Month: May 2014

Poaching has become rampant in Kenya thanks to the thriving market for Ivory in Asia where Ivory costs an estimated 2000 dollars (172,000 Kshs) per Kilogram.

In 2011, 25,000 elephants were killed for ivory and in 2014 we still see a lot of elephants brutally butchered to sustain the growing demand for Ivory.rhinos have not been left behind with the one below being brutally murdered for its tusks.

Inhumane:Rhino lies dead after poachers harvested its tusks(Photo/The Guardian)

Karen Kaz Lucas whom you know from her recent track ‘Niokoe’ has decided to take a stand against this madness.

“Says it all #letlive. Let the rhinos stay horny. Protect our elephants! Stand your ground.”

We think so. It is on record that currently the hottest dance hall guy in Kenya in dancehall is Wyre but it is envisaged that sooner than later the latest dancehall sensation in Kenya will take over from him.

This is because when all hope was lost for Kenyan dancehall music, it has taken him alone to use whichever means he thought would give the genre attention to actually make its presence felt.

Meet Fi Di Twisky.

Kenya has been waiting for something unique after Wyre and that is exactly what Fi Di Twisky has in his repertoire and artistry.

As a member of Airforce Dance Crew, he felt very much at home and that he was finally living his dream. Making it to Sakata Dance Competition and also appearing in different music videos, the ultimate achievement he his very proud of is being nominated as one of the best dance crews at the Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.

All his dreams were valid as a dancer until the crew started power struggles, “Everyone wanted to be the leader and dictate what goes on in the crew and it is true that each one of us had a special talent in different genres of music, we knew each other’s strengths and each one felt more important than the other”, says Fi Di.

Fi Di Twisky’s style of music is inspired by Dancehall and RnB genres with a touch of Hip-hop and dance. His icons are TOK and Wayne Wonder.

“I know that these two names are way old but they do the kind of music I am into and they inspire me each time I listen to their music. Another thing that makes me see these two as legends is that their songs from way back are still received well and even sang along to. That is what I am aiming for, good music that is timeless.” says Fi Di.

Check out his latest release;

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Beyonce once said ‘if you like it put a ring on it’ and Rigga has put a ring on the love of his life, Saiton.

In a wedding free of the press, Rigga made an honest woman out of Saiton before God, his family and friends. Here are photos of the wedding which was attended by the likes of Kanji Mbugua

Photos:Courtesy of Haimanot Armide

We all have artistes we’d love to see make a record together because one, their music has had a huge impact on the audience and two, we think they might do something that will shock (either way) all of us.

So here is our wish list collabos;

1. Size 8/ Rose Muhando

We all are conscious about the energy they exhibit on stage and in music videos. If they were to do a collabo, the energy in their song will reach the heavens. Knowing how energertic they both are, this is one collabo that will take the region by storm; ‘Mateke’ meets ‘Utamu Wa Yesu’.

2. Blaqy/ Konshenz

Blaqy has always claimed that he’s the king of dancehall in Kenya. So, why not tip him against the real king of the dancehall and see what they can do together. Honestly, I can imagine what they’d do, what am not sure about is whether Konshens will be game.

3. Rabbit/ Khaligraph Jones

This would be the illest hip-hop collabo of our time. Okay maybe not the “illest” but right up there. I love collabos in hip-hop because they are an opportunity for rappers to compete against each other lyrically with other rappers they’ve always respected. I strongly feel like this collabo will be devoid of a commercial drive rather a purely lyrical competition something most of the collabos today fall short of.

4. Juliani/ Eko Dydda

Juliani is one artist known for bringing his A-game in all his tracks thanks to his rousing lyrics that everyone (age notwithstanding) can relate to. Eko Dydda on the other hand has perfected his stammer-rap genre something that has seen him remain relevant always. I strongly feel that if these two ingenious minds locked horns, the result would be the work of a genius.

5. Elani/ Just A Band

Avant-garde meets super-nerdy.

Any music-conscious fan would die to see what a house/funk/disco band and an urban afro band can come up with. But the upshot would definitely be the talk of the region for a long time. Too much awesomeness in one song.Who is with me on this?

And the ten hottest songs this week in terms of downloads are:

1. KooKoo – Elani
2.Barua – Bahati
3. Uliza Kiatu – H_art The Band (Penya Africa)
4. Natoka Tanzania – Nikki Mbishi
5. Kereka – DK Kwenye Beat
6. Mahiri – Songa (NEW!!!)
7. Tosheka – MOG 
8. Jana Usiku – Elani 
9. Blackstar – Octopizzo 
10.Kakiru – Collo

(MOVED UP / MOVED DOWN / SAME SPOT)

Last week, I wanted to find out just which song, from the plethora of recent releases that are the talk of the town. And two songs come to mind given just how hard they have been trending: “Koo Koo” by Elani and “Nishike” by Sauti Sol. And just why have the two tracks been trending? Well, because the videos are pretty mindblowing. But this was never about videos. This is about the actual song.

And when Kenyans were asked to vote, they did. And I am so grateful to all the readers who took the time to vote. However, I am shocked by the results. I had expected a close vote but that was not the case. The vote was a landslide decision:

Yaaaaay! It’s Monday again! I know most people normally hate Mondays, but I want you to see Mondays differently, and I think there is nothing better than starting the week with new expectations and goals. With that said, here’s what made headlines over the weekend;

 #1 Check Out The German Machine that NTV’s Sheila Mwanyigha Drives

#2 Lupita Nyong’o Has Been Made Fun Of By An American Website And Honestly, This Is Funny

#3 Did You know Citizen TV’s Kanze Dena is a Mum? Meet Her Cute Son

#4 If Lulu Hassan Wasn’t an Anchor this is what she would Be Doing

#5 These Are The Most Funny Aromat Ad Spoofs Created by KOT (PHOTOS)

#6 Ruth Matete Finally Adresses The Rumours About Her Being Broke

#7 Lilian Muli Goes to Kampala in Search of Anne Kansiime. Check out this photo

#8 Here Is The House That President Got For Emily Wanjiru,The Young Girl Who Made Him Laugh

#9 Yet Again Size 8 Throws Twitter into Frenzy. Check Out all the Crazy Photos KOT Created

#10 And finally, Nameless Severely Hit by Culture Shock in London

Elani has a hot track and no one can deny that. But the reaction elicited by Sauti Sol’s “Nishike” video is nothing short of phenomenal but someone told me that it’s not getting any airplay on radio… And said individual also intimated that this is because the track is “just a good video”. I refuse to believe this. And so I want to pit the track up against one that I really like, Elani’s “Koo Koo”.

And no, I am not asking about the videos, I am asking about the songs. Which song is better between Elani’s Koo Koo and Sauti Sol’s Nishike? Have your say?

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I came across an article about Ruth Matete answering all the questions and allegations about her going broke what with her lavish lifestyle and all. The article of which I speak was done by Nairobi News. Allow me to syndicate it:

Friendly, cheerful, and outgoing could all start to describe her even though she has been on the receiving end of bad publicity. But this has not killed Ruth Matete’s jolly character.

Ruth has been enveloped by controversy from the minute she was announced winner of the music reality show Tusker Project Fame. After a year away from the media spotlight, she has finally come out of her cocoon ready to take on her haters.

“I have come to accept the media. Although they slander me all the time, I realise that I need them in my music career,” she begins, oozing confidence.

It seems that she has a strong relationship with God because she quotes Bible scriptures frequently.

And when I go straight to the point and ask her the questions that everyone wants answers to — about being crazy and broke — she laughs a little and says, “I know I have done some crazy things in my life but losing it completely; never. Look at me now. I am perfectly sane. I do not believe someone who has actually gone crazy can make the transformation that quickly and be able to hold conversations or go to interviews.”

Accursed

The whole Ruth-Matete-gone-crazy story started when she decided to reduce the length of her long dreadlocks, eventually shaving them off completely. (She now sports a short, spiky crop). For some reason, certain people associated that with being crazy.

“It is really unfair when someone writes something when they are not sure about it. Even if I am broke, that is my private life. It is my problem, not theirs. I do not go round telling the world how they should spend their money so why are they so concerned about mine,” she queried.

“He who trusts a man is cursed,” she says. Yes, it is another quote from the Bible she drops, saying that this is what she has learnt over time after having trusted so many people who are the same ones who put her in trouble.

Her latest medal of shame was the dress she wore during the grand finale of Tusker Project Fame Six. The dress was so daringly short that it would likely make hardened Kenyan socialites blush. It roused the worst of Kenyans on social media with many viciously attacking her.

Just human

“At the end of it all I am human and it does not mean that now that I am saved (local lingo for practicing Christian) I have turned into an angel. There is no one to blame for the dress and I know some might argue that I should have said no, but I had already signed a contract and there was no turning back.”

The story behind the dress is that she arrived late at the ceremony and was quickly handed the dress by a stylist. She clarified that she had worn such dresses before while in the Academy except that at the time the public had no knowledge of her salvation.

Now they had taken it upon themselves to ensure she exercised the decorum in whatever she did.

Source: Nairobi News

Some videos are thought-provoking, some are funny and some just bizarre. Despite that, sometimes the most obvious concept for a video also turns out to be the best like in the case of Elani’s latest video.

Coming up with the concept for a music video can be a nerve wracking but for fast-rising band, Elani, it appears to be a walk in the park. Three videos out and their concepts is simply mind-blowing especially the latest, Kookoo, that’s simply eyegasmic.

That Kookoo has become an instant hit is not questionable because it has 100,000+ views on YouTube.

So we sought to know about the video’s concept;

Maureen: When we were thinking about the concept we couldn’t think of anything else other than showcasing love in all its different forms. And so we had to think of a way to do it as messengers and not the parties. So, we figured the best way to do this is to walk through town like it was a normal day and we are surrounded by people who are in love.

Wambui: We wanted to see different types of people in love so that at the end of the day we can remind ourselves that we are in this together.

Here’s that interview;

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Capital FM’s Anita Nderu has had a rough week, this is after KOT pummeled her with insults after she referred to them as idiots.

Now One F,M ‘s presenter Chito Ndlovu who is known for writing cold-blooded letters to other celebrities has joined in the Anita Nderu roast.In the letter Chito says

“Dear Anita Nderu’

I have never had the pleasure of personally meeting you but i believe in the Lord’s good
Time I will be graced with that rare chance to view your five head, sorry to be in your presence.”

He then continues:

I would like to begin by first pouring out my heart to the people who have lost their loved ones both in the twin bombings in Nairobi and the grenade attacks in Mombasa. I also wish to offer my sincere condolences to your intellectual skills or lack thereof .For it only takes such intelligence and High IQ to go against an entire country’s opinion. Don’t get me wrong here darling, everybody is entitled to their opinion but don’t you think the term idiot is a bit, what’s that word? Yes. Inappropriate am sure you are familiar with the saying it takes one to know one so allow me to also call you an idiot.

He also called her out on leaving NTV for Capital saying that “Sweetest Idiot. I hear you left Teen Republik to go read news at Kenyalots Capital City, what an amazing if not genius move you made just to take your career to a lower level. I believe someone would call you an idiot for that move better yet didn’t you try to become the next big TV host after a month of being at that amazing enterprise.
I believe when you failed it gives me the right to once again call you idiot for trying too hard at something you wouldn’t succeed at right idiot?”