AMANI: I’M NOT PREGNANT

Kenya's fast rising star Amani denied the ongoing rumours that she is 'with-child'.
The Missing My Baby star denied that she was expecting and laughed off the claims. “I find it quite hilarious. I am not pregnant, not yet. My priority right now is my music. If I was pregnant I would be open about it, there is nothing to hide.”
Amani has kept her romantic life private so far and has repeatedly denied that she once dated Tanzanian bongo flava rapper AY.
Forget the new born child project, she is working on a new project that will see her take up the role of a an associate producer.
“Yeah, there are a couple of new projects apart from the new singles and later on a new album, I also got involved in a project for a film where I was an associate producer and it should be coming out soon. The film has both a foreign and Kenyan crew, all very talented.”


NEW FILM ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION ONLINE

Yonie Andal the producer of the movie

Filmmaker Yonie Andal has finished shooting a movie that will shed light on the kitu kidogo culture in the Kenyan transport sector.
Hongo (bribe in Swahili) is a short 15-minute film shot in March and it should be out by the end of May.
The film follows Martin a 15-year-old who on his way home aboard a matatu, witnesses a traffic police officer being bribed by the vehicle's conductor. Martin played by Morgan Omondi

Dismayed by the act, he reports the incident to the authorities via online services.
“Corruption is global not only in Kenya and the aim of the movie is to send out the message that anyone can fight the act no matter the age. It has a unique approach; the 15-year-old boy doesn't utter a word in the film. As filmmakers we have different ways of expressing our views and telling stories,” Yonie said.
 “We intend to shoot the long feature in the future after we marketing the film globally in a bid to source for funds because our target is the global market. Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy, as they undoubtedly are today.”
The cast includes Morgan Omondi (Martin), Nelson Obwogi (the conductor) and Francis Soya (Traffic Police).

KIP RICH’S NAIROBI SHOW FLOPS

Visiting Jamaican singer Kip Rich who was meant to headline the KICC Reggae is Love Concert on Friday May 7 did not perform because there was no one to perform for.
According to the Kenyan-based Sudanese singer Dyanamic, “Kip Rich was not surprised by this outcome as he had expected it ever since he landed. Eric Smith and me also felt the same This was all as a result of poor marketing from the organiser’s side but I hope the Meru show will be successful.”
Due to the poor marketing, the Telephone Ting hitmaker will skip the May 14 concert in Mombasa which has been cancelled but will attend the May 15 show in Meru.

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ STAR BOBBY RICKETTS FOR KENYAN CONCERTS

American saxophonist, Bobby Ricketts, will perform in Kenya for the first time this week, joined by a Kenyan songbird, Atemi Oyungu.
The Nairobi show will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Upper Hill on Thursday, May 13, followed by the second appearance at the Continental Resort in Mombasa on Saturday, May 15.
The Berklee Alumnus based in Denmark is one of the most original saxophone voices of our time. During his performances he will provide a cocktail of sensual, earthy horn playing and sultry grooves, creating a warm and soothing atmosphere.
Ricketts started his musical career in Boston. Winning numerous awards at school-to-school jazz band competitions, he was voted 'Musician of the Year' by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association while still in high school. Later that year, he was chosen as one of the finest musicians on the East Coast, participating in the All-Eastern Music Conference in Washington, D.C. Ricketts was then awarded a college
scholarship by the Boston Jazz Society, becoming the first-ever recipient of this award. He went on to study at Berkley College of Music, playing in the prestigious Berkley Recording Band. After completing the 4-year degree program as an honor student, Ricketts moved to Copenhagen. There he quickly became a household name, often
performing with the biggest names in the global music industry.




Check out Bobby Ricketts "Skin To Skin" on Myspace

NYAMBANE ARESTED ON FIRST ASSIGNMENT AS HEAD OF KBC

TV Comic turned radio presenter turned Head of KBC was on Friday arrested at Kikuyu town after a roadshow he was in charge of entourage interrupted a court session.
The details are scanty but the magistrate of the Kikuyu Court ordered that Nyambane - real name Walter Mongare - pay a cash bail of Sh200,000 with a surety of the same.
Since the cash was brought in late, hours after the court was closed, Nyambane and company (Two others were arrested together with him) were locked up at the Kikuyu Police station.
This was Nyambane’s first major assignment.

AIDS ACTIVIST DEPORTED AFTER MEETING YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA

Nine well connected AIDS activists were deported from Tanzania minutes after meeting up with South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
The nine were protesting on the decreasing funding for HIV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dar es Salaam.
"We met with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and gave her our memorandum to present to the leaders attending the WEF; shortly thereafter we were arrested," Bactrin Killingo of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), told IRIN/PlusNews on Friday. 

"We spent four or five hours at the police station making statements, after which we were escorted to our hotels to collect our belongings and then to the airport, where we were deported." None of the activists, who were from a variety of African countries, were charged. 

A planned national workers' union strike prompted Tanzanian President Jakaya Kiwete to cancel all demonstrations this week. "We had received permission to hold the demonstration [on May 5], but later received a letter cancelling it ... Only ten of us delivered the memorandum - it was not a demonstration," Killingo said.
Among those detained were: Paula Akugizibwe and Lynette Mabote from the AIDS 
and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa; James Kayo and Netsayi Dzinoreva from the ITPC; Linda Mafu and Soraya Matthews from the World AIDS Campaign; Sydney Hushie from the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS; and Michael O’Connor from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. 
Tanzanian government officials were not available for comment.

REGGAE LEGEND DON CARLOS FOR KENYA'S SAWA SAWA FESTIVAL

Jamaican legend known for his hit like Just a Passing Cloud will be headlining Kenya's festival dubbed Sawa Sawa.
Don Carlos will be among a host of other entertainers including Daddy Owen, Ousmane, Bafu Chafu and Prezzo at the fourth edition of the annual music festival. The festival, which will run from May 26-30, will comprise of three days of workshops and exchange programs with local and international talented artistes at Sarakasi Dome in Ngara followed by free diverse music extravaganza beginning Saturday 29 at Sarakasi Dome and Sunday 30 during the day at Kasarani Stadiums’ Laureates Gardens.

TRIBE IS CONDE' NAST TRAVELLER'S HOT LIST 2010

Kenya’s premier boutique hotel, Tribe, has been selected as one of the world’s top 100 hotels and features twice on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller’s Hot Lists for 2010.
Condé Nast Traveller, a highly respected global magazine which specializes in covering the luxury travel market, voted Tribe as one of its ‘Hot’ hotels for both its United States and United Kingdom Hot List editions. The Hot List is compiled by Condé Nast Traveller after reviewing thousands of hotels world-wide, and a Kenyan hotel last featured on the Hot List seven years ago.
“Tribe is not even two years old, but we have already earned a reputation for re-setting the standards of hotel customer service and accommodation in Nairobi. We’re extremely proud of what we’ve managed to achieve in such a short space of time, but for us, this recognition is a spring-board for the continued development of Tribe, and the continued growth of tourism in Kenya,” said Hooman Ehsani, Director and Chief of Development.
The magazine cited, among other things, Tribe’s elegant interior design, saying “the hotel mixes contemporary city glamour with carefully placed African art and artefacts.” CN Traveller also singled out Tribe’s “superb” standards of service.

“From the very initial drawing board stage of design our benchmark has always been the global hospitality industry, and this accolade establishes Tribe as one of the top properties in the World, an achievement we are extremely proud of,” said Mehraz Ehsani, the hotel’s architect.

Set in the leafy suburb of Gigiri, Tribe is located at The Village Market, ten minutes from Nairobi city centre, and offers convenience, security and unparalleled shopping and entertainment options both for tourists and business people visiting the city. The hotel has quickly established itself as the destination for discerning travelers, hosting amongst others, luminaries from October’s MTV Africa Music Awards, including former Fugee, Wyclef Jean.

“A huge amount of work has gone into making Tribe the success it is today – right from the design stage through to the brilliant service that our staff provide day-in, day-out. It is immensely gratifying to see this work being recognized with Tribe being singled out as one of the world’s hottest hotels,” said Mark Somen, the General Manager.

In a congratulatory message from the Kenya Tourist Board, Jake Grieves Cook, Chairman of KTB said, “This prestigious list of the finest new hotels across the world features only the very best which successfully blend style, service, technology, and a special aura. Tribe is helping Kenya’s hotel industry to be ranked at the very top level in the world and is setting high standards for our other leading hotels to emulate. Well done in achieving this well-deserved recognition and best wishes in maintaining your world class ranking as one of the hottest properties!”

KIKO ROMEO TO WALK ITALY'S RUNWAY

Come Saturday May 22, Kenyan designer Kiko Romeo will be exhibiting at a couture show in Noto ,Sicily.
The show is dubbed Notte In Fiore and will feature other notable Sicilian designers: Loredana Roccasalva, Koscanyo and Gian Paul Zuccarello.
The event not only centres on fashion but art and culture as well.

KENYAN AFRO-POP CONCERT AT "ANNEXET" IN ELSINORE DENMARK

Saturday May 15: Mutinda will be performing at Annexet in Elsinore at 9 pm. His style of music has been described as ”afro-pop” and is a warm and intimate contemporary personally interpretation of Eastafrican culture. The concert is part of Mutinda's tour where he plays with a Danish-based band consisting of Tommy Flood on drums, Sara McKinly on bass, Kristian Haarløv on lead-guitar og Aye Solomon on percussions.

For more information: www.mutinda.com

HABIDA SPREADS HER SUNSHINE TO THE FOOTBALL PITCH

Sunshine lady Habida Moloney on Saturday took on a new role as the goodwill ambassador for a campaign that seeks to unite the youth through football.
Staged at the at the Langata High School, the first ever match of the Mugumoini Seven Aside tournament was attended by the staff members of InterContinental who are the sponsors, Habida’s fiancé Daniel Ebo and the singer herself.
“This has nothing to do with me being an artist. I just would like to be a part of something that makes a difference to our society. I help them in finding donations and or volunteer support,” Habida said of her role in the campaign.
The hotels Peer Educators took the opportunity to mingle and educate the youth on different social issues including the effects and prevention of HIV Aids during the two days. The hotel also donated the main Trophy for the winners of the tournament. was also at the event.

TUFACE AND MARY J BLIGE COLLABO

Watch out for this peoples. The song hasn't been titled as yet.

LABALAA COLLABOES WITH WENDY

KIP RICH AT THE KISS TV STUDIOS

Ragga star Kip Rich is in Kenya for the Friday May 7 reggae concert to be held at the KICC. Dubbed Reggae is Love, the three; Kip Rich, Eric Smith and Dynamic promise the whip reggae fanatics into a frenzy.
On visiting Kenya the first time, Kip Rich said, "Being in Kenya feels good.I feel well received."
The trio will again visit Mombasa on May 14 for a concert after which they will head on to the cold chilly town of Meru the following day.

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

AKON TURNED DOWN KORA BOSS’ PRIVATE JET AND 11.4 MILL

The Kora’s came down eons ago, but I hear that Senegalese-American R&B star, Akon, was supposed to headline the award ceremony hosted in Burkina Faso.
Apparently, the who was offered a private jet and $150,000 for the show, did not make the trip to the Burkina Faso capital to the disappointment of the organisers and guests.
Ernest Adjovi, the CEO of the all African awards did not mince his words. He condemned the singer's absence and apologised to the 15 million Burkinabes and Africans who watched the ceremony live.
Draaaaaaammmmmmmaaaaaa!

4th OF JULY JERSEY STREETBASH AND KENYAN REUNION

THE SPECTACLE THAT WAS GROOVE!

Male Artist of the Year
Daddy Owen

Acceptance Quote: “I thank God because this is a miracle”

Album Of The Year
System Ya Kapungala - Daddy Owen

Acceptance Quote: “Oh my goodness. An artiste called me to tell me that for the first time he has heard three songs from one album getting heavy rotation.”


Song Of The Year
Kiriro - Daddy Owen feat Allan Aaron & Kerah

Video Of The Year
Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron, Kerah

Collabo Of The Year
Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron, Kerah


Central Song Of The Year
Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft, Allan Aaron, Kerah

Female Artist of the Year
Emmy Kosgei

Acceptance Quote: “The Kasangas played a part in bringing up my ministry while Esther (Wahome) mentored me and specifically pushed me to sing in my mother tongue”

Group Of The Year
Wernono Family

Acceptance Quote: “There is a joke among us that we always get nominated but never win. We give the God the glory.”

New Artist / Group Of The Year
Eko Dydda

Acceptance Quote: “Sisemi Kitu. I thank God.”

Worship Song Of The Year
Wewe Pekee - Alice Kamande

Hip-Hop Song Of The Year
Niko Na Reason - Holy Dave & Eko Dydda

Acceptance Quote: Holy Dave “In 1998 I had a dream and my brother supported me . I did not think I would meet my boy, someone we have little in common.”

Audio Producer Of The Year
Dr. Eddie

Video Producer Of The Year
Mike Olome (Sakata)

Acceptance Quote: “The more words you speak the less they mean. Thank you.”

Song Writer Of The Year
Juliani

Acceptance Quote: “Ati I have to say thanks. When we wrote ‘Tunadara pages za Bible’ people thought we did not know what we were doing. But we read the bible first and got inspiration from God.”
Another popular quote “Ka si sisi ni nani?”

Dance Group Of The Year
Ignitaz

Acceptance Quote: “We lack words…to God be the glory”

Worship Team / Choir Of The Year
AFLEWO

Acceptance Quote: “This is the making of the Lord.”

Live Band Of The Year
Zidi The Band


Gospel Radio Show Of The Year
Shangilia - Hope FM

Gospel TV Show Of The Year
One Voice – NTV

Acceptance Quote: “This is the making of the Lord.”

Radio Presenter Of The Year
Lucy Wa Ngunjiri - Kameme FM

Acceptance Quote: “I know God hears me. I owe this to You.”

DJ Of The Year
DJ Mo

Acceptance Quote: “I Dedicate This to God. Thanks to all those who have supported me since Pilsner Mfalme.”


Pwani Song Of The Year
Jina La Yesu - Marion Shako

Acceptance Quote: “To God be the Glory. I would like to thank the people who made the song and the video Abedi and Muigai. I appreciate you.”


Rift Valley Song Of The Year
Taunet Nalel - Emmy Kosgei

Acceptance Quote: “You have proved to the world and Kenya that you can sing in your mother tongue and still get the recognition and appreciation for your work.”


Western Song Of The Year
Bana Befwe - Hey-Z & K-Zee ft. Rufftone


Eastern Song Of The Year
Mutui Museo - Victor Mbuvi

Acceptance Quote: “Asi, I thank God, the fans who voted, my producer R Kay and Bosire. What I am is what Jesus has made me. Lets not stop making Jesus God”

Nyanza Song Of The Year
Yesu Kedo - Geraldine Odour

Acceptance Quote: “I honour God today. It’s not about me but him”

Artist Of The Year (Uganda)
Exodus

Acceptance Quote: “I give all the glory and honour to the saviour of my life. Lord, we did it again. I would like to thank Isaac Ruccibigango of Limit X. I wouldn’t be here without him”

Artist Of The Year (Rwanda)
The Sisters

Acceptance Quote: “I’m Speechless. The first thing I would like to say is to thank God for everything because he has been good to our group. We are four in the group but the others couldn’t make it.”

Artist Of The Year (TZ)
Rose Muhando
Tanzanian Samwel Mkubwa picked it for Rose who wasn’t present.

Skiza Ring Back of the Year
Rose Muhando

Collected by Tanzanian songstress Anastazia Mukabwa famed for the gospel hit song Umenitoa Shimoni.
Acceptance quote: “We have recorded an album with Muhando that has not yet been released yet. We completed it a month ago and is titled Kaitu Kivue.”


East Africa Diaspora Artist
Kiki Mutungi - Atlanta (KE)
Not Present.

Artist Of The Year (BUR)
Fabrice Nzeyimana
Not present.

Outstanding Contributor
Mr and Mrs Japheth Kasanga

PHOTOS CHRISPINUS WEKESA

MUTINDA SHOOTS MATOPENI VIDEO

George Mutinda is a self-taught musician thanks to his first instrument - a homemade guitar. His desire for success is his driving force. Even before the official launch of his album Matopeni, he was invited to perform at the International Sauti Za Busara festival in Zanzibar alongside musical greats Samba Mapangala and Idi Achieng.
The Afro-Modern performer is a strong believer that talent only accounts for less that 1% to make it in the music industry.


The first single off his debut album, Matopeni produced under Metta Metta lauds the virtues of self acceptance. The video was completed a fortnight ago and is set to hit the TV screens very soon.
It is shot by Willy Owusu of Big Ideas.