Month: January 2013

Camp Mulla toured the entire country for a couple of months late last year, courtesy of Niko Na Safaricom Live.

They went through counties like Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu just to mention a few and the show that they gave their fans in all these counties was brilliant. If the reaction of the fans on the ground was anything to go by, then Camp Mulla killed it!

What is even better about all these is that they were performing with a live band. You don’t see Camp Mulla perform with a live band often, so you know this was something else.

Been hearing a lot about these guys not being able to hold it down well at their live concerts. After attending their Niko Na Safaricom Live Tour concert in Nairobi, I think not. These guys perform good. Atleast in this concert.

Check it out below and tell us what you think about it.

Alexander Kimutai Kigen Kosgey or Alex Kosgey as he’s popularly known, began his political journey successfully last week by clinching the Emgwen Parliamentary ticket in the URP nominations. Alex is the owner of OneFM (97.1) and its sister station, Hits FM (91.5).

He is also the son to ODM’s chairman Henry Kosgey. And one thing you can’t fail to notice is that he’s vying for the political seat on a URP ticket, a political party that’s part of the coalition that is in direct competition with his father’s party. All the same, Alex won the URP nominations for the Emgwen parliamentary seat by beating six contenders.

 OneFM has experienced massive growth since its inception 2 years ago and brags for being Nairobi’s premier all local and urban radio station. Alex now joins the list of radio station owners who are also politicians.

Photo props: Nairobi Wire

You know you’ve made in music when you’re picked to perform alongside the biggest names in music in Africa. Such is the success story of the celebrated singer Eric Wainaina. The soulful Kenyan musician was among the selected artistes that headlined the Orange African Cup of Nations 2013 opening ceremony in South Africa.

Other sizzling performances came from Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Judith Sephuma, SIphokazi, Afurakan, Lira, Ringo , Ayanda Nhlangoti and Sibongile Khumalo.  Their respective performances and collaborations were a vivid example of the vibrancy of African culture as they belted out old favorites and new compositions – in a nod to the contemporary and traditional aspects of our culture.

Braving the rain that drizzled throughout the ceremony, the performers took to the field with enthusiasm, bringing to life the event’s theme “Celebrate Africa – The Beat at Africa’s Feet.” Watch the performances below;

Props: CAF

The man Kajairo was at his peak back when the comedy Intrukalass was still airing on our TV stations. Back then, he was actually bigger than most Kenyan artistes.

He took hits and turned them into hilarious parodies that later became more popular than the original songs. That was just his type of comedy and after trying out stand-up comedy, Kajairo has seen it fit to just stick to what he does best. Music parodies.

He is now officially back in business and the video for his first track has already been released.

Kajairo has done a re-make of P-Square and Akon’s ‘chop my money’ and named it ‘choma mgondi’. As usual, he nailed it through his comic lyrics.

Check out the video for the track below.

Everyone and their uncles have been claiming the throne and the crown! From Collo calling himself King Wa Rap to Octo asserting that he is the future of Kenyan hiphop and pundits have backed his claim.

But enough is enough! You as Ghafla readers get the last word. It’s time we sort out the chaff from the wheat! It’s time the title goes to the real king and we turn to the pretenders and command, “Leave dis place!”.

Who is the real king of Kenyan rap? Is it Abbas the mercurial wordsmith? Or is it his partner in crime the prodigal son Bamboo? Or is it the new kid on the block; militant minded Octo? Or is it Kaka Sungura the story telling, tongue twisting, wordplay wonder? Or is it the eclectic, experimental, authoritative Collo?

Have your say!

Kaka Sungura

Collo

Octo

Abbas

Bamboo

Right after her return from the the Out Of Africa musical troupe that toured Europe for most of the last half of 2012, Amileena got right to work and released her next single.

Hali Mahututi is her latest track and barely a month after, the video is already out. The video was shot immediately after her return. The release was set to take place at Amileena Unplugged, the TPF runner-up’s show. Amileena hosts King wa Rap mwenyewe, Collo, in the single.

The video is presented by Bernsoft and a production of Psyche Media Productions. Hali Mahututi is directed by Randy Ngala. Check it out below.
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So we have been all over this beef that both artistes have been claiming is non-existent and that nothing is going on between them.

That’s all good. However, after Abbas and Octopizzo almost exchanged blows at out investor’s (88MPH) event, it is clear that something is definitely burning here.

As we were recently shooting our interview with K-South (Abbas and Bamboo), I thought it would be interesting to find out what Bamboo thought about all these. His was simple.

“Skill-wise, you can’t compare the two. Abbas is definitely way better. I think everybody knows that. I just think he’s using Abbas to make a name. He sees an opportunity, he’s hungry, he does his thing,” Bamboo told Ghafla!Kenya.

Check out the entire interview below.

When the Three Kings project was established, it was immediately put to work. Incase you are not familiar with this ‘Three Kings’ title, it is the collaboration of three great Kenyan rappers (Prezzo, Abbas and Bamboo) sponsored by Pilsner King of Bold.

I think the first musical project they have done is in the remix of the hit track ‘Toklezea’ which was originally done by Chantelle and Abbas.

When this remix was released, some of Chantelle’s fans, including our very own loud Uncle Chim Tuna, felt as though Chantelle was pushed out of her own works.

We recently had an exclusive interview interview with the rapper, Abbas and this is what he had to say about it.

“Chantelle is my close friend. It’s just that when we were doing the project, she didn’t have time to come through when we were recording in the studio. We however did not leave her out because she is still the one singing the chorus,” Abbas cleared.

Check out the interview below.

Seeing where these two hip hop gurus came from and where they are now, not to mention how bright the future looks for them, it is evident that their hard work has manifested.

This is Abbas and Bamboo way back when they were still starting off their music career, before they made money and got all the fame they have now.

I bet an interesting story is behind this photo. Let us get our hands on it (click photo to enlarge).

It’s been seven years since Bamboo left Kenya for the States and when he came back, he dove straight back to music. In his own words, it was like he never left.

Immediately Bamboo flew back into the country, he Abbas got in touch and did not waste any time at all in reviving the legendary hip hop group that they had formed many years ago while still living in Kariobangi.

K-South was once again on its feet and its first project became the Three Kings which was a sponsored collaboration project by Pilsner Ice, in which K-South musically worked with Kenya’s king of bling, Prezzo hand in hand.

It is through this projects that the three were able to give reveller a thrilling performance for the first time as a group. Never before have I witnessed so much energy expelled from these three artistes. This was a major concert they pulled at the Prestige Plaza based Pilsner King of Bold Party.

Turns out that what we the fans went through during their electrifying concert, which was basically bliss for any hip hop head, was nothing compared to what Abbas and Bamboo felt performing for the fans as K-South again.

A legendary reunion for a legendary hip hop group. That’s what this was.

Check out what they had to say about the concert below.

This article first appeared on our sister site, HiviSasa.

An artist yesterday moved to a Nairobi court seeking orders to compel Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga and ODM to pay him Sh6 million for songs he composed for the party’s campaigns.

Alphonsius Nyasetia wants the court to stop ODM from using his two songs in their campaigns.

Nyasetia, in his application, told the court that ODM’s Sibanduki secretariat officials approached him last year March and requested him to compose songs for Raila’s presidential bid.

Nyasetia said that accepted the deal and composed two songs, Agwambo and Sibanduki which he performed at various campaign rallies organised by the party where more than 400 CDs of the songs were sold.

The artist added that Sibanduki is headed by Ms Ida and Masha wa Maitha who are yet to pay him yet ODM are still using his songs in it campaign rallies.

Justice Jonathan Havelock certified the case as urgent and directed Mr Nyasetia to serve ODM, Ida and Maitha with court papers before the hearing of the case. Justice Havelock ordered for the case to be heard on January 31 this year.

[HiviSasa]

They say our faces are prettiest when we are kids, but for my colleague Uncle Chim Tuna, that was not the case.

Sadly, It still isn’t.

As we pity our favorite uncle, have in mind the awesome and hilarious articles that he has blessed Ghafla with in the past few months.

Arguably one of the most eloquent Kenyan gospel rappers with a style of his own, Holy Dave has been around and bout the Kenyan music scene.

He has also been through his share of controversies but all that is behind us now.

Just found out that he is one of those that record very little change as they grow up. Doesn’t he currently look just as he did when he was still a little boy?

Avril recently released her latest single but the track has been on air without a title. The singer asked her fans to help her come up with title for the song.

The top three suggestions were Sitaki Mwingine, Hakuna Yule and Missing You. Other suggestions include My Joy My Happiness, Bang Bang Bang, Mapenzi Pap, Ugali Nyama, Mi Amor. Avril will announce her preferred choice for the title on Willy M. Tuva’s Mambo Mseto show this afternoon. Tune in before 4:00 p.m. to find out.

The Ogopa Deejays signee is currently promoting her latest single, a follow-up to Kitu Kimoja, just a few weeks after she released her brand of earphones, Gs & Fs by Avril.

Just a couple of days after releasing the video for the joint, “Matatu”, Kenzo has come under fire for allegedly stealing the song. The song was an original version and composure of Bassil an artist who is currently signed by the record label Evolution Media and Sound Limited.

Apparently Bassil had composed and written down this song while he was still working with Tuff Shutters Crew (remember the artist that Kenzo incorporated in his song’s video, K-mess, is a member of Tuff Shutters Crew). Bassil is even in possession of the rights to the song in its whole version from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya as he had registered it.

Allegedly Bassil even tried to talk Kenzo out of hyping the song when its audio was released but he did not heed and went ahead to release the video. So now, Bassil and his manager are following up the matter with the authorities to bring Kenzo to book.

Now, be the judge. Here are the two songs;

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A lot of people still think that a gospel gig held in a club cannot keep guys as entertained as other events would at the same joint.

I beg to defer. Gospel events at clubs might be a little bit ironical but goddamn it, they rock. Let’s not front. Especially live performances by the gospel artistes, preferably the afro soul and acoustic artistes. They bring the house down.

I have not been able to attend much of these events but the little that I have been privileged to attend, have proved to be memorable.

On Fridays, The Lounge goes down at the Petma Restaurant and the attendance is always impressive, making it evident that I am not the only one with these sentiments.

DJ Celeb and DJ Soxxy usually keep the revellers entertained, along with some guest performance.

Check out in this brief video below, just how epic the show gets.

Monday, “JaKogelo” was officially sworn in for his second term and renowned artists like Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor and Beyonce who did a rendition of the National Anthem. However, reports are now emerging that that Beyoncé was lip-syncing her entire performance.

According to a United States Marine Band representative, all music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day. She added, “We performed, live, the band. But we received last-minute word that Beyonce was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track. Those were the instructions we were given. We don’t know what the reason why.”

The Washingtonian reports that “it was evident that the band wasn’t actually playing during the song.” Beyoncé surprised viewers when she ripped out her earpiece mid-performance (0.15 to 0.18). But according to these reports, the earpiece was unnecessary in the first place.

Huffington Post

More cyphers keep coming up everyday and the good thing about all these is that they all get better by time.

Suddenly, every artiste in Kenya feels like shooting a video on the KICC rooftop, ever since Crew Teflon did it first for their song ‘Kilimani Bars’. Now, some of the biggest names in the Kenyan hip hop scene have collaborated to create the latest cypher titled ‘Kisima Cypher The Ring II’.

Rappers like J’Mani, Q, Voodooseller, Kimya and Kayvo KForce just to mention a few break the beat on this hot cypher.

I’m not so sure who killed it way better. Why don’t you be the judge?

Check out the video of the cypher below and give us your creative feedback.

Renowned producer Cedo (Cedric Kadenyi) is at it again. This time though not doing music rather put together an amazing wordplay from one President Kibaki’s quotes and fused it with the beats from P-Square’s “Danger”.

Cedo says that he was just chilling at his studio, at that time working for a radio station, and there was this caption by President Kibaki that he was presented to edit which he thought was very interesting. Thanks to his creativity, he decided to make a song out of the speech, and create an interesting chorus too.

The voice is purely President Kibaki’s and there are no extra vocal harmonies; it’s all Software. Listen to the wordplay below;

Award-winning record producer Blackman will this year be showcasing talent in a series of unplugged shows called The Nairobi Sessions.

The unplugged sessions that will be consistent with weekly online links for most of the year will feature the talent in Nairobi and the various artists who pass by Nairobi. Nairobi’s Music and Urban culture has not been celebrated enough and he hopes to showcase the diversity of our artists for all to see.

The first two videos are of the two artists signed to his label, Sara Mitaru and Nanjira, whose hit singles released last year have received massive airplay. Check out the first ones: Sara Mitaru performing a live acoustic version of You Said and Nanjira performing a live acoustic version of her latest single, Walking. Both tracks were written by Blackman.
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