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.

JULIANI BAGS A COOL MILLIE AT THE KISIMA AWARDS

Gospel musician Juliani cashes in a cool million bob at the Kisima Awards held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
The Friday night awards ceremony saw the gospel rapper bag the most coveted award – the Artiste of the year. The Bahasha Ya Ocampo hitmaker also won in other categories like Best Gospel artiste and Hip Hop artiste. The late Habel Kifoto received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award. While Sauti Sol scooped the Fusion Artiste of the year and Video of the Year for Coming Home.
Jaguar went home with the Best Boomba artiste award while MOG and Mr Seed won the Collaboration of the Year award. Mbuvi was voted the Best Benga artiste while BMF scooped the Most Promising Artiste/Group award.

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.

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."

JULIANI RALLIES CELEBRITY WAITERS FOR CHARITY

After the successful Kenyans for Kenya initiative drive that saw corporates and Kenyans from all walks of life come together to raise funds for our needy Kenyans from the north, Juliani adds to the kitty by rallying support from other celebrities through the Kama Si Sisi ‘Celebrities for Kenya’ Challenge to raise more funds for the initiative.

Valerie Kimani

Last month, hiphop artistes, singers, TV news personalities joined Juliani, through his Kama Si Sisi ‘Celebrities for Kenya’ Challenge at the famous Ranalo Foods (K'Osewe) restaurant located along Kimathi street for a noble cause by serving as waiters. On the day, they raised funds that went into feeding the hunger stricken Kenyans in Turkana.



Benefiting the Kenyans for Kenya Initiative, the likes of Safaricom’s CEO Bob Collymore, Nonini, Nameless, Avril, Eric Omondi, Jeff Koinange, BMF, John Allan Namu, Pierra Makena among other celebrities took orders from the customers and in the same breath distributed informative fliers urging them to contribute to the cause by tipping their services.

Pierra Makena

“As an extension of our contribution as musicians through the Kilio song that was used to drive the fundraising campaign, we would like to rally other artists and celebrities to contribute further by raising funds through this one day initiative” Juliani said.
Kama Si Sisi ‘Celebrities for Kenya’ was part of Juliani’s wider campaign Kama Si Sisi that uses various platforms to sensitize Kenyans on the need of taking care of yourself by taking care of others.
Here are some of the photos from the day....

Wahu

Jeff Koinange

BMF

One FM's Marcus Olang







Jimmy Gait and Avril


Nameless





Julianai and Jimnah Mbaru


Nonini and Avril

MC BILL RUTO RECORDS RAP WITH JAL AND JULIANI

Suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto donned a new hat, that of a recording artistes and hit up the Click Track studios with rappers Juliani and Emmanuel Jal on July 10.



Ruto arrived at the studio at 3:20pm, took photos with the artistes and stepped into the recording booth. The Rift Valley political bigwig a.k.a MC Ruto or if you like MC Bill recorded a segment that will be used in the chorus of the single dubbed Tribalism is a Disease.



His chant: “Upendo, amani tuungane pamoja (Love, peace let’s unite),” was repeated severally after which he recorded another segment where he gave a speech about peace, unity and ensuring that no other Kenyan dies of the horrible tribalism vice that leads to hatred.
Mc Ruto said, “I am honoured to be a part of this powerful campaign. It is an exciting initiative led by two young role models who have managed to lobby the political, corporate and entertainment worlds into one essential message of education and peace for Kenya, and Africa."



Ruto joins a list of other Kenyan personalities who have lent their voices for the anti tribalism campaign. They include Presidential candidate Martha Karua, PR Guru Gina Din and business magnate Jimnah Mbaru.
The accompanying music video is set to be shot early August 2011.

Photos/Chrispinus Wekesa

NAIROBI JOINS THE WORLD IN EARTH HOUR

Kenya joined people in a record 134 countries and territories across the globe in switching off their lights for an hour in a unified show of support for action towards a sustainable future for our planet.
Hundreds of landmarks in thousands of cities went dark at 8:30pm Saturday local time, as hundreds of millions of people take part in the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment. And with individuals, organisations and governments this year pledging to take their Earth Hour commitment beyond the hour, it did not end when the lights come back on.



“Our participation in this year’s Earth Hour goes in line with our main objective of fostering a culture in which individuals, communities, businesses and other entities voluntarily minimize the impact of their activities to promote sustainable management of the environment,” said Catherine Ndegwa, the CEO NETFUND, adding that “Our partnership with WWF is a clear indication of our commitment in helping transform the attitudes of Kenyan’s towards the conservation of the environment, through creative and innovative initiatives.”



The event traversed the globe over 24 hours, from the first lights being dimmed across Fiji and New Zealand to lights being turned on again in Samoa. The transition lasted longest in Russia, where 11 time zones are covered.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon pledged his support for Earth Hour saying: “Let us join together to celebrate this shared quest to protect the planet and ensure human well-being. Let us use 60 minutes of darkness to help the world see the light.”



Instantly recognizable landmarks across the world that stood in darkness for the hour include the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Eiffel Tower, the London Eye and Big Ben, the Empire State Building, Dubai’s Burj al Arab hotel, Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue, Athens’ Acropolis, Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the Sydney Opera House.
“As we enter the second phase of Earth Hour, let us aim to build an interconnected global community engaged in ongoing dialogue and resource sharing. This will help generate real solutions for meeting the complexities of the journey to an environmentally sustainable future,” said Mohamed Awer, Director of WWF’s Kenya Country Office.



This year, a swell of support in Kenya included our world re-known athletes. Asbel Kiprop (1,500m Olympic Champion) proudly donned his Earth Hour t-shirt on his flight from Sydney Australia. He was joined at the Nairobi event by fellow athletes Milkah Chemos (3,000m steeple chase) and Alex Kipchirchir (1,500m).
Others who participated include Safaricom, Nokia, Access Leo Burnett and MTN Business.

JIMNAH MBARU AND JULIANI ON ANOTHER RAP

Uganda’s president Museveni did it with his popular hit You Want Another Rap, now, Kenya’s business personality Jimnah Mbaru will be featured in a track with Juliani and Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal.
The single dubbed Tribalism is a Disease will be mastered in Jal’s Gatwich studio based in London.



Jimnah spoke to Hot Secrets about the experience in the studio at Click Track Records in Kileleshwa. “I have been to many studios but this one was very interesting. The song highlights the serious cancer that is tribalism and it needs to be removed completely from the body. It is responsible for the slow growth of our society,” adding, “No one choses which ethic background to be born into.” The business tycoon laughed off the possibility of recording his solo track in future.
Juliani said, “It is more than a single it is a campaign that people should take seriously.” The Mtaa Mentality star said that the KKK political Alliance is a fallacy that doesn’t reflect on the ground. “The youth understand one thing, hunger and not tribalism. The alliance will not go far. If we are to fight, let us them fight corruption and not each other on the grounds of our tribes.”

MARTHA KARUA ADDS VOICE TO JAL AND JULIANI”S SONG

The MP for Gichugu Martha Karua has pledged her support for Emmanuel Jal’s We Want Peace (WWP) campaign. She recorded her bit at the Click Track Studios, Nairobi on February 4, 2011. “This is a positive campaign and any serious leader would embrace it,” she said enthusiastically.
Martha an ardent user of the social media, said she was approached by Jal through Facebook.



On accepting his request, they had fruitful discussions. She recorded her contribution under the guidance of Juliani, a popular gospel artist. The video recording is set to take place some time in April. Yes, she wrote her own verse, and yes, it had the appropriate sheng and slang words, thank you.



In 2011, WWP announced its latest transition focusing on tribalism. Other leaders who have pledged their support to the noble cause include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, businessman, Jimnah Mbaru and Sudanese SPLM leader Yasir Arman.
As a presidential aspirant, Martha hopes to garner support nationwide, and her role in the campaign will give her much needed national appeal.



Launched in December 2010, the WWP campaign has received high profile endorsement from international celebrity musicians, politicians and businessmen, including Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Kofi Annan, Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson, all of whom feature in Jal's epic We Want Peace music video.
Spearheaded by global hip hop sensation, actor, author and activist Emmanuel Jal, WWP has made a memorable mark in many parts of East Africa and the world, with the popular sing along debut, also titled, We Want Peace.

TOTALLY SOLD OUT HEATS UP MERU

All roads lead to Meru County last weekend for what was billed as the hottest concert to have ever come to town dubbed Totally Sold Out (TSO) at Kinoru Stadium.
Billed and supported by Bankika na KCB, the event featured some of the biggest names in the local contemporary Christian music industry. Main acts included Rufftone, the inspirational Ben Githae, Emily Kosgei and Julius Owino aka Juliani and who is arguably the hottest Gospel rapper in Kenya right now.


Rufftone

A raft of other accomplished and upcoming musicians expected to thrill attendees include MOG, Jojo, Astar, BMF, Kevo Yout, Hellena Ken, Paul Mwai and Eunice Mwangi.
Rounding off the bill at TSO Meru edition was the Kubamba Krew headlined by DJs Moz, and Soxxy on the decks alongside DJ Sanch.





Bankika is a new account offering from KCB Bank aimed at meeting the emerging banking needs of the youth. The novel product targets youth aged 24-30 years, providing them with more options to choose reliable and user-friendly financial solutions. The Bankika package comprises of Bankika Personal Package and Bankika Business Package.


Ben Githae

JULIANI AND ABBAS COLLABO OUT THIS WEEK

I can’t wait for this to be out. Rappers Juliani and Abbas hit the studio and recorded Nipe Makofi. This is a short preview of new joint…

MWAFAKA AWARDS ALL SET

Eastland based entertainment company Mwafaka Entertainment will be holding its second Mwafaka Gospel Awards on August 14 at the Kenya National Theatre.
This year, a number of gospel acts have thrown their weight behind the awards that is on its infancy.
This year’s hosts Monique and Tony of the MOG group were more that willing to provide their services.
“It’s an honour to host an event that gives young female artistes a shoe into the industry. It reminds me of myself when I was starting out. This is something the creative industry needs,” Monique told Word Is.
Tony said, “This will be a chance for fans, sponsors and the nominees to see what young people can do in nurturing and rewarding talent. This will encourage the youth who otherwise would never have had such a platform to express and showcase their talent.”
Artistes expected to perform are MOG, Walson, Hey Z, Ngashville, Juliani, BMF, Carol Nice, Alemba, System Unit’s Mo and Sadiq.
The organizer and founder of the awards, Aaron ‘Didiero’ Kelly said he plans on making the ceremony glitzier and glamorous. “This time round we have ensured the nominees will enjoy the full star effect. We have incorporated a red carpet for them, something we did not have last year.”
Unfortunately the number of categories have been reduced due to financial constrains.
Themed ‘Chorea Drugs, Stay connected to God’, Mwafaka Gospel Awards not only aims at rewarding excellence and talent amongst the youths within Eastlands but also fight against drug abuse among the youth.

THE PATRICIA SHOW WRAPS UP SEASON 2

Hot Secrets was at the wrap up party for The Patricia Show. The last shooting for the second season of the Pan African talk show, hosted by Patricia Amira wrapped on Thursday July 23, evening.
The talk show is still on air as the second season ends in December. The show airs twice on Fri at 7pm and 11pm on Mnet.
For the wrap up episode Patricia Amira interviewed Atemi Ayungu and there were performances by Yunasi and Juliani.


Photos/ Chrispinus Wekesa