HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y’ALL

Here we are. The end of a fabulous year.  2011's been another huge year for Hot Secrets, with promotional giveaways and reader participation.

I really appreciate your input. Hot Secrets couldn't exist without you lot tweeting my news stories and I hope you're back to do it again in 2012.

I will be back in full news mode in early January. So all I can do is wish y’all a great Christmas and New Year. Thanks for reading!

STL IS ENGAGED!

 

Kenyan singer Stella Mwangi a.k.a STL revealed to Hot Secrets that she is “engaged” to someone who is “not in the music industry”.

The Go-Getter hitmaker who is based in Norway jetted into the country mid last week for a series of “business meetings” and “music related tour”.

STL remained mum about her fiancé. Spotting a gold ring with encrusted with a sizable shinny diamond, STL steered the conversation to her music and the reason she is in town.

The Lookie Lookie star just got back from Uganda where she wrote a song with Navio and Richie Rich which is “yet to be recorded” and she will heading out to Tanzania after Christmas to “collabo with AY on the remix of a song I have recorded”, STL said.

The singer who is enjoying favourable airplay for her latest release Hula Hoop featuring Mohombi says 2012 is a year when she ups her targets.

“I want 2012 to be the year I use the experience learnt from 2011. I would like to have an African tour,” she said.

 

OMARI EDWARDS AND POSITIVE CANCELLED FOR NEW YEAR’S GIG

Two of the most prolific young international gospel artiste won’t be performing be in Kenya for the New Year gig organized by Twelve Entertainment.

Jamaican Omari Edwards and Tobago’s Positive – real name Joel Murray – were expected in in Nairobi for a concert at KICC’s plenary hall on December 31 but due to security concerns, the gig was cancelled.

The 31-year-old Omari is known for his dynamic voice and peculiar gifting has been paving many roads for him. His motivation comes from his love for people, especially youth. He wants to develop in youth a greater appreciation for life as they cope with the day-to-day problems in society.

Familiar to reggae fans for his recent hits Help! and Why, Omari is creating waves in the music industry. He received three Megajamz Awards, including that for Lyricist of the Year 2008 for his song Why, produced by Kurt Riley.

As for Positive, every one of his singles has dominated the charts on both Christian and secular stations throughout the Caribbean. In less than a year, this young artist has been dubbed The new voice of the Caribbean.

At 23 years, Positive is determined to stay true to his calling and sing songs of hope and encouragement drawn from his tragic live experiences. "In 2003 my only sister died from meningitis and in 2007 my mother died of cancer", said Positive. "Through all this I've remained faithful to the ministry and have been able to find strength from God through the music he gave me".
His album Never Let Go is a heartfelt 14-song collection comprised of modern roots and lovers' rock with a tough of nyabinghi.

GROOVE PARTY CANCELLED FOR SECURITY REASONS

The New Year’s party set to take place at the KICC on December 31, has been canceled. In a press statement dated Wednesday December 21, Mo Sound Entertainment, the organisers of Groove Party announced that the end year event has been cancelled due to “red flags” raised by the Kenya Police  and “based on available security intelligence”.

The statement read: “The preparations for Groove Party 2011 were at a very advanced stage having received all the necessary clearance from relevant authorities.” 

However, Anthony Kibuchi, the Nairobi PPO said, “Al-Shabaab has threatened to hijack the event and do destructive damage to the participants and the facility.”

The Groove Party team, also took the opportunity to wish all the fans “a Blessed Christmas and a Groovy New Year,” and unreservedly apologized for the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen cancellation.

AKON SIGNS WIZ KID, TUFACE AND P SQUARE

Senegalese-American rapper and founder of Konvict Music label has signed three Nigerian acts to his label.

Akon signed to his label, Tuface Idibia, Wizkid and the P-Square duo of Peter and Paul Okoye.

While the signing has not been officially announced the new Konvict stars have been listed on Akon’s website.

The news has not been officially confirmed yet because they are not yet listed on Konvict Music website and Akon or the artistes are yet to make formal announcement.

The  Smack That rapper also tweeted: “In Nigeria with my brothers about to take over Africa with @2faceidibia and @wizkidayo Big up to Psquare.”

JULIANI ENTERS DEAL WITH NEW SOCIAL MEDIA SITE GOOGLE PLUS

Gospel singer Juliani launched his newest video, off his new album exclusively to the newest social media.

The rapper launched the video Exponential Potential exclusively to Google Plus, making Juliani the first Kenyan artiste to venture into the new world of online marketing.

The singer is also using the new platform to get five “Super fans” to join him in on his road trip to Mombasa for his Pulpit Kwa Streets album launch on December 24.

The rapper famed for his hits Mtaa Mentality and Hela has been enjoying the prime placement of advertisements of his Google Plus page and YouTube channel on various websites that have enabled Google Adsense.

Google plus was launched to the public slightly over three months ago and in Kenya, last week. The site it makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world. One can use easy, spontaneous video chat to strike up conversations with as many as nine people at once. You can also share different things with different people. Circles make it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life.

JIMMY GAIT TO BUILD HOUSES FOR IDPS

 Gospel singer Jimmy Gait recently took his philanthropic campaign of Make It Or Make It to the internally displaced families in Kieni Forest’s Huruma Village.

Jimmy together with Expansion International are planning to build houses for the IDPs but they are at a crossroad because, they do not have the land to build on. They currently live in semi permanent structures.

 

The event, saw various artistes appeal to the government to provide land for the construction to take place to fully settle the IDPs who have been living in the forest for 11 years now.

Jimmy who recently released the remix to Furi Furi dance featuring Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, TV personalities Julie Gichuru and Jeff Koinange, will use the single to raise funds.

“The single can be downloaded by Safaricom subscribers, all they have to do is download it by SMSing ‘Jimmy Gait’ and sending it to 8025,” he said.

HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS TO MAKE KENYAN NECKLACE

Hollywood actress and founder the non-profit organization Faces of Kibera, Rooney Mara has teamed with a jewellery company to make a necklace for charity. KORA - a Los Angeles and East Africa-based jewellery company - has created the recycled cow bone and brass piece, which is being sold to benefit Rooney’s favourite charity Uweza. They aim to abolish poverty in the Kibera slums.

“I’m thrilled to work with KORA to help raise awareness of Uweza, an organisation that does such good work and that I’m proud to be a part of,” said Rooney.

The 26-year-old actress famed for her role in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star has been working with the non-profit for years and has visited the troubled slums of the region help.

Uweza Aid Foundation was created because of the resiliency and ingenuity of Kenyans working to better their communities, without any external assistance. By providing community members the resources to implement their own ideas, Uweza believes that the impact of their work will be sustainable and valued by those reached.  Their main aim is to fight the cycle of poverty that persists in Kenya's Kibera slum.

SHARON OLAGO LANDS ACTING GIG ON JACOB’S CROSS

Kenyan actress Sharon Olago has landed an acting gig on South African TV series, Jacob’s Cross. Sharon who also starred in the MTV series Shuga as the carefree Violet will be playing the role of a more sober character.

She told Hot Secrets that in the new series, she will be playing the role of “an eccentric academic”. She joins other Kenyan actors, Nick Ndeda and Ken Ambani who were both selected to join the cast.

TPF STARS RELEASE VIDEO!

Not one, not two but three of the former Tusker Project Fame contestants have teamed up and released a collabo music video for the single Nisamehe.

The trio, Ng'ang'alito, Amileena and Ruff combined their musical prowess in this song.

The video sponsored by Bernsoft was released today and will soon be hitting the Kenyan TV circuits. Anyhow, have a look see and judge for thine-self whether it is a hit or a miss.

 

JIMMY GAIT AND UK SINGER MICA PARIS IN KIBERA

Late November, gospel singer Jimmi Gait and UK singer Mica Paris rolled up their sleeves and got down and dirty at the Kibera Slums.
The two were part of the Riziki Kenya and Kibera in Need initiative that saw them traverse the slum and take part in a feeding programme. Kibera In Need funds more than 200 Kibera children through school, runs a weekly feeding programme, has made small business loans and provided mattresses, vaccinations, medical support, outings, vocational training and much more.

  Jimmi Gait told Hot Secrets, “I was touched by the appreciation and the expression of joy by the kids when they saw us there. And the fact that we identified with them.” Jimmi came up with the Make IT or Make IT campaign that seeks to “encourage people who are down not to give up and strive to make it,” adding that, “I would like to see their livelihood improved and see an attitude change.”
Mica was recently honoured as an “Icon” at Windsor Castle by the Duke of Edinburgh and performed at his 90th birthday celebrations. Her trip to Kibera will be compiled into a documentary. On pledging her support for the work KIN is doing, she said, “It is indeed an honour to be a patron of this great cause. Our children are our future.”

FURI FURI CHRISTMAS FAN DAY AT KISUMU BEACH RESORT

Celebrated gospel artiste Jimmie Gait of Furi Furi fame for the first time will be performing in Kisumu on Christmas day at Kisumu Beach Resort as from 1pm - 6pm. The musician has just released his new remix of Furi Furi song featuring Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, Jeff Koinange, Julie Gichuru.
"This will for sure be the biggest Christmas party in Kisumu. i want to give my western fans a Christmas day treat to remember" says Jimmie Gait. The show's MC shall be Mshamba Zebedayo and Tukuza's Antony Ndiema. Other artiste set to grace the show are fast rising gospel stars TETETE among others. Charges are 200/= for adults and 100/= for kids. There will be lots of fun and prizes to be won.

AY, REMEMBER SAM? HE IS IN PRISON NOW

The Smallville actor who was featured in Rapper AY’s music video Speak With Your Body shot  in July will spend the Chrismas holidays behind bars.

The music video also features two American musicians Lil Romeo and La’Myia.

 Sam Jones checked into a correctional facility in Lompoc, California earlier this week to begin his punishment, reports TMZ.com.

The former Smallville star was sentenced to serve 366 days in prison in June after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell more than 10,000 Oxycodone painkiller pills as part of a major Los Angeles drug ring.

MORE SMIRNOFF EXPEREINCE PHOTOS

For more click here


PICTURES BY MICHAEL KHATELI aka peculiarKenyan

DONELL JONES’ NAIROBI TOUR!

 

American RNB artiste Donell Jones jetted into the country on Thursday for Friday (December 9) night’s performance at the Nairobi National Park.

The star was the headlining act for the concert dubbed Discover The Tusker Lite Experience with Donell Jones. Singers Dela and Neema also performed at the concert. The Where I Wanna Be Star was excited to be in the country. Anyhow, here are some pics from his Nairobi tour and /or visit.

SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE WHITE PARTY NAIVASHA

Smirnoff hosted a mega party themed the Smirnoff Red and White Party Cray Fish Camp, in Naivasha on Saturday December 10.   

It delivered an unmatched experience to revelers, who also got an opportunity to meet the Smirnoff Global Brand Ambassador and renowned mixologist Kenji Jesse and sample refreshing cocktails from different parts of the world.

Kenji Jesse, 34, has trained over 25,000 bartenders across 40 countries over the past 9 years.  As Smirnoff Global Ambassador, he travels the world, showcasing his mixology skills while imparting crucial training on the art of cocktail making. 

 He also designs and rolls-out all the Smirnoff Mixology and Cocktail concepts for the Global Smirnoff Experiences and the Nightlife Exchange Project.

Leading DJ’s Mobi, Joe Mfalme, Chucky and Hypnotic joined their international counterpart DJ atWAR on a hydraulic giant stage that simultaneously elevate each playing disc jockey, as revelers danced the night away on two elevated dance floors within the mega dome where all the action was taking place. 

The Smirnoff Red and White Party is one of two parties that Smirnoff is hosting in Kenya, as part of the “Smirnoff Nightlife Experience Project” that has been rolled out in more than 50 markets around the world.