WHO'S THAT GIRL? EVE LANDS IN NAIROBI

Rapper and actress E.V.E landed in Nairobi today morning ahead of the the Tusker All Stars Concert, due to be held at the Carnivore grounds on Saturday.
E-V-E is a Grammy Award-winning American rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her first three albums have reached a total of over 8 million albums sold worldwide. She has also achieved success in fashion as she started a clothing line titled "Fetish."
Described as East Africa’s Biggest Concert, EABL Marketing Director, Kenya, Caroline Ndungu said that East Africa Breweries Ltd and the Tusker Brand Team had put together a show to remember.

 “The Tusker All Stars Concert, will feature a blend of local, regional and international artistes. Our very own Amani, Jaguar and the HotRod Band will be in action at the Concert and from the region, Alpha, from Rwanda, Msechu from Tanzania and Davies from Uganda will be showcasing some of their new work at the Concert. These Tusker Project Fame graduates have come a long way and we at EABL are proud to be part of their growth,” Ndungu said. “Shaggy, one of the biggest names in dance-hall and reggae music, needs no introduction; his music has entertained fans around the world since his 1995 single Bombastic.  Earlier this year, Shaggy launched the album “Summer in Kingston” which contains his hit single Sugarcane. To hear Sugarcane live, the Tusker All Stars Concert is the place to be.

And who doesn’t know Cabo Snoop? Cabo, our neighbour from Angola, is a kuduro artist from Luanda, Angola. Cabo's breakthrough song Windek is probably one of the most popular songs in Kenya! At the Tusker All Stars Concert, we will all get to hear songs from Cabo’s first album, Bluetooth.

Commenting on the mix of artistes selected to perform at Concert, Ndungu said the selection process was guided by Tuskers key brand benefits. “The brand Tusker is firmly rooted, it reflects our African Spirit and it is legendary,” Ndungu added. “The artistes you see here today have African roots, they are legendary, and perhaps I should say, Davies, Msechu and Alpha are on their way to becoming legends. Amani and Jaguar continue to set the pace in Kenya, and we are proud to have them on board.

ASAMOAH GYAN AND TEAMMATES TO PRACTICE IN KENYA

 

Asamoah Gyan together with the finer than frog hair, mackable teammates Ghanaian National football team will be in the country for a week training for the Ghana-Sudan friendly match.
I'm told they will be training in Naivasha - where they normally train at when they are in the country - and will be staying at the Winsor Resort and Golf Club.
Anyhow, Gyan tweeted about it today.

Some stats about Gyan

1. He is 26 years old
2. Plays for the Ghana national team and now plays as a striker for Premier League club Sunderland. 
3. He became a prominent player in the 2010 World Cup after scoring 3 goals during the tournament but he made a mistake when failing to kick a penalty goal against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. 
4. Gyan likes to wear the number one jersey number "3"‘, when he joined the club Sunderland at the moment he took back the number "33".

KENYAN ARTISTE REMEMBERS WANGARI MAATHAI IN SONG

Kenyan artiste Kwame Rigii has recorded a song in honor of Nobel laureate professor Wangari Maathai dubbed Mama Taifa. The single has already been released on Kenyan radio and is available on YouTube. has been released. The single lauds Wangari's achievements that are celebrated world wide by the whole world. Kwame, a hip hop artist recorded the single at Click Track records where rapper Jal and Juliani also recorded the yet to be released social conscious single titled Tribalism Is A Disease. The Jal-Juliani single features collaborations with politicians William Ruto and Martha Karua, PR guru Gina Din Kariuki and business magnate Jimnah Mbaru.

Kwame, Ruto and John Mark- Juliani's manager

Here is the single. Enjoy.

VAMPIRE DIARIES STAR DESIGNS TEE FOR KENYAN CHARITY

 Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev has designed a t-shirt to raise funds to feed children in Kenya. Sporting the tee that reads "Hunger Bites," Nina told Hollywood Life, the proceeds from the t-shirt will help feed 6,500 children at a school in Kenya.
"No one should go hungry because, quite frankly, hunger bites," Nina said, "And I'm not just saying that because I'm on a vampire show."
 The 22-year-old who is an ambassador for Free The Children, has been to Kenya before in 2008 together with her co stars in the TV show Degrassi to build a school in Oloomirani in Narok.
Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries.






Founded in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, we are a charity and educational partner that believes in a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change.

The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (also known as the Children's Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network.

CABO, SHAGGY, ALPHA, MSECHU AND DAVIS PLANT TREES AT KARURA

The Tusker All Stars prime guests Shaggy and Cabo Snoop and icons Msechu, Alpha and Davies, today joined the East African Breweries Ltd E-Green Team at the Karura Forest for a tree planting session as part of Karura Forest Conservation efforts. The Stars, who are in Kenya for East Africa’s biggest musical fete, the Tusker All Stars Concert, planted a selection of various indigenous trees and took time off to enjoy serenity and bond with nature at one of the country’s most famous conservation names. Speaking during the tree planting event, EABL’s Marketing Director, Kenya, Caroline Ndungu said, “Environmental conservation, as one of the EABL Foundation key pillars, is not only an initiative that we invest a lot of resources into but also a calling that is deeply embedded in our corporate social responsibility mission,” “Bringing the Tusker All Stars to Karura Forest, one of our country’s greatest environmental assets, therefore gives them the crucial and memorable opportunity in lending a hand in its conservation.” She added. Adding his voice during the exercise, American musician, Shaggy said he was excited to be part of the initiative.”Sustaining the environment is an obvious concern across the world and as responsible global citizens, each one of us has a responsibility to play in ensuring that we do all it takes to conserve the planet for future generations,” Shaggy said. “I thank EABL for giving us the opportunity to join them in this very symbolic and historical initiative,”

Shaggy

On his part, Angolan musician, Cabo Snoop in his native Portuguese noted that trees are one of the planet and humanity’s most valuable assets and whose conservation calls for genuine commitment from all. “As plantas sao importantes para o ser humano, por isso vamos manter a nossa missao em conserva-las (trees are important to mankind, let us make it our mission to conserve them.” Said Snoop.

Cabo Snoop

Uganda’s Davies Ntare, winner of Tusker Project Fame IV and Tanzania’s Peter Msechu were both making a second trip to Karura, having engaged in a similar initiative during Tusker Project Fame IV. “This tree-planting exercise is something we take seriously, it is not just for the show, but as artistes we are also personally committed to this cause and we will use our talent and position in the society to positively promote the conservation of the environment,” Ntare commented.

Alpha

Davis

The Tusker All Stars will be in action at the Tusker All Stars Concert to be held at the Carnivore Grounds on the 1st of October 2011.

WHEN STARS DESCENDED ON NAIROBI

Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the press conference

Starting Tuesday this week, top panafrican stars and international stars jetted into Nairobi for various shows scheduled for this weekend.
South African Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Blck Mambazo were first to arrive in the afternoon. Later that day, Angolan rapper Cabbo Snoop followed suit.

Then today morning, Mr Lover Lover, Shaggy jetted in. Enjoy the snap shots. More dets on the way...

Photos/ Chris Wekesa

PERSONALITIES SEND CONDOLENCES TO WANGARI MAATHAI

The first ever female Nobel Laureate from Africa, environmental activist and former MP for Tetu died Sunday night at Nairobi Hospital of cancer-related complications at the age of 71. Wangari Maathai’s death has been felt by many. Despite Trending on Twitter, thousands of personalities and celebrities have expressed their condolences to the family for this profound loss.



Former UN secretary general, Kofi Annan in a statement sent out this morning said: “Wangari Maathai will be remembered as a committed champion of the environment, sustainable development, women’s rights, and democracy. Her contribution to all these causes will forever be celebrated and honoured. Wangari was a courageous leader. Her energy and life-long dedication to improve the lives and livelihoods of people will continue to inspire generations of young people around the world.”
“Her award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, the first to be bestowed upon an African woman, rightly underscored the important nexus in her work between sustainable development, peace and human security”.
Nelson Mandela’s Twetter page remembered the fallen legend by posting a link to photos of her lecture during the 3rd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on the foundation’s Face Book.Bottom of Form



Other celebrities paying tribute include Sauti Sol who tweeted: “#WangariMaathai, you are a mother and a hero. Kenya and the world at large mourns you. We dedicate to you, 'Awinja'”



While Eric Wainaina’s tweet read: “Today, Kenya mourns the loss of one of her greatest heroines, Prof Wangari Maathai.”
Female MP and presidential aspitrant Martha Karua also tweeted: “We join family and friends in mourning Proff Wangari Maathai a phenomenal woman a friend and role model. You lived, you inspired!”



On American actress and singer Kerry Washington tweeter page, was the message: “… RIP MOTHER OF TREES.”
Maathai, who was divorced, leaves behind three children and a grandchild.

WIZ KID AND BANKY W IN KENYA FOR SHUGA SHOOT

Joining the star studded cast of the second season of MTV Shuga are Nigerian music stars Banky W and Wiz Kid. The two are curently on set of MTV Shuga in Nairobi.
Shuga series two, subtitled Love, Sex, Money, series will be expanded from three to six episodes and develop the complex emotional storylines first explored in Shuga. Their roles are yet to be revealed but they join a Kenyan cast of singer Avril (Miss B'Have) Nick Ndeda (Angelo), Nancy Wanjiku (Baby), Brenda Wairimu (Dala), Edward Nyanaro (Rayban) and Ikubese Emmanuel - a.k.a. 9con - (Femi).



Also returning for the second series of Shuga are Sharon Olago (Violet), David Omwange (Skola), Nick Mutuma (Leo) and Antony Mwangi (Kennedy) and Valeri Kimani (Sindi).
The first series of Shuga was filmed in Kenya in August-September 2009. Starring a young cast of upcoming Kenyan actors and actresses, Shuga told a bitter-sweet tale of love, loss, sex, heartbreak and relationships, set in the clubs, bars, campuses and hangouts of contemporary Nairobi.
The six-part series will be premiered on Valentine’s Day 2012 (14 February).

TUSKER ALL STARS KENYAN PERFORMANCE LIST

A lot is being said about the host of international celebrities that jet into the country next week for the much anticipated Tusker All Stars Concert. The stage is set for one of East Africa’s biggest concerts, however little has being said about our very own home grown talent that will take to the stage with this bevy of international superstars.
Joining the international line up of Eve, Shaggy and Cabo Snoop and East African reality show finalists Alpha, Davis and Msechu is a list of top Kenyan entertainers and personalities.
First off, the duo who have bagged the master of ceremony role for the October 1 concert set to be hosted at the Carnivore Grounds are renown radio personalities Maina Kageni and DNG.



They are no strangers to the Kenyan audience as Maina’s breakfast show on Classic 105 is top rated and DNG’s street moniker Kenya’s Number one Hype Man speaks for itself. The two will be in charge of entertaining the crowd as well as introducing the acts for the night.
On the list of Kenyan performers is Amani whose musical track record is in line with what Tusker All Stars is about. Rising from a collabo artiste, Amani had proved her worth over the years.
She was has recently signed to Sony Music under Rockstar 4000 and has worked on a ground-breaking song with International RnB singer R Kelly alongside top African stars like Ali Kiba, Navio, Fally Ipupa, 2face Idibia, JK, 4*4 and Movazeleine.
The song titled Hands Across the World made it to the billboard 100 and had over 1 million downloads in Africa.
Another Kenyan performer on the list is Jaguar. The young entrepreneur and philanthropist is currently riding high on his Kigeugeu hit. And is a common fixture in various major events across the country.



The Tusker All Star Concert will also include two of the top dance crews in the country. Celebrating more talent and achievement, Tusker All Stars Concert has signed the current champs of dance in Kenya, FBI Dancers. The dance crew battled for the title, in two seasons of TV dance show Sakata, before emerging winners. They have featured in various music videos including DNG and Jalango’s latest hit song Katumbo.
FBI will be joined by Sisqo Dancers who have also cut there teethe in the dance industry and built a name for themselves.



The concert will also see the introduction of a new DJ unit in town, the Deejays Republic. They are a conglomerate of the top-level deejays in the East African region. They include DJ Crème, DJ Dru, DJ Protégé, DJ W and DJ Hypnotic.
Formed early this year, every member of the Deejay’s Republic has over 5 years experience in being a DJ on Kenya’s premier urban radio and TV stations (98.4 Capital FM, KISS 100 and KISS TV). They also boast of a wealth of knowledge and skill on execution of events ranging from private functions, public and corporate functions as well as DJ tours in East and Southern Africa, USA and the U.K.

BEVERLEY KNIGHT SIGNED UP FOR MALAWI’S LAKE OF STARS

Festival goers from around the world will be descending on the palm fringed shores of Lake Malawi for the Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi’s award winning annual international arts festival. And with the excitement building, the festival organisers have announced the final acts completing the line-up, including a huge headliner in the form of UK soul legend Beverley Knight!
The festival will feature over 80 acts including the Kenya’s Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda as well the best in Malawian music from Black Missionaries and Lucius Banda, African legends Freshlyground, and the award winning UK act Foals. With artists from a record breaking 12 countries, this year’s event reinforces Lake of Stars’ reputation as a truly global, naturally Malawian event.



Speaking from the festival site on Lake Malawi, festival founder Will Jameson said: “There’s a massive buzz around the festival this year. We had two great pre parties in Malawi last weekend which gave everyone a taste of what’s in store. Tickets are flying out of the door here in Malawi - and across the world - and epic roadtrips are being organised from as far as Kenya and South Africa by fans desperate to see their favourite bands play in the Warm Heart of Africa!”
Announcing the latest headline act, Jameson said: “I’m so excited that Beverley Knight, UK soul legend and Christian Aid ambassador, will be playing at Lake of Stars while she is in Malawi visiting Christian Aid HIV projects. Part of what makes Lake of Stars so special is the opportunity provided for unique artist collaborations, and seeing Beverley sing with musicians from Malawian band Mafilika is going to be truly spectacular!”


Mista Jam

“This really is shaping up to be our best and most diverse line-up to date with everything from chart topping international bands to Malawian DJs to Japanese drummers to Rwandan inanga players and absolutely everything in between. “
The festival site is looking busy as local carpenters construct the three stages, and equipment and volunteers begin to arrive. And with the weather forecast predicting it will be a sunny 30 degrees Celsius, the stage is almost set for the world’s most stunningly located festival.
Jameson added: “The festival was borne from a desire to raise money for a developing economy, promote Malawi as a top travel destination and expose Malawian artists to international crowds, as well as putting on an amazing event that now forms part of the global festival circuit.
“Last year the festival generated $1,000,000 of local spend with around a third being in foreign currency, over 100 local people were employed and more than 1000 hotel beds were slept in providing a major boost to local families and businesses.”

ALPHA RECORDS NEW SONG READY FOR ALL STAR CONCERT

Tusker All Star winner Alpha is in the studio with producer R Kay working on a musical project. The Rwandese reality show star who jetted into the city recently told Hot Secrets his new single, No Money, No Love is almost complete.
“It is a kind of Afro pop single that is themed generally about life. Something the society at large has had to experience. Where one loves you for your money,” Alpha said.



Alpha bagged a cool Sh5 million when he won Tusker Project Fame in it’s third season explained that No Money, No Love isn’t the story of his life.
“It is a reflection of what happens in society. I don’t write songs about myself but about themes that most people would relate to,” he said.
Alpha is alos planning to record another single with singer Mimmoh. “I’m looking forward to do something, right now we are just working at the logistic.”



Mimmoh narrated how the collaboration came about. “Actually I tweeted Alpha during the finale (of Tusker All Stars) congratulating him, saying I would like to do something with him. He tweeted back,” Mimmoh told Hot Secrets, “We have not yet decided whether to do a patriotic song or a love song.”



Alpha together with Ugandan Davis Ntare and Tanzanian Msechu won the chance to share a stage with American rapper Eve, Angolan sensation Cabo Snoop and Jamaican ragga heartthrob Shaggy at a concert to be hosted at the Carnivore on October 1.
“It is an honour, we want the international acts to go back home saying, they saw talent,” Alpha promised of the show.

FOUR AFRICAN FOOTBALL LEGENDS TO STAR IN THE GUINNESS FOOTBALL CHALLENGE SEASON 2

Football fans in Kenya and across East Africa are set to enjoy a great season of the Guinness Football Challenge as Guinness brings on board four African Football Legends in the up coming TV game show set to debut on October 6. The show will be bringing together contestants from the three East African countries, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and will also have a West African Edition that will involve Ghana and Cameroon.
Jay Jay Okocha, from Nigeria, Marcel Desailly from Ghana, Rigobert Song from Cameroon and Kalusha Bwalya from Zambia have been selected to feature in the show for their renowned talent and skills as they are some of the most successful footballers who made headlines in the 80’s ,90’s and recent years in football circles both locally and internationally.
The four legends will be the stars of the show in an exclusive season finale dubbed Legends Special where they will pair up with selected contestants from East Africa in the East African Edition (Kenya Uganda and Tanzania) and West Africa Edition (Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon). The legends will take part in the physical skills and the contestants will take on the knowledge. During this special episode the teams will battle it out against each other to see who tops the league to win big cash prizes.
The contestants of the Guinness Football Challenge Season 2 were selected during the auditions that were held at the city Cabanas early August to select teams that will represent Kenya in the first of its kind show as similar activities took place in Kampala and Dar es Salam.



According to Guinness brand manager Agnes Kinga, “the four legends were selected on the basis of their popularity as they are among living soccer legends who are still celebrated not just locally but in other countries beyond Africa, this are some of the soccer icons that our upcoming stars can emulate because Guinness Football challenge is about nurturing future talent” she said
Speaking during a telephone interview from Ghana, the legends expressed optimism in the state of football in Africa and are really excited to have been selected as to be part of the Guinness football Challenge “there is a lot of untapped talent in Africa because it’s a continent that has the potential to bring forth international stars and that is why Guinness is giving young talented soccer fans a platform to showcase their skills in the Guinness Football Challenge show, personally I am really honored and looking forward for the show ” said Kalusha Bwalya who is currently the president of the Football Association of Zambia.
Since its launch last year, the Guinness Football Challenge has received overwhelming support from fans and consumers and this year, the show is expected to be even bigger and better as it brings on board other East African countries. This year, contestants and football fans will have a great opportunity to win lots of cash throughout the season.

JAL, JULIANI AND BONNY LAUNCH SMS PEACE LINE

In a collective effort to engage and empower youth across Kenya, Kenya’s most inspiring and social conscious lyricist Juliani, Emmanuel Jal,artist and award‐winning photo-activist Boniface Mwangi held what was a first in a series of youth meetings.



In the country's hip hop capital of Dandora on Sunday 4 September 2011. Dedicated to positive social change, Juliani's 'Kama Si Sisi’ initiative Emmanuel Jal's 'We Want Peace' campaign, and Boniface's Kenya Ni Kwetu movement came together on this momentous move of inspiration to engage, discuss and enlighten on the holistic elements of peace, reconciliation and development in Kenya.
Influential youth, Kenyan Hip hop pioneers Ukoo Flani Mau Mau and Robah of Kalamashaka joined Juliani, Emmanuel and Boniface on a tour of Kenya's biggest dumping site in Dandora.



On arrival at the Mau Mau studio, Kenya's hip hop birthplace, Juliani welcomed and hosted all those in attendance to his hometown, while Boniface Mwangi screened Picha Mtaani’s touching Heal The Nation documentary, focused on the tragedy that befell Kenyans after the 2007 December elections.



Thought provoking conversation ensued, with a generic understanding on the urgent need to forge new mind‐sets across Kenya, adopting and embracing a culture of responsibility, accountability and change. "This is a project of champions’ said Juliani, "We will lead the realization in responsible living, education and work."
"Dependency as a way of thinking has to stop," continued Emmanuel Jal. corroborating this, Boniface added, "2007 can never happen again, it's time to bring about meaningful, long term change."



Following what was a historic discussion, documented on the social network, twitter, and triggering further debate online, the We Want Peace 'Commitment to Peace' pledge, via the SMS 595 was officially launched by Juliani and Jal.



"As of now, we are rallying the 595 army, 1 million Kenyans for peace,who will create a positive energy throughout the country in run up to the elections, they will protect Kenya responsibly and become inspiring leaders in their own communities" said Jal. "By texting 595, you have made a promise,through your quote, statement or thoughts, you've made a solid commitment, we want to know what you're doing to ensure peace and development in Kenya."



Juliani weighed in, "All 1 million submissions if not more will then be handed by Emmanuel and I to the Government."