MAUMAU MOVIE TRAILER OUT

The Maumau movie christened Muigwithania is currently in the post-production stage and about to be completed.
Here is the trailer of the movie that will be released on Madaraka Day.

MAKMENDE'S NEW JOB IN THE MORNING

Wondering who will be on the line up for the Capital FM breakfast show? Well, join Eve D Souza, Gaetano Kagwe and Makmende - real name Kevin Maina - on May 3, 2010 for a brand new feel and sound on Capital In the Morning.

AVRIL ON THE COVER OF TIME OUT MAGAZINE

Ogopa-let Avril Nyambura will cover the next issue of Time Out Magazine, a sports mag. Does she pull off the swag or not?

AFRICA UNFRAMED

PRESENTING KENYAN DESIGNERS

SOME AFRICAN WOMAN, ANYONE?

Kenyan fashion designer Kondakis is on the cover of "African Woman" magazine this month - on the streets now! Okay not exactly on the cover but mentioned on the cover.
Get a copy to see some of our new fab. Parachute and Dead Wood designs.
Kondakis'grey "upside down jumpsuit" on the cover and a glamorous 16-page spread of goodies inside the magazine.
To view more covers of the African Woman and read up on them just click here.

BASKET MOUTH THRILLS KENYAN FANS

Basket Mouth's first ever public performance in Kenya was a roaring success. The Nigerian comic was in the country for the Naija Nites that take place after every three months.
The last Naija Nite played host to Sasha and General Pype who also recorded a song with Kenyan boy group Sauti Sol.
This time round, Basket Mouth, Darey Art Alade and 9con were billed as the stars to entertain at the Nigerian theme night.
The comedian know for his popular Two Tings Involved left the crowd in stitches on his first set and cracked their ribs even more on his second set.
Dressed in Mudi designs, Basket Mouth was the highlight of the night. RnB heartthrob, Darey got the chics screaming themselves sore as he performed songs of his hit Album Un.Dare.ted.
Wyre and 9con also performed, the MC for the night was Big Ted.

PHOTOS/CHRISPINUS WEKESA

NINA OGOT TO LAUNCH DHAHABU

A note from Nina Ogot, on her new album Dhahabu that will be launched on April 30 at the National Museum.

Dhababu is the story of you, me and the mirror.

For the very first time, you will witness live on stage the magical fusion of presence and absence.

A soulful musical and poetic journey into an audio-visual world awaits you at the Nairobi National Museum/Louis Leakey Auditorium this 30th April, 2010 from 7:30pm.

For only Kshs 500/- per head, be ready to engage your eyes, ears and heart in this mixed media production, By Nina Ogot.

FOR THE JUA CALI FANS...

Here is a Jua Cali's latest Video character styled as a wall paper you can download.

KENYAN BEAUTY TO LAUNCH ALBUM

VQee born Wanjiku-Victoria Seest was raised in Kenya and grew up Nairobi amidst the different cultures, tribes and lifestyles.

She moved to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2006 and together with Singer/ Producer Claus Seest - her hubby - she worked on her 15 track debut album Halua.
She is now back to launch it here. Described as a slow cooking blended sweet dessert that is a favorite among the Swahili people, Halua promises to thrill Afro fusion fans.

The album boasts of a beautiful blend of the traditional authentic untainted African sounds and the modern elements creating a beautiful unique pop sound.

Halua features distinguished musicians like; Danish/ French rapper/dancer, Justaman, Thomas Menzer, Kim Menzer, Papa Pete, Lars Fabiansen and Niels Knoll Andersen most based in Denmark. To give it and East African feel, VQEE roped in bongo flava rapper Mzungu Kichaa and Kenyan producer and rapper Wawesh.

Halua will be launched at the Alliance Francaise Gardens on May 14.
Charges: Ksh 500

CNN AFRICAN JOURNALIST LIST IS OUT

Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2010 Competition were announced Thursday by Joel Kibazo, Chair of the independent judging panel. The competition is now in its 15th year.

This year the competition received entries from 975 journalists from 40 countries throughout the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

There are 27 finalists from 15 countries:

* Halima Abdallah Kisule, East African, Uganda
* Kofi Akpabli, freelance for Daily Graphic, Ghana
* Njaka Andriamahery, TV Plus, Madagascar
* Pelu Awofeso, freelance for NEXT on Sunday, Nigeria
* Najlae Benmbarek, 2M TV, Maroc
* Teresa Chirwa, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Malawi
* DispatchOnline Team, Daily Dispatch, South Africa
* Mustafa Haji Abdinur, co-founder SIMBA Radio, Somalia
* Thanduxolo Jika, Daily Dispatch, South Africa
* Zipporah Karani, KTN, Kenya
* Charles Kariuki, World Vision Kenya for NTV
* Alexandre Lebel Ilboudo, Le Patriote, Côte d’Ivoire
* Lucas Ledwaba, DRUM, South Africa
* Tsitsi Matope, Public Eye, Lesotho
* Emmanuel Mayah, Daily Sun, Nigeria
* Kassim Mohamed, Star FM, Kenya
* Oarabile Mosikare, Botswana for Mail & Guardian, South Africa
* Francis Mugo Mwangi, freelance for NTV, Kenya
* Boniface Mwangi, freelance for The Star, Kenya

* Rose Ramsay, eNews, South Africa
* Sam Rogers, e.tv, South Africa
* Sergio José Sitoe, Rede de Comuniação Miramar, Moçambique
* Leon Ssenyange, NTV, Uganda
* Lamia Tagzout, El Watan, Algérie
* Sebastião Vemba, Novo Jornal, Angola
* Kaara Wainaina, NTV, Kenya
* Roseline Wangui, NTV, Kenya

This year the recipient of the Free Press Africa Award is Mustafa Haji Abdinur, co-founder of SIMBA Radio in Mogadishu and founder of Somali Media for Peace and Development (SOMEPED). He is awarded this prize for his work in Somalia including the ‘Peace Journalism’ initiative which he launched with the help of fellow Somali journalists. The Award is also in recognition of all the journalists in Somalia who have put their lives at risk in telling the story.
There are nine journalists who died during 2009 whilst fulfilling their professional duties:
Abdulkhafar Abdulkadir Hasan, freelance
Mohamed Amin Adan Abdulle, Radio Shabelle
Hassan Zubeyr Haji Hassan, Al-Arabiya
Mohamud Mohamed Yusuf, Radio IQK
Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, Radio Shabelle
Nur Muse Hussein, Radio IQK
Abdirisak Mohamed Warsame, Radio Shabelle
Said Tahlil Ahmed, HornAfrik
Hassan Mayow Hassan, Radio Shabelle

The winners of the competition will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday 29th May 2010.

The hosts for the evening will be Isha Sesay, presenter of CNN International’s weekly programme ‘Inside Africa’ and Dr Ronnie Mich Egwang, a well-known Ugandan presenter.


The independent judging panel, chaired by Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant, includes: Ikechukwu Amaechi, Editor, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, France 3 TV; Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa; Arlindo Lopes, Secretary General, Southern African Broadcasting Association; José Luís Mendonça, Press Counsellor, Angolan Permanent Delegation to UNESCO; Zipporah Musau, Managing Editor, Magazines, The Standard Group Ltd, Kenya; Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa.

The prestigious sponsors include: Coca-Cola Africa; Ecobank, IPP Media, Tanzania; Kampala Serena Hotel; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD); NN24 Nigeria; Research In Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry solution; Safebond Africa Ltd and A24 Media.

COAST NITE THRILLS

The Coast Nite was held in Nairobi on 1st April 2010 at the KICC, Tsavo ball room.
The event whose tag-line was "RAHA KUBWA" lived to its billing as enthusiasts and loyal music lovers were treated to  a whole night of musical spectacle in the city. As is the tradition the "Mangweni Bar" where the famous Mnazi beer was being served was abuzz with activity as the Mnazi ran out before morning despite being heavily stocked.
The event started at 8 pm with special performances from Juma and the Tutu band who didn't fail their fans as they thrilled with their ear catching melodious tunes. He took a whole hour before the DJ mix was prompted.
Next on stage were the Talented Taarab Melodies who shook the floor for the next hour and left fans asking for more Taarab Tunes.

When Nyota Ndogo took to the podium , nothing was left to chance as she gave her all in her performance that thoroughly thrilled her fans and showed some new dance moves and skills.She even managed to clear the allegations claiming she had changed religions because of one of her songs which she duly performed. After her an hour and half of her performance the fans were left asking for more as she promised to thrill at the next Coast Nite.
Next on stage were Musenangu Brass Band who thoroughly thrilled the fans and kept them on the dancing floor.

When Them Mushrooms took to the stage they put the awaiting revellers through a whole hour of dancing to some songs which had the fans singing along as they danced the night away. When they left the fans kept asking for one more song.

After a short while of DJ mixing some Taarab songs, the Mc of the night Jacob Mulanda of Kizambo events, announced the entry of the King of Bango himself, Mzee Ngala and his band" who despite his age showed his skills on the saxophone, mesmerized the crowds with a full hour of his musical charm.
When Talented Taarab Melodies came back for the second time, all the revelers rushed to the dance floor to show why they are really talented in entertaining their guests.

The ballroom was filled to capacity by fans who despite the heavy down pour, graced the event loyally and were treated to their favorite delicacies and songs on offer all night.The dress code which was anything coastal was adhered to as the revelers came with the latest designs and trends befitting the night.
The next Coast Night is slated for October 29 at the same venue and the organizers are promising more entertainment with more groups performing and more youthful musicians.

Story and Pics By Jones Situma

THE PATRICIA SHOW IS BACK

The second season of the Patricia Show started on April 1 and is broadcasts on both M-Net East and M-Net West three times per week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Anyho, the first season Africa's latest and most exciting pan continental TV talk show hosted by Patricia Amira welcomed a number of guests like Suzanna Owiyo, Eric Wainaina, British pop star Jamelia, Ugandan Saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa among others.

This time round, I hear they have gone full Monty and have pulled all the stoppes to get unique quests on the show.

FIGHT FOR MAKMENDE

For a band that wanted absolutely nothing to do with the limelight, a character they have created for their latest video release is forcing them to come forth and hog the fame, albeit unwillingly.
Just A Band is made up of Dan Muli, Bill Sellanga and Jim Chuchu and their aim was to share their new style of music.
“It was never our intention to feature on any of our music videos because we cannot make a good video and still act in it,” Bill said.
Asked why good-looking men such as themselves are camera shy, Bill, popularly known as Blinky Bill, the lead vocalist for the group said, “On the contrary we are not camera shy, we are also giving other people a chance to build themselves.”
True to their style of music, Just A Band has created a number of different characters in their videos. Their first release, Owinyo Piny (directly translated, rotating the world) was an animated video, whose character was a young African man who repeatedly walks round the streets.
Their second release, Hey, featured hand puppets with the lead character called Boflo and his love interest Katumbe.
Other videos like Usinibore and If I Could, which featured Tusker Project Fame contestant Patricia Kihoro, also managed to stay below radar till now.
The trio is still amazed at the publicity Makmende has given to their three-week-old music video Ha-he. Released on March 14, Blinky Bill said three days later, the hype that began on Twitter spread to Facebook.
“All we wanted to do was make a good music video and we are amazed at the reception it has received. The song Ha-He is mildly macho and we needed a strong character to bring out the macho in the song,” the band’s vocalist said.
Blinky describes Makmende as a character just like the British-franchised action man James Bond. He stressed that Makmende’s fame doesn’t take anything away from the band’s image and loyal fan base.
“People who know us know the band and what we are all about, Makmende is just like any character but he doesn’t affect how we do what we do although we admit we are a bit surprised at all the attention he is getting.” He added that unlike all their other singles, “Ha-He’s release has gone fairly easy and hasn’t struggled at all.”
He termed Makmende as “one of our most successful characters.”
The band denies starting the website Makmende.com but own up to starting the trail that is now blazing.
“On releasing the video, we posted the links on Twitter and Facebook but it caught first on Twitter before it spread over to other social sites.”
The video has drawn more than 32,997 views on YouTube and the fan page has 23,234 fans.
Fellow band member Jim Chuchu is the genius behind Makmende; he is the one who came up with the idea of creating an action hero. Chuchu was assisted by Mbithi Masya.
The video was shot in February and they did not hold a casting session for the lead role.
Makmende who is played by former reality star Kevin ‘K1’ Maina is a close friend of Just A Band. He might have failed to win the coveted prize in KTN’s The Presenter as a news anchor, but now he says he can’t leave the house without being hounded by fans who recognise him from the video.
Makmende has spun into a phenomenon. The band has now copyrighted the character and other slang words used in the video. In a press statement the band wrote: “Seeing as there has been a lot of discussion about us, Makmende and what we are going to do now that the Ha-He video concept has spun off into something massive, we'd like to set a few things straight. We have obtained the sole rights to the Makmende character likenesses.”
The copyright also includes the characters and slang words used in the music videos like First Bodi, Big-G, Wrong Number, The Askyua Matha Black Militants, Black Sahara, Nyoyo na Uji Films and Finger of Nebula among others.
“This means that any copying or reproduction of any of the above characters for commercial purposes without permission is prohibited by law. Violators will be subject to criminal and/or civil action.”
They however credit the name Makmende to “popular culture”, admitting they did not create the name.
But they stated, “Our copyright covers our representation of Makmende and the other characters/brand names in the video.” As for Kevin "K1" Maina who plays the tough action figure, the band asked fans to be kind to him but stated firmly he won’t be making any public appearances as Makmende.
With the copyrighting of Makmende the character and a list of other slang names used in the Ha He video, a rap duo called Boomba Boiz are accusing the band of stealing their idea.
The duo Nascent (Moses Kilonzo), a single parent and blind, and Labcy (Patrick Muteti), an orphan, narrated how that happened.
“We met Just A Band a while back and they listened to our singles Tumefika and Pastor Joh and they enquired why we haven’t done a video for the latter. We then told them we will be releasing Umaskini Kwa Mtaa first and explained the story line.”
Lead singer for the electro pop band, Blinky Bill denied that Just A Band ever met the two, saying there is no “ounce of truth in those claims.”
The video story line for Boomba Boiz was allegedly themed Makmende Amerudi just like in the Ha He video.
“Our video showed the life of Makmende, a Kenyan hustler who earns his living through criminal ways. In the first verse of the song, Makmende goes job hunting but isn’t dressed like a conventional job hunter should.
“He runs low on luck and when he doesn’t get the jobs he has done interviews for, he turns to the life of crime. The law catches up with him when he is netted printing fake currency,” the duo said.
They say Makmende later turns on a new leaf and regrets his rebellious lifestyle.
The duo go ahead to criticize Just A Band’s new Video Ha He. “The video and the song idea contradict. This clearly shows that these ideas came at different times with the video idea coming in the last. So why did they have to combine two contradicting ideas?”
Despite the copyright, Nascent and Labcy say they will release their video Umaskini Kwa Mtaa featuring their own Makmende.
Boomba Boiz started their musical career late 2004. Their first single Ngeta recorded under Southwest records was followed by Tumefika done in Ogopa DJs studio. In late 2006, they took the social awareness angle and recorded 4WD, a song that talked about use of condoms not being an alternative to fight HIV/Aids. Late 2007, they recorded 4WD the remix. Then last year they recorded Pastah Joh! and Umaskini Kwa Mtaa, both of which they hoped would make them mainstream acts.
For more go to Thinkatuni

As published on The Star

NEW PARTY FOR ESTHER ARUNGA?

On Tuesday afternoon, an email from someone calling herself Esther Adongo Timberlake was sent out to members of Mlalahoi - a google group - claiming that she is registering a political party named Theory and Democracy in Women Party of Kenya (TDWP). This means that either the real Mrs Timberlake is planning to register a new party or someone masquerading as the ex-TV queen is fooling around.
The email addressed to Kenyan women reads: “Hello women of great minds. Please come out and show that you are capable of leading and not just being tossed like a coin. I did it, Re: Finger of God of which I have no apology to make. Betty Murungi has done it and she has no apology to make. Martha Karua did it. Further still she has absolutely no apology to make. To this end, I am registering a political party named Theory and Democracy in Women Party of Kenya (TDWP) as I run for vice presidency. I am capable and will certainly do it. Come out and support me and my president to be - Hon Hellon.”
We are yet to confirm if it is a spoof email or if indeed Mrs Timberlake did pen it, as Esther and Hellon couldn’t be reached for comment.

QUINCY TIMBERLAKE FREED AND ARRESTED AGAIN

Controversial member of the Finger of God Church Quincy Zuma Timberlake, was released from remand following a successful bail application before Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei.
Now, aparently, two days after his release from remand on Tuesday, he was arrested by the Immigration officials in fresh investigation into his nationality.
Cyrus Ombati reports, "Timberlake was picked up from their Runda home and driven to Nyayo House, the Immigration Department headquarters, for questioning.
Members of the church who followed him there said the officials later drove out of Nyayo House with Timberlake to an unconfirmed destination."
In an affidavit filed by the investigating officer Alphonce Lumosi, Timberlake is suspected to be a foreigner holding a Kenyan identity illegally.

ATEMI SIGNED TO UK LABEL

Gatwitch Records, a UK-based label, founded by Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal, has signed Kenyan neo-soul and Afro-fusion artist, Atemi Oyungu.
The label that operates in London, Nairobi and Juba, is also home to gospel rapper Juliani and Sudanese world music artist, Nyaruach.

Afro-diva Atemi released her first solo single, Happy, in 2004. In 2008 she launched her debut album, Hatimaye.
That said, she is not new to the music scene. The singer made her mark on the music scene with the defunct all-girl group, Intu.
In 2003 Atemi joined Eric Wanaina, as an assistant vocal harmony provider for his Mapinduzi band. Together with the Eric and the band she performed in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zanzibar’s Sauti Za Busara Festival, Holland’s Festival Mundial and North Sea Jazz Festival, on Big Brother Africa, in South Africa and at the Annual German Ambassadors Conference in Germany.
She also played a major role in Wainaina’s musical stage production, Luanda, and later in Wainaina’s biggest theatre production yet, Mo Faya.
Atemi who has been hosting an all-Africa TV show, Africa Rising, since 2009, not only gets a recording deal, the label will provide marketing, distribution and event organizing for her.
Gatwitch Records recorded Juliani’s 2008 hit album Mtaa Mentality.


KENYAN HOPES NAACP WIN OPENS DOOR

Kenyan born singer Sila Mutungi based in the US, is elated at winning the Image Award for Outstanding World Music Album at this year’s National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).
The award ceremony, which was held in February in Los Angeles, saw Sila beat big names in World Music like Maria de Barros and Zap Mama.
The award is given to “accomplished artistes of a culturally diverse musical genre.”
Known in musical circles as Kenyan funk master, Sila and his Afro-funk Experience band recorded the album Black President which bagged them the NAACP under his own label Visalia.
With the win Sila, 40, hopes more doors will be opened for him. “I have talked to managers and what I am hoping is that doors which were closed to me before will be open. A friend wonderfully said that on Friday I was “just a local artist” and after the award I am an international artist and its lovely. It’s created more opportunities and I hope it will help expose my music to more people,” he told African Loft.
He also narrated his experience on the award’s red carpet. “It was surreal. When I got on the red carpet, the actress Tatyana Ali from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air was right in front of me and people were shouting out her name and taking pictures. I didn’t think I had a chance of winning because there are more popular artists like Maria and Zap Mama who are on very big labels. I just was hoping to have some fun and enjoy the drinks and the party afterwards. Winning was a quite a shock.
The highlight was meeting Zap Mama and just experiencing what it means to be nominated and people appreciating your arts.”

AMERICAN IDOL IN ETHIOPIA

David joins an English class during a visit to Biruh Tesfa, a United Nations program supported by the UN Foundation.


American Idol winner David Cook and his guitarist, Neal Tiemann, took part in the Idol Gives Back special where he visited Ethiopia.
In a press conference from the country on Wednesday, March 31, the singer shared that he has "been extremely moved by this trip. It's been a huge learning experience for me."


David Cook receives a hug from 7-year-old Mekdes during a visit to Biruh Tesfa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 30, 2010

Witnessing firsthand United Nations Foundation's Biruh Tesfa project to provide education and opportunities to the young girls in the region, David opened up about a young girl that caught his attention. "She's a 7-year-old girl named Magdas. Both of her parents have passed away, and she's been at this school for seven months," he explained as quoted by Zap2It.
"She's one of the most vibrant, joyous girls I've ever met," David added when recollecting his impression of the little girl. He further continued explaining, "The girls at the school want to learn, to have better education, to have that opportunity. That's inspiring, to see a seven-year-old girl want to build a better future for herself."
The 27-year-old went on to assure people that a donation of $5 through the "Idol Gives Back" program can provide an underprivileged girl with the uniform and notebook required to attend school.
David and guitarist Neal Tiemann perform for students of Biruh Tesfa

His first impression of Ethiopia? “I have to say, I was completely shocked by this country in an extremely positive way. When you hear Africa, I immediately think impoverished and everything that goes with that. But I came here, and the people here are so amazingly sweet. They are such nice people, very accommodating and get that we are out here trying to help. The city itself, Addis Ababa, is beautiful -- really lush, very green. It definitely has an infrastructure in place. I think it’s just a matter that they just need that kind of boost in the right direction.

Credit: Stuart Ramson / UN Foundation

SAMINI'S SWEET MISTAKE

Y'all know of Samini's latest polygamy saga. Well, now here is his latest song titled Sweet Mistake.

BIG KEV FOR PRESIDENT

True Blaq entertainment CEO Big Kev is planning to run for president come 2017. The event guru whose real name is Kevin Ombajo said he is confident he has the qualities to inspire, motivate and to rally people.
Kev, who is currently recovering after brain surgery, said he hasn’t chosen a running mate, yet or a constituency in which he will contest, but he is putting together a team right now.
Kev also categorically denied that he made any call to controversial jazz player and religious leader Hellon.