Month: January 2013

DNG has started off the year a different person. He just shaved off his dreadlocks after six long years. Here’s why.

“To all my fans and supporters, I would like to announce a major change in 2013: Cutting off my dreads after 6 and a half years. 🙂 1st, let me say, I have given it a lot of thought and have sought diverse counsel; I am at peace with my decision. 2nd, I know many will ask, “WHY???” Simply, my locks were a sign of rebellion when I decided to live my life ‘my way’, go out and plunge into what I then called ‘self-discovery’ (2006). Since then, I have gone through various motions, journeys and seasons in life, and it is my pleasure to announce that my phase of rebellion is over, by the grace and to the glory of God. I now embrace total surrender to His Will and His Purpose. This has been a year of definition for me. I am still a work in progress, but clearly, the work has already began. In His divine timing, all shall be made perfect and clear. #Godspeed. Blessings and success to you all in 2013,” DNG said.

Alex Apoko better known as Ringtone is a man who loves to love the good life. That his music career is a success is not in doubt, so much so that he was contacted by the Jubilee Alliance to buy his latest song, “Jubilation.” Speaking a few moments ago to Tina Kagia, Ringtone opened up about the deal.

According to Ringtone, he was approached by politicians to buy the song and the money was good (allegedly 5M). However, the politicians wanted him to change some words in the song, but he wasn’t ready citing “he does not go outside the will of God”. The speculations went to a whole new level when Ringtone perfomed the song during Jubilee’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Kasarani.

Asked about his flashiness, Ringtone had this; “Why does god bless us? Why do we give testimonies? Is it a show off? Not for me, but it’s a way of showing that God has done it.” He also added that, “Nilizaliwa kwa street, mamangu alikuwa amenitupa, nilikuwa chokora nikiwa na miaka 7. Nilikuwa na madreams mingi nikiwa mdogo. Mwenye anasema mi ni flashy, shida yake! Because he doesn’t understand me. Wale wamepitia maisha ka yangu, they understand me.”

He also asked people to understand his situation if he messes. “Where I go wrong, people must understand, I’ve tried. Those who don’t understand me, they don’t love God, because God has taken care of me.”

2012 was definitely Octopizzo’s year. He not only broke through the industry ceiling but he dominated the news by churning some of the best songs from the year.

With such success, comes many questions and doubt. Many asked how Octo, who had hustled for years, made it so big so fast. And that is where the Illuminati rumors started, which the rapper has played along with as can be seen in his latest video.

He made up to 10 high quality music videos, which could potentially have raked up a bill of 1million Kenya Shillings. A lot, some may say, for an artiste who is just blowing up. So, how does someone we can still say is upcoming fund so many videos in such a short period?

“I fund the videos by working. Mi hufanya biz (I do business). I get money from my various businesses. I sell merchandise (tees, snapbacks, chains, etc). I also do Chocolate City.”

Chocolate City is a company which provides local and international tourists with tours around Kibera. He admits that that is not it, “Hizo biz zingine ziko chini ya maji. You will get to them gradually throughout this year.”

In the last eight months, Octopizzo has released videos for Swag, Ivo Ivo Ivo, Octomontana, Toboa, Vile Inafaa, Mama, Bila Mic, On Top and Vowels. Octopizzo did not have a single video before March, 2012.

Ever wondered what was your favorite rapper’s most cherished and memorable moment? Well, if Juliani is that rapper, then you better check this out.

Juliani just revealed his most memorable moment and it is not what you might have expected. I know you were thinking in the line of family, maybe love life or something related to that, but no. It is all musical.

Juliani’s best moment goes way back to one night when he was still in the Ukoo Flani hip hop group and they were having a freestyle get together. Juliani will never forget the moment the legendary Kitu Sewer stepped up and grabbed the mic to begin his freestyle session.

Now, if that is not appreciation of a good rapper, I don’t know what is.

Remember that dude who made the news after his wife gave him a thorough beating with the sugarcane he had bought for her? Well, judging by the introduction of this song, I think this guy got the idea for it from this funny yet sad story.

Yes indeed. Someone made a party song from another man’s demise. Not funny? You won’t be thinking that after hearing the song.

The song is titled ‘Kung’uta miwa’ and the artiste goes by the name of Kismat. Though the song is not about the battered man, the introduction sure is and that is the genesis of the humor in it.

Kismat has been around the music scene for a while now but I think this is the song that will give him the recognition that every artiste deserves. Especially when your video is done by one Enos Olik.

Check out the track below and tell us what you think.

The alternative hip hop gospel music trio known as Christ Cycoz have finally released the video for their latest single, Champion. The group is made up of Ben, Dambiz and KaGz, and was formed in late 2010 after they graduated from high school.

“Our latest track was written to bring to light the fact that at times we look at what we don’t have and let that thought hinder us from appreciating what we have. We are all champions in one way or the other. Christ has given us the victory we need. All we have to do is just look a little bit closer. We hope the track opens every listener’s eyes so that they may realize that they are indeed champions,” the group says.

The video for Champion was directed by Enos Olik who also directed Octopizzo’s latest video, Swag. He also directed Octopizzo’s Ivo Ivo Ivo, Dela’s Weche Tek and Kelele Takatifu’s Bonga Bonga among others. Check it out below.
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Octopizzo has been quite the busy dude this last year and he has started off the new year by launching his latest video, ‘Swag’ which is another one of Enos Olik’s superb works.

Now, with the title ‘Swag’, you might think that the song is all about style, up in the air lifestyle and everything that money has to offer. WRONG! ‘Swag’ is nothing of the sort. It is actually quite the opposite. The lyrics talk about the simple life and appreciating the little things that you have. Not having to feel bad for not having what most youths nowadays refer to swag.

Okay, I agree that the video might not so much express the lyrics, but I’m sure you get the message. I mean, Octopizzo and Amina are definitely swagged out in the video but that doesn’t hold back the message that they are trying to give out to the youths through this song.

Octo is just something else. The amount of work that he has managed to do in 2012 alone is just impressive.

Take a look at his latest video with the beautiful HBR queen, Amina.

To celebrate a victorious end of the year and a beginning of a promising 2013, Sauti Sol releases the anticipated video of their latest single, Money Lover.

The Money Lover video emphasizes the upbeat and alluring song, flaunting the band’s articulate song-writing skills in a story about a young man yearning to decipher love from a lady; whether it’s genuine or for the materialistic gains.

2012 was a great year for Sauti Sol. Among accolades and achievements was the release of the band’s self-titled EP produced by South African producer and artist, Spoek Mathambo.

‘Sol also had a successful European tour, a Kenyan tour courtesy of the Niko Na Safaricom Live and won numerous awards including the 2012 Channel O Most Gifted East African Video award for Shukuru, I Don’t Wanna be Alone and the 2012 Kisima Awards Best Collaboration of the Year for Gentleman with P-Unit.

The group also performed at home and away including at the 2012 SXSW Festival in Texas, USA, Big Brother Africa In South Africa, Colours of Ostrava Music Festival in Czech Republic and Festival Sur le Niger in Mali.

Money Lover was produced by award-winning producer, R-Kay. The video was directed by new kid on the block, Andrew Macharia and produced by Phi-Ny with the production company being Razorwire. Like Gentleman, he video is brought to you by Bernsoft. Check it out below.
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Just three months short of its three-year anniversary, Just-A-Band’s Ha-He video has crossed the 500,000 views mark on YouTube.

It was Kenya’s first–and to this day only–viral video became a hit, drawing attention from Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal and was the basis of a 2011 creative challenge that saw the production of the same band’s Huff+Puff.

Ha-He was the second single from the band’s sophomore album, 82. The video, which can also be considered a mini-movie, stars Kevin “K1” Maina as Makmende, Patricia Kihoro as Britannia Zimeisha, Kibugi Wamae as Wrong Number, Mugambi Nthiga as Taste of Danger with Renee Sewe, Kwame Oddenyo, PA Okaalet, Kevin “K2” Maina, Moses Wataka, Lucille Kahara and Diana Nduba. Ha-He was directed by Jim Chuchu and Mbithi Masya, who also stars as the ultimate villain, First Bodi.

Check out the Ha-He video below.
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Being in a car accident can be the worst and most terrifying experience that anyone can ever have. And so harrowing it is when it happens just days before the New Year. Such is the experience that Gospel songstress Eunice Njeri went through last week.

Thursday last week, the vehicle in which the singer and other people were travelling in rolled but all the occupants escaped unscratched. Revealing this on the eve of the New Year while performing at the Totally Sold Out (TSO) concert, Eunice was grateful to God for saving them and that “nothing was broken, nothing was missing.”

Despite the frightening experience, Eunice staged rousing performances at both Groove Party and Totally Sold Out end of year concerts. And today, the “Nimekubali” hit maker is celebrating her birthday.
Ghafla! wishes Eunice a happy birthday and a successful year ahead.