Month: June 2012

A debate has been raging on for quite a while and it doesn’t seem to be abating anytime soon!

And the debate is, just who rules the airwaves between Shaffie and Mbusii-deh. There are two camps that have formed around the two radio personalities with each claiming victory over the other. And the debate has raised such a furore that it is time for Ghafla to put an end to it authoritatively and factually!

For starters, neither rules the airwaves at their time-slots, Classic FM’s beautiful temptress Ciku does! no buts, no if, no maybes.

Moving on swiftly, the debate has mainly been fuelled by two distinct groups of youth identifying with the two. “Ma-sufferer” formerly referred to as “wanatty” have identified with Mbusii whose impact on urban culture cannot be understated. Their antithesis has collected around Shaffie as they feel he best represents them. Shaffie is outgoing, confident (to an extent haughty) and more importantly, he is papered -a fact he isn’t shy to remind us all!

These two camps have held up the two radio-personalities banners as they engage in a tag of war over the title of the best radio personality which to them is synonymous with the most listened to.

But Uncle Chim Tuna has come to burst their bubble: in reality they enjoy roughly the same amount of radio love. According to some inside information i got me mitts on, the only variation is based on a day-to-day analysis of the stats. One day Shaffie bests Mbusii and the next, Mbusii bests Shaffie.

They perform this waltz over and over again and sometimes they get just about the same listenership.

Simply put, Ciku’s “Busted” rules that time slot by a mile and the rest are left to contend with what’s left.

A child can inspire lots of great work as we have seen all through life, even down to music. Most artistes have found it almost impossible not to create a song for their child. It’s a beautiful thing really.

Self proclaimed ‘king wa rap’, Collo, wants to join in on the list of celebrity parents who have dedicated a whole song to their children. I haven’t come across any song with the same concept that has disappointed. Wahu pulled it off with ‘sweet love’ and so did Jay Z with ‘Glory’.

Collo, Phoebe and their beautiful daughter, Tawala.

Now, Collo is all ready and set to step into the booth in collaboration with Sauti Sol to do one for his daughter, Tawala Oyieli Majale. The song will be titled ‘Dreamer’ and Tawala will be featured in the video, according to Collo.

Collo in studio with Sauti Sol.

I have a feeling this will be one great track.

Prezzo is currently representing Kenya in the Upville House on Big Brother Stargame. The rapper has almost always been on the limelight. Even when he wasn’t releasing music, he still made headlines by embroiling himself in beef with fellow artiste, Jaguar.

Before that, Prezzo mostly made news thatnks to his bragging and flashy lifestyle, which he showed in his videos. Early in his career, almost every video he put out made headlines for the splurging and what some considered high concept. He made what might be the Kenya’s first extended play video with P.R.E.Z.Z.O, which was directed by one of the biggest names in entertainment then, Tedd Josiah. The talking point was that the video was shot on a Kshs. 500,000 budget, an astronomical figure at the time. Hell, even now.

As the years have gone by, Prezzo’s videos still somewhat try to be high concept but his efforts get drowned out when everyone is trying to put out the best. He made a video for his first single when an artiste undertaking a video shoot was a huge deal in the entertainment scene. His first video was big considering that era of entertainment. First of all, it had hot cars. That was huge then. It had half-naked chicks washing cars. That was considered too explicit then. It had a couple of celebrity cameos. A fairly new concept then.

Between then and now, Prezzo has produced one album and a fair number of cringe-worthy moments on TV. By today’s standards, the half-naked chicks would be considered two-thirds dressed. And that spanking scene now be considered a polite greeting. So, now we take a look back at Prezzo, before everything: Naleta Action/Let’s Get Down (featuring Nazizi).

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He was rejected from the first Tusker Project Fame by then judge, Tedd Josiah. And now he is back, ready to prove the reality TV competition and one of the best producers in the continent at the time wrong. It has taken Don Isma a while, but for him, it’s never too late for a comeback. He is out to prove a point.

The 23 year old R&B artiste has previously done a Michael Jackson tribute song, If Tomorrow Never Comes, right after the pop icon’s death. Other than Michael Jackson, Don Isma also cites Whitney Houston as one of his influences. It’s All In Your Eyes–the song he is he is hoping to bounce back with–is, apparently, getting airplay on local radio stations already.

During an interview with a local radio station, Don Isma said, “They thought that was it but they were wrong, ’cause what they didn’t know is that every finishing line is the beginning of a new race.” Listen to the song below and decide if Don Isma has proved Tedd Josiah and TPF wrong.

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After their recent collaboration, rapper Kenrazy has indeed proved to be one of the most hard working rappers in Kenya. Always up to something in the studio, precisely what an artiste should be doing.

Much appreciation he has shown to fellow rapper, Jua Cali, to the extent of dedicating a whole freestyle session to him and their song.

Check out the shout out below.

The Tuvuke Peace Tour stuck to the coastal region after a massively successful showing at Shimo la Tewa last week. 2012 Groove Award Male Artiste of the Year Eko Dydda continued to thrill the audience at the Mombasa Polytechnic, as the Clean the Airwaves (CTA) team took to mobilizing them to shun tribalism and push for a peaceful Kenya.

Click here to view the CTA concert at Shimo la Tewa

The Tuvuke- Initiative for Peaceful and Fair Electoral process in Kenya is a systematic effort aimed at developing collaborative pre-emptive actions and activities to forestall any pre-planned or spontaneous violence before, during and after the elections and to equip Kenyans with knowledge and skills so that individually and collectively they can enhance peace and justice.

Here are a couple of pictures from the peace tour edition at the Mombasa Polytechnic:

When we talk about Kwaito &/or House music, we more often or not think about South Africa right?

 And with the resurgence of Kwaito and South African House, DJ Cleo, DJ Soul T and the Teddy Bears come to mind aye?

Well, these Kenyan artists known as Mababa are now looking to change that fact. The two have produced a track titled “Bure Kabisa” and they are looking to change the African House scene one track at a time.

These guys have a stellar track which they should be hoping to use to first conquer the Kenyan, East African and eventually African market. Hit or miss, you decide.

Check it out right here:

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Contrary to popular belief, hatespeech on radio is not just something that affects Kenya but is a global vice spread across an extensive array of demographics and geography. The element that seems to power up the hatespeech on radio even more is targeted rhetorts and responses especially on vernacular stations spread throughout the country.

In a recent radio survey report carried out by the Kenya Advertising Research Foundation and featured right here on Ghafla!, it was found out that a convincing 55% of the top radio stations in the country are vernacular. These are led by Inooro FM, Ramogi FM, Kameme FM, Musyi FM and Coro FM.

Click here to read more about that vernacular feature

It is no wonder then that influential personalities in Kenya find it prudent to take their vendettas to vernacular stations, which are massively popular, and misuse the airtime to fuel ethnic tensions and further individualistic agendas. Though the country has a literacy rate well over 75%, it is unfortunate that a vast majority succumb to political manipulations which evoke these kinds of emotions which frankly would not do Kenya as a whole any good.

Just this past weekend alone, a blogpost that found its way to social media circles caused some outrage as it came out that the lyrics to some vernacular music was in fact an attack on other communities or against specific individuals. While clearly stating that not all vernacular music is bad and that not all the members of the specific community are chauvinistic or archaic in their thinking, the writer saught to sensitize the public on this pertinent issue.

What motivates select radio stations to furnish these negative sentiments with airtime may vary widely from monetary benefit to in-house policies but the Media Council of Kenya has come out strongly against stations which condone hatespeech. For example, the Council admitted to receiving numerous complaints about FM stations and Coast-based publications which outrightly give hatespeech a forum.

During a two-day media workshop held in Mombasa last week for editors, the MCK said they had summoned the concerned media houses over the allegations but some confessed that they had no idea that such content was being broadcast on their frequencies. Whether or not what they say is true will remain for speculators and investigators to judge but the one certain thing is that as Kenyans we need to not just alter our mind sets but shun being at the whims of miscreant leaders.

Man Wazimu’s Emergency Pills is his biggest local track. It’s the ultimate gateway song into the reggae artiste’s music. It’s the track you have to listen to if you want to sample his style and acquaint yourself with the rest of his discography. It is also the track that made Just-A-Band want to work with him.

Just-A-Band’s Blinky Bill says he was listening to the track with social music singer and UN Habitat Messenger of Truth, Sara Mitaru, when the idea to have him for one of their concerts came up. By the time they got a hold of him, they were planning the Kudishnyao! street concert outside the Goethe Institut in the CBD. Through contacts, Sara Mitaru searched around for him and Man Wazimu agreed to perform at Kudishnyao!

During an interview with Ghafla!, Man Wazimu corroborated the story and revealed that he does listen to Just-A-Band from time to time, “Yeah, I like some of their beats.” Man Wazimu’s debut album, My Say is out now.

The Kenyan rap music scene has to be the fastest growing genre in the region with musicians increasingly upping their game and offering not just Kenyans but the world better quality of music.

Coola Gang’s Kapella is one such prodigy, with his brand new release ‘Gemini’s Rule The World’ a single venture which is set to excite hip hop lovers with its unique blend of acoustics and rhyme.

‘Music is My Canvas…’ says Kapella as he goes on to rap about his prowess and celebrate all Gemini’s. Check out the brand new track below… WARNING: Explicit Content

Three members of one of the finest gospel groups in the country, Adawnage, have gotten engaged over the last year. Coming off winning Group of the Year at the 2012 Groove Awards, the group members have inched a step closer towards marriage.

One of the groups members, Frank Muriuki, engaged his girlfriend (not a band member) last year. The group’s lead singer, Roselyn Kaki Mwihaki also recently got engaged to her boyfriend (not a band member) who–rumor has it–works in the airline industry. Kaki also recently had a ruracio. Another band member, Robert Njuguna, proposed to his girlfriend a few weeks ago during a gig in Mombasa. Frank and Kaki’s weddings are set to take place later this year while Robert’s will take place early next year.

The band has released one album, Safari, and have seen two of their tracks, Uwezo and Safari blaze the gospel music scene. They have also been nominated for the Africa Gospel Music Awards to be held in London next month.

DJ Cleo flew into the country on Thursday for the Farenheit Party to be held on Saturday at the Ngong’ Race Course, which he is going to be headlining. He will have local acts, Camp Mulla, Madd Traxx and Just-A-Band opening for him. We asked him about the artistes he’d want to work with.

Internationally, he wants to collaborate with rapper Busta Rhymes. On African artistes, he said, “I’ve already done Cabo Snoop, so now maybe Ice Prince.” He also spoke about another African artiste he’s already begun the process of trying to work together with. “I’ve been trying to work with D’Banj, but we always have scheduling conflicts. I guess we were all just busy and I wanted something that could work out for both me and him.”

We also asked him about the Kenyan artiste he wants to work with the most. “I’ve been speaking with Wyre about a collaboration but nothing concrete now…it’s going to happen, anyway,” he responded.

Kenyan rapper Indiginas is most famous for the sultry and definitively Kenyan music he made in the late 2000s with musician Mr. Lenny, but he has made an inspirational comeback with his brand new track ‘Nawapenda Wo(te)’.

The single, made for the new millenium and produced by Ogopa Deejays, is dedicated to all the fans who have appreciated and supported Indiginas since he started his musical career. The Kenyan artiste who is currently based in California in the USA has his album Ninavyohisi on sale on iTunes.

Click here to get ‘Ninavyohisi’ on iTunes

It really is a feel-good track perfect for all ocassions with classic Kapuka beats and lyrics that would make you smile. The song grows on you rather rapidly so be warned that when you watch and listen to it for the very first time you won’t want to stop!

Here’s the just released video to ‘Nawapenda Wo(te)’ by Indiginas. Enjoy…

During his press conference earlier today, DJ Cleo spoke about a wide range of topics. From family, to his music, the weather and having to mentor a group of artistes under his wing. The artiste who is in the country for the much hyped Farenheit Party also took a little time out to recognize Ghafla!, and even gave us a shout out. Check it out below.
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Astar and Allan Aaron collaborated just a few months back to create this wonderful music that has had everyone talking and liking. We featured the track sometime last week, just after it was released.

The crew now treats us to a ‘behind the scenes’ footage which is full of backstage information that I’m sure you currently don’t know, just like we didn’t.

This video simply shows how the video was made and all that it took to be made. Watch it, keeping in mind that this song portrays Astar’s actually life.

Christ Cycoz, an amazing alternative music Gospel-Rap trio based in Nairobi, Kenya. consists of Benard “Ben” Kariuki, Clinton “Dambiz” Andambi and Brian “KaGz” Kagiri and was formed in late 2010 after they graduated from High School.

The trio met while in Upper hill School where they were members of The Christian Union and The School Choir and formed strong friendships during the time they spent there.

The group members have extremely diverse tastes in music where they draw their influence and therefore they incorporate these different styles in their music.

All in all, the trio has one goal in common, to reach out and minister to the young people in society so that they can lead positive lifestyles putting God in the driver’s seat and letting him take control.

Interesting to note though is that the track was first written when the group was still in high school and recorded twice. The spotless we have now is actually the third version of the song, (thus the intro: “We had to do this again and again and again and again and again”).
Christ Cycoz say that ‘Spotless’ is basically a testimony of God’s grace to Christians for taking away our stain of sin and iniquity. Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Here’s the video teaser to ‘Spotless’

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And here’s the audio to it…

“Itabidi kujuana. We unajua nina shamba Turkana?” This are the interesting lyrics to the track titled ‘Turkana pela’ by rapper O-mae from Embakasi.

When I first heard this track, the first thing that hit my mind was the fact that the beats are somehow similar to Tyga’s ‘rack city’. But then again, listening a little bit further, O-mae comes in with his own unique flow and voice with really interesting lyrics.

As everybody claims pride over Turkana, this rapper is showing the love through his awesome flow.

It evident that way should be paved for this upcoming artist who already has seven tracks on Reverbnation, one of them being a refix of Jay Z’s ‘Otis‘.

Have a listen to ‘Turkana Pela’ below.

After checking out the ‘behind-the-scenes’ video of the ‘rollin’ video shoot, I know you are probably wondering how the video will be, in terms of quality and style. Well, the teaser is now available right here.

Kayvo will be launching the whole video in about two week’s time and all will be revealed. Known for his fast and mixed language lyrics, Kayvo is probably one of the fastest rising and rappers in Kenya.

 Check out the teaser.