STL TALKS REHEARSALS AND NEW ROUTINE FOR EUROVISION

Stella Mwangi has adopted a new dance routine for her stage performance. Stella will be performing second in the first semifinal of this year Eurovision finals in Germany. Her semis will be on Tuesday May 10. The choreographer behind the Norwegian-African dance is Swedish Mattias Carlsson. He also created the flashmob dance for the finals of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.



Mattias pointed that when I heard Haba Haba the first time, he felt that it was important to find something special for the whole picture. He hasn't actually studied African dance. He designed the choreography himself.
"The most important thing is that it should be so easy so that people actually can do it themselves. I want the whole audience and the people at home to go along with it. It was the same when I created the flashmob dance for Oslo last year," he said.
The second rehearsal of the Norwegian song, Haba Haba has improved significantly since the first rehearsal with better camera angles, better vocals and slightly tweaked choreography.



The song continues to be performed in a very fiery fashion with kinetic red colors alternating with cool blues to emphasize the beat and cultural elements of this cool, African inspired number.
The dresses have stayed the same with vibrant red colours and suitable hair styles. There has also been some changed to Stella's costume with new shoes.
During the first rehearsal there were some issues with the special effects with the glitter and confetti that is launched at the end of the song falling all over the Eurovision.tv team who watch the rehearsals from the front. This time, however, this did not happen... We will have to wait until the semi-final on the 10th of May!
As there are new journalists in the room, the Norwegian Head of Delegation introduced the team again.
Stella spoke to the members of the fourth estate talking about how the Eurovision Song Contest is a really huge step for her. She also said that her grandmother has told her "to have lots of fun" in Düsseldorf.



"My aim of the song is to spread joy and for people to learn the dance, which people to seem to do", Stella said when talking about Haba Haba.
Stella also mentioned that her biggest role model is Oprah Winfrey who Stella said, "reached so high by just being herself and my dream is to get on her show one day".
One member of the press asked Stella how she does her hair to which she replied, "I have a lovely stylist with me who curls my hair. I also want my hair to be as big as possible on stage so that it moves during the performance".




The Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi has also said that they will show the contest.
A journalist asked Stella about the significance of African artists in the Eurovision Song Contest to which she replied, "Music has no colour, and goes beyond borders. It is just music and I want it to spread joy. Period". This was met by rapturous applause in the hall.
The conference ended with Stella showing off her rapping skills by performing a medley of different songs.

STL JETS TO DUSSELDORF FOR EUROVISION SEMI’S

Kenyan rapper based in Norway STL - real name Stella Mwangi - jetted out to Germany well in advance of the Euro Vision semi finals at Dusseldorf on May 10.
The Favourite hitmaker will represent Norway at the Esprit Arena where she will perform her latest single Haba Haba.
She will compete against Albania, Finland, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Armenia, Poland and Turkey before proceeding to the finals on May 12 where 25 countries will compete.
STL who is famed for hits like Take It Back and Biashara has had some of her songs used as soundtracks in films like American Pie, Save the Last Dance, and CSI New York.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF STL'S HABA HABA MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT

Okay guys, here are some shots from the behind the scenes of Kenyan rapper STL's video for Haba Haba shotin Oslo Norway.
The rapper based in Norway will premiere the video on Monday April 18. The planned filming of the music video was postponed earlier but they eventually shot it.



Now, I hear STL's schedule in preparation for the semi-finals of the Eurovision music contest to be held in May in Dusseldorf, Germany is hectic. She has a personal trainer "to make sure she is in shape for the contest".







Anyhow, the Favourite hitmaker also shot a promotional video for Adidas as part of her deal as the company's brand ambassador for Norway. The video is Adidas' latest global brand campaign dubbed Adidas Is All In. The campaign seeks to celebrate all its ambassadors who love their game and are putting their all in it.
STL, real name Stella Mwangi, is filmed going about her daily routine like shopping, fixing herself a meal and eventually in the studio recording. The two-minute promo video for the giant sportswear corporation is STL's first obligation as the newly appointed brand ambassador for Norway. The video is shot in Norwegian with no English subtitles... yet.

STL’S HABA HABA VIDEO FILMING POSTPONED

The planned filming of the music video to Stella Mwangi's winning single Haba Haba has been postpone to April 10. The decision was made as a result of STL's busy schedule since arriving from Kenya on February 27 where she shot a documentary detailing her career journey.
According a release, the team behind STL wanted more time to plan the filming following huge investment of resources by STL's record label EMI records and Kenya’s mobile phone company Safaricom. Despite the shift in filming dates, the video will still premiere on the scheduled dates.

Photographer: Bjørn Opsahl

STL'S DAY OUT WITH ATHLETE PHILIP BOIT

Kenyan singer based in Norway, STL, had a day out with cross-country runner Philip Boit when he was in Norway.
According to Norwegian press, Philp was in the European country to participate in the World Ski Championships in Oslo.
"I have a very tight schedule, but i would love to Stella (Mwangi). She is very good and I'm a big fan," he told memebers of the forth estate. Philip is the first Kenyan skier to participate in an international ski competition.
"I heard that she was in the Euro Vision Song Contest before the final, and i cheered for her all the way," Philip said, adding that he also knew of Stella from before, after hearing about her in Kenya.

STL'S KNOCKS OUT LADY GAGA'S NO 1 SINGLE OFF ITUNES

Kenyan rapper based in Norway STL whose real name is Stella Mwangi has been selected as Norway’s representative for the TV reality show, Eurovision song contest.
STL’s Swahili single Haba Haba won with an overwhelming vote of 280,217 votes with the closest rival Dance Tonight by The Black Sheeps managing 155,059 votes only.
Now, Haba Haba knocked Illuminati queen Lady Gaga's Born This Way off of the top spot on the Norwegian iTunes chart, a day after the single took the MGP third semifinal victory.



Norway will compete against Albania, Finland, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Armenia, Poland and Turkey in the first semi-final on May 10, in Dusseldorf, Germany. 25 countries will compete in the final taking place on May 12.
The Favourite hitmaker has worked with artists like Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and Flo-Rida told Norwegian reporters, “Music means everything to me,” she added, “Maybe I’ll make a trip back to Kenya before the (Eurovision) finals, just to talk with my aunts and both by grandmothers.”
Her song Haba Haba centers heavily on what her grandmothers told her as a young girl, that she could be whatever she wants to be. The song is an energetic pop number full of African rhythm and enthusiasm. “I am so grateful for all the votes, I’m so glad I get to represent Norway with what I burn for,” she told reporters after digesting the fact that she had won.
Haba Haba is the first Swahili song that has been performed on the Eurovision stage. Some of STL’s songs have been used as soundtracks in films like American Pie, Save the Last Dance, and CSI New York.

GHANAIAN RAP STAR TO TOUR KENYA

Ghana’s biggest Hiphop star D-Black is gearing up for his first tour since releasing his highly acclaimed debut solo album Music, Love and Life on September 25, last year.
According to a press releasesent out by his handlers, D Black will from April embark on a 4 - nation Music Tour with his Black Avenue Muzik Team. The 4 countries ear marked for the tour includes his birth country Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
D-Black said, “I’m donating proceeds from this tour to needy children and physically challenged kids in society as part of my responsibility to society. Education is key and I was fortunate to have a good education so this is my way of helping the less fortunate.”
The album features Kenyan rapper based in Norway, STL, she joins a star studded list of other celebrities who are have collaborated with D-Black. They include Wyclef Jean, 2 Face Idibia, Zimbabwe’s Buffalo Souljah and Ghana’s Reggie Rockstone, Kwabena Kwabena and Sarkodie.
The album is distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide via Rockstar 4000 and will be digitally distributed in over 2 million stores worldwide this month.
His first single Somebody ft. Kwabena Kwabena received massive TV and radio play and saw Hip hop and High Life Music merge for the first time in Ghanaian history.

STL ON NOVEMBER SHOW WITH ALAINE

Kenyan singer based in Norway Stella Mwangi will be traveling back for next month’s concert dubbed Sepetuka the Trilogy which will also feature Jamaican siren Alaine.
The November 6 show will be at the Carnivore and is organized by Homeboyz Entertainment.



Speaking to Hot Secrets, STL said, “Well, this will actually be my first big show in Nairobi. So I will perform songs from my debut album Living For Music and new unreleased songs! And yeah, of course my new singles Favourite and Smile,” adding, “I'm locked up in the studio right now, so I can't wait to take it back home.”
Others who will be firing up the stage will include UK Silverstar Deejays duo of Randy and Gassy. From Nairobi, DJ Burn, DJ Nelly, DJ Hassan, DJ Vin and G Money are set to entertain all night.

STL COVERS MIMI MAGAZINE

MIMI, a digital magazine aimed at African women, recently released its Summer 2010 issue featuring Stella Mwangi a.k.a STL on the cover.
BTW, STL is rocking a Stella a Jamhuri Wear tee. She is planning to release the video for her new joint Smile, pretty soon.
STL talks about everything music, love and life. Catch it over hurr

ISSUES WITH STL COLLABO’S WITH D-BLACK?

Kenyan rapper based in Norway STL recorded a single with Celebrity Ambassador to the U.N in Ghana D-Black but is yet to hear the final product.
STL told Hot Secrets she hasn’t listened to the single since it was recorded, when I asked her about it.
“Well, I don't want to comment or say anything about this collabo because I really don't have a clue on what's happening with it. I haven't even heard the song!” The Smile star then added, “So there is unfinished business here.”
The single will be featured in rapper D-Black’s debut solo album titled Music, Love & Life set for a September 24 exclusive worldwide digital release through Rockstar 4000.



D Black – real name Desmond Kwesi Blackmore - was recently signed to Rockstar 4000 Music Entertainment and is also a music business entrepreneur and executive producer.
In a release, D-Black said, “Music is my first love and this album is music from the heart, mind and soul. I believe in African unity and collaborations so this album has a lot of collabo’s with artists from around the world.”
Other big names featured on this album include Wyclef Jean (Haiti / USA), Khuli Chana (South Africa), Tay Grin (Malawi), Segal (Gabon), Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe), 2 Face Idibia (Nigeria), Sauce Kid (Nigeria), M.I (Nigeria), Zeus (Botswana) and from Ghana - former BBA contestant Kwaku-T, Sarkodie, Samini and Kwabena Kwabena among others.

STL IS LOOKING FOR A HOT FEMALE DJ

After her coveted win at the concluded Chaguo La Teeniez, Stella Mwangi a.k.a STL is blazing to go.
STL is looking for a female DJ to tour with and she should b able to sing, rap and hype the crowd.
“I've always wanted to have a girl DJ ever since I saw Salt'n Pepa with DJ Spinderella back in the 90's!” STL told Kingsize
Her profile has gained prominence after her singles were used in Tyra Banks’ reality show America's Next Top Model and Melrose Place.
The Dreamer hitmaker just completed Smile, a single off her second album which was mastered last week. She said, “I've been in the Big City studios for the last five months recording my yet to be titled second album. Plus of course licensing my music from the first album, Living for music in movies and TV series.
“Winning Chaguo la Teeniez Award means a lot especially after getting only nominations in the previous years. Now it’s a matter of living it up to get more and more,” she told Hotsecrets

STL PEFORMS WITH D BANJ AND MO HITS

Enjoy,

STL and South African group Jozi to sing World Cup theme

Norway based Kenyan born rapper Stella Mwangi a.k.a STL is set to do collabo with a member of the South African all-boy group Jozi, in a bid to position their song as the 2010 World Cup theme song.
Jozi is made up of the legendary queen of pop, Brenda Fassie’s son Bongani Fassie (aka Bongs), Ishmael (aka Ish) and Lesley Mampe (aka Da L.E.S). The 22-year-old who is currently riding high with the single She Got It has finalized the negotiations with Ishmael – who is the RnB vocalist in the group.
STL’s Kenyan based manager Charles Mwangi said, “The song she is planning to record requires the RnB touch of a male voice and Ishmael was the best choice. The single is titled Kick That Ball and hopefully it will be considered as a suitable theme song for the World Cup.” STL is set to begin a tour of the US starting mid May running till mid June.

STL to visit in Easter after firing Europe manager

Norwegian-based Kenyan rapper STL is expected over the Easter holidays for series of gigs. This move was announced recently by her Kenyan-based manager Charles Mwangi.
The announcement came a few weeks after STL- real name Stella Mwangi – gave her Europe Manager Vincente Modahl the sack.
“Yes she sacked him, remember when STL was last in the country in December, she was just from shooting a music video in UK and he was the one organising it and everything was going haywire,” Charles explained, “Well, a meeting was held and it was found out that he was not doing his job well. He is a good talent manager but not an overall logistics kind of manager.”
Charles Mwangi is currently holding down the fort after the dismissal. Apparently, Norwegian record company that STL is signed to, MTG MUSIC also had creative differences with Vincente.

hearty chat with STL

Where was the She Got IT video shoot done?

In Oslo Norway.

When was it shot?

The scene with the Ferrai was shot February 26 and the rest of the scenes with
the band and the Tabanka crew girls was shot on February 28.

How long did it take for the whole music video to come to completion?

It didn't take that long cause we had planned a good time schedule and was
perpared for it. The scene with the Ferrari took 2 hours, while the rest took 9 hours. And as
you see on the video, we took a lot of different shots with different clothes, so it was mostly what took most time.

How did you manage to get a Ferari that you used in the video?

Simple. Ask and you shall receive


What model is it?

It's a Ferrari 430 Coupe. It costs Sh31 million

Will you be shooting other music video?

Yes, im shooting music video for the song Go Getta from my debut album
Living for music in april. It will be out late april, so be on the look out!

Finally when will the video be released?

The video will be released in Kenya on Wednesday March 10