A strapping young gentleman,
a beautiful, sweet young girl, and an arranged marriage between two respectable
families. It’s the perfect fit. Nothing could ruin it… but then again love
makes you do funny things.
This Christmas, meet a starry-eyed couple whose
lives are seemingly ripped apart by a force that had been silent for over 400
years. Their crazy friends do them no favours, and neither does their culture.
The bet is on.
Will their love survive their idealistic friends, an uncle who
hasn’t spoken a word for over six months, and a crazy auntie who thinks she is
a talk show host! It’s a festival of love, music and laughter (with some
heartbreak), in the most amazing love story ever revealed.
Well, here are the photos from the musical hosted over the Christmas season.
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.
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 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.
South African house music duo Liquideep are set to perform in Nairobi at
the Blankets and Wine show, December 18.
The South African duo is made up of
singer/songwriter/producer Ziyon and DJ/producer Ryzor, and just two years
after their formation they caught the attention of the South African fans with
the track Fairytale.
Their list of awards includes Channel O Music Video Award
for Most Gifted Dance Video and received a SAMA nomination for Song Of The
Year.
Liquideep’s appeal could be put down to the originality of
their culture clash between African beat and an awareness of what works on the
globe’s dancefloors. But it’s also down to their ability to craft sweet and
memorable songs.
Before their smash breakout debut album the distinctive
Liquideep beats had already attracted remixes from big international
underground names.
The duo joins other big stars who have performed at the
Sunday afternoon event like Thandiswa Mazwai, Manou Gallo, Mafikizolo and
Oliver Mtukudzi.
The afternoon event features outstanding afro-based bands
that range from afro soul, afro-fusion, afro-jazz, ethnic, experimental and
other emerging genres.
American RNB artiste Donell Jones will be performing in
Nairobi’s National Park for the Tusker Lite Experience concert this Friday.
Born May 22, 1973 in Chicago, IL, Donell started singing at
the age of 8, wrote his first song at the age of 12 and at the age of 14 he
received an electric guitar as a gift from his mother. With his roots in music
firmly planted, Jones overcame the southside streets of Chicago’s gang life to
pursue his dream.
While at a music conference in Washington, DC in 1993, Donell
caught the attention of music producer Eddie F. At the time Jones was a
member of a group. The group had high aspirations for their talent
showcase at the conference, however, no one showed up.
Determined to get
noticed, Jones and the group started singing for anyone who listened.
Eddie F saw great potential in the group that day. Shortly after that meeting
the group was signed to Untouchables/LaFace and recorded a single but their
dream was never realized because the group disbanded.
Not willing to give up on the music business, Donell proved
his skills as a writer and producer. Donell wrote one of Usher’s first
top ten hits, “Think of You.” He wrote and produced for several other artists
including 702, Silk, Brownstone, Madonna. In 1996, with LaFace’s long awaited
approval, Jones released his debut album, My Heart. It included a cover of
Stevie Wonders’ song; “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” that quickly gained Jones a
loyal following.
But it wasn’t until his second album “Where I Wanna Be,”
released in 1999 and certified platinum, that Donell was recognized as a true
force in R&B. With a number one hit that featured TLC's Lisa
"Left-Eye” Lopes, “U Know What’s Up” others began to see what LaFace
Records already knew.
His third album, “Life Goes On,” was released in 2002 and
peaked at number 2 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
After a 4 year hiatus, in 2006 Jones released his fourth
album “Journey of a Gemini,” which debuted at number 1 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop
chart, his first album to achieve that feat.
Jones released his fifth studio album, Lyrics, on Sept 28,
2010 on his own label, Candyman Records. Jones is also working with new artists
Trina B and Breese, plans to release their debut albums are forthcoming.
The MTV Staying Alive Foundation will be hosting a unique
World AIDS Day event, Shuga Talks, in which two simultaneous screenings of MTV
Staying Alive drama Shuga will be held in Nairobi, Kenya and Washington, D.C.
on December today.
Following the screenings, audience
members - those attending in person and watching from home - will have the
opportunity to participate in a live video discussion via satellite, and engage
with other young people around the world using social media platforms, to
address key HIV and AIDS issues highlighted in the show.
Hosted by BET entertainer Big Tigger (Rap City, 106 &
Park) in Washington, D.C. and MTV Africa VJ Kule Ekirapa in Nairobi, viewers at
home will have the chance to tune in to the debate that will be streamed live
at www.mtvshuga.com/shugatalks. In addition, testing centers will be present at
both screenings to encourage audience members to get tested.
“MTV Staying Alive is dedicated to creating new and
innovative ways to empower young people engaged in fighting the stigma, spread
and threat of the HIV and AIDS epidemic around the world,” said Georgia Arnold,
Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. “Shuga is an authentic, provocative
piece of entertainment, and with initiatives like Shuga Talks, we are
encouraging young people to explore important HIV and AIDS issues in unexpected
ways.”
The second series, Shuga:
Love, Sex Money, will premier on Valentine’s Day, February 14th 2012.
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.
Nigerian artiste Flavour Nabania jetted into Nairobi Wednesday
evening (October 12) for the Naija Night at the Carnivore on Saturday. He will be joined by Kenyan stars Wyre the Love Child, Habida,
Camp Mulla and fello Naija acts Naeto C and Omawumi.
Anyhows, I got this translation of the lyrics to Flavour’s
single Nwa Baby on the net and it has some interesting translations.
Nwa baby, nye me fege (7x) (Baby girl, give me your 'thing)
Nwa baby, o kwa Nabania (Baby girl, it must be this night)
I don hammer no be small, now it's
time to chop money
Somebody say Nabania (Somebody say 'this night')
Na takwa ne fe omo wania (All this girls, enjoy yourself)
See the girls them plenty
Waka waka baby (oh yeah), wuru
wuru baby (oh yeah)
I go tell my mama, (oh yeah) I go
tell my papa (oh yeah)
And I go tell am say (oh yeah)
You be waka waka baby (oh yeah)
You be wuru wuru baby (oh yeah)
Corner corner baby (oh yeah)
Sango sango baby (oh yeah)
Para rara baby (oh yeah)
Oh baby sawaley
Sawa sawa sawaley (2x)
Ashawo
Kpokpotom kpomkpom, kporokotom
kpomkpom (2x)
Kpakolo kpa (3x), kpomkpom
Ojari kpokpo, ukwu nwa baby
Achukwu rege, kpom kpom
Ashawo, awusha
Awusha, ashawo
Ashawo, awusha, kpom kpom
Eh eh eh eh eh eh, kpom kpom
Oh baby Sawaley
Sawa Sawa Sawaley (2x)
Ashawo
Nwa baby, nye me fege (7x)
Nwa baby, wa Nabania
Na soso walka I come dey go
Everywhere I go, anai ti fe (Everywhere I go people will be Being
Intimate)
All my guys where una dey
From here to saloon hotel
See the girls them plenty
Waka waka baby (oh yeah), wuru
wuru baby (oh yeah)
I go tell my mama, (oh yeah) I go
tell my papa (oh yeah)
And I go tell am say (oh yeah)
You be waka waka baby (oh yeah)
You be wuru wuru baby (oh yeah)
Corner corner baby (oh yeah)
Sango sango baby (oh yeah)
Para rara baby (oh yeah)
Oh baby sawaley
Sawa sawa sawaley (2x)
Ashawo
Kpokpotom kpomkpom, kporokotom
kpomkpom (2x)
Kpakolo kpa (3x), kpomkpom
Ojari kpokpo, ukwu nwa baby
Achukwu rege, kpom kpom
Ashawo, awusha
Awusha, ashawo
Ashawo, awusha, kpom kpom
Eh eh eh eh eh eh, kpom kpom
Oh baby Sawa lele
Sawa Sawa Sawale (2x)
Ashawo
Ala de no de, no de
Ala ala de no de, de no de, Ala
Ema na ala de no de, no de
Ala ala de no de, de no de, Ala
Ala mama
Wera kagi ji de a ala
Ala mama
Wero noge me jaya ala
