NEW MUSIC: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Here is a new release by Gerriey Wainaina feat Mbuvi and Ian Mbugua

IAN MBUGUA TO JUDGE FASHION AT CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

Reality show judge Ian Mbugua will take up a new job as a judge but this time as a fashion cop judge. Ian will judge the competitors’ costumes at the AccessKenya Africa Concours d’Elegance to be held by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club at the Nairobi Racecourse on September 25.
He will be joined by Millicent Ogutu, a popular actress at Phoenix Players.
Ian said, “These will be worn by a significant number of competitors in the Concours d’Elegance while they parade their cars and motorcycles for judging. The costume contest adds to the status and style of the event and is a popular gathering point for spectators in the Racecourse grand stands. It is hoped that as many entrants as possible will enjoy competing for the lavish awards.”



He continued: “The choice of outfits has been left entirely to the competitors, but as the event is sponsored by AccessKenya Group and hosted by the Jockey Club, contestants are welcome to illustrate an Internet, or horse racing theme. Concours entrants are also welcome to wear costumes that suit their vehicles, or a festive touch linked with the prizes of wine.”



The fancy dress category at the Concours is one of the attractions that add spectators’ interest and they look forward to seeing varied and imaginative costumes worn by the entrants at the Nairobi Racecourse.
The 2011 Concours will be the 41st in the annual series organized by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

TPF JUDGE IAN'S MOVIE TO PREMIER SOON

The mean judge on Tusker Project Fame and long-time thespian Ian Mbugua was cast in a "Hellon-type role" in the up-coming movie Me, My Wife and Her Guru. The movie will soon be released very soon.
Produced by Lizz Njagah and Alex Konstantaras, the movie revolves around Steve (Alexandros Konstantaras) is happily married to Angela (Lizz Njagah), a very successful and upcoming TV presenter. But what happens when his wife starts complaining about his outgoing lifestyle while in the same time she shows unusual interest to a religious Guru (Ian Mbugua) whose P.A. ( Millicent Wambui) dances to his flute? To make things worse Steve gets kidnapped by two not very smart thugs.
The Jitu Films production is inspired by all these stories related to cults and fake pastors.

TUSKER PROJECT FAME 4 KICKS OFF

The Tusker Project Fame opening gala party was held Sunday evening in an event that brought together East Africa in a night of glitz, glamour and music. The top 18 contestants and faculty members were unveiled during the show as the three judges Ian Mbugua, Juliana Kanyomozi and Hermes Bariki made a comeback.
With 15 spots in the TPF Academy and only nine contestants having secured their positions, seven of the contestants had to battle it out for a spot with three of them facing possible elimination.

Steven Nyabwa from Kenya wowed the crowd with his rendition of Marcelina. His electrifying performance elicited positive comments from the judges, with Judge Ian saying that he, “…could certainly stir up a crowd.”



Also fighting for their lives, were the Ugandans, Davis Ntare and Brendah Nankinga. This was not Davis’ first time at TPF, having been sent home by the Judges at last year’s gala show. He poured his soul into his cover of Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All and was overjoyed when the judges admitted him into the Academy.



Amilena Mwenesi of Kenya, Elizabeth Gaga of Rwanda and Leah Mwambogela of Tanzania impressed the judges and were able to secure their spots in the TPF Academy together with Steven and Davis.



Brendah’s performance of Brandy’s Come a Little Closer took her further away from the judges’ expectations, with Juliana pointing out that she had seen better performances from Brendah.



The very beautiful Liz Mugwaneza of Rwanda and Cynthia of Tanzania also saw their dreams put on hold when they failed to meet the judges’ high expectations.
The other highlight of the Gala was the unveiling and performances of the Faculty that will guide the contestants for the next eight weeks. The Academy has a new principal, Helen Mtawali who gave a powerful performance of an own composition. She also had a commanding stage presence,which is something that she is sure to impart to her young charges at the Academy.



The other members of the Faculty include Voice coach Kavutha, Music Director RKay, Choreographer and fitness coach Edu. This year also sees the addition of Band leader Aaron Rimbui to this stellar cast.



Carol “Clarissa” Nabulime TPF3’s reigning Dancing Queen performed her song from her debut album, Nakupenda at the Gala show and managed to wow the crowd with her incredible waist movement.



Ng’ang’alito was also on hand to entertain the crowd, accompanied by Sarakasi dancers, with his own Kikuyu ballad
Steven Nyabwa ,Amileena Mwenesi, Juvenalis Ochieng Amonde and Prudence Kibaya will carry the Kenyan flag.
Tanzania will be aptly represented by one gentleman and two ladies. They are Aneth Kushaba, Leah Mwambogela and Peter Msechu.
Uganda will have two gentlemen and one lady in the house. Davis Hillary Ntare, Rachel Namubiru and Thomas Madooba Kirya are the lucky three.
Atete Gaëlle, Gilbert Gabiro and Elizabeth Gaga from Rwanda will also be gunning for the top prize in the Tusker Project Fame, while the über confident Paleki Obur and Kuonck Deng will be representing Southern Sudan, which has been included into the competition for the very first time this year.



Kuonck who was the first runner-up in the top 25 auditions has replaced Romani of Southern Sudan who was recalled back home for civic duty. Kuonck couldn’t hide his excitement at having been offered the opportunity to join the TPF Academy last week.
During the eight weeks to be spent at the academy, the remaining 15 contestants will be coached on how to improve their music careers including voice, instrument, dance and performing skills.
Contestants in the show will strive to prove to judges and viewers they are the best music talent from the region with the hope of walking away with prize money of five million shillings, a recording contract from South African based Gallo records and a host of other goodies.


Chizi on stage


Honey La Rochelle, Omar Jonas entertain before the gala night

TPF IS BACK: HERE ARE ALL THE DETAILS

Phase one of the Tusker Project Fame 4 Auditions end on a high note talent, drama and humour displayed at auditions
Twenty five representatives from five countries- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and new entrant Southern Sudan, have been shortlisted after the Tusker Project Fame Academy phase one auditions spanning five weeks. The countries are fighting it out to produce the fourth Tusker Project Fame edition winner.
“The talent witnessed during the auditions is beyond anything we have seen in recent years. Majority of the contestants had superb voices and their mastery of instruments was really good. The turnout this season was also the highest in all countries. We are looking forward to an exciting show, “says Tusker Regional Marketing Manager Mburu Karanja.
Audition judges like Ian Mbugua had a challenging time choosing the best among the throngs of music enthusiasts, who poured in to the audition centers for a chance to be famous and win the coveted Ksh5 million recording contract.



Due to the keen interest of music enthusiasts from across the region to participate, long queues were witnessed as hundreds waited for the start of the process.
While some could be seen belting various tunes as they rehearsed for the big moment, an expectant mood hang over the long queues with occasional jokes, flattering and imagery of the ultimate superstar life doing the rounds.
The top 25 finalists drawn from the five countries will audition in Nairobi on September 25 and 26 for a chance to compete on the show.
Out of the 25 finalists only 18 will get a chance to be shortlisted and unveiled during performances at the Gala show on October 10.



During the Gala show the 18 contestants will perform before the judges and an audience. Three other contestants will be eliminated during the gala show, paving way for the 15 participants, who will join the Tusker Project Fame Academy on the same day.
Karanja said while at the Academy, the finalists will be taken through rigorous voice, performance, and other training sessions for them to attain skills needed to be a music superstar.
Nomination shows are scheduled from 17 October with the first eviction show on the 23 October where the audience will have a chance to vote and save their favorite contestants from eviction.

TPF JUDGE IAN MBUGUA TO JUDGE COSTUMES AT THE CONCOURS

The Tusker Project Fame judge Ian Mbugua who most contestants love to hate will judge costumes at the AccessKenya Africa Concours d’Elegance to be held by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club at the Nairobi Racecourse on September 26.
Ian will be joined by theatre personality Millicent Ogutu, a popular actress at Phoenix Players.
The 2010 Concours will be a landmark event with a festive style to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Kenya). In addition to the costume prizes of fine wines donated by Domaine Kenya Limited, the organizers have introduced car and motorcycle Victor Ludorum awards. These will be earned by the Concours competitors with the best combined vehicle and costume scores.



Commenting on the costume competition, Ian said, “Costumes will be worn by a significant number of competitors in the Concours d’Elegance while they parade their cars and motorcycles at the Nairobi Racecourse. The fancy dress judging adds to the status and style of the event and is a popular gathering point for spectators in the Racecourse grand stands. It is hoped that as many entrants as possible will enjoy competing for the lavish costume awards.
“The choice of outfits has been left entirely to the competitors, but as the event is sponsored by AccessKenya Group and hosted by the Jockey Club, contestants are welcome to illustrate an Internet, or horse racing theme. Concours entrants are also welcome to wear costumes that suit their vehicles, or a festive touch linked with the prizes of wine.”
Besides the colourful attires and haute couture, Concours fans will see an impressive number of rare vehicles which have been entered in this year’s event. Among the 4entries on the car list are the 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn of Roger Tanner. This British limousine will grab the attention of the Concours spectators and will also enrich the class for over 3,000 cc touring cars. A new entry in the sports car category is the 1967 Triumph TR 4A IRS of John Sawers. This will be up against two Alfa Romeo Spiders both made in 1972.


Other car entries include the 1990 London taxi of Stewart Samkange, Oscar Bigi’s 1938 Citroen Big 6 and the diminutive 1950 Fiat 500 C of Daniele Sardelli and his school friends who have called themselves “The Rat Pack”.
Concours stalwart Aruns Auto Limited has entered three cars with pride of place going to a 1968 Jaguar S. Both this prestige sports saloon and a 1972 BMW 2002 are in the final stages of preparation. In contrast the third entry is a 1974 BMW which is undergoing a complete rebuild.
The maximum entry of 40 motorcycles and 70 cars is laid down by regulations approved by the Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) to ensure high standards of judging.
The assessment of cars commences at the Total ramp where officials check the underside. Cars are then driven in front of the main Nairobi Racecourse grand stands while judges mark the external finish, the interior and boot and the engine compartment. Motorcycle judging follows similar pattern in the racecourse parade ring.

TPF JUDGE PLAYS CON ARTISTE IN NEW FILM

Keep your eye out for a new movie featuring Tusker Project Fame Judge Ian Mbugua. Ian plays The Guru, a religious con, in the yet to be titled movie by Jitu Films.
The Guru, a narcissistic man, uses his charms and 'juju' to hypnotise his secretary, Esther (Millicent Mugadi) and a news anchor Angela (Liz Njagah).
Since he is a man who always gets what he wants, he ends up having an affair with Angela who is married to Steve (Alex Konstantaras).


He later plans to run for political office.
Speaking to Hot Secrets on his role, Ian Said, "Con artists are everywhere, people who use religion to get thier way. It is therefore imperative to test everything as the Bible says."
Milicent who plays the love stricken secretary, Esther, summed up Ian's role as the movie as a "modern day mganga who gets what he wants.” While Liz added, “It’s a caricature of the real life situations.”
The film's director Alex Konstantaras said he intended to sell the movie for TV consumption and not straight to DVD as the company has done previously with the other movie productions.

IAN MBUGUA: IT’S GETTING TOUGHER!

After Kenyan contestant Debarl Inea mercilessly butchered Nameless’ hit song ‘Deadly’, on Sunday’s nomination show, the Tusker Project Fame judge Ian Mbugua admitted that the competition is getting to its most challenging stage.
For once, Ian politely noted a few things need to be fixed to enable the contestants to do their best, like letting them choose the songs they would like to perform. “It does not make much sense to give them a song that they do not feel.”
That is perhaps what earned Rwanda’s Christian an eviction from the house. He’s on record, saying that he was familiar with about five English songs - given his upbringing in the then French-speaking country.
The candid Ian was surprised that the contestants were made to sing from playback, as opposed to the band. “With only three weeks to go, you’d expect them to be using the band,” Ian remarked, in an interview after the live recording of Sunday’s show.
With the elimination of the weakest performers over the past week, the seven remaining contestants can now ill afford to perform badly.
Indeed all but Kenya’s Patricia Kihoro and Uganda’s Leah Atute have been on probation. And for Debarl it is the first time. Uganda’s Caroline Nabulime, Rwanda’s Alpha Rwirangira and Kenya’s Bernard Ng’ang’a a.k.a Ng’ang’alito, are also on probation.

TPF111 JUDGE IAN TO JUDGE COSTUMES AT CONCOURS’

Tusker Project Fame’s meanest judge Ian Mbugua has broadened his scope of judging.
Ian who is also a consultant at Phoenix players. If there is one thing that he is famous for is being a critic. He never minces his words and often hits where it hurts.
He has been chosen as a judge at this year’s Access Kenya Africa Concours d’Elegance which will be held at the Nairobi Racecourse on September 27.
However he will not be judging cars but costumes. He is expected to pick up the most distinctively dressed person at the event. First Thearte, then music now fashion, clearly Ian is a man of diverse tastes.