Month: February 2013

Remember Pendo of the Willy Paul Saga? Well, she’s the latest Kenyan celebrity to come out and vocalise her support for Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency.

The attractive lass took to Facebook to declare that her DNA is TNA and that she even took to toasting team TNa’s huge cars by posting the photo below:

When i attempted to reach her for a comment, she was unavailable. Seems team Uhuru knows how to attract artists to it’s camp!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have just had quite the chat with Tina Kagia about her recently changed relationship status. Not only did she cross the line from being single, she is now engaged!

And what’s more, today morning she posted a date on her facebook page; 11/12/13. That is possibly the wedding date. We then called her fiance – Nathan who also happens to be J.B Masanduku, her co-host.

I have had a torrid time in the past writing about Tina Kagia’s relationship statuses so i had to take things slow when writing this story up. I called J.B Masanduku who confirmed everything.

I am heartbroken. I wish her luck nonetheless. And good stuff J.B!

Kriss Eh Baba is the dude with the crazy, hilarious lyrics and flow, that somehow manage to carry meaningful messages. It is guys like Kriss Eh Baba and Kelele Takatifu that brought fun into the Kenyan gospel music industry.

This time round, Kriss has been featured in the latest gospel hit track. The song belongs to S.O.C and is titled ‘Bila Yesu’. The titled already tells you what the song is all about.

The concept of the video is really interesting and it got me on the replay tab. They adapted a ‘Tahidi High’ comic feel on this entire video and it manages to bring out that hilariously pre-mature flow.

Check out the video below. If you are a Kriss Eh Baba fan, you’ll love this.

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AnnieSoul (Annette Oduor) was born and raised in Nairobi who performs as a vocalist and pianist but is also a songwriter and producer.

According to her Website, “she serves up her unique take on a Swahili (sometimes Luo)-laden, socially conscious neo-soul sound, doused in African rhythms, with just the right tinge of jazz (aka Afro Soul). Drawing on her experiences in Nairobi, and across the continent, AnnieSoul has come to embody the cosmopolitan and multicultural nature of her hometown.”

She has racked up an enviable resume with a slew of covers made over the last one year, most of them a capella. Below is a medley of songs she covered as a tribute to Kenyan music legend Mercy Myra that would definitely make Ghafla!’s list of the best cover songs.

“I have always wanted to pay homage to Mercy Myra who is a very great and talented Kenyan vocalist. Somehow, this all fell into place while doing this Kenyan Cover Songs series. So here are a few of her classics and her new hit, glad to have the queen back. Please do enjoy.”

Initially Ghetto radio was dedicated exclusively to the lower class Kenyans, with the aim to reach the ghetto audience, especially the youth and make a positive change through it all.

With this in mind, Maji Maji has been hiring youths from difficult backgrounds, uplifting their spirits and confidence, while at the same time giving them a chance that no other media house would ever present to them. What Maji Maji has done for the Ghetto Radio crew is breathtaking and admirable but then again, there comes a time when a company has to go after the big bucks even if it has to go against its slogan.

Ghetto radio is now going for the “barbies” in uptown. The “ghetto” audience is just not enough anymore as they are now working on bringing on-board a very different type of clientele.

As you can now see, Ghetto Radio is now advertising in uptown hoods. This right here is in Runda, just behind Village Market.

Maina Kageni has taken a break from his usual scheduled programming and has decided to make his show about peace and patriotism. We had written about that a while back and you can read that piece here. But back to the matter at hand:

He has been dedicating a large segment of his show on calling on Kenyans to be politically mature during this election period and show some self restraint. Maina has gone all political on us but in a good way -he’s talking civic education- by actually started by calling on Kenyans to oshow up at the polling stations to vote and has now intensified his message to one of peace.

And i support him 100%. Kenya shouldn’t be allowed to burn again. i also especially like seeing Maina Kageni take on the responsibility of advocating for peaceful elections given how far and wide his reach is. Good stuff!

When you look carefully into the lives of most, if not all successful men, you will probably find that their childhood was not as rosy as it is right now.

Take for instance Kenyan rapper/singer Jaguar. This guy grew up through the toughest and saddest of conditions yet he still managed to get into music and make mad mulla from the businesses that he later erected.

Jaguar is now the richest male Kenyan artiste, as we saw here, living in a mansion and owning a fleet of luxurious cars. If Kenya had its own ‘Cribs Show’, Jaguar’s mansion would be the first stop.

These photos show exactly where Jaguar grew up.

And now, this is how Jaguar is living.

After having a successful music career spanning over half a decade, the well-expressed Holy Dave has decided to give back to the society. On Friday, March 1st the David Muthengi Foundation will participate in a charity event at Braeside School, the first major education event at the school.

The Braeside event is the first in this series of events. The students have contributed a generous amount of money that will go a long way in purchasing learning materials for Thika School for the Blind. The music concert is themed ‘Unity in diversity, break a leg, educate a child’. It will take place at the Braeside theatre on Friday March 1st at 1pm. The event will feature performances by ‘Kelele Takatifu’, ‘Jims n Dims’ dance group, ‘holydave’ and ‘Ken the DJ’.

Holy Dave, started the David Muthengi Foundation with the vision of eradicating poverty and enhancing personal and economic empowerment through education. He uses his influence to raise support for the college education of needy enterprising youth, empowering them to start and run businesses that will create employment for others.

Some of you will start asking me who this chap is others already know. Some still live under a rock and your still rather comfortable so i shan’t disturb you. For the rest of you who want to know what i’m on about, allow me to introduce you to Marc Brunnel.

This lad has been consistent on his grind putting out good ragga music that i’m shocked mainstream radios haven’t picked up on. From “Gie Dem” (which you can watch here), to his freestyle which made Kone compare the lad to Mavado this lad is consistent. But i will give him just abit more time before he really blows! I guarantee that he will be the next big name in Kenya’s dancehall arena.
Have a listen to his latest offering and have your say!

The track is called “So In Love” and is on the “Weekend after next” riddim -didn’t know Kenyans do riddims… Trust me when i say that if you love ragga you will love this track!

Prezzo has finally broken his silence which he had maintained since the demise of his dear Goldie and has done so in what i consider to be the best way;

Prezzo has thanked his fans for the support they offered him and the strength they gave him throughout this trying period. Kenya’s King Of Bling has come out from his self imposed exile and taken to twitter to thank his fans and supporters.

Here’s what Prezzo had to say:

“The admin of 411 would like to thank every good hearted persons who were there for @amb_prezzo, family & friends, at the sad & shocking loss of #24k, the 1st Lady Goldie. She was a rare gem, ever loving & kind. Words can’t describe her enough. May our Golden Queen & Classic Diva rest in perfect peace. Amen”

Just hours after the second and final episode of the historical Presidential Debate, former Kass FM’s presenter Joshua Arap Sang has finally broken his loud silence by endorsing CORD and ODM party leader RailaOdinga for the presidency.

Sang has dismissed the coalition between William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta as incapable of bringing peace between two dominant communities in the Rift Valley who have fought during elections since 1992.

In a recorded message to air on radio, Sang says only a president who is not from the two tribes will be able to bring peace between the two communities, concluding that he believes that President should be Raila.

He has also dismissed as lies, the perception created that Raila could have sent him to The Hague, saying senior government officials who were in office before the coalition, not Raila, coached witnesses to testify against him and Ruto in the case at the ICC.

“We are away in a foreign land with my brother because of allegations made against us. The truth must be told. In my opinion, the people who masterminded and planned to have me and my brother taken to The Hague did not include RailaOdinga,” Sang says.

In the statement which Sang says he recorded because of “heavy feelings in my heart,” the journalist traces what he terms “broken MOU’s of the last two elections in Kenya, including the 2008 power sharing deal.

[Standard Digital]

Ricky Nanjero Na Marafiki in conjunction Arty Cal Magazine would like to invite you to an amazing evening of Live Jazz.

Tickets will go for Kshs. 300 and are only available at the gate on the day. So, bring a friend and jam with some of the very best in Kenya’s live music scene. Ricky Na Marafiki promises a great night out.

Ricky Na Marafiki have previously performed at a cancer benefit, another evening of jazz in conjunction with Arty Cal at the same venue. We earlier did a ticket giveaway for tonight’s show, whcih you can still win here. You can also win Ricky Nanjero’s new album, Tucheze, right here at Ghafla! if you answer the following question correctly:

Which prestigious music school did Ricky Nanjero get a scholarship to?

Leave your answer in the comment box below. The first correct entry wins the album.

Kiss 100’s Caroline Mutokohas been one of the celebs on the vanguard not only advocating for a peaceful election but most recently been urging Kenyans to come out and vote on Monday. And now with just 6 days to go to the General Elections, Caroline Mutoko and others have organized a civic education session tonight.

Here’s the invitation;

After last night’s debate, I think it’s only fitting we meet this evening and find out how this election changes everything.

Please make a point of being at The Oshwal Centre (oppNakumattUkay) THIS EVENING from 6: 30pm – 8:00pm to find out ‘Why Your Vote Counts: How 2013 election changes everything’ featuring John Githongo and SwingVote 2013

This is a non-partisan civic education campaign designed to educate and inform Kenyans on the importance of the upcoming election as we prepare for the next 50 years

Free to attend: Light refreshments will be served.

Spread the Word and Bring a Friend! See to this evening at 6:30pm

It would seem that Kenyan celebrities aren’t willing to take a back seat in matters pertaining to peaceful elections. Several celebrities have come out in support of peaceful elections and as a sign of their committment to the same, they are posting messages of peace. Grandpa Records nightingale Q-ty has decided to take a step further. She texted us a text with her statement on the same.

The celebrities who have taken to facebook are Maina Kageni, Ian Mugoya and Eric Omondi. The pair have posted the following message on their facebook pages:

“This week I will dedicate my page to a peace and a fair election process. Post your message or photo of peace and let’s share it with all.”

For her part, Q-ty sent the following message: “We as Kenyans are one, we need each other to build our country, peace, love and unity is all that counts as we elect our leaders. Let’s sing our national anthem over and over again as a prayer for this nation. Let’s make our country a great nation…”

Take this message to heart.

Never before have Kenyan artists been so enthusiastic in preaching and maintaining peace in the country. This is uplifting and very encouraging, especially to the Kenyan youth.

As most artistes come out in support of their favorite or preferred candidate, some are just out to spread a message of peace.

Gospel artiste Man Ingwe just released a passionate video in which he speaks to Kenyans directly, urging them to maintain the peace during and after the general elections.

Check out the video below.

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Just recently, Gospel music hit maker Gloria Muliro released her latest song, ‘Follow You‘.

Although the song turned out to be huge hit, it wasn’t without controversy. Apparently, disappointed fans and critics are calling out Gloria Muliro, claiming that she stole the song from American gospel singer Chris Tomlin.

As everyone feels like they should give their opinion on the matter, here’s one that actually really matters. This is what top Kenyan gospel music producer, Docta Eddie had to say about Gloria Muliro’s ‘follow you’, on his facebook wall.

“So everybody is up against Gloria Muliro for allegedly ‘stealing’ a song, right? Have you sat down and listened to the song? Yes she might have borrowed a tune but come on, those are not Chris Tomlin’s lyrics. Don’t some of you read the bible? That’s a copy paste straight from the Holy Book and precisely Ruth 1:16-18… Yet still, this is just one among the very many great songs she has written. Truth be told, Gloria Muliro is one of the best and the most humble and God fearing gospel musicians this country has seen in the recent past.”

The Owiny Sigoma Band is a duo known for their traditional sound coupled with an electronic sound.

Expected to come out on April 8th this year, their follow up to Owiny Sigoma Band is titled Power Punch will stick to the traditional music but also explore techno and electronic sounds. On 1st April, the first single off the sophomore record, Owiny Techno, will be released in anticipation.

The Owiny Sigoma band was formed in 2011 when five artistes from London travelled to Kenya to record the music of Nyatiti player, Joseph Nyamungu and drummer, Charles Owoko, the result being their debut album which was titled Owiny Sigoma Band.

The band did the reverse and travelled to London to make the second record with the group which consists of Jesse Hackett (vox/keys), Louis Hackett (bass), Sam Lewis (guitar), Chris Morphitis (bouzouki/guitar) and Tom Skinner

(drums).

Listen to the band’s Nabed Nade Ei Piny Ka – {youtube}7OiOXqNjWco{/youtube}

She may not be as older nor fake (as far as looks are concerned) but her vocals can only be likened to Nicki Minaj’s. Listening to her latest track, you’ll agree that she can spit ill rhymes and sick flows like a supercharged evo.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Neekay tha Floet. Neekay, 20, is a young feisty artist hailing from Nairobi, Kenya. She started writing poetry at age 14 and ventured into hip hop at age 16 with influences such as Eminem.

Her latest song ‘Lovin’ Life’ is a heartfelt dedication to her daughter and just like a typical loving mother would do, Neekay pours her heart out to her young one. This was produced by Jus Beef Music. Take a look;

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The Transparency International initiative saw it fit to have the Kenyan artistes on board. What better way to reach the youth but through music?

That is why they brought in some of the biggest Kenyan rappers and singers on their latest project, a song for change, peace and unity.

Transparency Kenya brought together Ala C, Marya, Avril, Rabbit aka Kaka Sungura, Jua Cali, Sanaipei Tande and Jimwat on a collaborative track titled ‘Change‘.

This was all done in the quest to attain peace during and after the coming general elections.

Check out the video of the song below.

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