Month: November 2012

Come on, don’t act like you never went through this. I remember doing the last paper as if I would never go to school again, and raving my brain off later that night.

This is that night for the young fellas who have just completed high school, or are about to. This is the day you get to feel that happy and brief feeling of freedom, just until you join campus. Really short time, so you better enjoy it and I know just the way to start it off.

Tonight (20th November 2012), Supremacy Sounds is hosting one of the biggest leavers’ bash ever seen at Club Sylk. The event kicks off at 6PM and goes on through the night.

Entrance fee is only Sh. 150.

Man, there is just something about us that keeps bringing these great artistes back to this beautiful country and I know it has something to do with the way we show our appreciation whenever they perform.

Cecile was in the country earlier this year and she made it clear that she had the time of her life and so did we, her fans. She has lately been away from the music scene because of her pregnancy but now that she had successfully given birth four months ago, she is about to touch the road again and Kenya just happens to be one of the dancehall queen’s destinations.

So, for the second time, you get to see and dance along to Cecile’s hit songs all night long early next year. This is crazy! I just can’t wait.

Tusker Malt Lager’s TML 100 Club ia bringing another big artiste to Kenya. This time they are bringing South African singing sensation, Zonke. She will perform on 22nd November at The Nairobi Arboretum from 6:00 p.m.

It’s a tale to be told yet, a tale that is not yet finished–the rise and rise of Zonke. This gifted, beautiful singer is set to become an international sensation. She has the voice, she certainly has the looks and she definitely has the talent.

“My father was a drummer,” she says of her musical abilities. “When he was around there would be rehearsals in the house all the time. I didn’t ever see myself too much in school. My mother was a medical technologist, but she also wrote short stories for adults, very funny stories.”

Zonke was born and raised in the Eastern Cape, in a township called Kwa Zakhele just outside Port Elizabeth. “I couldn’t wait to get out of Port Elizabeth because there were no music studios there.” By 1997 she found herself studying HR in Bloemfontein. However, her passion for music was so strong that she made her way to Johannesburg and moved into a flat with her father and his new wife.

“It was an amazing time because I met musicians who I had only ever seen on television, people like Ringo and Deborah Fraser. My father was married to Anneline Malebo from the group, Joy, and she really helped kickstart my career as a musician. She introduced me to Joe Nina and that was the first time I sang as a professional musician.”

Soon she was doing backing vocals for a myriad of artists and even performed at the 7th All Africa Games. Her big break came when a producer hooked her up with a German band called Jazz Cantina. She wrote a track for them called Africa My Motherland.

Jazz Cantina were so impressed by the young musician that they returned to South Africa with a team of producers and engineers and recorded her music. It was released under the name Culture Clan and included two rappers. Culture Clan was released in South Africa and in Germany and they went on to win awards from both the Channel O and Metro FM Awards.

Zonke then went on to record her first solo album called Solotary, which was released through Columbia Records and released in Italy, Germany and Japan.

On her homefront she was introduced to Kalawa Jazzme through her sister and fellow vocalist, Lulu. The Kalawa Boys headed up by legendary Oskido were immediately impressed with her. In fact they were so impressed they immediately invited her to do a stint in Bongo Maffin when Thandishwa Mazwai was unavailable.

She also started writing for the company with hits like Thebe’s Groova’s Prayer. She finally released an album through Kalawa called Life, Love & Music. Many of the songs were house tracks and South Africa fell madly in love with her. Zonke had arrived. Behind the scenes she also continued making hits for other people. This included Mafikizolo, Don Laka, Black Coffee, Guffy Pilane and Winnie Khumalo’s Live My Life. She has recently written for Tshepo Tsholo and Theo Kgosinkwe.

With her new album she is attempting to break all rules. Called Ina Ethe (Give and Take in Isixhosa), the album is set for release thowards the end of the year. Her first single from the album, Jik Izinto, is currently enjoying high rotation on all major radio stations.

Zonke, an eight-time SAMA nominee, has also worked as an ambassador for Puma, Carpe Diem, Love Life, Estee Lauder and Tsogo Sun, and produced jingles for Coca-Cola, Agriforum, Asonge Scheme, Africa Magic and Xenophobia Song for the UN.

Tusker Malt 100 Club is a community of Tusker Malt consumers, providing them with the opportunity to discover rising African music talent and interact with each other via TML100.com.

Registration is currently taking place in select bars. Each Tusker Malt 100 club member is issued with a membership card which contains a unique membership number that provides access to information on various events, great African music and other member benefits. Through social media, you can connect with people you share common interests with and invite them for a Tusker Malt.

Listen to Zonke’s Jik’Izinto below.
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The7th Edition of The Mingle went down on Saturday at the Impala Grounds. The edition also marked the 1st Anniversary of the event and those who turned up got a chance to meet new people through play (hula hoops, katii etc). Check out what happened;

Photo props: The Mingle

The Kalasha Awards were announced last and voting lines opened for fans to choose their favorite films, TV shows and actors. Check out the nominees here.

The nominated films are being screened at the Preview Theatre at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication in South B. If you haven’t watched the films, you have the chance to check them out at the following venues before making your decision.

Thursday, 22nd November
1:00 p.m. – Torn Veil
2:45 p.m. – Kenyan Youth Scenarios
3:15 p.m. – Miss Pathetic
3:30pm Senior Pastor

Friday, 23rd November
1:00 p.m. – Tumanka Goes to School
1:30 p.m. – Valentine Ya Njaramba
2:15 p.m. – Simiyu Samurai
2:45 p.m. – Breaking the Silence
3:00 p.m. – Nairobi Half Life

Thursday, 29th November
1:00 p.m. – Miss Nobody
1:15 p.m. – Victim
1:30 p.m. – Tumanka Goes to school
2:00 p.m. – Valentine Ya Njaramba
2:45 p.m. – Challenging and healing hidden war Crimes
3:10 p.m. – Guardians Of The Wild
3:40 p.m. – Breaking The Silence
4:00 p.m. – Simiyu Samurai
4:30 p.m. – Lost in Africa

Friday, 30th November
12:00 p.m. – Torn Veil
1:45 p.m. – Kenyan Youth Scenarios
2:15 p.m. – Shattered
4:05 p.m. – Senior Pastor
5:30 p.m. – Nairobi Half Life

So Maina has brought up the topic of rigid men after a caller called in to let him know that he was uncomfortable with his girlfriend getting on top of the table to strip tease.

“On my table! Maina! Oh my God! Are you mad? Where i put my food! You’re supposed to tell me to break the marriage and you’re telling me to relax?” Maina was shocked at how rigid the man was but King’ang’i was hilariously contrary saying that she had already qualified and passed the exam. She is now your wife. According to him, the wife is like Rudisha. “Ameshashinda!” “Umevuka border!”.

The caller allegedly felt that his wife was trying to undermine their marriage. And King’ang’i stated that there was a code of conduct married women must abide by once they are in a longtime relationship. When asked whether he would catch feelings if his Mwongeli strp teased for him, King’ang’i went hysterical! “Sasa hapo ni wapi unarudi? What happens if she falls down and breaks her leg and you have to go to the doctor? Ati mzee nini ilifanyik? Alikuwa amepanda meza ku-dance na nilikuwa nimeng’ethia nikiang’alia!”
The first caller was a woman who said that the man was being a rigid idiot. Why is it alright for another woman to dance on his table at the bar and not his wife? A woman should be a freak in the sheets and a lady in the streets.
A man called to ask what about if the two met in church? According to this man, a lady wouldn’t strip in the house. He accused Maina of not knowing what he’s saying because he is single. According to this man, the caller should divorce and look for another woman. Maina asked where his wife gets dressed.

Yet another male caller called in to say that dancing on the table is witchcraft because only witches dance or run around naked. Especially since she is dancing on top of the food table. The table you eat on with your children and your father.
Big Poppa Pumping (?) called in next and started saying that it would be a complete disaster if your children caught sight of your wife dancing and they request the same when your in-laws come for a visit. “Mwanamke ni tabia”! Then he went on his Kikuyu drawl and i switched off.

Yet another man called in to educate us about the difference between a girlfriend and a wife and i begun to remember picking up one of my mummy’s books and reading about something called the “Madonna-Whore” complex. And that is your homework.
Then a gem of a man called in and said that he trying to keep a woman who had an inner freak and boy was he laying elephant sized eggs! This man was pained trying to convince Maina that he had already decided to wife his girlfriend but she had refused to let go of her inner freak and he was at pains!
A lady called in to say that she felt sorry for the man who’d originally called. Did he think sex would stop once he got married? And then he’d stray and get himself a girlfriend.
A really ratchet lass called in to say “Maina wanaume wa Kenya ni mafala!” i switched off.
Another lass called in and said her man gets excited to see her come home. He always asks for a strip tease. According to the lass, her man is really excited to see her dance “uchi” and on top of the water tank and they have a daughter together. Water tank? Uh… huh… moving on…

Morning peeps. You know how it goes, if Ghafla! didn’t write it, it probably never happened. Get a load of these ten things you should know this morning.

1. Some lad just responded to Caroline Mutoko concerning her rant about Generation Y. This guy went all out on her.

2. Did you see yesterday’s pic of the day? What could Jeff Koinange be telling Julie Gichuru here?

3. Mike Sonko just bought a Calif Records’ artiste shoes worth Sh. 5000. Find out about the deal here.

4. King of bling and ex BBA contestant, Prezzo is now relocating to Nigeria. Check out the video here.

5. Renowned Playwright Professor Francis Imbuga dies. Get the full story.

6. John Kiriamiti’s book, ‘My life in Crime’is now being made into a movie. Epic stuff!

7. Here is all the glitz and glamour that was at the Fashion After Dark event. Check out the photos.

8. Turns out that things aren’t so tough for this Kenyan artiste.

9. Multichoice gives you something to smile about. Find out what it is.

10. Sauti Sol are on a roll. Take a look.

Bonds Garden Restaurant and True Blaq Entertainment brings you Afro Beat Fridays with Ohanglaman Makadem and his band.

The event takes place at Bonds Garden Restaurant on Menengai Road, Upper Hill next to Sheebeen Restaurant in the vicinity of Equity Center.

Afro Beat promises a night full of amazing music to fill your soul with a unique sound. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.

Football fans who turned up for the Guinness Football Challenge auditions during the weekend were treated to a pleasant surprise after Mr Lenny who has been off the limelight for a few years got on stage to perform Juju with Nameless.

The two performed right after Size 8 and just before Onyango Alemo whose performance lasted well over an hour. The emcee of the evening was the comedian Jalang’o. At the first auditions held in Mombasa, fans were treated to live performances by Avril, Cannibal as well as popular Ohangla musician Onyango Alemo while in Nakuru, Nameless and Avril performed.

The search for contestants to represent Kenya in the third season of the Guinness Football challenge show saw a total of 80 teams turn up to participate and compete for the Kshs. 20 million up for grabs.

One of the country’s most recognizable DJ units, Black Supremacy is heading to South Africa. The crew will have two shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

This is not the first time the DJ unit has gone to work outside Kenya. They have performed in the U.S. and this year they hooked up with Spark Africa and Red Fox and performed in Zimbabwe twice before the South African shows.

On 30th November, the Supremacy crew will be at Jobuzz in Newtown, Jo’burg and then head off to Club Purple Turtle along Long and Short Market in Cape Town. The tour is supported by Spark Africa and Black Exodus Sound.

Source: Buddha Blaze’s World

Kenya was well represented at the Channel O Music Video Awards with nominations for Camp Mulla, Wyre and Habida and more nominations for Kenyan acts who were featured in other country’s songs like Sauti Sol and Madtraxx.

In the end, only one Kenyan act won: Sauti Sol for their collaboration in Tanzania’s AY’s I Don’t Wanna Be Alone. Check out the full CHOMVA winners’ list below.

Most Gifted South video of the Year – Shut It Down (Stundee) by Cashtime Fam
Most Gifted Hip Hop Video of the Year – Superstar by Ice Prince
Most Gifted West African Video of the Year – Falling by D-Black featuring Mo’Cheddah
Most Gifted R&B music Video of the Year – Oyi by Flavour featuring Tiwa Savage
Most Gifted East African Video of the Year – I Don’t Want To Be Alone by AY featuring Sauti Sol
Most Gifted Dance Video of the Year – Facebook by DJ Cleo
Most Gifted Newcomer Video of the Year – Dami Duro by Davido
Most Gifted Afro-pop Video of the Year – Ara by Brymo
Most Gifted Reggae Video of the Year – Styra Inonyengesa by Buffalo Souljah featuring Cabo Snoop
Most Gifted Kwaito Video of the Year – Ayoba by Ees featuring Mandoza
Most Gifted Group/Duo – Chop My Money by P-square Feat. Akon & May D
Most Gifted Female Video of the Year – Loliwe by Zahara
Most Gifted Male Video of the Year –  Oliver Twist by D’Banj
Most Gifted Video of the Year – Oliver Twist by D’Banj

Roots International presents another week of live, acoustic and jazz performances. Last week, they brought you Lulu Abdalla and this week it’s Aaron Rimbui.

The next Thursday Nite Live event takes place on Thursday, November 22nd at the usual venue, Choices Pub & Restaurant on Baricho Road between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. Entry is free.

Aaron Rimbui started performing in the early 2000s and has opened for international artistes such as Gerald Albright, Hugh Masekela and Kirk Franklin. The jazz keyboard player and composer was also a band director for Tusker Project Fame and performed at the last edition of All That Jazz at the beginning of this month.

USIU will crown their beauties on November 22nd at Carnivore’s Simba Salon from 7:00 p.m. till late into the night.

Mr. & Miss USIU is annual charity event that has previously benefited Marurui Primary School and Brainhouse Academy. This year’s theme is Celebrating Africa and the proceeds will benefit Grandmothers Against Malaria Initiative (GAMI), whose patron for a walk to be held on 25th November is Sarah Obama. Proceeds will also go towards the refurbishment of Garden Estate Primary School.

Entry to the Mr. & Miss USIU is Kshs. 200 for USIU students, Kshs. 500 for non-USIU students and Kshs. 2,000 for VIP. The event is sponsored by Lettante, Capital FM, Mr. Price, Edible Delights, Zuka Travel, DHL, Cafelatta, Safari Park, Strut It (Afrika) and Coca-Cola.

Rabbit just outdid himself on this one. The moment we stepped into the club to cover the video shoot on that particular Friday, we knew for sure that this ‘Adisia’ video was going to be an epic one.

With Jay Blessing doing his magic with the cameras, Rabbit sharply dressed in an all black Taxido and a kitenge bow tie, and everyone else looking dapper down to the socks, there could only be one outcome… the dopest video you have ever seen from the story teller. He tells it all in this track,’adisia’. Why you should all increase the applause and yes, he makes sense through all of it.

The same sharp look he had at the Kisima Awards is the same one he brought down to the video. With rabbits in the hotel room at the beginning of the shoot, yo can immediately tell that this guy follows no procedure. He spontaneously does his thing in his own way and this video is by far the hottest that he has ever done so far.

I know you wanna know just how much this video cost, right? Well, the sum rounds up to about Sh. 400, 000. Yap! I’m not messing around.

Check out the hot video below.

What could Jeff be saying to Julie? (click on the photo to enlarge)

Photo props: Capital FM Kenya

Stop Us brings together some of the most promising artiste in the hip hop scene right now and one of the best producers in the country.

Stop Us features J Smiles, Plan B and Xtatic and produced by Pro’voke. The EDM track is a bumpy club hit that will definitely invite fans to the dancefloor. I always wished to see more of J Smiles after seeing him in Camp Mulla’s SOS.

J Smiles has previously featured in All Night Long with AJ, Shappaman and Taio Tripper. We last heard from Plan B on his latest club hit, Playground. Xtatic just released her first single after getting signed to Sony, Wild. Check the three out on Stop Us below.

Dubbed the “Tee Party”  revelers came out in their branded t-shirts to party at the Skyluxx Lounge and even had time to pose for photoshoots. Take a look;

The Kiss Bandit

Photo props: Kevin Kemama Photography

Morning fam! Here’s what you need to know this morning;

#1 Check out Octopizzo giving President Kibaki Ivo Ivo Ivo t-shirt as birthday present.

#2 RnB singer Keri Hilson is coming to Kenya.

#3 The Willy Paul saga becomes more absurd as Jimmy Gait is accused of bribing Pulse to frame Willy Paul.

#4 Here’s how Classic 105 can improve.

#5 Take a look at this video of Pendo and Willy Paul squashing their beef.

#6 Jamaican dancehall maestro Popcaan is coming to Kenya.

#7 Nonini helps end “beef” among DJs, artistes and MCSK.

#8 Here’s Bob Collymore’s frank thoughts about Kenyan artistes.

#9 Actress Brenda Wairimu in yet another star-studded TV show.

#10 Alex from BBA breaks leg, fractures bones and dislocates shoulder in an accident.

Now you know. Have a blessed day and week.

Alex Mgash, who represented Kenya in this year’s Big Brother Africa alongside his brother Malonza, has suffered a near-death experience today as he was involved in a high-speed car crash. 

 According to Malonza, Alex was travelling in the company of three of his friends early this morning when they were involved in the car crash. Luckily, Mgash was quickly rushed to the Casualty of St. Johns Ward. We managed to obtain the picture above, which is of Alex being reeled into the theatre of St. Johns, where he will undergo surgery for a broken leg, fractured and dislocated shoulder(Click the image to enlarge). We at Ghafla! wish him a speedy recovery.

Story developing…

Wagwaan Popcaan!

 Andrae Sutherland, aka Popcaan aka heir to Vybz Kartel’s throne, has announced that he is indeed coming to Kenya. The Portmore massive is gonna be performing right here on December 31st, New Year’s Eve!

Popcaan has gained immense popularity in the past two years among Kenyan youth, with hit songs like “Head Bad” and “Party Shot” rocking the dancefloors like MADD!

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He took to the social network Twitter, which has become a new age announcement platform for celebrities all over the world. This is what he said: 

“Kenya… you been waiting too long. Roll out Dec 31st”

So clear your calendars people. With Demarco, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson and Popcaan expected to pass through Nairobi, this December is gonna be a CRAZY one to say the least!

Here is the exact announcement posted verbatim for those of you who pretend to understand Jamaican patois:

Kenya yaaaooow how NYE sound? U been waiting too long. Roll out Dec 31st…#madrass #sobadandunruly #africa

— Andrae / Popcaan (@PopcaanMusic) November 10, 2012

Keri Hilson has announced that she is indeed coming to Kenya next month(December).

The sultry songstress is currently in Abuja, Nigeria for a concert, so a Tanzanian named Hija Mwacha took the initiative to ask her via Twitter when she is coming to TZ.

That is when Keri Hilson made the announcement. She said:

“actually, next month!!! Mid-December! I’m performing in Tanzania & Kenya for the 1st time!”

So there you have it. Concrete evidence. We will be tracking this story down for further details as they develop. Hat tip to Amina Abdi from HBR for the tip.

RT @adelaidasmart: @kerihilson When Tanzania ? «–actually, next month!!! Mid-December! I’m performing in Tanzania & Kenya for the 1st time!

— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) November 16, 2012

The Kalasha Awards are here and today the Academy announced the nominees for the 2012. Check out the nominations list below.

FEATURE FILM

Best Actor
Amos Odhiambo (Lost In Africa)
Kang’ethe Mungai (Senior Pastor)
Joseph K. Wairimu (Nairobi Half Life)
Sam Kihiu (Valentine Ya Njaramba)

Best Actress
Rita Dominic (Shattered)
Patricia Kihoro (Miss Nobody)
Joan Amara (Miss Pathetic)

Best Supporting Actor
Allan Adika (Shattered)
Olwenya Maina (Nairobi Half Life)
David Ng’ang’a Ndugi (Torn Veil)

Best Supporting Actress
Eclay Wangira (Simiyu Samurai)
Irene Kayeri (Lost In Africa)
Mumbi Maina (Shattered)

Best Cinematograhy
Simiyu Samurai
Lost In Africa
Nairobi Half Life
Shattered

Best Sound
Simiyu Samurai
Shattered
Senior Pastor

Best Director
Tosh Gitonga (Nairobi Half Life)
Gilbert Lukalia (Shattered)
Robbie Bresson (Simiyu Samurai)

Best Short Film
Simiyu Samurai
Miss Nobody
The Victim

Original Score
Tumanka Goes To School
Guardians of the Wild
Challenging and Healing Hidden War Crimes

Best Editing
Simiyu Samurai
Nairobi Half Life
Lost In Africa

Best Original Screenplay
Shattered
Lost In Africa
Nairobi Half Life

Best Feature
Lost In Africa
Shattered
Senior Pastor
Nairobi Half Life

TELEVISION

Best Entertainment Programme
99 Degrees
Get Lifted

Best Comedy
The Pasua Show
Vioja Mahakamani
LOL

Best Performance in a Comedy
Peter Sankale (Vioja Mahakamani)
Alex Njuguna (Pasua)

Lead Actor in a Drama
Rogers Otieno (Higher Learning)
Hiram Muigai (Vioja Mahakamani)
Kevin Mbugua (Mali)

Supporting Actor in a Drama
Justin Mirichii (Lies That Bind)
Moses Macharia (Mali)
Elsaphan Njora (Briefcase Inc.)

Lead Actress in a Drama
Lucy Nyaga (Lies That Bind)
Florence Nduta (Lies That Bind)
Mkamzee Mwatela (Mali)
Janet Kirina (Higher Learning)

Supporting Actress in a Drama
Mumbi Maina (Mali)
Caroline Kipsuto (Mheshimiwa)
Eunice Wambui (Vitimbi)

Best Drama
Lies That Bind
Higher Learning
Mali