Month: May 2013

Wondering how the MTV Africa All Stars tour went?

Camp Mulla shared the stage with Zahara, Big Naz, Fally Ipupa, D’ Banj, 2 Face Idibia and Snoop Lion! See that video below.

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Media personality, actor/ radio presenter and now rapper, finally launched his much anticipated video last Friday. The epic event was graced by the who’s who of Nairobi’s artsy landscape.

Media personalities, actors, designers, models and industry players, heeded Nick’s Clarion call to celebrate the 254 anthem release. That event was dubbed “This is 254” experience, with the emcee of the night being actor and tv personality Ian Mugoya. The Chill spot presenter Nick Mutuma, finally launched the video to his debut song which features the very capable vocalist Lyra Aoko. Watch that video here.

Lyra broke into the limelight, when she emerged winner of the Samsung Ziki stars which seeks to capture latent talent in Kenya’s tertiary institutions. The glizy affair which was an RSVP affair was encapsulated in film. As I shared here, click on those images to see the beautiful people in attendance. The venue was ofcourse Skyluxx Lounge. See the rest of those pictures here.

Some of those in attendance included Str8 Up’s Ian Mugoya, Capital Fm’s Anita Nderu, Miss Kenya USA Angela Muiruri, actor Daniel Peter Weke, Celebrated Photographer Kevin Kemama who took the amazing pictures, Model/designer Ephy Saint and Model designer Bridgette Shighadi. The director of the video was also in attendance, Mr A. Macharia himself. If you still don’t know who he is, read why Jaguar and Sauti Sol as well as American Young Jeezy chose him to direct their videos. 

The video shows Nick Mutuma cruising around Nairobi, showcasing the beauty of the city lit by the night’s splendour. Known for his teen-centred radio show on 91.5 hits as well as his acting forays thanks to MTV’s Shuga & MNET’s Changes, Nick Mutuma decided to take a plunnge into another facet of art and do music. The risk seems to be paying off, as the song received a lot of love not only on social media but in the media in terms of airplay. The obviously talented rapper has also been dabbling in fashion lately, organizing events with industry mainstays as well as upcoming designers. His girlfriend Bridgitte is not only a celebrated model but also a budding fashion designer.

The video features cameos by radio powerhouse Shaffie Weru who gives it an interesting prelude. The song was produced by Singer/producer Ulopa Ngoma who is behind some of the biggest songs in Kenya. Nick Mutuma says of the video, “I believe in perfection, which is the main reason I’ve taken so long to release this video, I wanted something I could look back at in 10 years and smile, an international product.”He explained. Why he dubbed the video launch The 254 Experience is because he believes that this video is his way of  celebrating Kenya’s coming of age.

 

Yesterday I shared with you the video to Nick Mutuma’s debut release 254 anthem. The launch, attended by the who’s who was captured in film.

The man behind those awesome images is Kevin Kemama, of Kevin Kemama photography, I’ll share some of those images with you so you can envisage how it went down. Check the rest of them at his page. This is 254 emceed by Ian Mugoya was clearly awesome, RSVP events never disappoint! Watch that video here if you haven’t, and read about the launch here.

The song 254 anthem was produced by Ulopa Ngoma, with the video directed by Andrew Macharia of Razorwire Production. The chorus was voiced by Lyra Aoko. The venue for this launch was Skyluxx Lounge. The pictures like I notified you, were shot by the very awesome Kevin Kemama, I’m sure you nod in agreement when I say those images are very crisp.

And the video director Andrew Macharia was in the building too! See picture below

Now you know that STL will be performing alongside Wande Coal, D’ Prince, Don Jazzy B and Mafikizolo! There’s another surprise that you may not be aware of! I kept this to myself, ego-centric I know. Churchill will also be taking to the stage, I kid ye not!

Yes, he shall be taking a break from his radio show next Monday, duty calls! He is in the coveted line-up of entertainers expected to thrill at the launch! So yes come Sunday 26th May at 7.00 pm Central African time, we shall have four Kenyans in South Africa, two headed to the house, two on stage flying our flag high! There will be 28 housemates for BBA 8, with the show being beamed across the whole continent! Africa shall finally unite. Here’s that earlier article!

As I told you, the screening shall commence at seven pm. Wande Coal, D’ Prince and Don Jazzy B are from Nigeria and are described as energetic and charismatic. They will be performing some of their joint hits like Bumper to bumper and I like what I see. STL is ofcourse known for her amazing songs like bad as I wanna be, lookie lookie and biacara though I highly doubt tshe’ll be performing the latter. Wonders do happen though. Mafikizolo, a favorite of Souh Africa will be showcasing why with their mega hits like Ndhihambanawe! You expect nothing but fireworks!

Of-course the most surprising news of the evening is that Churchill aka Mwalimu King’ang’i will be on stage to tickle the audience into uncontrollable laughter! This may go a long way in silencing critics and naysayers who had tried to cast aspersions on his show when the new season opened. Oh great news, you will now be able to watch the show on the big brother website! The show is slated to run for 91 days, 24/7! So much more I tell you, so much more. Dstv channel 197/8, Africa Magic world on Go TV is where you can catch alll the action if you slow internet connection. 

So it’s no surprise that Big Brother is ‘launching this Sunday’, but do you know who’s performing?

From the email I received, this could be a great sign for Kenya! STL will be among the headlining acts! She will be performing alongside Wande coal and Don Jazzy B from Nigeria as well as Mafikizolo from South Africa! The live screening will commence at 7.00 CAT on AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic world as well as DSTV channel 197 and 198! Don Jazzy B is a multi awardwinning producer, singer/songwriter as well as artist.

STL who has won among others Kisima awards will be flying the Kenyan flag high! She recently collaborated with Collo and Mimmo for Floss na wewe. Great job guys! Read more DSTV news here.

Find out here why this Big Brother edition is called the chase!

         

If you are as appalled as I am about the gang rape piece syndicated by my colleague Jeff Omondi, then you know to watch the video.

And if you’ve watched the video, allow me to bend your ear a little further. You will notice they speak about a popular discotheque where these little monsters set their prey up aye? And when I saw the blurred image I got the thinking… I know this place.
And indeed I do, allow me to make what is obscure crystal clear:

 

This is the site from across the road from F2… The family bank ATM…

 

 

The blurred F2 gates

The clear F2 gates

 

This is the blurred Pesa Point right next to F2’s entrance.

 

How it looks from a different angle.

 

And here’s how Dennis Okari put it:
“blah blah blah… And this is where it all begins: Outside this establishment, everything looks normal. We parked outside on one Sunday afternoon, to monitor the happenings here. This is one of the many discotheques in town where every Sunday afternoon, young boys and girls all under 18 yrs come in droves from different parts of the city; mainly Eastlands… From 2pm to 8pm it’s called the “Jam Session” and it’s only 100 shillings entrance.
These young ones will indulge in drinking and dancing the whole afternoon and what goes on behind the tight security at the gate cannot be aired on national television!”

 

i however feel that I must mention that F2 does not in any way condone the imbibing of alcohol by the minors. they often go to dingy pubs to drink cheap alcohol then come back.

“It’s 9pm and the jam session is over. This is always the trickiest part for most of these girls. As the gang of boys prey on these girls left exposed to danger under the cover of darkness…”

Watch the video below for the rest!

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This week sees The Villagers band as well as Sage, Blinky Bill and Rahiff take to the Treehouse stage, on Thursday and Friday respectively.

That in no way prevents me from informing you of how the Vero concert went down last week. As I informed you in this article, Vero is Danish. Here are some of those pictures courtesy of the Treehouse page. They were taken by Rizwan of Kenya Nights (Beautiful Faces Beautiful places.) Read about The Villagers here, as well as The Upstairs featuring Sage, Blinky Bill and Rahiff.

I have this knack for telling who shall be big. I see it before everyone else call me prophet, I don’t even need a crystal ball!

Feel free to pat me on the back. The last time I asked you guys to go for Prisca’s gig at Safaricom’s Michael Joseph Centre, I told you to pay attention to this girl. Clearly someone did, that person is thee Muthoni DQ of Blankets and Wines! Well Prisca joins another favorite vocalist of mine Dela for Blankets. The rest of the line is ofcourse Al Sarah and Zahara! Oh don’t you just love this line, “Pack your picnic baskets, wine, blankets and join us for the 44th edition of Blankets & Wine this June 2nd from 1pm – 9pm at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi.” Why am I excited about Prisca you ask? She’s my friend, I’ve sang with her, she lives ten minutes away from me and she’s awesome! Yes people, I have no qualms about shameless name-dropping! Below is a picture os Prisca Ojwang’ and another totally talented vocalist Trina! She’s another one you should keep your eyes peeled for.

 

This is the rest of the event bio, because hey, why ‘re-invent the wheel!;

“On stage will be the ambient Prisca Ajwang, the jaunty Dela, the undiluted Alsarah from Sudan and the phenomenal 2013 double South African Music Awards winner, Zahara from South Africa. Fresh out of Sauti Academy’s magnificent music factory, Prisca makes her big stage debut as part of Blankets & Wine’s promise to deliver fresh talent every month. Our 2nd act, US based Sudanese singer Alsarah promises a unique treat with her ethno-urban flavour.

On her second Blankets & Wine appearance since her 2010 debut, Dela returns with new material from her soon to be completed new album. 2013 double South Africa Music Award (SAMA) winner Zahara winds up our amazing lineup bringing on board her acclaimed sound and a slew of chart topping singles and platinum selling albums. Zahara’s highly anticipated performance will be a sure delight for young and old music lovers alike.

 

Choices Thursdays last week hosted the amazing band Inka, and I happened to come across the pictures which I shall share with you.

The pictures were taken by Paul Munene of Quaint Photography, all rights reserved. Read about Inka here. Meanwhile, this Thursday Maia Von Lekow shall be on the Choices Thursdays stage with her band, read about the here and make a date! While at it, please read about an event happening at Choices tonight. Called Rapsody, it will feature Dj Blinky Bill Of Just A Band.

Inka is a Five member Band from Nairobi, Kenya. The Band was Formed in 2009 after the members met at the University of Nairobi. Inka is made up of Five Young Men (Vincent Awino – Acoustic Guitar & Vocals, Stephen Musyimi – Bass Guitar, Samuel Mbaluka – Keyboard & Percussions, Adonis Kwata – Drums & Vocals and Tony Odero – Lead Guitar and Vocals). The word Inka means Home in Ekegusii.

Tree-house Club will be having a couple of events this week, it is my job to notify you of them.

The first is Nairobi Live which shall be happening on Thursday, and the featured artists are All-male band The Villagers. The all-male bit should give it away, expect a no holds barred show in terms of energy and musicology! Read about it here.

Hot in the heels of Nairobi Live, is the Upstairs. This edition of Upstairs features Sage, Blinky Bill who is Just A Band’s producer as well as singer/guitarist Rahiff backed by Dj Bodacious! With a line up like that, you expect music served in a dazzling array of genres! If you are into experimental music wrapped in soul, funk, and other delectable styles, then this is the event for you!

On the decks shall be Dj Bodacious, Dj Eddy and Dj Richie. Entrance is only 500 bob, at the gate. Gates open at 9 PM. Treehouse is located at International Casino Complex Museum Hill, Westlands road, the same road that Purshotam Place is located.

I have a confession, I missed this event simply because I thought I’d feel out of place with my T-shirt and jeans. I know zilch concerning fashion and colour co-ordinating, and it is eveident that my ‘instincts’ were correct! Check out these pictures below! Jesus, does everybody have a stylist on speed dial except me? 

The pictures were taken by Eric Saganda of Fotogeric. Check out the rest of those pictures there. Out of the Shadows was held at Ole Sereni, and was organized by Black Angel Kenya. Read about it here.

And there is Nick Ondu of Ankara Vintage, one of the designers showcasing that night, as well as Malaika of Strut It Afrika.

The Emcee of the night Daniel peter Weke together with the organizers of the event Kel Vin Mitch and Bellindah Christelle.

 

A blogger was on Monday accused of linking former Kilome MP Harun Mwau to the deaths of two ministers who were killed in a helicopter crash last year.

Stephen Muriuki Wanuku was charged before the Nairobi chief magistrate where he denied posting an offensive message to Mr. Mwau. The prosecution said that on May 12 at 11.52am through facebook, Mr Muriuki posted a “grossly offensive” message which caused annoyance and created anxiety to Mr Mwau.

“You drug lord…God will punish you for what you did, do you think if you are rich you can kill people, you killed Saitoti and Ojode and four innocent lives…may you rot in hell,” the message, read in court said.

Mr Muriuki is accused of violating the communication laws through the use of a licenced medium. He was granted a cash bail of Sh30,000 and the case set to be heard on June 17. A mention will be on June 3.

 

One FM

Good morning Ghafla! fam. Trust your morning is just fine. Time for another episode of #Ghafla!Ten. Take a look;

#1 “Otonglo Time” Writer Attacked By Thugs.

#2 With All The Rumours Circulating Just Who Is Going To BBA?

#3 Yesterday morning, Classic 105 Off Air, Kiss 100 & East FM were all off air during their breakfast shows. Find out why.

#4 Kiss 100’s Carol Radull Bereaved

#5 Size 8’s Younger Sister DJ Size 7 is A Mum

#6 Sports Anchor Saddique Shaban Quits KTN

#7 Check out this Photo Of The day: Gado’s Take On the Sex Appeal On Primetime News

#8 Bamzigi’s Brother Actor Lenana Kariba Admits He Finds Kalekye Mumo Sexy In The Forest!

#9 Praises Heaped On the Newest Queen of Comedy ‘Teacher Wanjiku’

#10 Ghafla Exclusive! Caroline Mutuko To Sue Kahawa Tungu! Check Out The Legal Documents!

 

 

I was going through a copy of Cheka Times and the featured media personality this month is JB Masanduku!

You probably know him as the very hilarious co-presenter to Tina Kaggia on One FM’s afternoon show. That show by the way must be the only one co-hosted by fiancees! Another thing that makes it unique is that Team Ghafla gets to behind the mic every Friday! Back to JB. As I said earlier, this interview was conducted by Cheka Times.

According to Cheka times, JB aims to not only crack you up but impart life lessons through humour. He calls himself the motivational preacher that utilizes humour! Fresh. JB who revealed in the interview that he is an orphan now, was sent to Russia to study engineering because his parents felt that it suited him. He was after all a student in Starehe boys centre. As fate would have had it, while on vacation in Kenya, he attended a baby shower for one of the people in Churchill live, where he was the centre of attention. He unintentionally kept making the room giggle and burst into fits of laughter. Uncontrollable laughter seems to be JB’s forte. He was encouraged to seriously consider comedy as a career, and he yileded to the call. He however reiterates, that while he did go to Strathmore to study a Bachelor of commerce and actually graduated, his uncles still feel he should return to Russia to complete his degree! Yikes, I still don’t understand how two of my friends survived that blistering cold!

JB it seems was in the mood to let not one but many cats out of the bag! He explains in the interview that he believes making a move to 1FM from Kiss 100 was the best career move he’s made thus far. He went on to say that plans to tour the USA, UAE, and Australia are in the offing. More so, he will be revealing plans of new shows he’ll be featuring in, as well as possibly getting hitched to his sweet heart Tina Kaggia in December.

Something else I found interesting about him, is that his idea of a perfect date is being in the outdoors where you are at the mercy of the elements! He considers Slum Dog millionaire the one movie that truly speaks to him about destiny and making it. He did come clean about why he left Comedy Club. The saddest bit of the interview was the fact that his dad passed away before seeing him take to the stage. JB, I’m sure wherever he is, he is very proud that you are carrying on his legacy with pride.

You were probably wondering who shall be gracing the Choices Baricho Road stage this Thursday. The headline gave it away. 

First things first, check out the event that Choices will be having having tomorrow tailor made for hiphop lovers. It is called Rapsody and features Just a band’s Blinky Bill. Read about that here.

Now, this Thursday, it is Maia Von Lekow who shall be entertainign all of you. The first time I heard this lady sing, it was on telly with her father. It was my wish to see her sing live! Dreams they say, do come true, because she performed in an event called Craft party that I was a part of. I never forgot her warm persona, or her exhilarating stage performance.

I am glad to announce that she will be willl be making a a much awaited comeback to the Choices stage. She recently launched her new album Drift, so expect lots of new music from her. Her bio according to the event page reads:

We are pleased to have a return appearance by singer/songwriter Maia von Lekow as she celebrates her new album “Drift”. A little about Maia.

“Maia brings a dynamic new color to Kenya’s contemporary musical landscape. Born and raised in Nairobi to a German/Italian mother and a Kenyan father, Maia’s unique heritage is combined into a fresh sound weaving jazz, funk, folks & blues all sprinkled with Swahili spice.

A traveller at heart, Maia has lived and performed in Berlin, Melbourne, & Dublin. Since returning to Kenya in 2007, Maia has established her current live act, a high-energy 6-piece band that has been making waves throughout East Africa, gracing the stages of prominent festivals such as HIFA (Zimbabwe), Sauti za Busara (Zimbabwe), The Rift Valley Festival, Sierra Jazz Safari, & Blankets & Wine (Nairobi). Maia’s intimate acoustic performances both solo and as a trio have also garnered enthusiastic responses from all over.

Listen to one of her songs below move over!

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I have realized that it’s better to update all of you in advance, of the events happening this week. That way I absolve myself of any blame for “sitting on information”!

I already told you about Rapsody, now let’s go to Treehouse. This week, or rather this Thursday, they present to you Villagers Band! I’m sure you know about Villagers Band so I’ll share with you the details to the event and then my favorite video by them! Have you watched their most recent video be your fool? Do so here!

Nairobi Live at Tree House presents The Villagers Band May 23rd. They dubbed their sound beng’eng’e, sing in Dholuo, Swahili and English, and their tantalizing offering is indigenous. I think. Purposely benga, it’s been kept in a nice marinade of high-life, mbalax, Kwela and other exotic sounding genres. Yum! These guys have headlined events like Spread The Love festival with Kirk Franklin, Rift Valley Festival, Gatwich Festival with Emmanuel Jal, Sawa Sawa Festival, Blankets & Wines, as well as Nairobi Kinanda Arts Festival with Freshly Ground. The all-male band is fronted by talented songwriter Chris Adwar (Music director/Lead vocals/songwriter/keyboard.) The rest of the members are Bionic Ngalu (Electric guitar), Kenny Nyagah (Band leader and drums), Tim Riungu (saxophone) as well as my two friends Moses Odumbe (Acoustic guitar and backup vocals), and Allan ‘Sucre’ Wanjohi (Bass guitar and backup vocals).

Remember, Thursday May 23rd 8.30pm – 11pm at Tree House, entrance is free! Treehouse is International Casino Complex Museum Hill, Westlands road, the same road that Purshotam Place is located. Now to that video, my favorite song by The Villagers Band is Wa Me! And no that is not autotune, its a vocorder. I learnt that from one of the Youtube comments.

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Last Friday, I stepped out to Changes to scope the scene on Fridays and I was glad I went out! DJ Creme was on the decks from around midnight and he shut it down!

Shout out to all the beautiful ladies that made to Uncle Chim’s photo gallery! Check out the photo gallery below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full house it was indeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It isn’t an Uncle Chim Photo gallery if his tongue doesn’t feature!

 

It’s a wrap!

 

 

Word just in has it that Ciku Muiruri will be penning a tell-all book about her relationship with the Artur brothers!

According to Stevens Muendo, here’s what Ciku told him:

 

Prolific radio presenter Ciku Muiruri is penning her controversial novel in which she will profile some memoirs on her much-talked about controversial encounters with the polemic Artur Margaryan brothers. The busted presenter exclusively told MondayBlues that the novel will be “very controversial”.

“I will be dropping the book soon,” she said.

 

Source: Standard digital