Month: March 2012

Music, as they say, is intended to leave a lasting and involuntary impression on the listener. Ever wondered why when you listen to your favourite tune, or just a simple song with catchy beats, your emotions are heightened or affected or your body movement alters insync?

What would you say then to using music to drive up numbers or sales? And how about to promote your country?

Well, the Ministry of Tourism has launched an ambitious campaign to promote Kenya as a tourist destination through music.

In partnership with Peter Ultee Productions, the Ministry will have 18 Kenyans trained to perform musical productions in about 4 European countries. The chosen group will perform in 70 theatres targeting an attendance of 40,000 at each performance.

Checkout the reporting video by NTV below…

Just a Band gave an electrifying performance at the Copa Club in Austin on the evening of Thursday the 15th of March at the 2012 SXSW. This was at a special African music showcase that saw a huge number of Kenyans in the diaspora attend.

The ‘next generation’ musicians performed a variety of their pieces, including the hit single ‘Usinibore’ which really got the crowd singing along.

In between sets, DJ Boima based in Austin was dropping wicked mixes of African house music.

See how Sauti Sol did at the 2012 SXSW here >>

Have a look at the video below showing Just a Band performing ‘Usinibore’…

The 2012 South by South West Festival (SXSW) may have come to an end yesterday, but the performances, the videos, the music and the deals struck will definitely last long after.

As the videos and information keep streaming in, keep it Ghafla! for all the news about Just a Band and Sauti Sol’s performances at the SXSW, representing Kenya.

On the 15th of March, Sauti Sol had the opportunity of performing one of their singles ‘Awinja’ off their latest album Sol Filosofia, at the Carver Museum in Austin, Texas. The following day, their set up was at the Roy Erickson Ice Cream Social on Riverside Drive.

Have a FIRST look at the videos below of their performances on both ocassions…

He has been criticized by his juniors’ whom even called for his resignation as the head of KBC radio for managing it as if it’s his. Walter Mungare popularly known as Nyambane has come out gun blazing to defend himself against the accusations leveled against him.

Nyambane set the record straight that he didn’t close Metro FM because he despises reggae music but purely for business purposes. He said that people should watch the space how Venus Fm, which is the first female radio station in Kenya will be a success.

KBC radio employees complained that he is a dictator but Walter explained that as a manager he doesn’t discuss every thing with his juniors unless it concerns them. He also said that the workers complained because he changed things to run faster instead of the usual slowness in government places.

Walter clarified that he has not resigned as the head of KBC radio as it was written on the net. He said that he’s been on a renewal contract terms and his next renewal will be in May.

There are various reasons the late Issah Mmari a.k.a E Sir is considered one of the greatest artistes Kenya has ever had, in spite of his relatively short musical career. We think the great rapper can teach other artistes a thing or two about being successful in the industry, and here are just 5 of those things…

1. Brand Loyalty

From start to finish E Sir was Brand Ogopa DJ since he signed on to the record label in early 2001. The talented rapper and lyricist made a splash on the scene with his first single ‘Jo’, and the sky was literally the limit for him.

2. One Hit Wonder? NOT!!

E Sir broke the age old myth that an album can’t all be about hits. His gross selling ‘Nimefika’ album (indeed he had ‘reached’) had virtually ALL of its 13 songs become massive hits and get regular airplay. These included ‘Boomba Train’, ‘Sare’, ‘Kamata’ and ‘Moss Moss’ among others.

He chose to go down the route few other musicians in Kenya venture; to come out with an album first instead of a series of singles.

3. Positive Influence

Every musician that leaves a (positive) mark on his/her fans is celebrated long after they are gone. E Sir was generally a pleasant person. He did not suffer from the ‘celeb syndrome’ thinking he is better than the rest, but rather was down to earth and sought to connect with his listeners.

E Sir even encouraged his own brother, Habib, to develop whatever talent he had, and rightly so he did, as Habib is a respectable artiste in his own right.

4. Adapt, but be Unique

At the onset, his first single ‘Jo’ sounded close to the single ‘Woah!’ by another famous American rapper, Black Rob. Despite this, E Sir’s career sky rocketed mainly because he learned to read what his fans were craving for and managed to OWN his music by making it sound local and authentic.

This enabled him to create a style that was unique to his brand and thus have a strong and dedicated fan base.

5. Everlasting

There is no argument here… E Sir’s music lives on, mostly because he was original and as mentioned in point 4 above, unique. Artistes shouldn’t just make ‘populistic’ tunes to run with current trends but develop styles and tunes that can last a lifetime.

MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation announced the long-

awaited release of the music video of Shuga, the hit track by Banky W featuring WizKid, Bon’eye and L Tido on Friday the 16th of March 2012.

The video for the upbeat single premiered on Spanking New on MTV Base (DSTV Channel 322) on the same day, Friday 16 March 2012 on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and was simultaneously unveiled at a VIP screening of Shuga: Love, Sex, Money in Lagos’ Silverbird Galleria on Friday evening.

The music video was directed by Clarence Peters and shot on location in Kenya, featuring  footage from the 6-part sex- and-relationships TV series, that has been captivating audiences on MTV Base and other broadcasters across the continent since it premiered on 14 February this year.

The four artists came together after MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation commissioned them to create the track to promote the TV series. The audio track of Shuga was released in February 2012.

Shuga’s compelling storylines are being broadcast on TV and radio stations around the world, revealing the tangled love lives of characters such as Baby, Leo, Dala, Ayira, Femi, Violet and Miss B’Have.

Commented Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, “The track of Shuga and the involvement of artists like Banky W, WizKid, Bon’eye and L Tido has already attracted many new viewers to the Shuga TV franchise. We are certain that this brilliant music video will continue to extend the appeal of Shuga, and enable us to disseminate Shuga’s message of safe sex practice and responsible behaviour even further.”

For more information on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money log onto www.shuga.tv.

All thanks to MTV, Ghafla can EXCLUSIVELY give you first dibs of the music video to ‘Shuga’ and we definitely agree it’s a winner. Check it out for yourself right here, below and tell us what you think…

Reggae fans have been complaining about the closure of Kenya’s reggae power house, Metro FM which was changed to Venus FM. Check the story at Ghafla.
Ghetto radio did hear their cries and they have tried to play more of reggae than any other genre of music.

Their evening show popularly known as AIR G.O.T.E.A.N.A has been bringing all the reggae family together by playing all the latest reggae jams.
It is currently among the most listened radio show in Kenya and the presenters, Mbusi deh and Bonoko deh have been able to gel well with the reggae listeners who are mostly from the ghettos’.

Some media houses have banned Kriss Eh Baba’s new music video ‘Katikia Yesu’ from playing on their shows. Reason being Kriss’ dresscode (the Kanzu). Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with Kriss wearing a Kanzu. Though it is mostly used by Muslims, A Kanzu is generally a divine robe.

Since it is meant for worshiping, and Kriss’ song is a gospel tune, I don’t see the problem in this. That’s just hating in disguise. Kriss is a very talented artiste and his track ‘Katikia Yesu’ is a hit (coming from a Muslim, you know it’s true).
Submit your comments and tell us what you think about this.

Why is river road music (mostly gospel) doing very well in the market than our secular once?

 The river road once use very little money to produce their videos but end up making a lot of money from the cd sales while our secular once spend a lot of money in producing quality videos but get very little returns.
Camp mulla spent 4 million shillings to produce two videos while the likes of Nameless, Redsan,Prezzo and others spend not less than Shs 400,000 per video.
Getting this money from the video sales is hard because the rate of music pirating is high leaving the Artistes to earn from shows only.
River road artistes use a maximum of Shs 200,000 to produce a full album and their videos have a longer life span than the secular once. This is why they earn more from music than their counterparts.

The newest and freshest group in Kenyan music industry, La Familia consists of Kenya’s number 1 hype man DNG, MC Samora and

channel O Emcee Africa Kenyan finalist 6 foot.

The group is currently shooting their first video of the song `Roho chuma’ in town.

Check the out the photos you might see when the video is out.

Do you remember the guy in the `bonoko’ and `Nyeri women’ videos?… Not only is he talented in acting but also in singing.

He goes by the name Pinchez and he has featured in TPF4 participant Juvenalis (the igweh man) new single `mogaka’.

                                                                                TPF4 participant Juvenalis (igweh man)

This song has got humour and you can find yourself laughing when listening to it.

Juvenalis has been doing various projects in and out of the country and he confesses that he has become even better than before. Let’s watch the space as he promises more good stuff.

Check the video here>>>>>>>

The fact that it is now a trending video simply means that everyone and I mean EVERYONE is yearning to see it. It is officially the most anticipated video of the month.

Abbas and Chantelle have kept us waiting for far too long right now but after seeing the video leak, I now know that it will be worth the wait. As thousands of fans of the ‘toklezea’ song view the video leak, the hype that it first came with is now back all over again.

I’m guessing that it will be released by next week, so until then, just see why it will be the hottest video yet.

They say you can be robbed of everything else, but talent is your own possession…to jealously guard and develop. It’s that very same talent that these youngsters are bringing to the now rejuvinated Kenyan hip hop scene. Meet Dope Era…

Originally individual rappers Cannon and Vince, they started out as bitter rivals, always competing who got the better rhymes and punchlines. In Mid December 2011 however, they decided to merge talent and picked the alias ”Dope Era”: ‘dope’ meaning good and ‘era’ meaning a generation.

Their humble beginnings include a single ‘Swag’ as well as freestyles of ‘Racks’, ‘Headlines’ and ‘Make a Toast’.  The group is ‘DOPE’ and they are destined for greatness. Have a listen to their single ‘Swag’ below and tell us what you think…

This band is popularly known for their hit single `beba beba’ which has even gotten international recognition,

but now Ma3 band has dropped their latest video titled `haki yetu’.

The video is a live performance shot at Ennovator Music Studios.

Ma3 band is popularly known for doing afro-fusion music which is a genre that most artiste fear to do.

Watch the video here>>>>>>>

After coming from a failed relationship with long time spouse Colonel Mustafa, Marya has just decided to concentrate on her art. She has now made it clear that she means business in the music industry. No side-kicking for anyone anymore. This is a real tough competition to her friend Avril.

Marya just completed adding the finishing touches to her latest song and video, ‘sishiki simu’ which will definitely be a hit. Let me just make sure of that by saying that she is dressed in a very very sexy outfit. You can’t afford not to see this video. I now fully understand Mustafa’s cry in ‘Mena Pyaar Kiya’. That is ‘a lot’ to lose.

‘The Link 254’ managed to get with Marya and talked about the song and its video which will both be released soon and this is what she had to say.

Celebrated gospel singer Mbuvi is a shocked man as people are not believing that this song `nakupenda we’ is his.

‘’Kwani a Kenyan cannot sing like this,’’ Mbuvi asked. Hope guys are not confusing Mbuvi with Usher because the video is excellent and the directors from Washamba Unlimited are very creative.

This is quality work from singer Mbuvi and this confirms why he’s among the best gospel artistes in the country.

Watch the video down here>>>

The Naivasha-Nakuru road has taken more lives than the 1998 bomb blast and still is. Many have fallen victim to the black spots that are always waiting on the way.

It is a day like this in the year 2003 that we lost a Hip Hop legend. The most celebrated at the time and became even more celebrated after his death.

Isah Mmari or best known to his fans as E-Sir was popular for tracks such as ‘Kamata’, ‘mos mos’, ‘sare’, ‘hamunitishi’, ‘boomba train’ just to name a few. He was a hit maker, just like Madtraxx, except with excellent Kiswahili sanifu. His lyrics captured both the mind and soul, especially ‘hamunitishi‘. Get more of his lyrics here.

E-Sir passed away in a fatal road accident on his way home just after delivering an electric performance in Nakuru with his close friend Nameless who was lucky enough to survive. The song ‘hamunitishi’s lyrics are somehow a mystery as it seems as though he is narrating his own death before it happened.

Kenya as a whole took the news of his death to heart. Millions of fans mourned and those that did not know him yet were now discovering a star too late. One thing is for sure, we all loved him and loved his music. He was and still is a national icon.

Pour some liquor for this great fallen soldier. Pay tribute, for today we celebrate our loved one… our hero.

R.I.P Isa Mmari. We love you… [no homo]

Everyone’s making their choices right about now. I hope you have a good reason for the choice you’ve made for the Chaguo la teeniez Awards. Personally, I’m too old to be voting for this stuff but that can’t stop me from acknowledging great talent. Maybe i can even incite the youths to come over to this fan base.

One thing is certain, Hip Hop is finally back in the Kenyan music scene. We have all witnessed numerous rappers rise lately but one guy stands out… OCTOPIZZO. I know I know… “why is Ghafla!Kenya campaigning for Octo?” Actually, it’s just me, the editor, who just feels like campaigning for this very good and determined rapper.

There are many award worthy rappers out there, but tell me how many (new rappers) have come from nothing, fended for themselves as a youth, and has ended up being celebrated after his first two tracks… oh, and now owns multiple businesses??? Is this the definition of success or just THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS.

Vote for Octo… vote for Hip Hop.

This whole issue with Walter Mongare (Nyambane) taking over Metro Fm and switching it to Venus FM sounds silly to me. Metro FM was the only full time government reggae station in Kenya and almost all Africa. Alien artistes were actually astonished to see that the government had actually agreed to it’s existence (considering the rebellious nature of Reggae music).

If Metro FM was tangible, it would be a landmark. What does the comedian do? He turns it into an R&B station to join the list of other R&B stations that we have in Kenya. I thought that I was the only disappointed listener but I came to realise that not only thousands of fans are angry, but also some of the authority and staff of the KBC station. You want prove? Check this out… demonstrators are actually having a laugh with the police that are supposed to be chasing them away from the vicinity (KBC Station). Why oh why would you take away good reggae music from the people. If someone thinks this is comedy, it ain’t funny.

Comedy is a long way from management… FACT. People don’t love Venus, we want Metro back… FACT. Venus is a stupid name for a radio station… FACT. I rest my case.

We first heard him from a kitchen-come-studio in Calif, Eastleigh. With great speed, he became the talk of the town (for the wrong reasons at first). Nonini’s track ‘we kamu’ was an instant hit that gained him massive fame.

He immediately became a controversial topic among the youth and elders. Youth loved him while the elders thought of him as a bad influence to their kids.

Looking from where The Godfather came from, ‘we kamu’ to ‘colour kwa face’, this is one of the artistes who helped build the Kenyan music industry. Not forgetting that he created his own genre of music known us ‘Genge’ together with his partners Jua Cali and producer Clemo.

Everything is now different about Nonini. From his wallet size to his looks. Things looked up for Nonini long time ago. Now owning multiple businesses and running charity projects like the huge ‘Colour kwa Face Project’, Nonini is a big fish in the entertainment scene.

DJ Flaev is the embodiment of fresh talent that is bound to redefine the music industry in Kenya… one step at a time.

DJ Flaev is an artist (rapper/singer) a producer and a performing artist and at the same time, he is part of Wryterz Block (@WryterzBlock) which is an upcoming alternative hiphop group.

The Wryterz Block is a system that seeks to spread good music through simple digital gadgets such as a mic and a laptop. It wants to spread the new age type of music and fuse existing styles to come up with its own unique sound.

DJ Flaev’s latest single, titled C.L.A.P (Colourful Lines of Abstract Positivity) is a generic hip hop tune. When he hits the scene, remember you heard them FIRST here on Ghafla!

Have a listen to C.L.A.P. below and tell us your verdict….

We always come across alot of news and information that happens daily which affects our lives in a huge way but never gets to the mainstream media. A number of us seek avenues of discussing these issues or making others aware but are often suppressed by lack of the know-how or means.

The solution is around the corner… Plan B is an organization that utilizes the arts and media programs to encourage the youth of Kenya to take more interest in current and civic affairs. It seeks to motivate young Kenyans to act and contribute towards building a better country.

The Plan B project recently launched with its first podcast. You can listen to it right here (below) and tell us what you think

It’s been 15 years since the Notorious B.I.G was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles but he’s legacy still lives.

Hip hop lovers can enjoy as Ghetto radio has done a tribute mix to commemorate Biggy’s 15 years since he died.

You can down load the mix dubbed `Biggy Edition’ at this link.

Rest in peace, Biggie Smalls. We still love you and cherish your work.

I’m not sure about this. By the look of things, the guy ain’t doing bad at all. A radio presenter, MC and still an artiste. Things are looking up. It is however as clear as the morning sky that he did more music when he belonged to gospel than he does this days.

My favorite song from DNG till date is ‘Mpenzi’. Remember this tune. Back when he was still in the gospel scene with no drama at all. I’m trying to compare that track with ‘katumbo dance’ with jalang’o. Nice track and choreography and all but lets face it, it doesn’t come anywhere near ‘mpenzi’. Two worlds apart.

DNG is a celebrated artiste across East Africa so there is no doubt that great talent dwells in him. Still, I can’t help but think that inspiration may have a little bit reduced. As your fan, I say prove me wrong DNG.

Listen to ‘mpenzi’ below.