THE NEW FACE OF KENYAN COMEDY

Here are a number of comedy skits dubbed Kula Happy.

Enjoy.

CEDRICK TODWELL: THE SMALL MAN BEHIND THE BIG EVENTS

Who is Cedrick Todwell?

Cedrick is Africa’s next top business man watch this space and I mean it. Currently I’m full time at my company, Twelve Agency. We are a small time marketing and event management  firm with some pretty big clients.
My childhood was full of ups, downs, and everything in between. I watched as some of the things I held close go away and I lacked all the privileges some of you had. It's funny how time and certain situations change things and people. I’ve learned new lessons and re-enforced old ones, trust, relationships and loyalty are extremely rare in the world. As the night falls and doors close to my past, I will reflect on the past, and plan for the future. My now and future is looking good, just gotta make it happen!!!!
 

What do you do?

I am a business development manager with Verge Media a sister company to level One Communication and part time MD at Twelve Agency. We major in advertising, creative and experiential  marketing with some great clients like Sony/Google among others. For more info check us out on our website.

What are your aspirations, passions with respect to your company?

I am a business gambler and an adventurer at heart, one who loves to take risks, to discover and explore new worlds, and to travel the untried path rather than the safe, reliable one. I am independent, freedom loving, and often very restless. I have a lifestyle that provides opportunities for travel, movement, change, and meeting new people.

An incurable optimist, I have big dreams, aspirations and hope for the future and I am usually engaged in pursuing a far-off goal. I have a great deal of faith and trust in life and failures do not crush my spirit. I always bounce back from disappointments due to God, often with another bright dream or scheme.

What motivated you to do what you do?

When I grew up my dad always told me I need to leave a legacy and you can leave a legacy either through planting a tree, having a child or writing a book but I want to leave a legacy that will change peoples lives for the better and that’s by doing international events and raising the bar of international gospel events.

Where do you see yourself two years from now?

I see myself going global  with Twelve Agency mostly in areas of advertising and events because already we have spread our tentacles in Africa…we are already building strong partnership with like minded partners in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa and in 2012 we heading to West Africa.

How many events have you done?
I have done quite a number thanks be to God. There’s the Chevelle Franklyn Xtreeme weekend/ Recharge Concert with Marvin Winans Jr, Sherwin Gardner and Damita Haddon, Love At The Dome that featured Stitchie, The Cece Winans Kenya tour, The Big Picture event that was headlined by Da Truth, Rapper flame who headlined the Captured concert and most recently the Unashamed  Kenya concert featuring Lecrae and 116 crew.

Which was the best event ever?
I can say 116 was the best event cause we had lots of media support especially you Hot Secrets, got some great supportive sponsors (Standard Group, Naivas, Ghetto Radio, Mavuno, Spinrej DJ), and the attendance was amazing just over 4000 people.

What are some of the major challenges you go through in Kenya when organising and promoting your events?

Malice and negativity from guys in the industry! Something strange is that it is starting to get into the gospel industry. It is getting to a point where people form hate cliques and start mudsling. There is also the issue of high taxes.

What keeps you awake at night?

Positioning  myself as the #2 guy at everything I do. All my businesses; everything that I do. Being #2 gives me a challenge: whoever thinks they're #1 I'm giving you fair warning, stay on your toes cause I'm right at your back!!! Don't sleep, don't party, don't go trickin'.

What is your advice for a young events organiser?

Do not give up, the journey won’t be so smooth there are times you will burn your fingers but the passion is what will drive you.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

(Laughing) I won’t say that for now…..it keeps changing each month.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Setting up Twelve Agency and being able to hire 5 people. I am grateful for the team at Twelve they are so amazing.

What was the biggest gig that got away?

I think it was the Megafest Unplugged that plunged me to a valley as I was planning to bring to Kenya 7 international gospel acts but 2 weeks to the event, we realized that the artiste’s plane tickets had been booked using stolen credit cards. After that event I was branded a fraudster/conman especially with people in the church but during that time I managed to find new friends who embraced me and walked with me in the journey.

  
If I gave you an elephant where would you hide it?

How big will the elephant be? If I know the size I will know, so get me the size.

AVRIL & MARYA GO TOPLESS FOR CANCER

The bold and beautiful Ogopalets took their tops off infront of a camera for the cancer awareness campaign. The two stars, Avril and Marya got a breast cancer medical exam on camera! This cause  is very personal to Marya who lost her biological mother and grandmother to the disease.

The two teamed up with Link 254, The Pink Project and AAR Williamson to raise awareness amongst young women about the silent killer that is cancer.

EDI GATHEGI DATING SOPRANO ACTRESS

Mr Edi Gathegi is dating. According to online sources, Edi is seeing Soprano actress Jamie Lynn Siegler.

The details of the when, where, how and everything in between is scanty. When I read about it, all that came to mind is RL and Erick Sermon’s song Got Me A Model.

*Whistling and singing along to the track*

 It's a nice body
(I got me a model)
She can't look like a shorty
(I got me a model)
She knows how to party
(I got me a model)
I gotta tell somebody
(I got me a model)
She ain't level headed
(I got me a model)
Thinkin' bow legged
(I got me a model)
So why ain't Mama trickin'
(I got me a model)
Fellas get to listen
(I got me a model)

RL - Got Me A Model Feat. Erick Sermon (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: RL

MIRIAM MAKEBA’S MAMA AFRICA SCREENED IN NAIROBI

Mama Africa is the biography of Miriam Makeba, South African singer and anti-apartheid activist, the voice and the hope of Africa. Makeba was an incredible person. She was the first black African musician who won international stardom and whose music - that influenced artists across the globe - was always anchored in her traditional South African roots, as was her ceaseless message against racism and poverty.

Makeba was forced into a life in exile, after exposing the harsh realities of apartheid for the first time internationally through her participation in the 1959 documentary “COME BACK AFRICA”. She sang for John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando, performed with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Dizzie Gillespie, was married to Hugh Masekela and also Stokely Carmichael.

Her life was tumultuous. She always stood for truth and justice. She fought for the oppressed most importantly for black Africans, as a campaigner against apartheid. She died after collapsing immediately after leaving the stage at a concert in the Southern Italian town of Castel Volturno in November 2008. Makeba was 76.

This documentary, directed by Mika Kaurismäki, traces her life and music through more than fifty years of performing. Using rare archive footage of her performances, interviews and intimate scenes filmed over the years, we are shown a unique person, a world icon. Friends and colleagues, some who knew her since she started performing in the dance halls of South Africa (remember “Pata Pata”), together with her grandchildren Zenzi Monique Lee and Nelson Lumumba Lee, allow us know the remarkable journey of Miriam Makeba, “Mama Africa”. 

Some of the interviewed personalities include:-

Zenzile Monique Lee who is Makeba’s granddaughter. She was born in Manhattan, New York. Her mother Bongi Makeba Lee died in 1985. She grew up with her grandmother. Zenzi Lee sang as a backup vocalist for Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Her debut album “Daynights” was released the 26th of November 1999 in South Africa. Nelson Lumumba Lee Lumumba Lee is Miriam Makeba’s grandson, and Zenzi Lee’s big brother. Lumumba Lee joined the Miriam Makeba Band on synthesizers and produced some of Miriam Makeba’s music.

Hugh Masekela, born on April 4th, 1939 in Witbank, SA, began singing and playing piano as a child. But at age 14 he began his career as a trumpeter. In the 60ies Miriam Makeba helped Hugh Masekela obtain admission to the Manhattan School of Music (NY). Masekela can be heard adding his trumpet, singing and arranging talents to some of the singer's very best records. In 1964 Makeba and Masekela married. Two years later, in 1966, they divorced and Masekela relocated to Los Angeles.

Angélique Kidjo is a Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist. Her music is influenced by her child-hood idol Miriam Makeba. Other musical influences include Afropop, Caribbean zouk, gospel, Congolese rumba, jazz and Latin styles. In 1989 Kidjo opened a Miriam Makeba concert and they became friends. In 2008 she won the Grammy Award for Best Con-temporary World Music Album. On Sept 2009, The Festival D'Ile De France in Paris asked Angélique to curate a tribute to Miriam Makeba.

Abigail Kubeka was discovered at the age of sixteen by Miriam Makeba, when she joined her female singing group, “The Skylarks” and understudied her in the acclaimed musical King Kong. Abigail has performed in every major country in Africa, Europe and Asia and is an acclaimed television, film and theatre actress.

Dorothy Masuku (a.k.a. Masuka) is a jazz singer who was born in Zimbabwe in 1935, then called Southern Rhodesia. Her family moved to South Africa when she was 12. By the time she was 19 she was touring in SA with singers she had admired as a girl. Masuku's music was popular in SA throughout the 50ies, but when her songs became more serious, the government began questioning her. Her song "Dr. Malan," was banned and in 1961 she sang a song for Patrice Lumumba which led to her exile. Being a friend of Miriam Makeba she wrote several of her songs and spent time with her in exile.

Joe Mogotsi was a band member of “The Manhattan Brothers” who have their origin in the early '30s. The group (consisting of four male vocalists) was one of the most influential vocal groups in the history of SA's music. During the late '40s and '50s, they appeared regularly on SA television and radio and influenced succeeding generations with their style of dress, speech, attitude, and lifestyle. In the early '50s, the Manhattan Brothers expanded with the addition of female vocalist Miriam Makeba who started her career and was part of the group for much of the ‘50s.

 Leopoldo Fleming is a musician, composer, lyricist and arranger with a rich and multicolored palette of inspiration from his Latin-Afro-Indian roots being Puerto Rican. He accompanied Miriam Makeba during her time in the US as did the bassist Bill Salter who wrote most of her English songs. Both musicians played with Makeba among others at the Live at Bern’s Salonger, Stockholm, Sweden”-concert in ‘66.

Kathleen Neal Cleaver From 1967 till 1987, was married to the Black Panther cofounder Eldridge Cleaver († 1.05. 1998). She was the first female member of the Black Panther Party’s decision-making body being the com-munications secretary. Today Professor Cleaver is working as a Senior Research Associate at the Yale Law School, and a Senior Lecturer in the African American Studies department at Yale University.

Lorraine Gordon is a jazz icon who has lived more than a few lives: downtown bohemian, uptown grande dame, music business pioneer, wife, lover, mother and finally – at a point when most women at her age were just settling into grandmotherhood – owner of the most famous jazz club in the world, the “Village Vanguard” in New York. This famous venue was where Miriam Makeba debuted in the USA.

ANTO NEOSOUL COMES OF AGE WITH CHIPS FUNGA

From a humble background, patience, persistence and perseverance, Anthony Mwangi a.k.a Anto Neosoul has used the lessons learnt and interwoven this in music. This he shares with the world. He is working on his debut album that that fuses, love, deception, struggle, strength and a spice of innate passion to sing and perform!
Anto is in the studio with the legendary Chris Adwar, churning a fusion of Afro, Reggae and Neo Soul sounds that will liberate you to love, protest, chant, embrace and accept us for who we are! Be ready to be entertained, edutained and inspired!

Here is Anto's latest video release dubbed Chips Funga. You can watch the trailer below.

CANDID LOOK AT THE MAN, KWAME MUZIK

Hot Secrets caught up with Kwame Rigii who is known by his music moniker Kwame Muzik. Kwame talked about his music, tribute to the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai and the little things that make him tick as a man and musician.

Tell me a bit about the Wangari Maathai song?
The Wangari Maathai tribute is a song Mama Africa I did to celebrate an amazing woman, fighter and an amazing Kenyan. I had earlier written a song on environment and the initial plan was to incorporate the late Prof. Wangari Maathai but we never got the chance to meet, so after the sad news that she had passed on, I decided to do some changes on the chorus and sing about her and still talk about cancer on the bridge.

We have heard the release, what is next on your musical releases?
I have been working on my debut album and will be coming out soon, we are working on some few logistics and once that is done, then I will be giving you a chance to listen to NedokaH Music (My Music). I will be releasing/launching my next single, Stop The Stigma,  a song denouncing different forms of stigma against minorities (ethnic minorities, people living with HIV/AIDS, sexual minorities, refugees and IDPs) on December 5, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 2011 ICASA (16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection s in Africa)

Are you recording any collabos?
For now I am not but in the future, yes.

What is that one thing your Kenyan fans don't know about you?
That I’m very passionate about kids and women. I am a socially engaged artist, particularly working with kids.

What is the last book you enjoyed reading is…
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

A common misconception about me…
That I’m an introvert and a Rastafarian.

My worst childhood fears were…
Being chased by dogs - and it did actually happen.

My ideal night out is…
Chilling out, in a conducive environment listening to some beautiful music. If at home, cook (Which I love) and meditate.

If I were a politician I would…
Just be me. Work in common cause with people who are poor and those who have been denied their rights to obtain social justice and development.

The best part of my job is…
Listening to what I’ve been working on.

My greatest regret is…
The purpose of life is to live it with no regrets. I never look back and say ‘I wish’.

Historical figure I admire…

Martin Luther King Jr. He never let go or bowed to pressure. He fought for what he believed in, left a legacy, his dream is still alive.

Living leader I admire…

The good and admirable ones are long gone.

My greatest possession is
My attitude.

ACTRESS TURNS MUSICIAN

Actress Janet Kirina has recorded her maiden song dubbed The Love Mission. Janet says, "This track has been playing in my mind for the last two years. It is so divine to finally get to share it. Its not just a Love Mission track..its a love mission."

On set of the music video for Love Mission

Janet with her fellow cast members from the TV series Higher Learning

Janet who is a Kalasha Award winning actress has starred in many local movies and TV productions like Makutano Junction, Benta, All Girls Together, Block-D and Higher Learning.

BEAUTIFUL TRACK BY ASLAY - NAKUSEMEA

This boy is super talented. Check out the music video and you will find out why.

ALL ABOUT UGANDAN FLAVIA TUMUSIIME

She has graced TV screens across East Africa for the last five weeks and she has now become a familiar face to those following the current Guinness Football Challenge TV show. Flavia Tumusiime, Uganda's Capital FM AM-PM programme presenter is definitely spicing up the show. Her Juicy look and sweet voice as described by many of her fans has earned her lots of fans and admirers not just in her home country Uganda, but also currently in Kenya and Tanzania.

The 23 year old graduate from Makerere University is a well established TV & Radio personality in Uganda for the last 9 years having done her first stint in 2002 on WBS TV. Flavia is a common figure in Uganda's entertainment circles having hosted quite a number of entertainment events and live shows.

An actor, Model, Voice over artist, Radio/TV personality all rolled in one, Flavia has earned her place in Uganda's entertainment industry and she is a force to reckon with. She has been acting since 2007 and some of the films she has featured in include Kiwaani and Irreversible Regret among others.

Flavia joined the media industry at a tender age of 14 years when she was hosting a Teen's club programme on WBS TV in 2002 until 2006. In 2006 she was voted the face of Freedum Uganda for Nytil fashions, as one of the models who were participating in the show. In the same year, she joined Hot 100 FM as a Radio host and later moved to Capital FM Uganda where she is currently working. Among other platforms she has been involved in include, Host of K-files a fashion show featuring celebrities in 2010, Fair and lovely career fair in 2009 and MTN late chat campus activations for product placements. 

As one of the young personalities in Uganda, she says its not all been easy 'The journey of my success has not been without hitches, I get many challenges along the way but i am determined to achieve what I set my mind to achieve" Her skills in Script writing, TV production, Public speaking and as a team player have played a great role in what she is today.

One of her greatest asset in her career is her voice, she says "God has blessed me with a good voice and am grateful I have been able to utilize it, I have done many voice over's for documentaries, films and Radio Ads. 

In August 2011 she was nominated among five other African media personalities to represent Uganda as a Channel O VJ, whose brief among others is to give viewers a peek at the different cultures and spaces within Africa. Asked on how she feels about being on TV she said "TV is where I feel my best and the opportunity to represent my Country on Channel O is beyond word for me"

She is most honored to be hosting the Guinness Football Challenge TC show airing across East Africa "Being part of Guinness Football Challenge Season 2 is an incredible opportunity for me, I love the fun in studio and basically interacting with the teams from the three countries" she says.

THERE BE DRAGONS BRITISH DIRECTOR IN TOWN

Roland Joffe (Oscar winning director of THE KILLING FIELDS, THE MISSION and CITY OF JOY) will be present at the screening of his latest movie 'There be Dragons' at Strathmore University on Monday, 21st November. Joffe will hold at press conference at Strathmore University at 5.00pm . It will be followed by a cocktail at 5.30pm, and the screening of the movie at 6.30pm.

About the movie
THERE BE DRAGONS is an historical adventure-action-drama, produced and directed by Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields, City of Joy, Captivity), that evokes the youthful years of St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975), who inspired the foundation of Strathmore. St Josemaria insisted Strathmore would have to be multiracial at a time when education was segregated and multiracial institutions were forbidden by the colonial laws.

St Josemaria's insistence made it possible for the Kenyan Colonial Assembly to pass a special resolution allowing the beginning of what would become the first multiracial college in English speaking Africa. The movie which was released this year comes at a very fitting moment when Strathmore is marking its 50 anniversary.

In this film St Josemaria is played by Charlie Cox (Stardust). Robert (played by Dougray Scott) is a journalist who, on investigating the figure of the founder of Opus Dei to write an extensive report, discovers that his father, Manolo (played by Wes Bentley), with whom he has had no relationship for the past eight years, was a friend of Escrivá during his childhood. From that moment, the plot leads the journalist and with him the viewers, to discover unimaginable surprises that would change his life forever.

'There Be Dragons' features themes such as betrayal, love and hatred, forgiveness, friendship, and finding meaning in everyday life. Director Roland Joffé said 'There Be Dragons' is "a story about people trying to find meaning about their lives." Joffé, who was nominated for Academy Awards for his films The Mission and Killing Fields, describes himself as a wobbly agnostic.

He said he was "very interested in the idea of embarking on a piece of work that took religion seriously on its own terms and didn't play a game where one approached religion denying its validity." 'Reconciliation matters' is the main take away message that Joffé expects from the viewers. Life, he said, is an opportunity to love: "It's a choice, and in making that decision you become free. You do not become free when you hate. The weird thing is when you really love, you feel it like a breath of freedom, you think 'Oh my God, I've chosen this, and it's beautiful'."

He emphasized that Christianity is about love and the teaching of St. Josemaría "encourages a spiritual relationship with God in 'very simple things,' in cooking a meal, being with one's family, or even having a fight." Joffé states that this is "a film about what it means to be a saint in this day and age."

The New York Times, which called the movie a religious epic, reported that Joffé agreed to make the movie "after he saw a video of Escrivá answering a question from a Jewish girl who wanted to convert to Catholicism. Escrivá told her that she should not convert, because it would be disrespectful to her parents. 'I thought this was so open-minded,' Joffé said." At that point, Joffé signed on to direct, with the condition of writing a new screenplay from scratch and becoming a producer. Writer Elizabeth Lev says that the film portrays Josemaría Escrivá "as a new kind of hero in an era of hatred and fratricidal fights." This is especially relevant to the current situation in East Africa which has its share of wars and fratricidal fights.

MIZZ TOXIC'S NEW JOINT - INDEPENDENT

Controversial personality Toxic will soon be releasing her joint dubbed Independent. She has recorded the single with Mombasa based singer Tierra Gee.

Donna, Tierra Gee and Toxic on the set of the music video

Here is the trailer of the video

AHADI KENYA FETED AT MSK FOR JIGGER ERADICATION

The Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) feted Dr. Stanley Kamau Maina as a marketing warrior for championing the anti-jigger campaign in East africa. Kamau is the Founder and executive Director of Ahadi Kenya Trust. The organization was also awarded for being top in social marketing. Ahadi Kenya has formed partnerships with over 62 corporate bodies in its fight against jiggers. They were awarded during MSK gala night held at KWS on Friday evening. Others who were feted during the event included; Churchill, Angela Ombithe of Infotrack, Patricia Mbatia, Julie Gichuru among others.

This comes after the visit to the country by Big Brother contestants to take part in the Anti Jigger Campaign by the NGO. The visiting housemates included Danny (Ethiopia), Wendall (Zimbabwe), Zeus (Botswana), Lomwe and Felicia (Malawi), Mumba and Kim (Zambia), Bernadina (Namibia) and Bhoke (Tanzania).

Accepting the award, Dr. Kamau dedicated the awards to all the corporate bodies that have been supporting them. He added that life is about branding and encouraged everyone to stick to their brand and only do what they are passionate about. He said that marketing plays a very big role in raising awareness especially where no one is aware of what is happening. We do not market Ahadi Kenya but all our activities are in line with the principals of marketing Kamau said.  He thanked MSK for recognising the role the organisation is playing in the society.

Miss World 2005 Cecilia Mwangi and anti-jigger campaign ambassador attributed the awards to their consistence and passion Ahadi Kenya has done its work. She called on more corporate bodies to join in and put anti-jigger campaign as one of their CSR activities. Ahadi Kenya has for the last Four years received several local and international awards making it the most awarded NGO in Kenya.

DAVIS NTARE'S NEW PUBLICITY SHOTS

Davis’ story is one of perseverance and determination as he was sent back home during TPF 3’s gala show. He auditioned for a second time at the beginning of this season in Uganda and Kenya.
He finally made it into the Academy and was so overwhelmed with emotion during this year’s opening gala night that he took to his knees in gratitude. That determination paid off when he was crowned the winner on Sunday December 5, 2010.
He also participated in the Tusker All Star's mega Concert that featured the oh-so grumpy Shaggy, rapper Eve and Angolan star Cabo Snoop.
 Anyhow, Davis has grown into his own. Have a lookie, lookie at his new publicity shots.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR HOUSE? HOST WAS IN KENYA!

The host of the UK Show How Clean is Your House? was over the weekend in Nyeri to take part in a five-day charity bike ride to create awareness on the importance of early
diagnosis and support for women living with cancer.

Aggie Mackenzie is in the country for Women v Cancer Bike Tour of Kenya in partnership with Faraja Cancer Support Centre.

Aggie was joined by 70 other bikers made up of women of all ages and all cycling abilities from the UK and 7 from Kenyan who were flagged off by Safaricom Foundation Head of Corporate Responsibility Sanda Ojiambo on Monday, November 7.

The group will cycle 400 kilometers starting from Nyeri, through the Rift Valley, shores of Lake Victoria and finish off in Nairobi.  The aim of the five-day bike ride challenge is to raise significant funds to help in the fight against breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.

How Clean is your House? was a hit the world over and the show ran for six series, plus two produced in the US. The How Clean? format was sold to numerous countries around the world and the UK version currently aired in 16 of them – from Norway to Namibia!
The 56-year-old TV host is blogging about her experience from Kenya starting October 30 till November 7 on The Huffington Post.

Photos/ Michael Khatelli

EAST MEETS WEST AT CHOCOLATE CITY LISTENING PARTY

Personalities from Kenya and Nigeria converged at the Skyluxx recently for the maiden listening party by Naija label Chocolate City.

The invites only affair saw big named from the music and movie industry attend the exclusive affair where niaja acts Ice Prince and Brymo famed for the hit song Oleku were the headliners for the night.

Mtech Communication Ltd hosted the Skyluxx private listening party. The company holds the exclusive rights to the distribution of Ice Prince’s new album titled Everybody Loves Ice Prince.

Iyke Anoke, the company’s MD said, “We hosted the Chocolate City label in Nairobi for the listening part and this will accelerate into other partnership,” adding, “Already the logistics for a collaboration between Chocolate City acts Ice Prince and rapper MI with Kenyan group Camp Mulla is in the works.”

The guest list featured stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Habida, Avril, Wyre, Shaffie Weru, Muthoni Ndonga and Chololate City management team of Yahaya Maikori and Audu Maikori among other high flying personalities.

 Chocolate City is a record label, artiste management and promotions company which has been involved in the development and promotion of talent in and around Nigeria. The label works closely with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism toward promoting and celebrating creativity in Nigeria. It is credited with pioneering the promotion and signing acts like Six Foot Plus and Jeremiah Gyang and went on to discover and manage talents like Djinee, Jude Abaga, MI and Asa.