Our picture of the week comes from Kenyan musician gone radio presenter Bamzigizigi courtesy of the station he’s with…One FM.
In the pic, Bamzigi is displaying his new male purse (murse) Who was making fun of murses again? See for yourself:
Month: May 2012
Check out how the Maia and Sal Davies show was. Just awesome.
On the 25Th of May, the King of East African Funk, Sal Davies and his daughter Maia Von Lekow were in Kenya performing at the Tree House, Museum Hill Complex.
Jeff Koinange MCd the event which was a complete success.
We managed to get awesome pics of the event courtesy of Quaint Photography.
Check them out.
2012 Broadcast, Film and Music Africa Conference Announced
This year’s Broadcast, Film and Music Africa (BFMA), an conference international event will take place from the 10th to the 11th of July 2012 at the Oshwal Centre Westlands, Nairobi, in Kenya.
Through a press release by Balancing Act Africa, it was announced that an estimated 400 delegates are expected this year including some top audiovisual experts and speakers. The filmmakers’ pavilion provides selected African artists with the opportunity to pitch film projects to leading broadcasters and financiers. The event also facilitates networking opportunities in order for African and international players to form alliances and co-productions.
BFMA is the continent’s only business and technology event to serve the creative content and electronic media industry through an integrated platform. It is the fourth conference in the series and will provide a stock-taking opportunity for stakeholders in all three industries, and empower them with the knowledge and business contacts they need to build Africa’s electronic media future.
This year’s theme is Innovation, investment and partnerships for local content and service excellence. Among the key objectives, one is about better distributing African content to new channels and supporting co-production on the continent. We also want to provide a unique opportunity for the media and entertainment industries to connect with telecom service providers in order to work on hybrid solutions and triple-play.
This year the event will showcase audiovisual content from Africa’s independent filmmakers as there are plans to have a dedicated area for them to welcome potential buyers: The African Film-makers Pavilion.
A corner for African animation, the Animators Pavilion will also be offered. Other special features at the BFMA 2012 include the Digital Media Innovators Pavilion, the Radio Broadcasters Networking Hub and the African Electonic Media Business Exchange (in partnership with FilmBiz Africa)
Music will be a key conference focus this year as it is one of Africa’s most prolific and successful industries. Its content potential for broadcast and film is enormous. Together they form the three pillars for the future growth of Africa’s electronic media industry and none can be discussed and developed in isolation from the others.
Nairobi was selected among other African cities because the city is developing as a leading electronic media centre for the region, plus it is a convenient hub for travel from across the continent. Cape Town, they said, would have been a great venue but that would have greatly increased travel costs. They wanted the event to be accessible from all over Africa. In addition, the event has also been planned to coincide with the Zanzibar International Film Festival so that participants from across the continent and internationally can attend two key events during the same week.
The list of confirmed speakers includes a host of experts from across the continent including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa.
The main sessions will review African audiovisual content production, distribution and broadcast technology issues and opportunities. Some of the topics will include:
• Building an African film industry – creating synergies, collaboration and partnerships across the continent
• Local content development – Success stories and hurdles
• Pay TV – How to extend services to the bottom of the pyramid
• The Digital Transition – Assessing progress and challenges across the continent
• Innovative radio broadcasting
• Changing African TV and Radio audiences
• Animation: A new frontier for African electronic media innovation
• Sports broadcasting – carving out Africa’s stake in the run-up to London 2012
• Technological innovation – improving services, driving down costs and extending coverage
• The impact of social media – developing multi-media platforms
• The impact of convergence: IP-TV and mobile broadcasting
• Advertising models to support free-to-air content
• Copyrights – what are the best practices to control piracy?
To propose a presentation or participate in a panel discussion, email Sean at seanm (@) aitecafria.com ideally by the end of this month, May 2012.
Delegates and speakers’ space is limited so do not delay in booking your attendance.
Man Wazimu exposes emergency pills
As I watched this video and listened to the lyrics and the voice that delivered it, I just could not help myself. My ribs are actually in pain. There is however no offence intended to the song and its artist. It is simply hilarious.
The song ’emergency pills’ by Man Wazimu was launched early last year and it is about this time that I’ve just come across it.
The video received a lot of views for reasons that are deffer among the viewers as illustrated by the comments. The comments make the video even more hilarious and might actually be the reason for more hits.
There is not much I can say about. Why don’t you check it out below and give us your feed back please.
Habida’s new hot single is out
Sensational diva Habida’s unreleased song ‘Girls night out’ has leaked before the official release of the video.
The audio made its way online today before the scheduled date for the official video release.
The song has gotten much hype especially with the video production, but if you listen to this hot track, then you will understand why all the hype.
The song will be a massive hit in the clubs, but it will mostly be associated with the ladies. Habida has gone out to strong and daring in her lyrics proving that female artistes can be so upfront when it comes to real issues. This is a job well done by the beautiful artiste.
This is a version of a Kenyan Beyonce.
Listen to the song
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Here are the exclusive Mampi eviction photos.
So, Mampi was just evicted yesterday. Most of her housemates were happy she left but did little to show it. Goldie wasn’t though. She was all smiles all through.
We have exclusive photos from the eviction party, straight from MultiChoice.
Check them out.
Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. In Support of a Film on Kenya
FilmAid International is a non-profit organisation that uses the power of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need around the globe.
To mark the first year anniversary of the Chivas Regal FilmAid partnership, Chivas unveiled a new short film documenting the amazing work of FilmAid focussing on a FilmAid project at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
The announcement was made over the weekend at an intimate event in the Chivas House on the Croisette and is part of Chivas Regal’s renewed ambition to raise awareness of FilmAid’s work whilst at the same time continuing to provide financial support for projects in East Africa to Asia and Haiti. Chivas had initially started with an initial donation of $100,000USD presented at the partnership launch at the Festival de Cannes in 2011
Oscar winning actor and FilmAid supporter, Cuba Gooding Jr., joined FilmAid UK Chair Iliane Ogilvie Thompson and Chivas Regal Brand Director, James Slack were on stage for an exclusive screening of the new short film commissioned by Chivas which was also supported by an exhibition of images captured during filming by distinguished Magnum Photos photographer, Olivia Arthur.
“Communities in crisis need information and empowerment. FilmAid provides both through the power of film, and I am delighted to be here to support their work and the generosity of Chivas Regal,” said Cuba Gooding Jr.
Mr. Gooding has been at the Cannes Fil Festival for a special screening of a film, Red Tails, which he stars in and which tells the true, heroic story of the Tuskegee airmen.
James Slack, Brand Director, Chivas Regal, said, “After a successful first year of the partnership, we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to FilmAid. Generosity of spirit lies at the heart of the Chivas brand and we are proud to play a continued role in providing financial support to projects worldwide.”
“The FilmAid film will help kick-start our fundraising plans for the year ahead but equally as important raise awareness of the charity’s amazing work by bringing FilmAid’s inspirational story to Cannes.”
Caroline Baron, FilmAid Founder, said, “FilmAid was formed in 1999 with the belief that movies could have a healing effect on refugees and displaced people, specifically those fleeing war in Kosovo.”
“More than a decade later, FilmAid’s work exhibiting and producing educational and inspirational films is thriving in communities affected by war and natural disaster in Haiti, Kenya, Thailand and beyond. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of organizations like Chivas Regal. We are deeply grateful.”
Since the launch of the partnership, Chivas Regal has pledged over US$250,000 investment to support FilmAid projects around the world. The funds raised have assisted with the operational costs of these projects, in particular areas such as film workshops, outdoor evening screenings and community based film production.
FilmAid operates two on-going programmes in Kenya: the Kakuma Refugee Camp (93,000 people) on the border of South Sudan and the Dadaab Refugee Camp on the border of Somalia (nearly 500,000 people). These programmes serve refugees from Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Ethiopia. FilmAid also works with challenged communities within Kenya, including the Mathare and Kibera Slums. In late 2009 FilmAid started working with Burmese refugees in Thailand, and in 2010 began work with Internally Displaced Persons in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake.
Have a look at the film’s trailer below…
This is how it went down at Nyeri with the Kaytrixx Kenya Tour
On Saturday (26Th of May), DJ Kaytrixx was in Nyeri doing what he does best, getting the party mood to it max. Kaytrixx is now at the peak of his Kenyan Tour that will see him travel across Kenya to entertain revellers at various clubs.
Nyeri proved to be fun as word has it. We couldn’t attend the event, but Kaytrixx availed the pictures that of the party. This was some awesome night. A lot of wasted people of-course but that’s the point, right?
Have a glimpse of what transpired that night and make sure that you don’t miss this event when Kaytrixx is in your town. Check this out.
CELEBS REACT TO THE MOI AVENUE EXPLOSION
Just a few hours after Nairobi was violently jolted from her calm and peaceful existence…
Jimmy Gait has called for the security apparati to beef up security to safeguard Kenyan life. To Jimmy Gait, all life is sacred and we are all equal thus he has came out courageously and asked the Government not to only consider the safety of our political leaders but of everyone. Afterall, we are all Kenyans. Jimmy Gait wishes all the injured a speedy recovery and has reminded them to thank God that they are alive. He also wants them to know that they are in his prayers.
Anto Neosoul on his part said he is saddened by the reported loss of of life and he said that news about the blast hit a bit too close to home for comfort since he has alot of friends conduct business along Moi Ave.
He also lamented the fact that now heading to town will have an element of fear associated with it. While previously heading into town was a simple matter of earning a living, he now has to watch his back which is a major distraction.
Anto called on the police to clarify the cause of the blast and to get down to the bottom of the whole issue to give Kenyans some peace of mind. “The blame games between the police and Kenya Power are not instilling any more confidence in the police. They need to get the to the bottom of everything and apprehend those involved.”
The beautiful Size 8 has called for Kenyans to be more careful. “Stop crowding around crime scenes, give the security services &rapid response health care teams enough space to work to save as many lives as possible.” She however couldn’t help but express her frustrations at the Kenyans who crowd such scenes with ulterior motives or just plain curiosity. What happens if a secondary explosion goes off she asked. What then?
Avril on her part tweeted this:
All in all the celebs want us all to keep safe. So from your favourite artists and from us here at Ghafla, be safe, stay vigilant.
I’m not copying Nonini
The Self Proclaimed Godfather of ‘Abagenge’, a new style of music evolving in Kenya has played down suggestions by many that he is trying to Ape Nonini’s Style. Talking to Ghafla,
Pewa said the claims are not true and says that people should listen to him well and notice that there is a big difference between him and Nonini, he went on to say that a newspaper journalist reviewing his latest song ‘NIPENI KURA ZENU’ claimed that Pewa is a conscious version of Mejja which he refutes and says those were the journalist views and anyone is entitled to air his/her views anytime anywhere. Most radio presenters have been asking him why he sounds ‘like’ Nonini during recent radio interviews. I listen to bongo and Nigerian artistes, they usually have an identity that gives them a brand and hence they can be identified anywhere. Their music has over the years ruled the Kenyan airwaves because nobody asks them why they sound almost the same but instead listen to the content in their songs,” explained Pewa. In addition to that, Pewa said that Nonini himself embraces his music and is impressed that the original Genge genre of music is growing. To prove that he is here to stay, Pewa is set to release his two new singles in a few days time, one featuring a Tanzanian Coast based artiste (Kidis) and the other a club Banger titled Cheza Kinanda, a new dance style in town. It’s not for us to decide if Pewa is a conscious version of Mejja or a photocopy of Nonini, we leave that to Pewa Abagenge’s fans.
Jaguar’s new massive security detail.
‘Kigeugeu’ singer has changed his security detail from two bouncers, to numerous suited and armed security men. Last week, Jaguar was spotted with this massive security at the Carnivore, almost as much as Raila has.
A good number of security men were riding with him in his personal car, while more led the way in another car. Speculations are that the singer is enjoying state security. This speculations arise from the fact that Jaguar has been receiving requests from politicians who want him to join their campaign teams.
Jaguar has however always denied claims of joining politics, saying that he has never been interested in it.
These controversies got stronger at the event when Makadara MP Gedion Mbuvi ‘Sonko’ invited the singer for a couple of drinks. He (Sonko) later went on saying to the crowd that Jaguar will soon be the next Makadara MP.
Jaguar could not be reached for more comments.
Gospel rapper Juliani and DJ Sadic will perform in Washington DC
Celebrated gospel hip hop sensation Juliani is one of the most sought out artiste in the country. He’s latest album
Pulpit Kwa Street is doing extremely well in the local music industry.
Good news is that Juliani together with award winning DJ, DJ Sadic will be performing in Washington DC later this year. Juliani announced this news during his weekend performance at Club 3:16 which is hosted by DJ Sadic.
Currently Juliani is concentrating on his Nairobi tour popularly known as ‘’Mtaa Tour’’ which has also been his new style of promoting his latest album. The gospel artiste is also giving away his first souped up car to the lucky buyer of his new album via online.
Jua Cali’s album to be launched in July
Since ‘Baba Yao’, Jua Cali kind of disappeared from the scene. He has since then been flying in and out of the country, performing worldwide. From Mombasa all the way London. This guy has done more shows internationally than most artists.
That’s not all that he has been up to. Jua Cali has been working on a series of new music that will be released along with his album.
The album ‘TuGenge ya Jao’ will be officially launched in July 2012. More details will be revealed shortly.
American Singer Bilal Set For the Next ‘Lounge Unplugged’
The date for next edition of Capital FM’s ‘The Lounge Unplugged’ has just been announced with American jazz/alternative hip hop singer Bilal (full name Bilal Sayeed Oliver) set to soothe Nairobi on June 16th at the Carnivore Gardens.
Bilal is famous for his phenomenal live performances and more so his hit single ‘Soul Sista’. Having done a host of collaborations with other great international artistes including Jermaine Dupri, John Legend, Jay Z, Beyonce and Eryka Bado, Bilal is a highly saught after performer and is set to be backed up by a LIVE band.
Other musicians set to warm up the stage include Ugandan jazz artist Maurice Kirya and Penya Africa’s sultry fusion singer, Stan.
Virgin Atlantic and Novide are co-sponsoring the event which tickets are going for Kshs.2,500 in advance and Kshs.3,000 at the entrance to the venue. The Lounge Unplugged has had other artists such as Vivian Green and Anthony David perform to a positively responsive crowd.
Watch Bilal’s performance to ‘Soul Sista’ below…
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Catch Iddi Achieng live this Thursday
This Thursday, May 31St, come and watch one of the best female cultural musicians perform live. You know this is sweet and cultural music when you see and hear the traditional music instruments played live. The sound is simply bliss.
Known for her songs which are mostly in the Luo language, Iddi AKA Betty Achieng, gives us music like those of the likes of Achieng Abura, Erick Wainaina and Jamnazi.
She will be performing live at the weekly event, Thursday Nite Live that is held at Choices Lounge, Baricho Road.
The show kicks off at 8PM till 11PM.
Have a taste of her music below.
Raila Dance is the next hottest dancing style
Currently Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most popular presidential candidate in the country, but now we will be having
Raila being the most popular dance thanks to Katenga Entertainment.
The crew has released a song titled ‘Raila dance’ which is a party song where they have fused Swahili and Luo language.
The group will soon be doing auditions for dancers to come up with Raila dance. Soon after they come up with the dance, they will drop the official Raila dance video.
Katenga crew promises that the dance will take people by storm. I can’t wait to see the dance because it definitely must be marvelous. Anything by the name Raila should be great like the man himself.
Watch Raila Dance here
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How Elizabeth Became Queen in Kenya
Being as it is that Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was the first in history to be televised, it should not therefore come as much of a surprise that her diamond jubilee celebrations are being so widely observed across not just her commonwealth realm but beyond.
The reigning British monarch ascended to the throne in 1952, 60 years ago after her father King George IV died following a long illness. The most spectacular thing though is that she assumed the position while holidaying in Kenya! The then princess was going on tour of Australia and New Zealand by way of Kenya, with her husband Phillip Mountbatten. She was visiting the world famous Treetops hotel in Nyeri when the news came of her fathers demise.
Asked what regnal name she would choose, the Queen stuck with ‘Elizabeth’ and thus commenced her now 60 year reign. CNN’s David McKenzie sought to dig deeper around the area in Kenya where Elizabeth became Queen and he met this octogenearian who has fond memories of the excitement at the time.
Have a look at that report in the video below…
Turns out that Goldie is a wild one too
With all that’s going on around Big Brother Allstar contestant, Goldie, one would get the impression that she is a sweet and innocent lady, that is with all the crying and sweet talks with her close companion, Prezzo.
Well, I got some news for you. She ain’t as innocent as she looks. She might just be as wild as Maneta.
I came across a photo of her and friends hanging out at an event and the pose she took is not that of an innocent girl. Not even close. Check it out.
We are on to you Goldie. Watching very closely.
Radio Africa is looking for a TV/Radio presenter
Do you think you have what it takes to be the next great TV/Radio presenter? If yes,
and you have a degree in Mass Communication/journalism, Radio Africa is looking for you.
This is your only chance to be Kiss TV news anchor or Kiss FM, Classic 105 and radio Jambo radio presenter.
If you are interested, you can send your CV and a voice demo (reading a paragraph of news) to HR@radioafricagroup.co.ke
Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Don’t let this golden chance pass you if you know you got the voice and education required.
Daddy Owen’s “Mbona” get’s ghafla rated
Daddy Owen’s video just got dropped and i have the pleasure of reviewing it.
Well, for starters let me say that i am not a big fan of either gospel or ballads but when a song is good, it’s good and this song fits the billing.
The song’s content addresses physical disability (disability is not inability) and the video starts out with various individuals talking about their experiences with disability. I might add for effect that Daddy Owen is blind in one eye which is why i think he poured his soul out on this track. Nay, not in a sing songy manner but in his delivery: his vocals on this one are haunting!
Daddy Owen has enlisted the help of Denno on this track and an interesting piece of information is that Denno is blind. But right back to the topic at hand, the beat is reminiscent of reggea instrumentals which compliment Daddy Owen’s husky voice ergo he’s comfortable singing so right off the bat the track captivates you. But all this is before Denno begins singing the 2nd verse. I dare say he outshone Daddy Owen. Granted, singing isn’t his (Daddy Owen’s) strong suit but my oh my this lad Denno can sing!
The video enlisted the help of a sign language expert to get it’s message across to even those who can’t hear the song. That was a thoughtful touch from the director. The video is well done and the background gives you a wonderful view of a section of Nairobi. All in all the whole team associated with this piece got everything right and that’s why they get the 5 ghafla rating.
Check out the video. What do you think about the track?
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Jicho pevu Is the most requested clip on YouTube
Celebrated KTN investigative journalist Mohamed Ali is one of the few journalists who dare report on matters that would lead you
into troubles with powerful sources in the country.
He has been warned with death threats but he still goes an extra mile to make sure that you get the best of what happens behind the common mwananchi’s eyes. Most of the time, it’s the illegal dealings that wealthy businessmen do in collaboration with powerful government officials.
His latest piece is Paruwanja la Mihadarati, it explains how drugs were imported to Kenya, people got killed because of their involvement and the government participation in the whole saga.
The journalist managed to travel to different parts of the world for him to come up with the concrete evidence. I bet this is why the clip is the most requested in the country.
Watch the video of Pawanja la Mihadarati part 1
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BBA Stargame’s Zainab craving sex
Aye, you read right!
Zainab (the bald lass) Sierra Leone’s sole survivor opened up to Biggie and told him (and us) that she’s craving sex. The candid interview was in response to a question Bigie asked about what she’d rather be doing at the moment.
That’s not all, she talked about turning on her inner “femme fatale” and seducing our very own Prezzo and Roki from Zimbabwe. From her perspective, she was successful but my question is, to what end is she doing all this flirting for?
Well, she just wants to have fun and possibly alleviate some of her sexual frustration. But whether or not this is a means to a more devious end (as i suspect) or whether it’s innocent, harmless flirting remains to be seen. What i do know is that this will make for some interesting veiwrship.
Check out the video of that interview below.
Africa’s biggest gospel hit video is out
The latest and biggest African gospel hit song of the year, ‘Ole’, is also the greatest Kenyan music video ever. The song is sang
by Africa’s greatest gospel singer Jimmy Gait featuring Kenya’s hip hop sensation Holy Dave and the lovely melodious up coming artiste Chuchu.
The hot video was produced by Africa’s most sought after video producer Clarence Peters and it was released on Sunday. Clarence has proved why he is the best video producer in Africa with the way he produced this awesome video.
Check out how hip hop sensation Holy Dave can really dance if put to the task. The video is awesome, and the artistes are on point.
This is the reason why ‘Ole’ is the best African gospel song of the year.
Check out the video
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BBA Stargame: What happened over the weekend
Another week has gone by which means Prezzo is closer to BBA Stargame’s ultimate prize.
With the recently concluded evictions seeing Prezzo safe, the undisputed King of Bling is a less one hurdle. Or is he? The South Africans have declared war on Nairobi’s own after his run-in with Barbz. Barbz was actually responsible for the solitary nomination Prezzo garnered which she explained was to test just how popular Prezzo is in Africa at large. Epic fail that turned out to be. As no-one else put him up for eviction.
But in downville, random nomination was the order of the day& it could have gone either way given the probabilities but luckily for Alex, Malonza& #TeamKenya in general, Ghana got picked.
It was quite a releif for everyone i must saywhen it became clear that #TeamKenya was safe if just for one more week.
You can catch the anxiety on all the downville housemates faces as they awaited the announcement of the victims of randomity on the video below.
Everything is Definitely ‘Better’ with Plan B
‘Aint no woman like the one I got…’ are the words that will ring through your mind after you listen to this fresh and BRAND NEW track by the talented Kenyan musican Plan B.
An Ogopa video, ‘Better’ was released this past weekend and possesses the effortless swag you would expect from any fusion of hip hop and local. The fact that (most of) the video is in black white adds a certain flavour to it, not overlooking the fact that Better is a self-confessed love story, a celebration of the warm fuzzy feelings that would bring together a good girl and a bad boy and make it all perfect.
Another plus for the video is that Kenyans can relate to it… Not too flossy, just in reach and it really is a feel good song that would make any leisurely listen, afternoon laze or a simply planned dinner that much more pleasant.
The beats contribute a vintage yet timeless feel to the song as the lyrical prowess is the icing on the cake. With this one, Plan B really is BETTER.
Checkout the new video below…
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This is the most inspirational song ever done in the world by an African artiste
The minute you listen to this inspirational song ’Mbona’, you will definitely be inspired not to hate other people
because of their disability, but instead help them because they are just like you.
This song has a very powerful message, Daddy Owen and Deno couldn’t have conveyed it better than they did. This is one of the few songs that you must have in your play list.
The song was produced by award winning Producer R. Kay with the help of Dillie, while the video was directed by Ogopa Deejays.
The message conveyed is not only for Kenyans but the whole world. We should not discriminate our fellow brothers because they didn’t wish to be the way they are. The advice from people like DJ Pinye, Emmy Kosgey and Deno’s parents is very touching. I pray that this song will be a blessing to many.
Daddy Owen and Deno, this song deserves an international award.
Watch the video here
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Eric Wainaina Wraps Up the BBC’s Africa Beats
In the final showcase of the BBC’s Africa Beats special showcasing African talent, Kenya’s Eric Wainaina has been featured.
In the video, Wainaina, an accomplished Afro-fusion artiste, performs his single ‘Other People’s Lives’ off the album ‘Love and Protest’ which was released in December 2011.
Click here to view Eric Wainaina’s performance on Africa Beats
Camp Mulla is Channel O artiste of the week
Just barely a week since they were nominated for Best African act at the prestigious BET Awards, Camp Mulla has been named Channel O
artiste of the week.
The hip hop crew has been releasing hit after hit since 2011, and for this reason Africa’s biggest music TV station Channel O had to recognize Africa’s hottest hip hop group, Camp Mulla.
The sensational hip hop crew performed at the 2nd Big Brother Stargame eviction party where they rocked the South African people. “We are here to handle to some business. It’s the biggest stage in Africa! We’re honored! I don’t even think this can happen twice in a lifetime and to say that I did that at 18… man,” said CM rapper, Shappaman during an interview with Channel O before they performed at BBA.
The group is currently working on their album dubbed Funky Town which they anticipate that it will be a hit internationally.
Provoke Music Goes H.A.M with Exclusive Releases This Weekend
Provoke Music has quite a number of songs set for release from this evening through to the weekend. It seems Mr. Kevin Provoke has not been resting on his laurels as Lyra Aoko’s producer comes up with a variety of offings that will tantalize the ears of Kenyan music listeners.
We should expect a video release from Plan B later tonight on YouTube, including a brand new piece from French Boy titled ‘Sijui’. Speaking of French Boy, he’ll be featuring in a song by Levis featuring Nonini with the track called ‘Africa’.
Fundi frank and Mumbi will introduce to us even more amazing music in the form of the single ‘Rega Rega’ with a final Provoke Music offering from Kipaji Fiti with a creative title – Mapenzi Pap.
A number of those songs are set for premiere on 97.1 One fm and Citizen Radio later today as the rest will be rolled out through the weekend.
Keep it Ghafla! for more fresh news and fresh new music!
Multi-Talented DJ Global Set For Mercury Lounge ABC This Weekend
Internationally acclaimed DJ Global is not new to the party scene in Kenya, having played at the Mercury Lounge earlier in February this year to a crowd that was positively responsive to his ecclectic fusion of House, African, Hip Hop and Urban music.
“The secret to good deejaying is you have to feed off the crowd’s response. If they’re feeling the kind of music your playing, then go with it,” DJ Global told Ghafla!
Beni is DJ Global’s real name, and he’s a banker by profession. Music is his passion and he doubles up the hobby that is Deejaying with music production. DJ Global has his own studio back in his hometown of Kampala, but when in Kenya he utilizes the Red Republik studios along Thika Road to come up with the amazing tunes you hear him play and the performances he has.
P-Unit and Muthoni the Drummer Queen are just a couple of the Kenyan artistes he has worked with on tracks and his prowess on the decks has made him more than desirable to entertainment venues across the continent.
“Alot of places have wanted me to play in-house, but that would water down my plans,” Beni said. This year alone has seen DJ Global stick to his name by performing as far and wide as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. He is scheduled for more gigs in South Africa in August and in the Emirates later on in the year.
DJ Global is in Kenya for his second performance in the country at Mercury Lounge ABC Place this coming Satruday, 26th May 2012 from 8.00pm for what is destined to be a truly memorable night.
“I’m versatile when it comes to the type of music I play: House, African, Classics which are the easiest to do, Rock music and even Hip Hop.” Beni emphatically added.
Global admits that DJs in Uganda are yet to get the respect they deserve but he hopes that they will get there someday. He says he’s working on two records, mixed and mastered that should be out soon.
Don’t miss out on DJ Global’s performance at Mercury ABC Place tomorrow, 26th May 2012. You can follow Mercury on twitter – @MercuryABC or look for Mercury The Last Drop on Facebook.
DJ Global’s official social media channels are:
Twitter: @GlobalSchemes
Facebook: DJGlobalUG
Listen to DJ Global’s latest African Mix below for a taste of his 1s and 2s prowess….
Gospel debate refuses to die!
Why does the acrimony gospel artists have towards each other seem to run deeper than and be more vicious than what is experienced in the secular world?
After reading the Wale Tano interview in Zuqka earlier today, a question has been echoing in my mind: Why are there such divergent views on what type of music can be classified as gospel.
When Jimmy Gait &Holy Dave were at the Ghafla offices, they gave a rather compelling argument on why it is that they believe there music is gospel. The backdrop of this was the constant questioning of their genre of music. I have to admit that i am of their school of thought: their music is for a specific niche. But all in all they are getting the gospel out their.
Wale Tano however are of a different perspective, they are of the mind-frame that gospel isn’t meant to be entertaining. say what? Ibolachi? What Jimmy Gait and Daddy Owen have decided to do (reach out to a hitherto sidelined audience) is what actually led to the Kenyan gospel renaissance. Jimmy Gait, Daddy Owen, Holy Dave Juliani and the like are the pioneers that gave gospel it’s hip factor. It’s because they dared to be different that gospel has captivated young minds.
Gone are the days when Joy Bringers would suffice. Joy Bringers did their bit which was in tune with the times but times change and when the epoch changed, the show died a natural death& youngsters and teenie boppers alike were forsaking the church in droves. But a revolution occurred and i do believe it was a Godsend when the youth begun to make their own gospel jams.
Where choir chorals and hymns failed, Christian youth rose to be counted and boy did they ever! Gospel music permeated even the hitherto ignored regions such as the pubs, bars& clubs. Kuna Dawa was 1st in this trend then the rest followed.
My advice to groups such as Wale Tano& the rest who are busy disparaging and belittling the efforts of the hipster gospel crowd is get with it. In the Bible, no less than King David danced fervently for the Lord& Jesus himself hang out with sinners. Doctors do not treat the sick and all that! Come off your high horses!
What the aforementioned artists have done is to get someone like me to listen to gospel &as i sing the lyrics, the words sink in& they minister to me. While there is nothing wrong with doing ballads, i’m young& that means YOLO! I do not want to hear slow songs all the time or even most of the time. I want a song that ministers to me at my level.
That is my humble opinion.
The Bashment that will be on Madaraka Day
Friday the 1St of June will mark the first of many Friday Reggae nights to be held at Club Jewels. This will bring back to life the Reggae Fridays that once was.
Dubbed the ‘Madaraka Day Bashment’, this event will see two entertainment houses (Natty D Vibrations Entertainment and Firehouse Entertainment) collaborate to give us this reggae experience like no other.
Entry on this day will be free of charge at the Jewels Club, BuruBuru. The event will kick off at 6PM till dawn.
Tembo Disco closes next month
It is in deep disappointment that I announce the closure of one of Mombasa’s biggest clubs, Tembo Disco. All the wild nights that we have experienced there are to be no more.
What’s even sadder is that we had to learn about this devastating news through the owner’s (Walter Reif) facebook update, saying “Dear friends of Tembo Disco Mombasa, it is with deepest regrets and lots of pain in my heart that I have to announce that after providing Kenyans and international visitors to Kenya with high quality entertainment for 16 years, the final curtain will be falling for one of East Africa’s largest and most recognised entertainment centres.”
Apparently, the club is being bought by a business man who is about to turn it into a business centre, according to sources.
TOP TRENDS: #MULEMBENIGHTRULES
Nairobi’s most popular eatery, The Carnivore, will host the equally popular theme night ‘Mulembe Night’ this evening, Friday 25th May 2012.
Mulembe night is a Luhya-themed night here in Kenya and held on a regular basis at the restaurant on Nairobi’s Lang’ata Road. Kenyans on Twitter once again propelled the unique hashtag #MulembeNightRules to a worldwide trending topic.
At the time of this post, #MulembeNightRules was at position 2 on Twitter’s trending topics. Have a look at a cross section of tweets with the hashtag below….
That makes it a whooping THREE global Kenyan trending topics in under 30 hours! Checkout the other trends in the related stories section below…
Here’s a clip of Prezzo telling us who he really is
Before Big Brother Allstar started, the contestants were interviewed exclusively, mainly about themselves (especially things that nobody else could know about them).
Some of the videos were not available online, until recently. I then came across prezzo’s interview, talking about himself (doesn’t he just love that?)
Keep in mind that this was done before the show started. Check it out.
Juliani to star in Vioja Mahakamani
Celebrated gospel rapper Juliani is joining the likes of Ogopa deejay queen Avril Nyambura,
Size 8 and ‘Chips funga’ singer Anto Neosoul in acting career.
The rapper made a guest appearance on Kenya’s legendary longest running TV show Vioja Mahakamani. Juliani was excited because he has always been interested in acting alongside the gurus in the film industry.
Here is the Vioja mahakamani photo during the shoot
Watch the next episode of Vioja Mahakamani inorder to see Juliani showing off his acting skills.
Emmy Kosgei brings a new one to the gospel scene
The most natural and one of the best gospel musicians that Kenya has ever seen has once again dropped a track that is set to become the next hit in that genre.
Fresh as she always is, and in white as all that is holy, the video for the song ‘Halleluja’ is spectacular and was just released yesterday. The piano gives the song a sweet melodious tune that will leave you humming to it all day long.
I obviously don’t understand the language, but that’s sorted out by the subtitles on the video, and that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable in any way.
Check out the new video below.
Underground artists keeping it gritty!
After bemoaning the lack of real &/or gritty Kenyan hiphop on the scene…
A couple of underground emcees took me up on my challeng and gave me their material and honestly, it is terrific. Let’s begin dissecting the track…
The track is called “Elimisha” and right off the bat the track’s instrumentals stand out as superbly done. The producer gets a pat on the back for the instrumentals. The problem that i for one however have is the introductory part of the track which has too much “Yeah, Yeah, YeahYeah Oh OhOh!” for my palate. It comes off as cheesey.
But when Iannoh get’s down to actually laying done his vocals seriously, he kills it. This is one of those tracks that you can’t listen to once (well, i couldn’t). It’s a track in which the artists (Iannoh, Mjeledi& Ace tha Don) blended their voices in a brilliant way and their chemistry is off the charts which is rather i8mpressive given that they are underground artists and most underground artists don’t yet know how to achieve this.
The message is conscious and the theme of the track is relateable as each verse deals with everyday issues and i especially love the chorus. The chorus whose message is one of sobriety has a great voice (no homo) that is soothing in a masculine way and it goes well with the saxophone in the background.
All in all an awesome track worth checking out as Sniper G’Ganji has done a stellar job with producing the instrumental. But a note to the guys that put up the song: next time put up the whole song. But all in all, well in!
Check out the track below!
TPF5 academy now open
Tusker Project Fame is scheduled to kick off the quest for a new super star search from Sunday 3rd June 2012. Burundi will for the first time join
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Southern Sudan on the 5th edition of East Africa’s most popular reality television show.
A total of 18 contestants selected from 3,277 entries that turned up for the auditions will now move into the academy after the completion of auditions held across majpr cities in the six countries. The contestants will be trained, tested and be prepared for future music career in the world’s entertainment industry. The winner will burg a whooping Kshs 5 million cash reward and a one year lucrative recording contract with Universal Music Group.
East African Breweries Limited Marketing Director for Kenya, Ms Carol Ndungu, confirmed today that plans were at an advanced stage to launch the reality music programme, which will be aired on partner television stations across the six countries. “Tusker Project Fame has found its place as the region’s leading and most engaging talent search property since it was first introduced in 2006; we have successfully grown it in scope and scale, and with its growth, succeeded in delivering authentic musical talent on the region’s entertainment platform”, she said.
“This year we are extremely delighted to have a new recording partner on board –Universal Music Group, one of the leading recording companies in the music industry”, said Ndungu.
As with previous editions of the programme, Tusker Project Fame will feature weekly live shows, where contestants will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and versatility before an eminent team of judges and audiences. Over an eight week period, a series of eliminations (determined by judges’ ratings and viewer voting patterns) will take place, before the ultimate winner is unveiled on 29th July 2012.
Madtraxx,Demarco and Wayne Wonder for Uganda.
Our favorite hit maker has once again managed to surprise us. Very few artists have had the opportunity of performing on the same stage with internationally acknowledged artistes.
Madtraxx will be performing alongside fellow hit makers, Demarco and Wayne Wonder in kampala, Uganda this August 18Th.
The concert, dubbed ‘Mad Dancehall Chunes’ will go down to be one of the biggest concerts Uganda has ever seen. The concert will be held at the famous Lugogo Cricket Oval grounds and by the look os things, it will be awesome.
More information will be revealed shortly.
Avril& GKon beefing?
According to pulse magazine, Avril snubbed Gkon
And this as an isolated incident wouldn’t amount to much but when you take into account the turbulent history the two have um… shared, everything gets some perspective.
Well the two were reportedly recently doing a show at St Mary’s high and when Gkon sat next to her in the back seat the comely songstress walked out of the car to take the front passenger’s seat.
Gkon was reported to have caught a feeling or two about the whole incident but perhaps we need to go slightly further to understand the strained relations between the two. Sometime last year, GKon claimed that he had a fling with the nightingale: a story that Avril vehemently denies.
Apply this history to the scenario that unfolded at st Mary’s recently and you get a clearer picture of what happened& why it did. Well, what cut between the two is conjecture but what is concrete is the fact that this beef whille not dissapate anytime soon.
Prezzo and Goldie’s first fight! I smell tears
Yap, there is finally trouble in paradise, though it came sooner than I expected. At Least it wasn’t ugly though. One thing’s for sure, they ain’t the same. Either better or worse.
Seems Prezzo woke up with a terrible mood as he took a shot at Goldie as soon as he had the chance. It was as though he had rehearsed for it, and Goldie didn’t see it coming. Apparently, Prezzo feels that Goldie takes him for granted. That he needs more attention from her. Shouldn’t this be vice-verse?
Prezzo went hard as he usually does, saying stuff like, “You think I’m a beanbag, just be real with yourself. Do you have a goldfish memory? I’m not a kid so don’t treat me like one.”
Goldie on the other hand, had the same feeling (taken for granted) and also felt like sharing it with Prezzo, “So You think am quiet for no reason? When a woman is quiet she is hurt, you don’t know this?”
After all these, they apologised to each other and hugged. Let’s just wait and see where this will lead to.
Octopizzo for Eldoret Campus tomorrow
He might just be the most demanded Kenyan artist right now, with shows, adverts, interviews and the works all lining up for him, and he enjoys it all.
Octopizzo is now all set to perform live at the Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, Eldoret tomorrow. With all his hit tracks, it will truly be a wicked concert tomorrow with the biggest of his fan source, campus.
One thing among many that I like about Octopizzo is the fact that music is all around him, even in his speech and status updates. For instance, this is how he advertised his show for tomorrow on facebook, “itakua ON TOP, but siunajua BILA MIC ma VOWELS haziezi skika pia ntakua nakam kurepresent MAMA VILE INAFAA tupatane…ELDORET ON TOP!”
You gotta love it.
Avril and Marya Among Artistes Set To Headline Mater Heart Run
This year’s Mater Heart Run takes place this Saturday, 26th May 2012 for a great cause: to help affected children in Kenya receive heart treatment that they desperately need. The target collection for this year is Kshs.35 million and Kenyans can register by either sending to MPESA number 526300, buying T-shirts at Kshs.1,000, Caps at Kshs.300, Wristbands at Kshs.300 and Tshirts (for Schools) Kshs.800.
There will be an entertainment segment from 10.00am to 1.00pm at Nyayo National Stadium, MC’d by Capital FM’s radio presenters Soulo and Macqbul, with DJs Protege, Joe Mfalme and Andre on the decks. The artistes set to perform on the day include Wyre the Love Child, Avril, Marya, Trapee and Kris Mmh Baba.
Kenyan Songstress Marya
For more information on the Mater Heart Run, follow the link below….