Month: August 2012

Kidum was recently in the U.S. for a performance and promote his music among his diasporan fans. He is now back in the country and ready to release new music. The singer recently released a behind-the-scenes video for his upcoming single, Kimbia.

Kidum started out in a band at the age of 12. He is one of the highest rated live band performers in the country. He has performed locally from bands to huge concerts, including the Tusker Project Fame reality TV show.

Earlier this year, Kidum reached a milestone. His Haturudi Nyuma video, in which he features Ugandan singer and Tusker Project Fame judge Juliana Kanyomozi, is one of the biggest hits in the region in terms of popularity. The video recently crossed a million views on YouTube.

Kimbia was directed by one of the most popular video directors in the country, especially in the gospel music industry. Check out the behind-the-scenes video below.
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I just figured that I should show you what you are in for, should you attend this coming concert.

Tarrus Riley is one of the best and vibrant performers to ever come out of Jamaica and I am not just saying that because we will be interviewing him on that night, but simply because he is that good. Honestly.

Check out this performance and tell me otherwise… I dare you.

Ever since the video to the song ‘Matapeli’ was released, a lot of talk has been going on about the involvement of the Makadara MP, Gedion Mbuvi ‘Sonko’.

Guys have been wondering whether Jaguar will soon be joining politics and time after time, his answer to this burning question has always been, “NO!”

When I first saw this video and saw Sonko dressed in fake dreadlocks, in the middle of the CBD, in slippers and shorts, brushing off dust off of someone’s shoes, all I could say to myself was, “damn, I would really like to see the behind the scenes footage of all this.”

Now, we can all do just that. Check out the BTS of the ‘Matapeli’ video below.

Upcoming Kenyan rapper Baby T is one of the fastest rising local female rappers. She was born and grew up in Ongata Rongai, in the outskirts of Nairobi. She started music officially in February this year. Her debut track was BMF with Money Gang rapper Baks 150.

She is currently signed at ATL Entertainment. Since her debut, she has done a couple of more projects. To date, she has one single named Down To The Floor. She has also done a mixtape named What’s Her Name. On top of it all, she has also featured in a song with big name local artistes, Kenrazy, Mchizi Gaza and Alfayo. The track is called Kenyan Anthem.

Her other collaboration is a bounce track called Mziki, where she has collaborated with Liqweed and Carrie Kingz. You can check out her track, Down To The Floor below.

David Hermlin was born to a Kenyan mother and German further. He comes from a family of famous artists. His grandfather was a famous writer in the days of the German Democratic Republic. His father Andrej Hermlin is a successful Jazz artiste, Andrej Hermlin and owner of Swing Dance Orchestra, a famous orchestra.

David started his journey in music at the age of three when he started playing drums. At age four, he made his first stage appearance alongside his father. At five, he was already taking dance lessons. In the coming years, he continued performing in stages around the world: Italy, Switzerland and the U.S.

He later learnt to play piano with the help of a teacher. Over the years, he has spent plenty of time in Kenya and soon enough, he started recording in the country. His parents contacted Dr. Eddie, the 2010 Producer of the Year Groove Award winner. The result is Perfect Paradise, a song where David speaks about the poverty he has seen people living in in Kenya. The video was also directed by Dr. Eddie, check it out below.
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I just had a sit down with the King of Bling himself and it was a frank one.

I spoke to His Imperial Freshness about topics ranging from BBA to Jaguar. And when i informed the King of Bling that Jaguar had set the beef aside to ask his fans to vote for Prezzo, he actually thanked Jaguar.

I never in a thousand years expected this turn of events and maybe i might be ever the optimist but i’m hoping these two bastions of Kenyan talent i will bury the hatchet and get onto a track together. Just imagine how big that would be.

And Prezzo didn’t just say a rushed thank you, in his fashion: cool, calm and collected, he thanked Jaguar by name and then proceeded to thank everyone who voted for him! That is what we call handling issues like a boss

Have you often wondered who the new generation of female artists are represented by?

Well, I had an interesting convo with the rest of the team about female artists and the verdict was that lasses aren’t as hungry for the glory as their male counterparts. And though that is  bound to have the feminist brigade up in arms bra in hand, it must be said: no nuts no glory.
But there are a couple of female artists who are doing their dirt! Afterall “amat victoria curam” (victory loves preparation) and these young lasses are the official Queens of the Cool Kidz no questions asked!
They are drawn from diverse backgrounds and genres with some being an unsigned hype artist (underground artist) but their pedigree is undeniable. These lasses are that Nefertiti pedigree.
They are beautiful, talented and smart and that is the triple threat combination that when used well creates stars in their own right! But without further hyping, i present to you:
BUBBLING UNDER:
Laikkah
This lass is still working on her debut track but trust me when i say that she can rap! I have heard alot of female “rappers” but she is an actual rapper. I await her debut and trust me, it will be about that business!

And now, i need everyone: established artists especially, their managers and their producers to sit up and pay attention like it’s rent. These Queens of the Cool Kidz WILL be taking over in about a minute because they are versatile and multi-talented.

#5 Chuchu
This is the lass that was on Jimmy Gait’s track “Oley Oley” and her vocal range was simply beautiful. She was composed, regal even and she helped the boys create a wonderful gospel track. Unlike most of her gospel contemporaries, she doesn’t screech. She has wonderful technic and has mastered her range so she doesn’t push too hard.
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#4 Lyra Aoko
This is a beautiful nne. This girl is the epitome of dark African sensuality and to top it all up, she is a talented nightingale with a voice sirens would envy! and what will have all you established artists attention is how effortlessly she sings yet her vocals are usually on point like pin! This lass won the Samsung Ziki Sound Talent Search competition if you needed to see the feather on her cap like a peacock on it’s stride!
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#3 Dora
I have said alot about this lass and i will continue to do so. She is multi talented! Aye, this lass sings, raps and PRODUCES her own tracks! And what’s more, she still hasn’t attained age of majority. And i have to say me likey her ethnic look. She is an understated beauty. Have you heard her track “Oyela”? If you haven’t, go jump into the Red Sea!
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#2 Xtatic
This lass is beautiful aye but so talented is she at rapping that she attracted the attention of none Sony Music Group! That’s right! Don’t jealous her abeg now! She has a truly inspiring life story and hot music so what more would you ask for? Oh yeah, her hand in marriage maybe?
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#1 Miss Karun
Problems? Ofcourse not! And just to give you proof that the pudding is sound and her vocals are unblemished, i shan’t even upload a Camp Mulla track, Uncle Chim Tuna shall instead load a track of her solo performance with Just A Band. Thank me later!
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ROCKSTAR4000 is the record label that first contacted Xtatic and were the ones who hooked up the Sony Music Group deal. In the current music environment, labels jump on artistes that have already proven themselves and have a ready fanbase. ROCKSTAR4000 got on the Xtatic boat before many fans had even gotten the chance to see Xtatic’s Prep Track.

Today we look at other artistes from the region that have been signed by ROCKSTAR4000 and who Xtatic shares a label with. Most of them are huge, so props to the outfit for taking a chance on the young rapper. Check out the list below.

– Rose Muhando
– Fally Ipupa
– Jaguar
– Blu3
– Juliana
– Maurice Kirya
– Nameless
– One8
– Amani
– Daddy Owen
– Navio
– Juliani
– Mwana FA
– Lady JayDee
– Jimmy Gait
– TID
– Wyre
– Professor Jay
– Ali Kiba
– AY
– Chidi Benz

The group which was founded by Jandre Louw, are on the constant lookout for new talent in the continent. “Apart from 360 record deals, we are also in the business of securing artists on digital distribution, publishing and project based (such as One 8) deals,” says Seven Mosha, director of talent and new business.

“Little bit of this, little that on the side/Little tipsy, little chance of getting high.” Xtatic starts off on her latest single. These are the first lines we get to hear from Xtatic after she signed her deal with ROCKSTAR4000 and Sony Music Group. The lines are from her new track, Wild.

The artiste recently came back from South Africa where she recorded an album with The Fahrenheitz. She is already back in the country, ready to put out new music. Wild is her first post-Sony-signing track, and it was released exclusively on Capital FM earlier in the week.

Wild is surely destined to be a hit. The track has been released in full online as a pseudo video. Xtatic’s debut album is expected to come out by the end of the year. Meanwhile, we can get a feel of what to expect on Wild below.
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Remember Katenga’s Kshs. 10 million video? Looks like the braggadocious artiste wasn’t kidding. The video has finally been shot. And to prove it, the Katenga pioneer has released a teaser. In true Jaluo style, Katenga is seriously balling on the short clip.

In an interview with Ghafla!, Cartel hinted at a series of videos to be shot in different countries and even mentioned Dubai as one of the shoot locations. This seems to be the one that was shot in Dubai. It has shots of a sandy plain, which we will assume is the Arabian desert.

Cartel himself can be seen showing us how to live the good life: chilling in Jacuzzis, indoor pools and heaven white towels. The one city shot in the trailer does look like a portion of the Dubai skyline.

The video is for Katenga’s latest single, Daddy Daddy and features Asali. The song and video was produced by Cartel’s own Katenga Entertainment and Katenga Videoz respectively.
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Do you remember Zulu Kru? These are the guys who gave us songs such as:

“Eeh Eeh Kasupu”, Vichinga Vichinga” and one half of the duo Preety Chi did “Kipusa”. And i remember dancing along to these tunes with my cousin Kohe and laughing at how cool they’d made the Luhya accent.

Well, just as their stars seemed to be dawning, they disappeared into oblivion! And this is a plea to everyone, anyone who would have some idea as to where they vanished to: please tell them that they have a huge fan at Ghafla who wants to hear new material from them.

For now, here’s the video to “Kipusa” and “Nionjeshe”.

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MO-2 is a commerce student at Kenyatta University and recording artiste in the gospel music industry. He records his music at ATL Entertainment, specifically working with Richie G, who produced his latest single, Ma Life. He dabbles in zouk, dancehall, kapuka and hip hop.

In Ma Life, he speaks about getting saved and his life in Christ. Ma Life has used a Kanye West-created beat which he used to collaborate with Jay-Z on Otis. MO-2’s version also uses the same sample Kanye used, Try Little Tenderness vocals by Otis Redding.

“I have arranged it in an attractive structure to bring out perfect rhymes, strong lyrics and sweet flow in sync with the Otis beat. Simply, I’ve tried to own the beat,” says MO-2. “In addition, it is a Gospel song where I’m urging sinners to repent and experience a new life under God,” he adds.

MO-2 is currently working on a compilation where he will include all the music he has done so far. He wants to use the project to show off his skills and abilities in different genres. Meanwhile, you can sample his abilities on Ma Life below.

Wintel and Razini new single is on fire, literally. Their track, You’re The Fire was produced at Musik Empire Records and the video shot by Sakata Media.

Wintel (Winnie Wambui) started out in the music in 2005 when she first entered a recording studio. She describes her kind of music as world music, where she incorporates genres like pop, dancehall, house, techno and anything else she feels she can take on.

Razini (Anthony Nene) also started recording music in 2005. He also records at Musik Empire Records. He has released one album so far and is currently working on a second one. His style is mostly hip hop but he has diversified into other genres like dancehall, house, pop, rock, etc.

Check out Wintel & Razini’s You’re The Fire below.
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You might call it a ‘cypher’, a simple track or a movie. Whatever you decide on, this video is just epic. Tied up in chains, all up in the captivity matter, MC Mwakenya is definitely making us feel his presence. If you had plans of ignoring this rapper, I wish you luck… you’re going to need it.

He first released the track, ‘Celebrity killer cypher’ and gave it some time before unleashing the killer video. Anticipation was built and fortunately enough, he didn’t disappoint at all.

Known for putting down Octopizzo on his first track, Mwakenya has proved that he wasn’t trying to ride off Octo’s fame at all by going hard on his music and promoting his hood, Kawangware.

Away from music, did you know that Mwakenya also has his own clothing line? Yap, not only is he a rapper, but also a business man. This is some impressive work considering that this is only his second video, and third official track. Check it out below.

“Bado we ni m-colorful kama socks za wakambodia.” Ever since I heard this new song from Rabbit and Rap Damu, I just can’t get this line off my head. Punchlines seem to be drawing in more fans for rappers than anything else and Rabbit is just full of them.

It has just dawned on me that Kaka Sungura might just be the next king of Collabo. His collaborations are not only numerous but also unique. Rabbit is not afraid of going off his comfort zone (hip hop), as he has displayed with his recent collaborations and singles which are more in the Afro Fusion genres than hip hop. He even collaborated with the Ohangla man, Makadem.

Well, his latest collabo is with Pacho’s Rapdamu in a song called ‘Ahead all day’. Yeah, it’s still about that competition swag. Check it out below.

Yes. You read right. The one and only Tarrus Riley will be giving us an exclusive interview during his short visit here in Kenya as we have just confirmed.

Being one of the biggest celebrated reggae artistes in Jamaica and actually the rest of the world, Tarrus Riley will be performing in Kenya this Saturday as part of his tour that will see him perform all over the world, this month.

Tarrus Riley will be performing at the Carnivore grounds this Saturday (11Th August 2012) and I know for sure that this guy will not disappoint. Furthermore, he will be performing alongside beautiful Jamaican singer, Etana. No words can describe this concert.

Watch out for the interview on that same Saturday, right here at Ghafla.