Month: April 2013

Cess Mutungi has a knack for speaking her mind. A knack? Nay, a blessing. Today she spoke her heart out about her ex. Unfortunately for the poor lad, it was nothing flattering!

She spoke about how she dated a man who didn’t have c*j*nes. The man didn’t have testes! And she found out that he was lacking the integral part of his anatomy when she was going “skuba diving”! Can you imagine the horror that the entire team was subjected to hearing about another man being discussed so specifically? the poor man. Everyone on the team was cringing. Everyone except the ladies who just kept laughing.

Cess Mutungi spoke on and on about her ex whom she elected to dump because while she was skuba diving, there was “no cheering squad”!

Uhm… What? but I have to admit I love this lady’s b@lls! Pun intended! Read about her admission that she was once a gacugwa here!

The Villagers just released a new video and you get to be among the first people to watch it!

The 11-piece band formed in 2005, fronted by one of East Africa’s leading producers, Adwar. The band consists of Chris Adwar – Keyboard/Singer/Songwriter/M.D, Kenny Nyagah -Drums , Asaph Uzele – Bass guitar , Davie Omamu– Lead Guitar ,Moses Odumbe – Acoustic Guitar, Tim Riungu -Saxophone, Moses Watatua- Trumpet, Julius Kibere – Trumpet, Albert Obaga – Trumpet, Jobie Mtukampuni – BV/Songwriter, Jordan Karanja – BV , Kokan Keleue-BV. Apart from their manager Pauline Macharia, its an all guy outfit.

Read about them at length here.

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I have been watching Kenyan record labels for a time now and I am convinced that they are a complete joke. For sometime now I have been embroiled in arguments with Baba Ghafla about the state of Kenya’s musical scene and we are pretty much at loggerheads about my opinion.

But allow me to prattle on a little longer and I’ll be able to convince you why Kenyan record labels are a joke.

For starters, entertainment is a business. Getting involved is both capital intensive and time consuming not to mention labour intensive. But in Kenya, getting a record label going only needs a computer, a microphone, fruity loops and speakers. There are no real investors in the music sector and the players have refused to evolve. Look, there is nothing wrong with having just the equipment I’ve mentioned above but once you grow you should plough back the money into growth of your studio. I know studios where 5 years down the line, the music producer is still the same one guy that started out with a computer, microphone and speakers.

Another reason I say that Kenyan record labels are a joke is that they are tailor made to produce for only one individual or group. A certain artist falls out with his record label and forms one of his own. Not a bad play actually, this move is brilliant if you can sign on other acts who go on to produce hits. but that isn’t the case in Kenya. Here, the artist produces a song for himself or maybe 3 then disappears and the record label is forgotten.

<There is nothing wrong with starting from here but you have to be working your way up to something>

And the final reason I feel Kenyan record labels are a joke is because they don’t bring out new talent. I have rarely heard of Kenyan record labels and production houses looking for talent which they then build into stars. Examples that come to mind are Mejja and Calif records, Grand Pa Records is doing it and uhm… Yeah, there’s… Get my drift?

Music is big business. Invest in it not just monetarily but with talent and good management. Hustle some money. Find a willing investor. Or if you have faith in your dreams, take a leap; take a bank loan to finance your dreams. Find the talent, nurture it. Hire the right team. Don’t just work with your boys because it will be simpler. But above all, be professional.

How many record labels were hot a few years ago but have now fallen off? How does a record label fall off like an artist? How does a company only exist for a season? You have to be kidding me! Long term is the key word here! Longevity!

Word from DStv is that Camp mullah member and producer for the group K’Cous has a girlfriend. And get this, she’s his musical protege. The lass in question is called “Tiri”.

The lad is producing her music for her and she is set to release her debut single soon. When asked to describe her work, he said it was “Rihanna-eque with a touch of Mercy Myra’s magic.” and when tiri was contacted for info, she decribed their relationship thus:

“He’s my producer and friend. He made me. I’m very motivated about my music project and especially since Marcus (K’Cous government name) is producing most of my music.

I wish them all the best. Seriously though, I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a “The Dream/Christina Millian” situation in the future. Nothing but blessings to the couple. With that said and done, listen to his latest realease featuring Kanja here.

Before we even begin, allow me to salute the veterans that got Kenyan music going. From Necessary Noise to Gidi Gidi Maji Maji to E-Sir to K-Shaka the undefeated general army to K-South. and the new kings of the new class, Jay A, Camp Mulla and Xtatic.

Uncle Chim Tuna has stood up to salute you all. Even those I haven’t mentioned. With that, today I saw an update from Anto Neosoul that got me thinking I need to get on the tip his on. Here’s what Anto Neosoul posted on Facebook:

Anto Neosoul

 

Today is #PlayKEmusicThursday share all the amazing Kenyan music you know! This is a new beginning! Our Airwaves. Our Music. Our Musicians

 

And with that, I figure it’s time we start the movement off. This is the Arab Spring of Kenyan music. The MEND of Kenyan entertainment. Yeah, I said it. Let’s all get our radio presenters to play some Kenyan urban music. From Octo to Jay A (listen to his song featuring Anto Neosoul here). From Anto Neosoul to Sage. Everyone!  Listen to this new track from Camp Mulla’s K’Cous by the way.

 

 

And with that said and done, we cannot forget to salute those that have been playing Kenyan music all along. From Tina Kagia to Adelle to Nonini to Shaffie and Kalekye and yes, even Caroline Mutoko who switched up and started playing some Kenyan niceness. Everyone at Ghetto Radio included. Uncle Chim Tuna salutes you all!

 

<I put this picture because I think the Nairobi skykline is beautiful>

 

Play Kenyan Music Thursday! No hashtag necessary!

For those of you to whom I must introduce Omawumi to, this is not for you. For those of you who know her, I’m sure you know her from this track my mummy loves so much:

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The lady is in Kenya on a 2 day tour to raise awareness on the use of indoor residual sprays to curb the spread of malaria. Wait, what? Basically Omawumi who is the Mortein DOOm brand ambassador is in Kenya to promote the use of insecticides to kill mosquitoes to truncate the spread of malaria.

It is probably also important to note that she was the voice of the Mortein DOOm ad:

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The award winning songstress will host the media to a short briefing that will officially flag off her itinerary on the public education initiatives targeting mothers, in commemoration of the World Malaria Day to be globally acknowledged on 25^th April 2013.

Yesterday Kenya was abuzz with news of Mr. Nice’s return to the entertainment industry. And it wasn’t just his fans and entertainment media that was aflmae with the news.

Fellow entertainers were also chiming in and here’s what Kaytrixx the Entertainer -who by the way will be playing at Changes tonight- put a hilarious twist to it:

I wonder whether he’ll be playing Mr. Nice jamz tonight. You should probably step out to Changes tonight to find out.

So now Size 8 has gone gospel, and in case you didn’t know, Lady Bee also went gospel a few weeks back, with a track called John 3:16(listen to it here)

Now these two have made ripples in the news lately because they are basically ‘bad girls gone good.’ Lady bee and Size 8 were known for their sexy and seductive routines. Just look at their dress codes below:

Now we have Size 8 swearing that she will never again be seen in such miniskirts and hot pants.

While many are celebrating this new state of affairs, some of us are lamenting heavily. I did a poll yesterday and it found that people are 50-50 about the change of stance. So for the other 50%, who will we turn to for our dose of naughtiness in the Kenyan entertainment scene?

1. STL aka Stella Mwangi

STL is from Norway, where they don’t have the same religious hangups as Kenya, so she is free to be as ‘Bad As She Wanna Be.‘

2. Sheikah

Sheikah is an upcoming artist from Calif Records(just like Size 8 once was). She’s also going with the ‘naughty girl’ branding for herself. However, she lives in Dubai, which means this chick could get stoned for behaving all seductive. Chunga maisha!

3. Victoria Kimani

The brand new Chocolate City signing is ripping the airwaves with her new single, “M’TOTO” in which she teases the boys, saying, “can’t get none of this… toto… toto… toto,” all the while pointing to her nether regions. Challenge accepted.

It is worthy to note that all these sensual artists are from the diaspora, which leads me to ask, is it harder for sensuality to be accepted in a celebrity if they are based in Kenya? Leave your interesting or creative responses in the comment section below:

I’ve just been tweeted this, and I felt I should share it especially now that Sauti Sol have a new song!

Read about Sauti Sol’s new love song here! Now to the post below, done by Raata Ngatha. The original post can be found here.

“I know people grow up and seasons pass, but why have you changed so much?

“Asubuhi.” You were in love with me, you saw my face everywhere, thanked God for me, you saw me and you were speechless.

“Lazizi.” That is what you called me when you thought of me. You couldn’t even sleep – till you just had to ask for my number! And so sweetly did you ask, just to take me to Java. The memories! You got jealous of other men who talked to me (which was really cute J). You wanted me all to yourself, “sigh” I gave you peace that is what you said.

You trusted me so much that opened up to me. You shared your most intimate of thoughts with me, “Mafunzo ya Dunia,” as you called them. The days when our dreams were simple, you just wanted to drive a Mercedes… and as the “Sunny Days” turned into months, you asked my “Mama and Papa” if you could have me for yourself. They asked me, “Zosi, don’t you want the Pilot and the doctor who are falling over themselves for you?”

“No mama, papa,” I replied. “I want the artist with the guitar. I want this man – he’s my star.”

How proud was I of you that you stuck to “Wera” to make your life – our life – so much better? God blessed your hard work, you honor your father daily in your music and that made me so proud. Remember the funny story you told me of the boys in the “Blue Uniform”? We laughed for hours! You were coming from rehearsals, you had so little, and you could not even spare a 50 bob. Oh, the days!

“Malikia” is what you also called me, such a sweet petname – and ah, I could never forget how you asked me to give you “Mapacha”. My heart soared, I came to you and we made a home.

Life picked up and we were so happy, you traveled, I missed you so much.  You know how they say “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”? Oh, it’s true! Your “Coming home” made me fall in love with you all the more. And what a strong mentor you were too, reminding the vijana to keep reading – that always reminded me of my own school days. My heart swelled with pride, seeing the kind of person you were turning out to be. My man, my star.

When you broke into mother tongue, I knew you loved me in excess. I liked that name too, “Awinja”. I never understood you sometimes, but eish, you melted my heart. Such a romantic bugger.

I was mushed even more by the letter I found on my pillow, addressed to “L.A.D.Y.” Rekindling the romance. Xoxo, sigh… Sugar, Spice and everything Nice…  you always reaffirmed me. “Heaven.” That is what you said about our life together.

What happened my love?

I was your “Private Spice” – we danced and you promised no one will lay us asunder.

What happened to us?

When did I leave you? Or it is AY who is alone and you were encouraging him?

Why are you reminding me you are a “gentleman”? I know that, with every little thing that you did. Why are you going to a club to prove this? Who are these friends influencing you? Doing business in a bar, swagger balaa? I’m at home with our twins. Our twins. Niko home waiting for you, hauwezi mind nini? You are buying chics drinks. What am I not giving you? Umepata noti, sasa tule tule… Who are you eating with?

You bought a new car that everybody loves, why are you going to a warehouse and kissing this random heavily made up girl? A Range Rover does not make you sexy honey…. I love you with or without it. Aki the Sauti of my Sol… The chicken I gave you is still there my love – what is going on?

Woi, do I love you or your money? Ehhhhh, si nishacheka kwa boda boda ile tulinunua the days you called me Malikia. Don’t I prove my love to you, sticking with you through the two albums? Who is this you are taking to fancy restaurants? Is it that you forgot how you worked so hard to take me to Java? For your own good: Pesa ni maua, tena inaua.

Come back to where we were…  She will leave you. I’m still here. I will forgive you.  She drove away, I never have. She left you in bed the way you leave me. I never left you.

Am I really still the one?” Le sigh.

“this observer does not claim any rights to the images used in this post” Just a fan’s perspective…

We’ve stumbled upon a picture of Mr. Lenny, Nameless, Big Pin and E-Sir looking DUSTY back in the day!

They are at a classic club called Buzz Bar, which I remember was popular back then(my sister and her pals used to rave about it). We found out from people who were there that they were shooting a video for Boomba Train, the Nameless and E-Sir collaboration. Check out the old school labels they were rocking, from School of Hard Knocks(SOHK) to those “mabati” Sean Jean pants that could be worn inside out.

But now they are all grown men, eating the fruits of their labour. Even Mr. Lenny was spotted recently with cute photos of his children and family.

Enough with the Mr Nice news? One more offering then I promise I’m done.

He just released a song with DNA titled Tafuta. It’s in his own style Takeu that propelled him to unprecedented success. That you know. You know that Mac Muga wasn’t about him. What else don’tyou know? What he plans to do now that he’s back in the game! Read about where he’s been here.

Mr Nice revealed that he intends to conduct countrywide shows, to thank all his ardent Kenyans fans that have gunned for him. He explained that it was Kenyans that bought him his first car, and thus he feels indebted to them! More so, it was her ethat he had his first concert, and thus the fans are dear to him. Where do you expect to see him? As I told you here, he has a new song and he’s now signed to Grandpa Records. His stable mates include Kendi, DNA, and even Dashy Crew!

26th April will see him have his irst show at Florida 2000 next to Kenya Cinema. That is where his press conferenc ewas held. 27th, he shall be at Nyayo Stadium for the Kids Festival. Fans in othe parts of the country fret not, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kitengela, Busia, Kitale, Machakos, there are plans to ensure that all of you get a piece of Mr kidalipo!

His sixth album is slated for release in June.  It shall be called Chali Wa Kibera, which is also the title of his sophomore song to be released soon. He;s embarking on country wide shows to give heartfelt thanks just to recapitulate. As of working with people like Ray C which I aske dhimabout, he said that the best he can do right now is hope she gets better before he reaches out. He however is ready to work with anyone who fits his ideals as a musician.

Will he be staying here permanently? Mr Nice undeniably loves Kenya! He says that we as East Africans are one people thus he can settle anywhere he chooses to. He’s now under new management, bad management he believes is the bane of nascent music careers. Thus for all news concerning Mr Nice, you have to go through Grandpa records, he is done making off the cuff records. I personally loved how he addressed journalist with earnest warmth, saying that we need each other to flourish. he went to great length to asnwer every question, throwing in funny anecdotes. When asked why he never retorts when detractors paint cast him in autrocious light, he replied, “if a mad man snatches your clothes in Kibera, you do not run naked after him lest the community chanses you thinking you are the one that has lost his marbles.” Brilliant.

So yes, while he calls himself dinosaur, you can call him chali wa Kibera. He promises to give out ten percent of his earnings to charity, because orpahs tug at his heart strings. And no, Ali Kiba’s Mac Muga wasn’t about him. More here.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you have ever had a question about Mr. Nice, tune in to Willy M. Tuva’s show Mambo Mseto on Radio Citizen right now!

Willy M. Tuva is just that guy that brings you all the firsts and this time is no different. Willy m. Tuva will have Mr. Nice in the studio for an interview and it’s your chance to find out everything about the man.

Find out whether he feels Mac Muga was about him. Find out whether he’ll be permanently based in Kenya and find out out much more from the man who serially breaks all the hot stories pertaining to East African entertainment -aside from Ghafla that is.

And you can read more about mac Muga such as what happened to him in South Africa that led to his ruin here.

One last thing that I left out is that Mr Nice sought to explain away some of the rumours that dogged him.

There’s no denying that Mr Nice was embroiled in a lot of scanda,l when he was a leading light in the music industry! From accusation of pride, to fights between him and other musicians, he was dogged by drama and that didn’t auger well for him as an artists. He sought to clear the air at his press conference today. .

First and foremost, Mr Nice explained that to the best of his knowledge, Mac Muga by Ali Kiba was not about him. He vehemently denied the allegations, that he had gone broke and consequently been detained in South Africa. His responce, he has never been there! He went further to state that Ali Kiba has never expressly told him that the song was indeed about him. What?

He then went further to explain, that he did turn down a couple of collaborations in the past because of his ideals. His music he says is family oriented, targetted specifically towards young children and women. Thus he is very vigilant about how he portrays that stance in his music, it’s gotta be clean cut. Thus, if an artist has what he deems to be vulgar music, there is no way he can work with him. Principles galore.

What of the claims that he is haughty and conceited? He explained that a stranger cannot purport to know you better than you know yourself. That is absurd! The best he as Mr Nice can do is live out his truth; people will perceive him as they wish. He refuted one journalist’s claims that he had gotten into a situation with Jose Chameleone. He stated categorically, that he was in very good terms with Jose Chameleone, and that infact it was he that got Chameleone a gig in Tanzania.

He sort to explain that what let him down was management. He however has buried the hatchet with the people he wronged and vice versa and wants a clean slate. I will tell you this though, this man is very down to earth, as are all the Tanzanians I’ve met. That kind of attitude keeps you grounded. More Mr Nice News Here. 

I just let you know that Mr Nice is back, and the question that begs is, where has he been?

Mr nice, birth name Lucas Mkenda very politely allowed us as journalists to delve into his past. He first began the press conference by apologising for keeping us waiting. The he did something out of the ordinary, he apologized for taking a hiatus from the music industry. With an honesty that bordered on vulnerability, he explained with excruciating detail why he took a long leave of absence. Read about his latest project here.

Takeu style was the genre he created that propelled him to stardom. Admittedly, Mr Nice blew up in Kenya, and so it was only right that he should come here to relaunch his musical oddyssey. Flanked by the whole Grandpa Records stable led by Refigah and DNA, he thanked Kenyans for being gracious to him. He then stated that everyone needs time away to regroup. Even a snake shed off it’s skin or so the adage goes.

He says, that he sensed that it was good to work on his game plan before his popularity waned. Sadly, family responsibilities kept him away longer than he had purposed to. Being a believer in seasons however, he knew that it was his time to make a comeback, and feeling that Grandpa was the place to go, he reached out to them and they welcomed him with open arms. Grandpa is led by Refigah pictured below.

He explained that while he was away, he was tending to his late mum’s businesses as well as his own. His mother owned a curio shop in Zanzibar, and that is where he used to work before he blew up in music. He however explained that he’s back in music and we should expect more from him in the coming days. Watch his new video with DNA here. 

Just a few years ago, Mr. Nice was the end all and be all of popular Tanzanian music known as “Bongo”. He was responsible for giving us a slew of hits such as “Kidalipo”, “Kila Mtu Na Dame Wake”, “Kuku Kapanda Baiskeli” ad infinitum.

So popular was he that he caught the eye of a huge record label down under in South Africa who subsequently signed him on and gave him a house in South Africa. Get this, even though he still had cash from his royalties and from his performances, he was still given an advance. Therein lay Mr. Nice’s Waterloo.

Flush with cash, Mr. Nice went on a hedonistic spree of mythical proportions. Thing is, for celebrities, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What was however is the fact that he stopped making any music. His lifestyle of revelry and debauchery soon caught up with him when the record company terminated his contract and threw him out on the streets.

He ended up living in some shanty town. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Mr. Nice had alienated his fellow musicians and artists from back home. Ali Kiba took advantage of Mr. Nice’s troubles to fire a salvo and he recorded the track Mac Muga which tells Mr. Nice’s story. Check it out below:

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Mr. Nice was bucked up and ashy! He was subsequently deported from South Africa back home to Tanzania where he begun taking stock of all he’d had and lost. As if the stress of loosing it all wasn’t enough, everyone was waiting in line to humiliate him and kick him while he was down.

But no long ting! He soon surfaced at a gospel crusade at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium singing gospel songs. This happened in 2010. He then embarked on a mission to rebuild what he had squandered and he released the track “Tabia Mbaya” last year before signing (watch the vide here) on with Grand Pa Records and being unveiled today.

Read about where he’s been musically speaking all this time he’s been silent here.

Press Release

It’s with very heavy hearts that we confirm the news that Fatuma binti Baraka aka Bi Kidude has died in Zanzibar (19??-2013). We will always remember her and be grateful to her for her voice, her spirit, and her immortal contributions to Zanzibari music and culture. Rest in Peace, Bibi! We love you. (photo by Peter Bennett during Bi Kidude’s last public performance at Sauti za Busara in February 2013)

– Sauti za Busara