Month: September 2012

Nonini is looking for the next big star. After being bombarded with requests from aspiring artistes, he decided to set up 8 Bars 2 Be A Star.

The rapper and radio presenter previously announced that he is on the lookout for fresh talent. “Send me your 8-bars acapella freestyle of yourself in mp3 format. Be as creative as you wanna be,” announced Nonini through his Facebook.

Now he has announced what package the winner will get. The lucky contestant  will get to record a track, and another one with Nonini. The winner will also get a video for their track directed by Willie Owusu of Big Ideas Entertainment.

If you are an unsigned upcoming artiste, then this might be your big break. Just show your creativity, record and send it to prohabo@noninimusic.com.

After a long time in the dark, it seems that Chris Kantai has definitely missed his celebrity status. He has been featured in Halaiki Family tracks, but has never really done his own track since he went silent, up until now.

Seeing artistes come up with their own sounds of music and giving a whole new meaning to swag in the Kenyan music is all the motivation an artiste need to get back in the game, and with new artistes who are doing it even bigger than most of the established ones, musical motivation is abundant in the 254.

It is clear that he has also embraced the new sounds that is now popular among the hip hop heads, that is fast tracked, aggressive and raw beats in his new solo track, ‘Incredible’. I only wish it had a video but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that.

Yes, Kantai is back! Now, about those expected collaborations… Can you imagine Bamboo, Abbas, Khaligraph Jones and this guy in the same track? Wicked!

After a long time in the dark, it seems that Chris Kantai has definitely missed his celebrity status. He has been featured in Halaiki Family tracks, but has never really done his own track since he went silent, up until now.

Seeing artistes come up with their own sounds of music and giving a whole new meaning to swag in the Kenyan music is all the motivation an artiste need to get back in the game, and with new artistes who are doing it even bigger than most of the established ones, musical motivation is abundant in the 254.

It is clear that he has also embraced the new sounds that is now popular among the hip hop heads, that is fast tracked, aggressive and raw beats in his new solo track, ‘Incredible’. I only wish it had a video but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that.

Yes, Kantai is back! Now, about those expected collaborations… Can you imagine Bamboo, Abbas, Khaligraph Jones and this guy in the same track? Wicked!

After a long time in the dark, it seems that Chris Kantai has definitely missed his celebrity status. He has been featured in Halaiki Family tracks, but has never really done his own track since he went silent, up until now.

Seeing artistes come up with their own sounds of music and giving a whole new meaning to swag in the Kenyan music is all the motivation an artiste need to get back in the game, and with new artistes who are doing it even bigger than most of the established ones, musical motivation is abundant in the 254.

It is clear that he has also embraced the new sounds that is now popular among the hip hop heads, that is fast tracked, aggressive and raw beats in his new solo track, ‘Incredible’. I only wish it had a video but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that.

Yes, Kantai is back! Now, about those expected collaborations… Can you imagine Bamboo, Abbas, Khaligraph Jones and this guy in the same track? Wicked!

After a long time in the dark, it seems that Chris Kantai has definitely missed his celebrity status. He has been featured in Halaiki Family tracks, but has never really done his own track since he went silent, up until now.

Seeing artistes come up with their own sounds of music and giving a whole new meaning to swag in the Kenyan music is all the motivation an artiste need to get back in the game, and with new artistes who are doing it even bigger than most of the established ones, musical motivation is abundant in the 254.

It is clear that he has also embraced the new sounds that is now popular among the hip hop heads, that is fast tracked, aggressive and raw beats in his new solo track, ‘Incredible’. I only wish it had a video but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that.

Yes, Kantai is back! Now, about those expected collaborations… Can you imagine Bamboo, Abbas, Khaligraph Jones and this guy in the same track? Wicked!

Guess which favourite celebrity couple is celebrating their copper/sapphire anniversary? 

Nameless and Wahu!!! The ever-increasingly private celebrity couple are celebrating seven years together. We at Ghafla! wish them nothing but love-filled, beautiful years ahead.

Catch Wahu being interviewed this morning by Nonini (6am-10am), speaking about love on today’s (September 11th 2012) 1Love show on One FM.

Congratulations!!!!

Guess which favourite celebrity couple is celebrating their copper/sapphire anniversary? 

Nameless and Wahu!!! The ever-increasingly private celebrity couple are celebrating seven years together. We at Ghafla! wish them nothing but love-filled, beautiful years ahead.

Catch Wahu being interviewed this morning by Nonini (6am-10am), speaking about love on today’s (September 11th 2012) 1Love show on One FM.

Congratulations!!!!

Guess you thought that all that Kony saga and the aim to make him famous were washed down the drain. Well, you thought wrong. Even though the guy who started this went crazy and all, the mission still goes on. It may not be as strong as it was in the beginning, but seeing that everyone is chipping in, the fight is still rife.

In comes the ‘guilt’ track, that is supposed to be a collaboration between rebel, Joseph Kony and Kenya’s SNL. Who knew that making songs out of famous people’s infamous speeches would end up being hits. It works even better when the instrumentals used are very enjoyable and danceable.

What a creative way of making this messed up dude famous. Have a listen at SNL and Kony’s ‘Guilt’ track below.

Kenyas’ Afro-Centric Musical Mixtress, Iddi Achieng, is a mainstay in the rapidly rising Benga music that fuses Kenyan cultural beats and exotic tunes.

The multi-talented musician who believes that music is the African way of life last week released her latest single, Jamriambo (liar in Dholuo).  The song is an Afro Pop remix with a vocal blend mixed with traditional and modern instruments.

It is a prelude and taste to the upcoming album and fresh new sounds of Iddi Achieng.  Check out the photos below;

 Listen to the song below;

Morzah and Pochris are a talented duet who also happen to be identical twins. They call themselves TBroz.

“Music is our inborn trait which started growing dominantly in us since when we were teenagers. We started off by free-styling, imitating the most prominent artists of that time as we hoped for a better future when we would sing like them.”

The duo describes their type of music as ‘sanaa style’, which is a fusion of R&B and soul music. They occassionally switch it up and dabble with more popular styles to satiate unaccustomed fans.

The group’s music has been produced by Gilloh of Ghood Records including their first album, Hatua. “We feel a mile ahead with the album out though we first want to finish making video clips for every song from the album,” they say.

The two also work for Beki Promotions, the organizers of Miss Fabulous beauty pageant which exposes the beauty of African women as well as address the current issues through modeling.

The brothers have also started an initiative known as Artistes for Humanity, where they work with fellow artistes to contribute daily necessities to the less fortunate in society. You can check out the most popular track from their debut album, Haki Yangu, below.

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Kenyan singing group Sauti Sol likes to spread positivity with their music and unlike many music groups, they weren’t manufactured. The quartet met in high school as members of a gospel music group in 2005. They were writing and composing for three years before they released their first album, “Mwanzo,” in 2008.

Buddha Blaze, a Kenyan producer is impressed the group has been able to sell records in an industry dominated by rap and party music. “It was rare to find a young band that crafted live music onstage, with rich three-part harmonies,” he said to NPR.  ”They were the first that actually sang, the first from that generation of young Kenyans who were actually singing and telling stories. So obviously they were different. Here are some young people who don’t want to be rappers.”

The group has sang lyrics to a song criticizing the police on a radio show once and got a strong reaction from the owner. The owner of the station is a billionaire. He’s a tycoon,” said Baraza. “He just called because his friends are the police, and he said, “Why are you singing stupid things on my radio? I’ll kill you! Never come back to my station again! I’ll look for you and find you!’ He just really threatened me, you know.”

Still, incidents like that don’t stop the group from singing about subjects like education and child abandonment. They hope to influence youth and the people of their country during the country’s transition out of dictatorship and tyranny. “A lot of the people we speak to through our music are young,” Baraza added. “Injecting some moral obligation into them is one of our biggest goals. And in every album we do, there is a song that is just about a new generation.”

Could this be why Sauti Sol is the finest Kenyan band to walk this earth?

How many of you remember EMO. The ‘Mandugu Digital’ prodigy. His tracks with both good flow and catchy lyrics? His hits from the famous ‘Mandugu-Digi’? He was definitely teaching a few artistes about the game back in his day.

EMO’s raps were telling you a story, but still managed to get you dancing, nodding your head, feeling his flow off his beats. Considering that Kenya’s music scene was pretty immature/basic at the time, this guy was really good straight out the park. Mandugu Digital was setting itself apart as the best record label -at the time-, and getting onto this labels repertoire of hits was no mean feat. But EMO did it. And he was a star.

Remember the reception his first track ‘So Hot’ got from the public? I mean, you couldn’t go anywhere and fail to hear this song playing. ‘The Beat’ was all over this tune. It must have been ‘Beat Of The Week a couple of times! His next track ‘Na Bado’ was equally hot and also well received. EMO was actually doing pretty good from the outside. He was that guy. He seemed to be going places.

Which brings me to the question, what the hell happened to this dude? What happened? He blew up one minute, had the production behind him, had the skills, seemed to have the passion, but then went ahead and disappeared the next minute? (Remind you of another cat from Mombasa??? C-Zars Not naming any names…)

Check out EMO’s first video below.

Was the music industry too young for these artistes? Was it too hard to make it big back then? Was he under poor management? Was he in it for the fame? What do you think?

EMO, if you can read this somewhere out there… Where are you?

Self-proclaimed grand hype-masta Alemba is on the way to becoming the king of collabos in the Gospel music industry. Having previously worked with DJ Sadic, Qaberere, Juliani and Ugandan outfit Exodus, Alemba has once again outdone himself by putting his head together with multi-talented Kanji Mbugua.

Bless my way is a song that encourages Christians to be steadfast in their faith and not tire on waiting the Lord. “The prayer is not lost… God gave me this revelation to sing it to every person…. that as long as you keep his word n stand in righteousness you will never lack.”

The award-winning artiste and MC is currently working with the system unit with the best DJs in Africa DJ Sadic and DJ Mo.

Check out the new single below;

A lot of things go unsaid and uncovered ,especially after death of an icon (doesn’t have to be a celebrity, could be a family member). As a real reggae fan, you might think that you know a lot about Bob Marley and what went on in his life before he died, but you actually know jack.

From when he started music up to the moment he died and what happened afterwards, this new documentary on Bob Marley’s life and family/families titled MARLEY, exposes everything. Nothing is left out.

The film is produced by Kevin Macdonald and was premiered last Friday (7Th September) in Kenya at the Starflix cinemas. What I love most about this documentary is the fact that Bob Marley’s life is narrated by his nuclear family members and very close friends, so you know that it is all factual.

Bob Marley’s last moments on this beautiful earth have never as clear as it is in this film. Nothing from hearsay and rumours. Everything hear is accompanied and illustrated by footage. Footage that the Marley family may have kept confidential until now. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Bob without his dreadlocks after the chemotherapy. This was the saddest part of his and his family’s life, and you can just tell by the way his children narrate it.

Hell, this documentary goes all out on Bob’s ‘clandes’. If you really want to know the facts about Bob Marley’s life, this is the film to watch.

Mr. Googz, a member of the famous duo of Mr. Googz & Vinnie Banton is planning on getting back to doing music.

The rapper was set to appear on Radio Citizen’s Mambo Mseto last week to talk about his comeback. Last we heard, the musician had gotten saved, and he even released a gospel song before disappearing from the scene.

Mr. Googz started his music career in the early 2000s with Vinnie Banton when they joined the Ogopa DJs label through which they released Wasee (Githurai) together with Mr. Lenny in 2002. The song became an instant and to this day is one of the most iconic songs of that era in Kenyan music.

The two later left Ogopa DJs and together with two other former Ogopa DJs duos: Deux Vultures and The Longombas and formed a new label, Bad Man Camp. In the mid 2000s, Mr. Googz and Vinnie Banton pursued solo careers and Mr. Googz pursued gospel music.

Remember us breaking the story of STL closing off one of Nairobi’s major streets for a video shoot?

Well, the video is finally out and the track it was shot for is called “Stella Stella Stella” and it’s a monster jam! The track has a retro feel to it and the video features Stella showing off matatus and her thighs… Sorry did I just say that? I meant her hair style… No I didn’t!

The music is very blatant braggadoccio talking about how good she looks (why lie?) and how she has bangin’ music –also true.

Well, the only two things that aren’t up to par in the video are the fact that I’m not in it and the fact that the video features matatus long after Michuki made them all drab.

But without any more jibberjabber, here the video is…

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Managers are hindering the growth of their clients. I am making this sweeping statement after observing how most artists are being managed by their handlers and I am disappointed.

I have dealt with a few good managers but most are a nightmare to deal with. They are an actual impediment to the growth of their clients because they make them inaccessible.

For an artist to grow their brand, they need exposure. That means, they need the media to grow. Artists become has-beens when what they do no longer becomes news worthy and as the adage goes, out of sight is out of mind. . I don’t want to have to boot lick for an interview and quite frankly, I lack the diplomacy and patience to endure running round in circles pursuing an interview. In order to do my job and fulfill Ghafla’s vision of promoting stardom, we need to work together. Ghafla has the reach (+200,000 readers per month) so by granting me an interview; you are doing yourself and your client a favour.

Another thing artists need is for them to be conveniently accessible to potential clients. All the attitude and snobbery from a lot of managers is such a waste. I have seen artists lose out on contracts because the manager didn’t know just who they were dealing with ergo were rude.

I do not see why whereas the artists are usually easy going when approached directly, the managers are difficult. A managers job is to guide the artists career and help the artist with matters business, not to become an obstruction. For Kenya’s industry to grow, we need professionalism from everyone involved in the entertainment industry.

I oft wonder why managers frustrate my endeavour to give their clients exposure yet that is one way to grow the brand that is the artist. Come off your high horse and have a really good look at it, you’re riding a wombat! The emperor’s new clothes aren’t all that either.

So if you are a manager, take stock of your actions and ask yourself how they augur in the betterment of your client’s career.

Deejays turn the average parties to awesome events, making our time worthwhile. However, despite their easy-from-the-outside-but-not-so-easy-when-you-try-it job, there are still certain individuals who insist on making their lives a living hell while on the decks.

We spoke to some of the deejays we know and found out what kinds of requests they hate the most. These are some of them.

5. “Hey! Can I have a go at your decks? I’m really good…”

These are some of those douche bags who are used to playing around with their ‘virtual deejay’ software and are convinced that they are the best at it. They see real decks and they assume that they can do a better job than the deejay playing. If they are too drunk, they might even start giving instructions and points to the real deejay. If I were the deejay, I would let you have a go at my fists.

4. Silly questions like, “How much did your deck cost?”

This right here is the last question a deejay would want to hear. You being more interested in his decks than the skills he’s trying so hard to show off is really disrespectful and annoying. Plus, why on earth would he tell you that? And all other questions that fall into the category of utter nonsense, please remember: A deejay is not here to small-talk/make friends with you. You can go do that with your date, your friends, or with the lady you’re trying to mack on. Keep it moving.

3. Out of genre requests

The event description clearly states that this is hip hop night (or any other specific genre) and a very confident stupid lad requests for a song that is off the specified genre. Further more, he makes it worse by stating exactly which genre it lies in and asks why it is not being played since it’s so popular. And this person never goes away. They think that by asking fifty times then they will irritate the deejay into playing their ‘legitimate’ request. Mr/Miss Agressive Song Requester, the deejay knows you all too well. All they have to say is- seriously???

2. “Please repeat that song for me…”

Dude, you do know that the deejay has his music planned/set out, a particular flow of songs coming up, a schedule to stick to, right? You are not the only one in the club who’s enjoying the music. A lot of people find it irritating when they hear the same song ten times in one night. Plus what does that say about the deejays priorities? He/she will not annoyingly keep repeating hit songs to get one person happy. Better carry your i-pod with you next time you decide to drop in.

1. “CAN YOU PLEASE CHARGE MY PHONE FOR ME? JUST TEN MINUTES. I’M SEATED RIGHT HERE. I’LL GET YOU A BEER…”

What the hell! #)&£”*^)&@”&$!! This is just straight up ‘madharau’. Your phone blacking out on you is your own problem, and NOT the deejay’s concern. This is probably the point where the deejay is about to go all crazy on you.

Let’s flip the script on this one: check out the “5 IRRITATING THINGS THAT DEEJAYS DO” too. Deejays should also know there is a reason why we bother them in the club!!!

Sony Music Entertainment – Africa has signed another leading East African female rapper. Keko joins Xtatic as one of the labels newest signees.

Keko broke into the scene with her classic verse on Fallen Heroes with Don MC, SP, Davis and Mwanba Children’s Choir. She later achieved even greater popularity with her single, How We Do It. The track earned her a Channel O Music Video Award for Best East African video. She has also been named in the 2012 line-up in two categories for Make You Dance, which she did with Madtraxx.

Besides being a judge at the first East African finals of Nokia’s Don’t Break the Beat freestyle competition, she has endorsed Pepsi, Mountain Dew and done a synch with SuperSport Africa. The 25-year old femcee is already in studio recording the first of her albums under the deal. Like Xtatic, she is recording it in South Africa with The Fahrenheitz (and Classy Menace). The release date for the album is expected to be late 2012 or early 2013.

The Sony and ROCKSTAR4000 deal will see Keko join Xtatic and Rose Muhando on a recording deal and full services management deal ensuring she has an impact in Africa and the globe.

“Keko is a very talented full package star with a contemporary hip-hop sound, thrilling live performances, a look and feel that will captivate brands and we are truly energized to work with her” says Christine ‘Seven’ Mosha, Head of Talent and New Business for ROCKSTAR4000

“We are very excited to have Keko on the RCA roster, she is a highly talented and experienced rapper who brings a fresh take to the scene. We have a clear vision for Keko and believe that with this partnership we will take Keko to new heights that will broaden her fanbase and open up new markets for her,” says RCA Africa Director, Spiro Damaskinos.

Keko’s latest club hit, Make You Dance with Madtraxx has become a smash hit on radio stations and topping the charts across Africa. The video has also been on high rotation across leading music television channels such as Trace Urban International where it’s hitting its peak on both the Urban Hit 30 & Africa 10 charts also impacting on other shows like Sound City, Channel O & MTV Base Africa.

“I’m very excited to take my career to the next level with one of the biggest record labels in the world, this is a great opportunity for me and the Kekonians to embark on a new journey. I am very hardworking and I’m excited to be part of the Sony Music family of artists and it’s evident that we all share the same passion for music.” says Keko.

This might appear to be a very bad year for Calif Records. It hasn’t exactly been sunny for them at all. Huge artistes have been leaving the recording house one by one and news from all of them about Calif have not been pretty at all.

This however, has not brought them down. They still maintain that they are still hot and that a few names from the music industry are not going to bring them down, nor their hustle. In-fact, they are even stepping up their game. Bringing in new studio equipment from Germany for better production has been their objective and they are now seeing to it.

The budget for their new equipment, according to sources, is about Sh. 500, 000, looking to be a state of the studio.

Checking from where Calif Records came from, a studio in mom’s kitchen, this is some pretty awesome progress.

So apparently deejays hate it when revellers do certain no-nos that break the DJ-clubgoers code of rules. But to be honest, have you ever gone out to the club and the deejay on deck was so abysmal you couldn’t help but jeer them?

If you have found yourself in such a scenario then you know what i’m talking about! And this small fact got me thinking; what are the most irritating things deejays say or do that pisses all of us off. What are the annoying nuisances deejays; be they club deejays or deejays who make mixtapes for matatus, do that has you plotting to switch their tissue/blotting/cleaning paper with sand paper?

Dishonourable mention:

Not having music

If you are a deejay, your life revolves around music. That means you should have an extensive catalogue of music. So when i request a track by anyone, you should know what i’m talking about. I’m tired of requesting a track and getting blank stares from mediocre and/or lazy deejays. The only blanks i like seeing are blank cheques!

#5. Over scratching

We don’t go out to hear deejays scratch the vinyl (unless it’s a hiphop concert). We go out to dance and have fun. Don’t you just hate it when a deejay keeps scratching a track like no man’s business? And there are also some genres that should not be scratched. If you feel like scratching when playing either Rock or Nigerian music you should scratch your armpits. That is all!

#4. Not letting good songs end

Why oh why would you play a good song for all of a minute? If the song is good and you get response from the crowd let the track play to the end. I do not want to hear half a verse of my favourite club-banger. This is not the time or the place for teasers. Also, I don’t want to hear the beginning intro to a song, get excited and then realise ten songs later that that is all you were going to play of it.

The fitting punishment if you are guilty of this is to be slapped!

#3. Talking as music plays

Let’s get one thing straight, I came out to have a good time with my fam and to enjoy what Nairobi nightlife has to offer. That doesn’t involve hearing you talk over and over again giving me a verbal synopsis of the music. Or shouting inexplainable things like “Po-po-po-po!” over the music. You aren’t Jeff Koinange, we aren’t “on the bench”, and this isn’t a KBC radio commentary of football. So shut up and just do a good job at the decks!

For any midemeanour done from this point, the punishment must be more severe than just a couple slaps!

#2. Singing along

If you aren’t mixing at a Karaoke bar, under no circumstance should you sing along. Keep your shower-voice in the shower. Don’t croak along to the songs as they play! No one wants to hear you practice to audition for TPF!

And the worst offenders when it comes to breaking this rule are reggae deejays. I cannot for the life of me fathom how your audience enjoys hearing you shriek like a banshee over the tracks. It is less painful to commit seppuku than to hear you physically assault the songs playing.

 <This will happen to you if you sing along. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.>

#1. Silence in between songs

This one is a cardinal rule I presume that should be taught at the DJ academies: under no circumstance should you ever let the music skip or let there be silence as you queue the next track. There is a reason they hired you; otherwise we would just put CDs/ipods to play all night. NO 5 SECOND SILENCES.

#thatisall

1. Check out some Kenyan personalities that we love despite being controversial here.

2. You Be the Judge. Kenyan Rapper Releases A Song With Clear Illuminati Connotations.

3. Talia Oyando is pregnant now. Check out her photo here.

4. A local magazine reported that Frasha and Bamboo are beefing. But here is the truth.

5. Kenyan-bred Emmanuel Jal Beaten Up by South Sudanese Police.

6. The list of Kenyan artistes getting in with political leaders is growing. Check out who the latest one is here.

7. Some evidence that Miguna Miguna might be a Prezzo fan.

8. Malonza Finally Gets an Acting Gig.

9. Could AY be relocating to Kenya? Read about it here.

10. Nonini has done a lot for Conjestina, read about what he wants to do next here.

International hip hop star and renowned peace activist Emmanuel Jal was badly beaten by police in the South Sudanese capital of Juba last night on 8 September 2012.

Jal was en route to the Gatwich guesthouse in the outskirts of Juba when he was stopped by police and robbed of his mobile phone. Imminent not to use violence, he was repeatedly beaten by 5 police and national security officers until he eventually lost consciousness.

A group of approximately 15 police and national security officers watched on as Emmanuel was beaten. It appears that Jal was randomly attacked in an unfortunate and unprovoked example of police brutality. The incident has been reported and an investigation is underway.

Jal is in Juba to highlight International Peace Day with the anticipated “We Want Peace” Business Gala and concert on 20 & 21 September 2012. The scheduled events are due to take place at Juba’s Independence hall. His dedication to peace and stability in his home country and across the globe has brought him to Juba to bring together members of the business, humanitarian and public spheres, in a bid to responsibly invest toward South Sudan’s progressive development.

Despite the downright sad incident, Jal is upbeat about his home-country, “I am releasing this statement because I was raised in an environment where speaking out against injustice is always considered a route for peace. Let us continue to put a spotlight on such dark issues, for it is the best solution in paving a way for our bright future”.

We wish Emmanuel Jal a quick recovery.