Month: April 2014

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has just made public its second distribution of the current financial year.

The distribution covers royalties earned from PERFORMANCES IN PUBLIC PLACES ( PPP) and is generated from license fees paid for live performances , concerts , and all music played in Public Places such as clubs ,restaurants , taxis , matatus and all other public service vehicles.

Royalty earners from concerts have dominated the earnings list with the highest amounts  from concerts only being about kshs 350,000/- , and the highest amounts from sample air plays in public places being much less at about kshs 178,000/- . This shows that royalty earnings from concerts are much higher than from sample log sheets in public places and as such ALL members are encouraged to notify MCSK whenever they are performing in concerts and / or live performances , so that they may benefit from this distribution.

A recent example is at the GUINESS CONCERT featuring KONSHENS and several local artistes , the event organisers TRUE BLAQ LTD duly notified MCSK of the involvement of local artists in the concert and further offered to settle the royalties due . These royalties have now been included in the current distribution with artistes such as WYRE, HABIDA, JUA CALI and others who performed at the concert benefiting from the amounts paid by TRUE BLAQ LTD.

Some of the members who earned highest amounts in PPP distributions (that is, concerts + live performances + sample log sheets) are as follows (no particular order ):

• Pastor Joel Kimeto ( mainly due to log sheets from Radio Injili in Rift Valley)
• Collo (both concerts and log sheets)
• Philiip Rono (log sheets, Rift Valley stations)
• The late Angela Chibalonza,
• Lillian Rotich
• P Unit,
• Gloria Muliro,
• Dennis Bett,
• Philip Rotich,
• Nameless,
• DNA and
• Kidum;

all of whom had earnings based on log sheets, and no concerts.

Everyone starts from somewhere. Some start from the top others, most of us, the start line is right at the bottom. Some like Drake started at the top but want you to feel better about your situation. Vera Sidika started from the bottom. And for that, she will always have my respect! She started right at the bottom but used her head to get ahead.

When she started out, she was new in the city and came looking for a means to make and ends. She started as a video vixen back in the day and was destined to find work with el Prezidente. When she did, she was to make a very short cameo on a video and destined to go unnoticed. Until today that is.

And she is finally here to make us remember that she started from the bottom. If you can get nothing else from her story, how about hope? There is a way. She started off as a video vixen on the jam “Unataka Nini” and this was her:

{youtube}mFfkBFDd0Y8{/youtube}

Like Wally, try and spot her.

I bet you can’t…

Anyway, that was the scene she was in:

Btw. This my gal video is my second video I’ve done with Prezzo
Known him for 5 years now. We been friends
He was among the few first ppl I met when I came to Nairobi. N we have always stayed friends just that we kept it on the low

And she was saying thank you to a man who she felt was a true friend to her when she had nothing to offer him. Prezzo reportedly saw the talent in the lass’ assets and told her she would be a star. It was thanks to him that she got a part in this video. Still waters run deep it seems!

If you loved him in Kwata Ka Waya,I guarantee that you will love award winning artiste Mbuvi in Mutui Museo (Good Neighbor).

The song sang in Kamba encourages us to unite and doo good things inspired by love. He urges us to unite, help each other, know each other as one people who love God and good neighbors,as this will lead to development and save us from problems that we are currently facing such a poverty.

{youtube}ZxD64cQstc8{/youtube}

The Kata Kawaya singer started his musical journey with a group called His Image who did renditions of other artistes songs. Teaming up briefly with a friend and celebrated producer R-Kay they formed Injili group and produced his first ever hit song Nisamehe.

Mbuvi has since grown in leaps and bounds winning awards such as The 2011 Benga Artiste of the year at Kisima Awards, Groove Awards- Eastern Song of the Year in 2010,Groove Awards winner of Traditional Song of the Year (2009) among others.

When you think of a Kenyan police officer, you think an overweight old guy with a kitambi hanging way too close to their knees. Over the weekend one Linda Okello from Kiambu County changed all that.

The endowed beauty turned heads in Kiambu and her picture made rounds on the internet with people praising her heavily endowed backside. Her bosses were not too pleased with the outfit and the commotion  it caused thus landing Miss Linda in hot soup.

KOT ran to her defense and now Collo has come to her defense. This is what Collo said:

NKT… WTF is this B.S? Kwani we can’t have curvy cops?… some of these clowns cozin bout this beautiful cop need to shut the fuck up n travel. Shout out to #MRSOFFICER. I got ur back… l

She took over the co-host seat after the departure of Joyce Omondi on Citizen TV’s Rauka show; and few months down the line she’s commanding admiration and respect from her views.

Despite her Citizen TV job and Expert Marketing Manager at Glaxosmithkline, Enid Moraa, an acclaimed and dedicated worship singer still manages to get into the music studio to do one of the things she loves most; sing.

Njugush & Enid

She recently hooked up with multi-talented musician and minister, Kanjii Mbugua, and the upshot is just out of this world.

The two illustrious Gospel artistes released their video yesterday and has already caught fire on all media platforms.

Engineered by Robert “R. Kay” Kimanzi, Kanjii Mbugua and Aaron Rimbui, the song is called, “Mfalme Mkuu”.

Here’s that;

{youtube}Tq_klMaHj7E{/youtube}

If you love jazz music, then you should listen to the band that is slated to revolutionize Jazz Music in Kenya. The Intricate Fusion Band.

The Intricate Fusion  is a 5 man band with a passion for music that is so great that the members of the band boast of playing various other instruments other than their primary instruments.

The group is compromised of Paul Mbithi who is Keyboardist and Music Director, Michael Munene- Bass guitarist and arranger, Daniel Akoyi-Drummer and Manager Stephen Gatitu- Saxophonist and David Ndegwa- Guitarist and songwriter.

The band is in the process of releasing its debut album dubbed the Love and Hymns Project. In it, are some fine collaborators like Ian Mbugua and Arona, the album is produced, mixed and mastered by Daniel Akoyi.
Here is the link to the official video ‘Haiya’ featuring Julia Raymond
{youtube}geRH_FfAMy0{/youtube}

Standard Digital Entertainment (SDE) and Play are set to launch a new exciting music download service. The service will make available the latest quality urban Pan African content to its subscribers. The platform will afford music lovers an opportunity to get Africa’s biggest chart toppers and Kenya’s favorite all-time hits by texting the word ‘Music’ to 21585. The user will then be automatically subscribed to receive amazing content from the service.

The artists featured on the service are the likes of Dbanj, Camp Mulla, Mercy Myra, Atemi, Burna boy, Davido, Atumpan, Fuse ODG, Zonefam, FerreGolla, Kayamba Africa. Serious hits such as Caro and back to the matter by Wizkid, Limpopo by kacee, Yawa de by burner boy, Touching Body by Dj Arafat and J martins, Aye by Davido Johnny by Yemi Alade just to mention a few.

These two bigwigs have partnered on this amazing project that is set to deliver the greatest African hits to Kenyans with maximum ease.

Play is a brand new company with an inexhaustible spirit creating world class entertainment solutions for mobile subscribers and service providers globally.

Play is the ultimate mobile VAS aggregator in Africa and was initiated to meet the Global demand of Pan African content across all worldwide markets.

This service is yet another innovation that is in line with Plays master plan to deliver Pan African content globally.

SDE is has carved its way to be the leading and most visited entertainment portal in Kenya, in a span of less than one year. This vibrant portal that is part of the Standard Media Group digital arm, is aimed at raising the quality of showbiz in Kenya.

It has aggregated content from the leading entertainment print publications, Pulse, Nairobian and Crazy Monday to give the audience a comprehensive entertainment experience on the site.

This SDEPlay service is one of SDE’s missions to bring quality and diverse music content to the user’s fingertips.

It’s really pretty incredible that after almost 20 years, the influence of the UK Garage genre is still very present. From its early incarnations around 1994, British Garage has had a huge impact over urban music in the UK.

And now its reverberating in Nairobi. Having achieved both underground and commercial success, Candy n Candy Records is reviving the genre in Nairobi.

The record label is set to launch Garage & Grime music in Kenya this Saturday during the release of its first mixtape of garage and grime music in one of a kind road-show around Nairobi County.

While Garage is fairly known, Grime is the new sound from Candy n Candy and was debuted in the single, “Nasty Morning” released recently.

It’s been described as “…the sound of the new generation with baseline tunes which brings out freshness and it’s a style which not so many producers have used.”

I recently received wind of the fact that all the people who have been shortlisted for the job of chairperson of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) by the Ministry of Information and Communication are all from one community, which also happens to be the community of the President of The Republic Of Kenya.

And after all the storm that was kicked up by the comments and tweets I saw during the debacle in which the former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka ethnically profiled an journalist, I expected the same reaction only to be reminded by just how much of a nation of hypocrites Kenyans really are! Congratulations Kenya, you are now in the running for “Most Hypocritical Nation On Earth” title.

The Ministry of Information and Communication has come out strongly to defend the selection process that saw 6 members from one community get nominated and three names have already been forwarded to the President for review but what I am left wondering is how 6 names, all from members of one community came to be selected out of a nation with 43 ethnicities. Was no one else qualified? And before you begin to dither dumb diatribe, do the math in that! The probabilities are staggering!

On Monday, the statement signed by Stephen Mutoro, who was the vice chairman of the selection panel that conducted the interviews, refuted accusations that the exercise was marred with undue regional considerations.

Mutoro termed the media reports that six names had been shortlisted from the list of 14 applicants, only insisting that three people have been nominated for consideration by the President following the exercise.

The three are Ben Gituku, Benard Muruiki and Eng John Karuiki.

“Based on merit and competence, the three were selected, the panel ranked and shortlisted the candidates it found most suitable and their names have been forwarded to the president,” he stated.

The way I see it, how one can land on 3 names out of 14 without giving transparent measures to let stakeholders and interested persons know how selection was done is not just sheer folly but so 1988! As is said, Ceasar’s wife must be above reproach and in this instance, when everything is said and done, the secrecy surrounding the selection does nothing but tarnish the name of the CCK!

Eh henn… Personally, I have no problem with the way our world turns but I just prefer to deal with wolves than foxes! Last week I went on record to say that I felt the backlash received by Kalonzo Musyoka was unmerited at best and hypocritical, downright stupid and myopic at worst.

Let us have standard measures for everyone if we are going to tackle the ethnic equation. Not selective gibberish from some idiots on Twitter!

Now run and tell whomever the heck you would want to that Uncle Chim Tuna has spoken!

Excerpts from Standard Digital News.

You’re just in time for the trending images in Nairobi. Today, KOT unveil the new dressing code for female cops as Liverpool too, unveils Steven Gerrard’s statue at Anfield.

For this and more hilarious photos, check out today’s trending images;

{igallery id=7541|cid=1103|pid=1|type=category|children=0|addlinks=0|tags=|limit=0}

These two have a history that reads like a Tolkein story: long! The story dates back to when Gkon “.

If Gkon is to be trusted. But Avril came out to say that the lad was lying, sullying her name to ride on to fame. And I for one do know how rambunctious lads can be when they tell such stories and I for one personally have never believed this gospel as preached by GKon.

But it isn’t for me to tell whether it is a true story or not, that is up to you to decide. However, as I was scouring the internets for a story and came across a piece that came from Pulse Magazine, a weekly pull out entertainment rag from Standard Media Group’s Standard newspaper in which the writer claims that while at Nakuru for the weekend that was, Avril stood to pose with Jaguar and when the rapper GKon saw this, he walked upto them for a photo-op only for the lass Avril to walk away with disdain and spite written all over her face!

Eh henn! Na wa for o boy!

Source: Pulse Magazine

Kenyan Rapper/Singer/Songwriter/Composer Calvo Mistari has released his second single of the year dubbed “Wanabonga” from his upcoming Music Album “Madaraka Madness” set to be released in December 2014.

“Wanabonga” is a feel-good, inspirational, rise-above-the-fray kind of song. It’s a tongue-and-cheek play on lyrics that touches on everyday life situations where friends, family, colleagues, are quick to hate on your hustle and talk smack about you.

“The song encourages anyone in like situations to rise above and keep doing what they do and leave the rest to sir ‘G’!!! Haters will hate, but as long as you stay true to you and keep at doing your thing; keep DOING YOU!” asserts Calvo Mistari.

Click HERE to listen to and download “Wanabonga”

True, insecurity in Kenya is at such levels that no one, not even MPs and Senators are safe. But on this one, it hit a little too close for comfort! I just happened across a story about a friend of mine and his colleague being carjacked at gunpoint by thugs as they returned to Nairobi after having fun in Mombasa over the weekend.

The lad in question is none other than Joe Muchiri, the socialite that spends anywhere north of 30,000/- on drinks at clubs. Joe, to those who know him is sadly a very jolly rectal pile. He is the type of guy who always sees the silver lining even when there is none to be seen and that can rub anyone soar -kind of like sandpaper.

But when I read about what happened, I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine because I can appreciate just how close I came to losing a friend. The guy who is known as much for his wit and humour as his biting tongue was saved by the fact that he is a Kikuyu who happens to speak the language ergo talked his way out of the dangerous situation. This is how he broke the news:

joewmuchiri After a very nice weekend away from Nairobi some wankers decided carjacking Felix & I would make their night. Sigh. Thankfully we did not die. Thanks to cooperation and me being a Kyuk. Life has no guarantee. Each day is gift. Oh and Fuck them…

I am glad he and his friend are safe though.

Caroline Mutoko is known as the intellectual iron-lady, the no nonsense radio presenter and an alpha woman. But Carol has her Achilles heel.

And she is a doe-eyed beautiful 3 year old ,Nduku whom she adopted from Imani Children’s home in Kayole.Judith Mwobia from True Love magazine got to sit down with the radio Queen to discuss how motherhood changed her life.

This is what Carol says “Motherhood has made me more efficient and purposeful. My life, time money and energy are better utilized. Adding that” My dreams and ambitions are bigger but also more formatted.”

To get more of this interview, grab your copy of True Love Magazine from your nearest News Stand

Today, I woke up with that feeling that it will be a great day. And it was also a great day for the entertainment scene yesterday and trust that I have the hottest stories that made the biggest splashes for you and yours. So if you don’t know, read through the list below and act like you know:

#1. Has Comedian Aiyeiya Poa Poa Gone Mad or is it a Case of Serious Depression? (VIDEO)

#2. TPF 6’s Nyambura is a Mum (PHOTO)

#3. Top 10 Trending Images in Nairobi This Morning

#4. Check Photos From The Amazing Fashion Show At The Luo Festival (Day 1)

#5. “Uhuru Kenyatta And Raila Smoke Bhangi!” Kriss Darling (VIDEO)

#6. Gospel DJ & Producer Whose Wife Left Him For a Pastor Reunited with His Daughter amid Drama (PHOTO)

#7. Former Tahidi High Actor OJ Responds to Allegations that He was kicked out of the show for Being a Drunkard

#8. Kenyan Women Are Drunks! New Study Finds That Kenyan Women Drink More Than Women In All Of Africa’s 54 Nations!

#9. Do Mbusii & Lion Smoke Bhangi? They Finally Speak Out

#10.People will Always Talk So Gospel Star DK Kwenye Beat Gives Them Something to Talk About