WIZ KID AND BANKY W IN KENYA FOR SHUGA SHOOT

Joining the star studded cast of the second season of MTV Shuga are Nigerian music stars Banky W and Wiz Kid. The two are curently on set of MTV Shuga in Nairobi.
Shuga series two, subtitled Love, Sex, Money, series will be expanded from three to six episodes and develop the complex emotional storylines first explored in Shuga. Their roles are yet to be revealed but they join a Kenyan cast of singer Avril (Miss B'Have) Nick Ndeda (Angelo), Nancy Wanjiku (Baby), Brenda Wairimu (Dala), Edward Nyanaro (Rayban) and Ikubese Emmanuel - a.k.a. 9con - (Femi).



Also returning for the second series of Shuga are Sharon Olago (Violet), David Omwange (Skola), Nick Mutuma (Leo) and Antony Mwangi (Kennedy) and Valeri Kimani (Sindi).
The first series of Shuga was filmed in Kenya in August-September 2009. Starring a young cast of upcoming Kenyan actors and actresses, Shuga told a bitter-sweet tale of love, loss, sex, heartbreak and relationships, set in the clubs, bars, campuses and hangouts of contemporary Nairobi.
The six-part series will be premiered on Valentine’s Day 2012 (14 February).

BANKY, WIZKID AND SKALES ANOUNCE FIRST-EVER EME AMERICAN TOUR!

US-based fans of ‘superstar’ Wizkid, R&B powerhouse Banky W, and critically acclaimed rapper Skales who have been longing to see them perform live, can now heave a sigh of relief.
The EME acts announced, today, that they’re staging a North America tour that’ll roll out in a matter of months. “Actually, the tour was earlier scheduled to begin in Washington DC on June 24," comments Banky W. "But due to certain circumstances, we have had to step back to work on a couple of elements necessary to deliver the best experience for our fans
"We know our fans in the US are waiting. And we apologise profusely, with a promise that this tour will be worth the wait. Our promoters have put in a lot of hard work, and we’re working with so many professionals in different cities to ensure everything goes well. I want to assure all those who have bought tickets already that we’re on; we’re coming for real; and it’s only a matter of weeks before we hit ‘God’s own Country."
Banky, who runs EME with partners in Nigeria and the United States, spoke from Lagos, Nigeria, where he has been living since relocating from the US in 2007.
The tour, according to a statement by EME, is in conjunction with the top Nigerian and African promoters in each city and will include big venue concerts, select club gigs, road stops, TV and radio performances as well as extended media visits.
The tour promotional partners are Afrique Events, Afrobeat Productions, Big A Entertainment, Camp Green, Club Nationale, De Eminentz, Mr. Déjà vu and The F.I.V.E Company. Others are Freshwaves, Incognito, Janda Entertainment, Jesse Poche (TakeoverDJs), Qrious
Media Group, Royal Entertainment, Shekpe Knights, So So Selective and Townkrier.com Says Segun Demuren, EME CEO: ‘‘Coming on the heels on a successful album launch concert for Wizkid, we’re moving on to the next step which is to ensure we deliver the best concert experience for our fans all over the world. We’re starting with the US with dates for Europe
and Asia to follow’’.
It’s the first-ever EME tour and an excited Banky adds, “Thanks for waiting this long guys. We’ll wait just a little bit longer, and then we can have all the fun in the world. We’re taking Lagos party to America!’’
Cities to be covered, according to an official guide released by EME, include Washington DC, New York City, Atlanta GA, Houston TX, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, Minneapolis MN, Boston MA, Dallas TX, Detroit MI and San Jose CA.

WYRE SCOOPS NIGERIA’S SOUND CITY AWARD IN ABSENTIA

Wyre and Tu Face at a past event

Wyre the Love Child was awarded the Best East African act late last month in the Sound City awards held in Nigeria.
The awards, which are meant to bridge the gap in African music to the rest of the world, took place on November 20 in Lagos. “I'm really excited about clinching the award. There was some stiff competition in my category, but I thank God for coming through,” he told Hot Secrets.
The Sina Makosa star did not attend the ceremony saying, “I was scheduled to attend a music workshop prior to my invitation, but my agent in Nigeria attended the awards and accepted it on my behalf.”
Another Kenyan who was nominated for the awards has a bone to pick with the organisers. Yvonne Darcq who was nominated in the best RnB category said, “The event organizers have been avoiding us and cut contacts with us yet they claim we are part of the awards,” adding that, the organizers failed to send flight tickets to facilitate for their travel to Lagos for the ceremony.



Anyhow, Wyre believes his win validates his entry into the West African market. “I think doors are definitely opening up for me in the Nigerian market. Winning this award leaves me no doubt about it. I've done a collaboration album with a number of Nigerian artists scheduled for release this December. It features P-Square, Banky W, MI, Kel, Faze and Malam Spicey. I'm sure this will help me solidify my market there.”