KISII VERSION OF NWA BABY (ASHAWO)

FLAVOUR IS HERE! SO WHAT DOES HIS SONG MEAN?

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

VIVIAN GREEN EXPECTED IN NAIROBI FOR CONCERT

Neo Soul and RnB star Vivian Green jets into Nairobi on Friday, 14 October for the Lounge Unplugged show set for Saturday at the Kefit Centre opposite the Belgium Embassy along Limuru Road. 

Vivian who is famed for her monster hit Emotional Rollercoaster will be staying at the Intercontinental Hotel. 

Viviane is set to serenade Kenyan smooth soul music lovers at the event dubbed that will also see Kenya’s Neema Ntalel and Fena performing.  

The Philadelphia based musician is credited for writing Dear God by Boyz II Men, from their 1997 album Evolution. Vivian Green received her big break at the age of nineteen when she became a backup singer for Jill Scott. She recently released her third studio album titled Beautiful.

Here have a feel of her music

UNRAVELING DIKEMBE MUTOMBO

Dikembe Mutombo is a retired Congolese American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He had visited Kenya’s Daadab camp a while back together with K’Naan. 

We threw the one-liner interview at him. Here goes…

 I’m good at
Playing basketball and socializing.

I’m very bad at
Remembering names. I can always remember names but not faces.

The last book l enjoyed was
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. It is one of my favourites.  

The most surprising thing that happened to me
Finding out that most people knew me thanks to my favourite sport.

A common misconception of me is
That I’m snobbish. Just because I’m famous.

One of my worst childhood fears was
Snakes. They still frighten me.

My ideal night out is
Staying indoors with my friends.

In another life l’d have been
An accountant. I loved mathematics

If I were a politician, I would
Make sure that my citizens were well catered for and also ensure equitable distribution of resources.

The best age to be is
Any age as long as I’m happy.

The best part of my job is
Enjoying the pitch and now that I’m retired enjoying the fruits of my labour.

TANZANIAN STAR SENE TA GRADUATES

Tanzanian born musician Sene Ta graduated from USIU with a degree in Business Administration. Hot Secrets caught up with East African heartthrob at the JKIA before departing to Dar es Salaam recently.
Sene Ta said, “I thank God, my family and friends for being supportive on my pursuit for a degree. I know this will help me advance my music and business to the next level. I would also like to thank Hot Secrets for the media coverage you gave me right from the beginning when I was a nobody."
Sene Ta is currently working on a new song called Beibe, which he claims is going to be massive hit.

A SAD LOVE STORY BY KIDUM AND SANA

NEW MUSIC: VANIKA’S JIBEBA

Have a listen at this new, up and coming singer's music and judge for thy self if she is a hit or a miss. Her name is Vanika, born and raised in Ivory Coast by Kenyan parents.
"I took part in plays and musicals and my teachers always encouraged me to take singing seriously. I started singing as a profession in 2009 with my first release Special.
"This year, i have been able to release two singles: Raha Yangu and Jibeba and I aim intending to release more songs and hopefully have my first album at the begining of next year," she said.

VOTE FOR KENYAN ATHLETES!

Kenyan star athletes will join the list of the 10 male and 10 female candidates that have been selected by an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) panel of eight experts for the 2011 World Athlete of the Year award winners to be announced on November 12.
Kenya's marathon world record holder Patrick Makau, middle-distance runner David Rudisha and long distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot, are on the shortlist. They are joined by other sprint starts like Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. At the conclusion of the voting process, three male and three female finalists will be selected and announced by the IAAF. So people star voting…

The candidates are: in alphabetical order
Men
Yohan Blake, Jamaica
Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Mo Farah, Great Britain
Robert Harting, Germany
Kirani James, Grenada
Patrick Makau, Kenya
Koji Murofushi, Japan
David Rudisha, Kenya
Christian Taylor, USA
Jesse Williams, USA

Women
Maria Abakumova, Russia V
alerie Adams, New Zealand
Veronica Campbell Brown, Jamaica
Tatyana Chernova, Russia
Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya
Anna Chicherova, Russia
Lashinda Demus, USA
Carmelita Jeter, USA

MUSICIAN ANNIE LENNOX PAYS TRIBUTE TO WANGARI MAATHAI

One of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time according to Rolling Stone, Annie Lennox has paid tribute to the late Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. In her blog, Annie wrote: “Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, sadly passed away earlier this week. She was exceptional, visionary, courageous and inspiring, and I’d like to share a small part of her message to the world, in honour of her legacy.


"She tells a simple story about a humming bird, but the philosophy behind it is powerful beyond measure. Watch, and be inspired.”




Annie is a Scottish recording artist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A. Stewart she achieved major international success in the following decade as one half of Eurythmics. Lennox embarked on a solo career in the 1990s with her debut album Diva (1992), which produced several hit singles.

She is the recipient of eight BRIT Awards and in 2004, she won both the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Into the West, written for the soundtrack to the feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Known as a pop culture icon for her distinctive contral to vocals and visual performances, Lennox has been named "The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive" by VH1.

BE A FILMAKER AND GET AWARDED FOR IT

Production Republic has launched a U Film It, the first ever, new and exciting, mobile phone video contest in Kenya to showcase your creative talents and a chance to win our fabulous filmmakers winners cash prize of Kshs 50,000.

Other cash prizes are Kshs 20,000 and Kshs 15,000 for 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
U Film It is a mobile phone video contest that invites all mobile phone users to create a short film of not more than 3 minutes on any topic of your choice of everyday situations. 

The video clip must be recorded exclusively on a mobile phone. Anyone over 18 years of age can participate.

Simply create a short video of not more than 3 minutes and 10 megabytes with your mobile phone on any subject of your choice. Upload the video clip to their site www.productionrepublic.co.ke and invite your friends to vote for you to win fabulous filmmaker cash prizes.

For those who have high-end phones that capture video in the highest resolution, then you can submit your video via email You must be a registered member to upload or submit your creative video for you to stand a chance of winning our filmmaker's cash prizes.

The mission of the U Film It Mobile Phone Video Contest is to nurture creative talent in film-making in Kenya by providing a platform where such talent can be exhibited. Get creative with your mobile phone today and enter the U Film It mobile phone video contest and stand a chance to win big.

It's never been simpler to translate your story to the screen!

LECRAE TO TOUR KENYA IN NOVEMBER

 

This November, Reach Records recording artists Lecrae Moore will be touring Kenya together with other gospel acts like Trip Lee, KB, PRO and Tedashii, along with DJ Official and special guest C-lite. The group have formed a clique, Unashamed Kenya for this particular tour.

The Kenyan tour is dubbed The Movement and will be held at the Mavuno Dome in South C, Belle-Vue on November 18. The visiting act name and growing body of believers from different backgrounds who are now united in Christ, living unashamed and dedicated to seeing the Lord made famous in every arena.

Those who consider themselves a part of the movement--116 Clique members--are driven by Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation…"

Cedrick Todwell, CEO of Twelve Agency said, “Concert goers can expect to be encouraged and challenged by the latest music from the Reach camp, having performed across the world and continually inspiring a generation of believers around the world.

"This tour will give 116 Clique members throughout Kenya an opportunity to experience and be a part of the worldwide movement," Cedrick concluded.

Thus far Lecrae has released five solo studio albums, and his latest Rehab: The Overdose was released on January 11, 2011. He co-founded ReachLife Ministries in 2005. The non-profit organization exists to help equip local Christian leaders with tools and media projects that are culturally relevant and based on the teachings of the Bible. ReachLife is another piece in Lecrae's larger vision of seeing a reformation in urban culture.

Since then, Lecrae has released the albums After the Music Stops and Rebel, the first Christian Rap album to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Top Gospel Charts. Led by the classic single‚ Jesus Musik, After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as Praying For You and Send Me. Aimed at building an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan’s Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. Rebel, released in 2008, also garnered much success and spent 78 weeks on the Billboard charts.

The gate charges will be Ksh 500 and VIP Ksh 1500. The show is sponsored by Twelve Agency, Spinrej, Madlove Lounge, CTA, Mavuno Teenz Konnekt and Reach Booking.

KENYAN PEACEMAKER TO BE HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING WORK

George Gachara, co-founder of the Picha Mtaani a street exhibition initiative in Kenya, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Leadership Award from the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) International Development Committee.

George was selected in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to advancing conflict resolution internationally. The awards will be presented on October 12, 2011 at ACR’s Annual Conference in San Diego, California (USA).

George has helped create spaces for young people to become agents of peace and reconciliation in their communities. In the aftermath of the 2007 presidential election in Kenya, waves of political and ethnic violence swept the country, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 people and the internal displacement of 600,000.

“As a country we stood on the brink of collapse. We saw how bad things can get. For us, Peace cannot be just an interval between wars, which is why we’re driving a much needed cultural transformation,” He said.

He adds, “Addressing conflict is not merely about pacification of peoples, but addressing injustices, inequalities between people. Unless we can meet this challenge, new conflicts will flare up and we will lose another generation to war, it is our duty to nurture a future and hope for young people suffering from unemployment and have little prospects of improving their lives.”

The International Development Committee of the ACR’s International Section each year honors exceptional work promoting conflict resolution in development projects around the world.

TO ITEN WITH LOVE - KENYAN CELEBRITIES

Over ten local artistes who have signed with the Safaricom Kenya Live programme paid a courtesy call to Iten Primary School in their second last installment of the Safaricom Kenya Live CSR event in Eldoret.

While there, they treated the children to a day filled with music performances and motivational talks on children who aspire to be musicians.  They also presented a cheque of Sh50,000 to the school.

The artistes who called on the pupils included Nameless, Wahu, Allan Aaron, Ally B, Jua Cali, M.O.G, Phonotex Success Band, Redsan, Blavion, Freeman, Kavale and Poqpine. Also joining the artistes on the visit was Safaricom Brand Assets Manager Virginia Wanyanga. 

 

 

The artistes also donated food items to the pupils and joined them for lunch a day before the Safaricom Kenya Live gig in Eldoret. 

The visit was part of the Safaricom Kenya Live CSR programme that sees the artistes interact with children and disadvantaged populations on each tour of their performances.

Now, the finale of the Safaricom Kenya Live gigs take place in Nairobi’s Nyayo stadium on Saturday October 8.

Safaricom Kenya Live shows have also been held in major towns like Bungoma, Mombasa, Kisumu and Machakos.

 

The Nyayo National Stadium is poised to host the biggest live music concert in the country with 25 local artistes, comprising 14 Safaricom Kenya Live artistes and 14 budding talents from various provinces in Kenya are expected to perform.  

“Safaricom Kenya Live is one of our major engagement platforms with the youth, a core segment for us. We believe in involving our youth in initiatives that positively transform their lives,” said Safaricom Brand Assets Manager Virginiah Wanyanga. 

Gates to the concert will open for the public at 4pm while the real action starts at 7pm till dawn. Admission to the concert is restricted to those over 18 years only. 

To access the concert, revelers will be expected to carry an unscratched Bamba 250 Safaricom airtime, while VIP tickets go for Ksh1000.

ZUKU TO CARRY FOX CHANNELS

The East African three-in-one service package from Wananchi Group, Zuku, is to carry four FOX International Channels across Wananchi’s cable and DTH platforms.

As per the agreement, Zuku will carry FOX Entertainment, FX, NatGeo Adventure and Baby TV. FOX International reaches over 875 million people worldwide across 35 different languages.

Says Hannelie Bekker, MD of Wananchi Programming: “The deal with Fox International Channels marks another exciting step for Wananchi, supporting our ongoing drive to offer viewers a diverse range of programming. This partnership reflects the caliber of our channel partners and the choice of programmes we offer. A key part of Wananchi’s positioning is delivering acclaimed content at affordable prices and these channels are a fantastic addition, further bolstering our offering to a wider demographic within the East African populations’’.

Thandi Davids, regional director, Broadcasting & Sales: Africa at FOX International Channels says: “In our continuous quest to offer smart and innovative programmes that entertain and educate audiences across all demographics we are delighted to bring FOX International Channels to Zuku subscribers.  

 It is important that brands and content satisfy local tastes and resonate with local viewers in geographies across the world and we are pleased that East Africans will now be able to access our content through Zuku. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Zuku to bring subscribers even more TV choice from our world leading bouquet of channels.”

GIRL POWER IN REMIX OF LADY BEE'S MREMBO

Singer Lady Bee's single Mrembo has been remixed and a slew of top female entertainers have jumped on the remake bandwagon.
The list of the femme fatale who have recorded the single include Tattu's Shinde, Bongo's Ray C, Reina, Rapper Joey and Mimmo.
The video for the new joint was shot yesterday by Big Idea's Willie Owusu.
Anyhows, here is the orginal video by Lady Bee.



And you can listen to the audio for the track below.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD AND HUBBY ANDREAS INSPIRED AFTER KENYAN VISIT

World-renowned fashion design team Dame Vivienne Westwood and husband Andreas Kronthaler were inspired to be part of Zeitz Foundation as Ambassadors after a visit to Kenya in June.

“My trip to the Zeitz Foundation headquarters in Segera, Kenya this year inspired me, as did their projects and dedication on the ground,” said Vivienne. “The Foundation is driven by implementing a holistic paradigm that balances conservation, community development, culture and commerce, and I am excited to lend my support to their community development activities.”

“We try to embrace The Long Run philosophy of acting today for a better tomorrow in our daily life”, said Andreas, “and this ties in to Vivienne’s idea that people should buy less and choose well.”

In a statement Jochen Zeitz, founder of the Zeitz Foundation and CEO Sport & Lifestyle Group and Chairman of the Board of PUMA said: “I am very pleased that Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler, who are so influential in the world of fashion, are adding their voices to those of our other Ambassadors in support of a fundamental shift towards more sustainable lifestyles.”

Jochen continued: “Vivienne and Andreas bring a wealth of experience and dedication to our work and I look forward to their ongoing contributions to the Community side of our activities”.

The couple join athlete Usain Bolt, who is the Zeitz Foundation Ambassador for Culture (Sport) and entertainers Amadou & Mariam, Ambassadors for Culture (Art) among others.

JAMAICA'S CHEVELLE FRANKLYN FOR KENYA

Jamaican gospel singer Chevelle Franklyn will be performing in Kenya on October 8 at the Nairobi Baptist church Ngong Road. Chevelle has emerged on the gospel music scene as one of the most outstanding Ministers of Music over the past nine years. Her insight as a songwriter/producer, vocal capacity as a singer, and her anointing as a worshiper has ensured her success as a leading, international, multiple award-winning Psalmist.

As a child prodigy in the industry, Chevelle recorded her first single – Here I Am produced by Rohan Harrison – and it was released in her early teens. Public reaction to its debut was incredibly positive and indicated that Chevelle had a future in the industry. 

Nurtured by some of the top names among Jamaica’s music producers, Chevelle soon marked out a distinctive territory in Jamaica’s dancehall culture scene. Her future took a rosy turn when she began working with producers Mikey Bennett and Rohan Harrison. She recorded her smash hit Nice And Naughty, followed by another single, No Pushover in 1992, again produced by Mikey Bennett.

This led to collaborations with household names such as Shabba Ranks Mr. Lover Man in 1991. In 1997, Chevelle hit a lucrative opportunity to record the internationally acclaimed Dancehall Queen with Beenie Man, for Island Records of which the soundtrack was used for the equally successful movie of the same name.

But despite the great success, there remained a gaping hole in her soul. In 1998, during a concert, Chevelle, tired of the empty way of life and hopelessness, suddenly declared on stage a change of direction in her career and lifestyle – she decided to become a Christian.

This is not Chevelle's first time to perform in Kenya as she was part of 2005 Xtreme Weekend hosted by Nairobi Lighthouse Church attracting over 10,000 people and in 2009 at Kasarani Gymnasium.

AFRICA’S LITERARY GIANT WOLE SOYINKA FOR KIFF

Re-known African literature expert, film writer, poet and play write Professor Wole Soyinka is set to grace this year’s Kenya International Film Festivals that will take place between October 21 -31, 2011.

Wole will be joined by Idrissa Ouedraogo, a well-known film director from Burkina Faso as jury member at KIFF 2011. Ouedraogo is a graduate of the African Institute for Cinema Studies (Institut Africain d’Etudes Cinématographiques) in Ouagadougou and has directed various short films. Ouédraogo also graduate school at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinématographiques IDHEC in Paris in 1985.

Ouédraogo is also known for winning the Grand Prix for his film Tilaï (The Law) at the 1990l Cannes Film Festival, and the FIPRESCI Award for his 1986 film Yam Daabo (The Choice). His 1993 film Samba Traoré won the Silver Bear at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival.  

Prof. Soyinka, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, has written 21 plays, 2 novels, 5 memoirs, 10 poetry collections, 6 essays and 3 movies. His visit to Kenya has been made possible by the Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board. The literary giant will also be accompanied by several Nigerian film producers who submitted their films for viewing at the KIFF. 

In keeping with KIFF’s tradition, Prof. Soyinka is expected also facilitate a forum for literature scholars in Nairobi. During the forum film dons, film makers and lecturers will interact and with the insight of Prof. Soyinka forge the way forward on film syllabus and curriculum in Kenyan universities and colleges.   

Festival director Mr. Charles Asiba said: “We are delighted to have a personality of the stature of Prof. Wole Soyinka, who is an authoritative figure in the African film industry to come and grace us with his presence. We are also excited with the fact that KIFF is going to be used as platform for Prof. Soyinka   to educate the young literature scholars in Kenya”.  

Asiba said the screenings will be at, Alliance Francaise de Nairobi, National Museums of Kenya, Cinemax Prestige on Ngong Road, Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Alliance France in Mombasa, Moi University main Campus, Maseno University town campus, Kisumu Simba Club, Alliance Francaise de Eldoret.

Mr. Asiba said the preparations for the 2011 Festival are at an advanced stage adding that “we are happy by the response of the film makers when we called for entries what we now want from Kenyans to do is to come and watch a movie with us so that the ambition of being the biggest film festival in Africa.”