ati this isn’t a Kenyan thing. Well, we would be a disgrace to music if we did not honor and give our respect to this great legend (plus I’m a die

hard reggae fan).

Most countries all over the world will be celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday, which is today, whether he is here or not. He left us a dynasty of great music and for that, we love and respect him, and the fact that you are reading this article means that you love him too.

I know he didn’t drink alcohol, but wherever you are, there is a party at the bar, everybody put your glasses up and let’s drink to him. More love!

You thought after ‘sunshine’with Nameless and ‘my reason’ featuring Cannibal she will relax and enjoy the success of her music, no you are mistaken.

She has been working tirelessly to ensure her fun’s get`s the best of her.

The sunshine diva Habida has released a new single titled ‘Kipusa’. This is a hot Kenyan love song, it can crown your valentine if you dedicate it to your sweetheart this February. check the lyrics, The message come`s out clearly in this song and she blends it well with English and Swahili giving it a Kenyan feeling.

‘Kipusa’ show`s the growth  of Habida in the music industry and what we can expect is bigger and better things from her. Lets wait for the video which she said should be out soon.

Remember when I told you about the super cinematographer last week set to take Kenyan videos to the next level, well,

he is already on it. Clarence Peters has made some of the best songs in Kenya even greater by hooking them up with fabulous videos. Artistes like Wyre and Camp Mulla have benefited from this guy.

It is now time for Abbas and Chantelle to make an even bigger statement than they’ve already done with their hit song ‘Tokelezea’. A hot and dramatic video is all that this song needs and we are now assured that hot it will be, since Clarence Peters is on the case.

The date for the video has not yet been confirmed but more details will be coming your way as soon as they’re uncovered.

Born in Congo but raised in Kenya, Alicios, beautiful and melodious,

has just exploded in the music scene and it is this track that has made it all possible (though it is evident that she could already sing).

She collaborated with Uganda’s Juliana to produce this sweet love song titled ‘mpita njia’. Having a common desire, which is a man that’s dating one of two friends, while the other is struggling with jealousy.

The track was produced by R Kay, and is a huge hit across East Africa. Watch it right here and judge for yourself.

Hot on the heels of his about to be announced ‘Kama Sio Sisi’ tour, Juliani spent the better part of his weekend with a ‘new buddie’ of his, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore.

The two, together with respected Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwangi, were spotted around the Nairobi hoods of Dandora, Mathare, Eastleigh and Majengo scouting community projects that they could help invest in or push for.

Juliani has taken his youth empowerment mission to the next level, encouraging the young population of Kenya to spread the peace message (especially during this election period Kenya is getting into) and get involved in community projects that help predominantly underprivileged  neighbourhoods within not just the capital city, but throughout Kenya.

Of this he wrote:

‘The ideal RBGRepubliKen is committed to distancing themselves from unprogressive politics and tribalism, chosen to contribute to the betterment of Kenya and its people, and is a hardworking, committed individual who upholds the rule of law’

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Peace ambassador in your Mtaa, email:

miriam@pawa254.org

Have a look at the video below to see what Juliani has been upto

He is a renown gospel musician who likes sensitizing the masses on issues happening in our society in his lyrics. He is involved in projects that lifts the lifes

of  youths in Kenya. 

This is an election year and our politicians like dividing us into tribal groups for their own selfish gains and Juliani say`s no to this. He is on a mission to sensitise the youths from distancing themselves from unprogressive politics and tribalism.

Juliani said that we as Kenyans should contribute to the betterment of Kenya and its people by helping one another in every economic and social aspect, lets shun down tribalism for our country`s sake. Big up Juliani for this campaign for a better tomorrow

At last the Dance-hall Ambassador is back in the 254. Listeners of Homeboyz Radio 91.1 FM had been wondering what had happened to their ‘favourite’ radio show host.

Well, @GMoneyIzMe (real name, Conrad Gray) had been traversing the globe ever since he went on holiday late last year. From reconnecting with the Caribbean, he was all round Tampa, Florida, going on to Atlanta, Georgia both in the USA and even went as far as Europe; London specifically.

But this morning listeners were delighted to wake up to the familiar barritone, swag and charm that is GMoney himself. The international celebrity was delighted to see all the ‘welcome back’ messages on the social media platform he actively uses: Twitter.

Tune in to Homeboyz Radio 91.1 FM in Nairobi every weekday from 6.00am to 10.00am to listen to the Radio King do his thing.

2008 MTV Africa Music Award winner Wahu is back in the limelight with a BRAND NEW VIDEO for the Valentine season but with a twist.

‘Still a Liar’ seems to be the sequel to one of the three hit singles that launched Wahu’s career, ‘Liar’. The video depicts alot of ‘girl power’ which seems to be the order of the day for a number of international artistes: empowering women.

The video is of course another top quality production, brought to you by Alternative Concepts, the same outfit that did the massively successful ‘Sweet Love’ video that firmly cemented this musician on the international scene.

Wahu is back with a huge bang. Check out the video premiere below and tell us what you think.

Much as there are speculations that the local music industry is experiencing overwhelming influence from the western culture, the local artistes are proving this to be wrong each day.

When you consider the authentic sub- genres that are being invented nowadays and the groupings that the artistes are aligning themselves to, you will definitely realize that the local industry is evolving in a direction that is totally independent of western influence. For instance, in East Africa, sub- genres such as ‘genge’, and ‘kapuka’ to name just a few from Kenya and the popular ‘bongo flavor’ from Tanzania reflect the creativity of the local artistes fused with the rich cultural heritage of the region.

There is however the undeniable fact that the local music industry has borrowed essential aspects from the famed western hip-hop and rap music. These aspects are rather more of material than content-wise such as the clothing fashion.

Kenyan music is one of the most diverse in Africa. It is growing in a fast rate with many upcoming artists. However, there seems to be a malignant cancer that is threatening to kill it-piracy. Musicians are unable to earn out of their labor. We have unscrupulous business people who have dedicated their time to bring the industry to its knees. People no longer buy original CDS, instead they just copy music from their friends.

This is also rampant in Kenyan Universities, where we have students who are in the venture of selling pirated copies of movies. One gets files of music and within a few days, everybody has a copy of the same music without spending even a single cent on it. This if not watched is threatening to bring the industry to its knees. A number of musicians have been unable to sustain themselves and thus they have opted to doing other ventures of the side. I spoke to x-Pat Mkwanja on this and he said he has opted to do business as a side business. All this coupled with a number of reasons are sure to bring this coveted industry down.

We need to step in as individuals and say no to piracy. That is if we still want to continue reaping the fruits of this industry that has magnanimous capability economically. The government also has a role to play. Proper legislation should be put in place to ensure that those caught are severely punished so that they serve as a lesson to the rest of the people.

I think Kenyan music industry has grown over the past few years and is now taking over. The previous years in the early 1999 I can say people did not value Kenyan Music that much but come the past few years it has grown and many upcoming artist have become celebrities.

I recall when this industry started with artists like Jua cali in Calif Records whose producer is Clemo. That time people were thinking it is vulgar to watch a Music Video or listen to a song by him. Its now evident that the industry is one of the most famous with the likes of Nonini, Jaguar, Redsan, among other artists.

I also commend a good job to the gospel industry and say thumbs up to our very own artists like Holy Dave, Ekodida, Daddy Owen who have brought club banging gospel hits to the Youth and this helps the young to be religious. There are also numerous concerts to promote this artists and this has helped it come up.

However I would therefore say music producers and Directors should work all day long to make sure the quality of Kenyan Music is as high or the same standard with abroad. I believe there is much efforts being put in to see this happen because I watched a Kenyan Music Video by Camp Mulla nad you cant distinguish it from a video from abroad.

I would however recommend that piracy be dealt with because its killing the work of very many artists and producers among others. The Government should come up with strict regulations to curb on piracy in Kenyan Music Industry for it to Prosper.

The first few years have seen the Kenyan music industry move a notch high. The music industry is one industry that is on the run with the aim of meeting international standards. There are new artists who are coming up daily with different tunes and rhythms. This is the right path which this industry is taking. Unlike in the past when this music was centered on specific themes, we are seeing artists who are coming up to champion different ideas. We have seen music that s ranging from patriotic to gospel. This is the right path to toe if at all we are to meet the international standards. The idea of variety should be encouraged.

With the different genres of music that ranges from hip hop to kapuka to afro-music, Kenyan music is headed international. We have seen many local musicians collaborating with international superstars. This is a good stair towards going international. All that we need is to have more musicians who are ready to take the mantle of music a mile ahead. With this, we will achieve that dream of getting a Kenyan superstar ranking in the world music map.

When we talk of vision 2030 and youth empowerment, one thing that we should not forget is the music industry that is majorly based on the young generation. This is an industry that is creating employment to many youths. Let the stakeholders of this industry propel this industry further by encouraging more youths to be in it. To me, Kenyan music is on the right track. All that is need is just but putting the icing on the cake by encouraging more young artist to wear the boots and join the race.

The kind of music that is currently produced in Kenya is of standard though a bit of editing is needed in terms of production. Let us have some quality producers joining this jalopy to be on the right pace. Otherwise we are on the right track to achieving the kind of music that will put the Kenyan name on the international music chart.

Time is ripe for Kenyan musicians to review their music style if they are to shine in the global market.

Since 2010 Dancehall genre has grown tremendously wakening the whole world to the new style from Caribbean region. The much hyped rivalry between Gullyside and Gaza has seen Dancehall music topping world charts beating long time dominators such as the Rock. The business has not only ripened in the music alone but has also left the street lifestyle transformed. Gone are the days when upcoming artists looked upon the HipHop world for inspiration. Nowadays, the sharp upcoming artists have their eyes on the Dancehall styles with many  being attracted to voicing riddims as compared to own composed beats.

In Kenya the trend has penetrated much with top artists such as Wyre, Nazizi and even Raggamuffin Redsan making huge breakthroughs in the genre. Surely, Kapuka is fading and Dancehall is clearly dominating its position.   

They say music is the mind and soul of a society; the breath by which character and semblance emanate from any being and the lifeline that keeps the culture of a society vibrant and progressive. It happens to be this very same soul that evokes the pulses and emotions that affect the very same creators as well as listeners.

Kenya possesses nothing less than a rich history when it comes to the kind of music its populace indulged in. At the onset of the early 20^th century, people were in a more traditional mindset of guitars and percussive instruments, with the likes of Fundi Konde capturing the minds and hearts of that generation.

 The country then first embraced foreign sounds when Congolese rhythms colonized Nairobi streets with the fusion of benga and drums in the mid 20^th century. This was a popular fad for quite awhile leading to Swahili and coastal tunes dominating the scene, though by this time Kenya was getting on its feet from independence and with it came a new and exciting ‘global’ perspective: the introduction of the western pop culture.

American music penetrated the ideological minds of the fresh Kenyan generation and in came hip hop and all that ensued. Young Kenyan musicians caught on with what was the ‘in-thing’ and fused this new beat with their own local influence and thus the birth of genge and kapuka which to this day rages on with a force to reckon with.

Have you ever listened to Kenyan music? How is it? Personally I find it interesting, fun to listen to and above all everyone not only in Kenya but also in  East Africa as a whole can relate to it.

This can also be seen from the way our Kenyan artists keep growing day in day out. Take, for example, someone like Jua Cali, Nonini ,eko-dida to mention but a few. These people would not be where they are today was it not for the quality of their music and the impact it has on the lives of their funs.

As much as Kenyan music may be having these and many other qualities good qualities, there is still a negative side to it. For example, we have heard the musicians complain time without number about piracy which greatly affects them as musicians having gone through so much to put the music on the table.

Another negative thing is the negative impact this music has on the youth. For example, there are musicians who do their videos in clubs considering all the vises found in these places such as drugs, sex among others.

MANY OF KENYAN MISICIANS LACK ORIGINALITY, MORE SO THOSE WHO ARE NOT CATEGORIED UNDER GOSPEL- RAPPER AND THE LIKES. THEY TEND TO COPY THE LIKES OF 50 CESTS AND THE NOT SO FAMOUS (ANY MORE) JA RULE. I SAY THEY SHOULD COME UP WITH THEIR OWN STYLES OF RAPPING.

I’D LIKE TO CONGRADULATE THE UP COMING KENYAN GOSPLE SINGERS, MORE SO EMMEY KOSGEI. I FEEL THAT SHE IS ONE MUSICIAN MANY KENYANS WOULD WANT TO IDENTITY WITH, SIMPLE BECAUSE OF HER PASION FOR MUSIC WHICH IS SPEADING ALL OVER KENYA AND I THINCK THE WHOLE WORLD, DESPITE THE LANGUAGE SHE USES TO SPREAP THE WORD.

DESIDES, SHE HAS ONE THING THAT I ADMIRE- ORIGINALLITY! LET’S START WITH HER MUSICAL LANGUAGE, HER DRESS CORE AND THE VIGER SHOWN IN ALL MISICALL VIDEO. I SAY, BRAVO ‘GAL’, I DEFINITELY GIVE YOU 100 PERCENT WHEN IT COMES TO ORIGINALITY.

Its fascinating how dynamic music can turn to be. Some years ago many peolple were most interested in hip hop,slow jams,reggae and the sort but as time went by,many musicians are coming up with local gospel twisted in form of reggae and hip hip hops. Perhaps the traditional way of doing it it form local instruments is fading away and so its getting twisted so as to entice listeners and to increase sales. Many musicians seem to be more interested in local  gospel music,perhaps its because its selling more than the other forms of music.

Some ten years back,musicians were highly respected and regarded in the society. Music sold volumes and misicians were considered some of the rischest in the society. But something went wrong a long the way,something we are trying to kill but its proving to be beyond our control. Pyracy!piracy!piracy! how i wish i knew your second name,perhaps this would help me locate where you came from. Piracy is killing our music,its killing the taste in music in society and it has also brought about poverty.

Music as we know was mostly played by the old,today its the other way round. The young have taken the lead.