Kenyatta University Student Wins #SamsungColoursOfKE Social Media Contest

Makenna Wanjiku.

Makenna Wanjiku is the winner of the second edition of #SamsungColoursOfKE social media competition.

The 2016 Samsung Colours of Kenya competition was aimed at celebrating Kenya’s heritage. The contest attracted over 50 photography enthusiasts from all over the country in an August InstaMeet held in Nairobi.

According to Samsung Electronics EA product manager for Visual Display Samuel Odhiambo, this year’s competition was founded to encourage Kenyan photographers and Instagrammers to come up with one picture which would bring out colours and elements that from their opinion, represents Kenya and its attractions.

Patricia Kinyolo (Consumer Electronics Manager), Makenna Wanjiku and Samuel Odhiambo (Product Manager Samsung).

He says: "The owner of the winning photo gets to walk away with a Samsung Smart TV while the Top 10 most liked photos will be put in a digital gallery for display on Samsung SUHD TV sets in Samsung retail stores across the country."

Makenna, a fourth year Public Health student at Kenyatta University, walked away with a new 48 inch Samsung Smart LED TV. According to Lyra Aoko, one of the judges at the contest, attributes Makenna’s win to her strategy to bring out Kenyans’ warm and colorful nature.

"The winning photo stood out because of the creativity that was linked to it. To create an illusion of someone being kicked by a graffiti shoe was brilliant on Makenna’s part. That is the kind of creativity that differentiates photographers," she says.

Makenna with Lyra Aoko.

Photographs that were entered for the competition were evaluated on a number of fronts including subject matter, colour composition, picture quality as well as originality.

Avril's New Release Celebrates Women

Sultry Kenyan singer Avril has released a new song titled Yule Dame.
 
The song is a celebration of all the women working hard to achieve their dreams regardless of the situations they are dealt with everyday.

"Yule Dame is a song that was written by Amileena and performed by myself. Immediately she sent me the song to sing, I was blown away by the message because I could relate so fast and was sure that so many women could relate as well," says Avril.

Also Read: King Kaka Releases Sixth Video Off His Fourth Album 

She adds, "I was extremely humbled to have all these super women from all spheres of life agree to be part of this project through the video because the song resonated with them. I hope that this song once heard, gives a woman out there the reason to dust herself off and move on regardless."

Yule Dame was produced by DJ Space for MOB Studios. 

"Yule Dame is a fairly new sound introduced to the Kenyan Music scene by Avril. The track is partly electronic and partly acoustic with a live feel. She has evolved musically and specifically vocally, hence giving her Female fans something to enjoy and celebrate femininity and women successes during this festive season. Avril is definitely the Kenyan and East African Diva to watch out for this coming year," says DJ Space

The video was directed by N.X.T a talented duo from Zambia.

Watch it below:

Rapper Njeri Back With A New Jam 'Cheza'

Kenyan rapper Njeri has ended speculations that she was quitting music with a new hit! Regardless of the ups and downs, she says, music is her number one love and she doesn't see the end to it.

This love hate relationship between Njeri and Music is one that only works well for the fan as she is constantly giving her real self and speaking her truth. According to her, the new single titled Cheza is one inspired by the round song Perepepe Mayaya and still has her doing her signature Kikuyu rap with a mix of Swahili.

The video has a sort of resemblance to her first song Nduta but that was only for nostalgic benefits, to remind guys who she is.

See the video here:

Kenyan Comedian Sleepy David To Launch An Entertainment App

During the inaugural edition of the Laugh Festival Africa held last Friday at the Nairobi's Carnivore Grounds, Kenyan comedian Sleepy David was among the crowd's favourite. His funny jokes were way up there, especially when he was introduced as "Kevin Hart".

Now, the hilarious comic is set to launch an entertainment app this Friday evening. Not one to reveal details, the comedian is expected to launch the app that is set to offer endless entertainment to users.

He tells SpiceRead: “It will be a surprise. Only a few invited guests and the media, but the app will be a first by a comedian in Kenya."

King Kanja Releases New Music

King Kanja

THE multi-talented Kenyan artiste, King Kanja, has released a new single titled Cathy featuring the soulful Ava Lov and Big T.


This comes right after his successful showcase at 2016 SXSX (South by South West) festival in Austin, Texas. The harmonious and melodic song is an ode to inspiring young women to keep at success and focus.

It was produced by Grammy-nominated hip hop and R&B producer, Chucky Thompson, who also produced One Mic by Nas, among other hit records.

King Kanja says, “I love Cathy because of the message. To my Africans and East Africans, I want you to know I ride hard for Africa and especially at home in Kenya, the 254. The song is inspired by Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One, who I met and worked with through his mentor, the late Tony Washington.”

The video wasdirected by 1ST Impressions was shot in Miami, Florida. Cathy shows the musical and personal growth of King Kanja and working with Chucky reinforced his growth as a recording artiste.

Macha Talanta Festival Targets Young Talents

THE Macha Talanta Festival, a new talent search event, is aiming at identifying and nurturing varied young talents.

The festival, to be held on March 27 at the Machakos People's Park, is a collaborative community-based initiative between the county government of Machakos and record house T-Sound Records. 


Says MC Ndama from Machawood: “We came together in this project with a primary aim of identifying and groom young talents in music, dance, spoken word and modeling. We these talents to grow so that they can help eradicating poverty among our communities. We want them to be independent through bringing meaningful benefits out of their many talents.” 

At the talent search show, winners and participants will be awarded with recording deals at T-Sound Records and certificates among other goodies.

Sauti Sol Release Collabo Video With Ali Kiba

EAST African music giants, the award winning acts, Sauti Sol (Kenya) and Ali Kiba (Tanzania) have released the new single/video titled Unconditionally Bae. 

Sauti Sol.

The song is poised to unite fans across East Africa and Africa at large, through dance and its strong message. The video has a surprise twist that will get fans excited. It's a danceable love ballad. In the song Sauti Sol and Ali Kiba sing about the difficulty of finding love in the modern day world. 

Shot in Kenya’s beautiful North Coast of Mombasa at the English Point Marina, the official video was shot by the South African video director Justin Campos of Gorilla Films. The song was written by Sauti Sol and Ali Kiba, and produced by Sauti Sol.

Ali Kiba. Photo: I-View Studios

Sauti Sol said in a statement: “We are thrilled to release this song. Our fans have been waiting for it, even demanding it, and it's time to honour that. Africa, we hope you love our first collaboration with Ali Kiba as much as we do. Ali Kiba is a legend and we are honoured to work with him.”

Ali Kiba said, “From the first time I met Sauti Sol I knew I had to work with them. I admire their style and I found that they loved mine too. It was so much fun and seamless working on this project. My Bongo family and fans across Africa, we present this to you.”

Watch the video here...

 

Lizz and Alex Konstantaras Celebrate Son Hitting One-Month-Old

STAR Kenyan actress Lizz Njagah's son, Apolo, is one-month-old.

Lizz and Alex.

This is the message she shared with the world, as she and hubby Alex Konstantaras, celebrated their first born baby hitting the one-month-old mark.

Baby Apolo.

The photo above of the adorable little boy accompanied Lizz's post on Facebook where she wrote: "My very baby (Alex coined this phrase and I just love it) just turned one month old. The joy he has brought into our lives is beyond measure. I'm awake most of the time while he sleeps just staring at him. (Kinda explains why I am exhausted all the time. LOL) We thank God every day for you, our greatest gift. ‪#‎mommylovesyou‬ ‪#‎daddylovesyou‬ ‪#‎GodBlessYouMyLittleOne‬ ‪#‎HappyOneMonthBirthday‬ ‪#‎MommyToThisLittleAngel‬ ‪#‎YiorgosApolo‬"

Forbes Rates Dangote Richer Than Trump, Abramovich, Oprah Put Together

ALIKO Dangote, president of Dangote Group, is now richer than Donald Trump, Republican front runner; Roman Abramovich, owner of Chealsea FC and Oprah Winfrey, the richest black woman, put together.

Aliko Dangote

Dangote, who came in at the 51st position of the 2016 ranking by Forbes Magazine, is also richer than the combination of all other Nigerians who made the list.

Despite losing $300 million from $15.7 billion (N3.1 trillion) to about $15.4 billion, (N3.05 trillion) in the latest rankings, Dangote remains the richest black billionaire anywhere on the planet.

At $15.4 billion, the 58-year-old is richer than Abramovich ($7.6 billion), Oprah ($6.2 billion) and Trump $4.5 billion.

The Nigerians who made the list are Mike Adenuga ($10 billion), Femi Otedola ($1.8 billion), Folorunsho Alakija ($1.6 billion) and Abdulsamad Rabiu ($1.1 billion), who came in at 103, 1,011, 1,121 and 1,577 respectively.

Bill Gates remains the richest person in the world with a net worth of $75 billion, “despite being $4.2 billion poorer than a year ago. He has been No. 1 one for 3 years in a row and topped the list 17 out of 22 years”.

Amancio Ortega moves up to the second spot for the first time, displacing Mexico’s Carlos Slim, who slips number four, while Warren Buffett remained steady in third position.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg had the best year of all billionaires, the 31-year-old adding $11.2 billion to his fortune and moved up 10 places from 16 to the sixth spot.

The global economic volatility and plunge in commodity prices also affected the billionaires’ list, as the 16 billionaires fell of the list.

“Volatile stock markets, cratering oil prices and a stronger dollar led to a dynamic reshuffling of wealth around the globe and a drop in ten-figure fortunes for the first time since 2009,” Forbes said.

“For our 30th annual guide to the world’s richest, we found 1,810 billionaires, down from a record 1,826 a year ago. Their aggregate net worth was $6.48 trillion, $570 billion less than last year.

“It was also the first time since 2010 that the average net worth of a billionaire dropped – it is now $3.6 billion, $300 million less than last year.”

Alakija was negatively affected by the fall in oil prices, while Dangote took a hit due to a fall in the Nigerian currency, naira.

“Her first company was a fashion label that catered to Nigeria’s elite women, including the wife of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, who awarded Alakija’s company an oil prospecting license. Alakija’s net worth has fallen in the past year as a result of lower oil prices,” Forbes said.

As Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote owns about 90 percent of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company, a percentage that exceeds the 80 percent ownership ceiling set by the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

In 2015, Dangote and 61 others were richer than 3.5 billion people around the world.

Credits: www.thecable.ng

Watch Octopizzo's Brand New Video, PREZIDENTIAL, Here

THIS video for Octo's latest single, Prezidential, was officially released today in Nairobi as the Namba Nane rapper celebrated eight long years in music business.
Watch it here...

The Sawasawa Festival Is On Again!

THE annual Sawasawa Festival is going down on March 18&19 at the Sarakasi Dome.
Great music, great interactions, HUGE benefits!

Aloe Blacc To Perform In Nairobi This April

ALOE Blacc, the American soul artist, vocalist, songwriter, actor, record producer, businessman and musician, will be in Nairobi in a month's time. 

Aloe Blacc

Blacc, 37, who has proved himself as a singer and songwriter with an irresistible power to capture the complexities of human emotion, will enthrall music lovers at the Ngong Racecourse on April 10, 2016, in a show dubbed The Aloe Blacc Show, courtesy of the Blankets and Wine music picnic.

Maurice Okoth Suspended From MCSK!

MUSIC Copyright Society of Kenya has suspended its chief executive officer, Maurice Okoth, with immediate effect.

Maurice Okoth

In a letter dated March 7, 2016, and addressed to Okoth, the MCSK Board stated that his suspension “from employment” was due to his pending criminal cases in court, saying that they were putting the royalty-collecting body in jeopardy.
“There is little progress if any, on the ongoing court cases against MCSK which you are in charge of and no clear updates to the Board,” it read in part.
The Board also added that Okoth's went overboard when he attempted to defraud the society of Sh350,000 by approving an invoice for alleged legal services by Otieno Arum and Co Advocates by a MCSK employer, mispresented the Board, bringing about a “conflict of interest”.

Other bases for his suspension, according to the letter, was his attempt to change the company's lawyers without the Board's authority.
It said: “You colluded with the co-accused staff to change the company lawyer without Board's knowledge or authority.”
In the letter, the Board said that the grounds for Okoth's suspension amounted to gross misconduct, “however, the Board will take reasonable time to carry out further investigations before making a final decision, as per existing Human Resource policy.”
Following the move, Okoth was immediately instructed to surrender all company assets in his possession and that he would not be permitted to transact any business on behalf of MCSK, communicate or deal with any MCSK offices.
   

Did DNG Endorse 'Project X' Party?

YESTERDAY, self-proclaimed Number One Hype Man, DNG, dismissed all those talking against the now "postponed" teenage party dubbed Project X as just "barking dogs".

DNG

In a post on his Facebook page, the former radio presenter and rapper literally endorsed the party as he urged the organizers to proceed with the party.
He wrote: "Idle people are all over social media running their fingers about ‪#‎ProjectX‬! Hahaha...Like it's the 1st time the party's going down. Isn't that what house parties are nowadays anyway? And wait...Hold up...When did Kenyans get morals? I must have missed the memo. To Dero & Crew, get your money up!!! All we have are barking dogs and hypocrites! (sic)"

Miggy Champ's Nyaunyo Video Finally Out!

FAST-rising Kenyan dancehall singer and MC, Miggy Champ, has finally released the awaited video to his hit single, Nyaunyo.

Miggy Champ

The superb crispy video, directed by Mhando Brian, was officially launched at a club party in Nairobi on Friday evening. The vocals were recorded by Ji Lo and the beats expertly done by Babz on the Track.
See the video here...

Amani Drops Single With Congolese Lingala Maestro

SINGER Amani has dropped her first single of 2016 titled Bonbon, where she has featured Congolese Lingala guru, Washington.

Amani

The Lingala-influenced Afro-pop audio -- delivered in a blend of English, Swahili and French -- was produced by the award-winning RKay and the video shot on location in Lagos, Nigeria, by Microd Works.
See it here...

Chidinma "dumps" Clarence Peters For Flavour!

NIGERIAN singer, Chidinma, has dumped Clarence Peters’ Capital Hills Music label.

Chidinma

The 24-year-old Kedike hit-maker had been with the label since she won the MTN Project Fame West Africa in 2010. She signed a five-year contract with Capital Hills and it expired in February and many were waiting for her next move. 
It's now rumoured that she is already joining her alleged lover, Flavour, on his record label, 2Nite Entertainment. 

Chidnma and Flavour

As reported by Naij.com, the two singers have been seen in romantic positions but never open up on dating each other.
Throughout her five-year record, management and publishing contract with Capital Hills Music, Chidinma did not release any album but was dropping singles. 

Clarence Peters

Diana Opoti Partners With Store 66

FASHION trailblazer Diana Opoti has partnered with fashion retailer, Store 66, to sell some of the African designs she showcases.

She wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: "MILESTONES | Diana Opoti PR - ‪#‎FashionBusiness‬. I have officially partnered with a fashion retailer (with 4 stores in Nairobi-Kenya) to make available some of the amazing African brands I showcase. Store 66 - Fashion will host an in-store collective exclusively stocking premium African brands as curated by Diana Opoti The reatiler (Store-66) has a flagship store at the heart of Nairobi's Busines district ‪#‎LonhroHouse‬, a Lavington store at the Valley Arcade shopping Center and the new luxury mall opening soon ‪#‎2Rivers‬ Mall. We have begun sourcing. Criteria - Looking for brands across Africa keen to stock in Nairobi. PREMIUM BRANDS ONLY with Ready-to_wear pieces. Minimum 3-5 years minimum in existence. Send me your last two lookbooks to diana@dianaopotipr.com or diana.opoti@gmail.com."

Pastor Omba Revisits His "Dark" Past...

Look at what the "holy man of God" wrote on his Facebook on Tuesday...
"Sometimes Back this picture was all over in media ,Eti Eric Omba having Affair with these pretty young Ladies Whom I call them my Doughters and they call me Dad ..Am the father and I will never stop being the Father of Many Just because the devil is using someone to ruin people's good Reputation and I will never shy to love and support anyone that God brings on my way"

Pastor Eric Omba with the young pretty beauties.

Is This DNG's New Catch?

IN the last few weeks, the self-proclaimed Kenya's Number One Hypeman, Davidson Ngibuini aka DNG, has been making gossip headlines, all for the wrong reasons.

DNG

This follows his alleged separation (and looming divorce) from his wife of 11 months Yvette Nungari.

DNG with Yvette during happier times.

Last week, it was all over news that, in deed, the famed MC and former rapper and radio host is already hooked to another hottie, whom they were spotted having pretty moments in one of Mombasa's most luxurious five star hotels.
The photo below -- posted by DNG on his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon, could be the give-away lead in unveiling the new leading lady in his life.

Check it out...

The photo making tongues wag...

Sexy Cece Sagini Has New Things Popping Up!

SCINTILLATING Kenyan singer, Cece Sagini, has new things popping up!

Cece Sagini

The beautiful and sexy Feel It hit-maker posted an amazing photo (below) today on Facebook, saying that she was about to release a brand new single
Reads the caption: "When you have your game face on but you can't help the emotions bursting inside because---> #TGIF #9to5 #NewSingle #ComingSoon #CeceOnAMission #Cecelians"

See the photo...

Visita Is Grandpa's Government Second In Command!

GRANDPA Records C.E.O and creative director Yusuf Noah aka Refigah has appointed his super producer and rapper Nickson Wasonga Nickodemo aka Visita as the label's second in command.

Refigah

                                                    
Last evening at a dinner ceremony held at the prestigious Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel, Visita was handed the mantle to be Refigah's deputy president at the helm of the Kibera-based record house.

Visita

 

                                                       
"Visita is a selfless hard-working artiste, fully committed to the Grandpa government and has all the leadership qualities I would look for in someone to succeed me after my retirement in five years. I have all the trust in him and he definitely deserves the appointment as my deputy," said Refigah.

Refigah officially hands over the mantle to Visita.

Visita first shot to fame in 2013 when he featured in the monster hit Hivo Ndo Kunaendanga with rappers Majirani and Kenrazy. He won Bingwa Best New Artiste of the Year 2014 and Bingwa Songwriter of the Year 2015 for his song Mapepo.

Congratulations to Visita!

Angelique Kidjo Dedicates Grammy Win To African Artistes

BENINESE singer Angelique Kidjo won a prestigious Grammy Award at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, USA on Monday. The award is her third Grammy in her illustrious career and her second in consecutive years.
Kidjo first won a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008 for her eighth studio album, Djin Djin, which included a star-studded list of guest artists including Branford Marsalis, Ziggy Marley, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana and Peter Gabriel. She won her second Grammy in 2015 for her 2014 album EVE in the Best World Music category.
That win was dedicated to the women of Africa, with Kidjo explaining in her acceptance speech: “For me, music is a weapon of peace and today more than ever, as artists we have a role to play in the stability of this world.”

Now the 55-year-old Cotonou-born diva has just won the 2016 Grammy, againfor Best World Music Album, for her latest album Sings, a collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.In accepting her latest award Kidjo danced onto stage to the sounds of James Brown, before announcing: "I want to dedicate this Grammy to all the traditional musicians in Africa, in my country, and all the young generation, the new African music, vibrant, joyful music that comes from my continent that you have to get yourself to discover. Africa is on the rise. Africa is positive. Africa is joyful. Let's get together and be one through music and say no to hate and violence through music. Thank you!"

                                             Black Mambazo

Kidjo victory came at the expense of two of the other African nominees at the Grammies, South African legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Malawi’s Zomba Prison Project, who were nominated in the same category.
In other categories where African artists were nominated, Ghanaian reggae man Rocky Dawuni lost out in the Best Reggae category to Jamaican band Morgan Heritage.

                                                  Rocky Dawuni 
South African flautist Wouter Kellerman was unsuccessful in his bid for a second consecutive Grammy when he missed out in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category to American act Snarky Puppy’s collaboration with the Dutch Metropole Orkest.
Flying under the radar South African gospel singer Neville D was in the running for Gospel Performance/Song for co-writing 'How Awesome Is Our God', recorded by American band Israel and Newbreed, but he missed out to American star Kirk Franklin.
Zimbabwean producer Brian Soko, part of the production trio The Order, was nominated in the Best Rap Album category for producing three songs on Nicki Minaj’s Pink Print album. Soko and The Order picked up two Grammys in 2015 (Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance) for their work on Beyoncé’s double platinum record ‘Drunk In Love’ after being nominated in five categories.
But Soko lost out this year to American rapper Kendrick Lamar, who was the night’s biggest winner, taking home five Grammys, while compatriots Taylor Swift and Alabama Shakes won three trophies each.

                                                 Kendrick Lamar 
Nigerian-American singer Jidenna, nominated in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category for his hit 'Classic Man', also lost out to Lamar.
One small consolation for African music fans will be that Lamar recently revealed that his winning album To Pimp A Butterfly was largely inspired by his 2014 trip to South Africa, during which he toured the country, visiting historic sites such as Nelson Mandela's former jail cell on Robben Island.

                                                        Jidenna
In the build-up to the awards Lamar recently revealed in an interview with the Grammy website: “I felt like I belonged in Africa. I saw all the things that I wasn’t taught. Probably one of the hardest things to do is put [together] a concept on how beautiful a place can be, and tell a person this while they’re still in the ghettos of Compton. I wanted to put that experience in the music.
Added Lamar, “The idea was to make a record that reflected all complexions of black women. There’s a separation between the light and the dark skin because it’s just in our nature to do so, but we’re all black. This concept came from South Africa and I saw all these different colours speaking a beautiful language.”


Credits: GhanaWeb.

Nazizi's New Video Is Awesome!

IF you haven't watched Nazizi's new video for the song Wedding Ring (produced by Beat Ya Keggah) yet, then you are missing out on a gem!

The beautiful video directed by VJ One is definitely among the few best music videos to come out of Kenya in the recent times.
The reggae song is great too! Nazizi has delivered some sweet lyrics with awesome vocals.

Watch the amazing video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpAlRVXD8yQ&sns=em

MusikMaestro Release The 'Supreme Gyal' Video

MusikMaestro, some of the East Africa’s top emerging acts, have released the very funky music video to the track Supreme Gyal.

The song is the first single off their newly released debut EP Nugenation (Kings Among Men).
From East Africa to UK, the London-based dynamic duo of Kenya and Ugandan origin are widely known for their distinct Afro-dancehall and reggae sound.
"We are thrilled to be representing East Africa internationally and promise our fans, especially in Kenya and Uganda, that we are coming to see you guys soon. For now, we decided to put out a jam to celebrate all ladies worldwide. This one’s for all the African divas,” says MusikMaestro. 

Shouting out girls from all over the world, Supreme Gyal is a fusion of dancehall/ reggae and electronic beats with great lyrics, a guaranteed club banger and DJs/fan favourite. 
The music video was directed by Konstantin Ermakov and produced by Antoine Dixon Bellot, who has worked with top acts including Wiz Kid, 2 Face Idibia and Sarkodie.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyBtf3S1X5k
Listen it on Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/1nCU40m

Mzungu Kichaa's Debut Reggae Song Is Out

TANZANIA-based Danish singer, Mzungu Kichaa, has released a bonafide reggae tune titled Relax Your Mind.

The video to the new song features his band, Bongo Beat, in true show for their renown eclectic high-energy African style that has become their signature.
The 35-year-old singer says, "This video represents our journey as a band. It was important for me to get some of the magic that has developed during live-concerts onto a recorded track and I think we managed to do that on this song."

He adds: "The bridge, which goes “set the night on fire” was developed on stage during a late night performance at Operaen in Christiania during one of our tours in Denmark. The song was recorded in a studio in Denmark while we were on tour. So I guess this process really represents our journey as a band and the positive energy we have received from our audience. An energy that we want to share with the world through this video."

Relax Your Mind was shot on location in Dar es Salaam and features a number of Mzungu Kichaa´s long standing crew, some of which are family. They include Director of Photography (DOP) Adam Juma, Video Director Rita Wachera, Artistic Director Jessica Olsen and Producer Louise Kamin.