ESTHER ARUNGA MARRIES QUINCY AND SUES PARENTS FOR 300 MILLION

Yesterday, former TV news anchor Esther Arunga claimed that she got married to musician Quincy Timberlake – who is currently in police custody - on Wednesday (March 3) at a civil ceremony.
''I am so much in love with Quincy and that’s why I have officially married him, to stop the speculation,'' she told members of the fourth estate who had assembled at Jazz player Joseph Hellon home in Runda.
“I have a certificate of marriage, I’m now Esther Adongo Timberlake.” Esther said. “Just because someone is in jail doesn’t mean you can’t get married,” she said smiling coyly.
Quincy who is now facing charges of absconding court proceedings of a criminal case pending at Makadara law courts has a wife Salome Gideon with whom he has been married to for 11 years and have two sons together. Asked about this and whether she has just wed one of Quincy’s many aliases, Esther responded, “I can’t answer what if’s. That I will leave to you to investigate all I know is that I married Quincy Timberlake.”
Esther who was talking with a noticeable lisp narrated her ordeal after the February 21 arrest when police raided Hellon's house at 2am and arrested the two and other followers of the controversial Finger of God ministry International.
The saxophonist was being held at the Gigiri Police station while Esther was locked up at the Muthaiga police station until 3pm the following day, when she was moved to the CID headquarters on Kiambu road.
She was then released to Dr Frank Njenga custody on a psychiatric evaluation bond. Esther described her five-day experience as “harrowing”.
“I was interrogated and released to Dr Frank Njenga and I was found not medically insane,” she explained but was pained by Njenga’s decision to admit her in his hospital located in Msongari.
“I was heavily sedated, there was a time I wanted to escape and about five people had to hold me down, trap me and forcefully sedate me. That is the kind sedative given to mentally insane patients.
“Once I tried to escape by jumping over an electric fence, luckily they caught me before I could. I was then heavily sedated for two days I was almost comatose.”
Esther continued to explain that she was later transferred to another mental hospital in Chiromo where she was locked up and the only people who could visit where her family members only and she was not allowed the use of phones either.
She was later released to the care of the family, on Monday. But on Tuesday when the parents left her home alone with the domestic help, Esther saw the opportunity to make a clean break. With the help of a well wisher, she hitch hiked and was taken to her lawyer Harun Ndubi.
“I escaped and I don’t plan to go back (home), I’m a married woman now,” She said with finality.


CAPTION: Esther Arunga, Vineyard Hellon and Big Kev's wife Tracy

Yesterday afternoon, with the help of Ndubi, Esther filled a restriction order against her parents Robert Okello Arunga and Petroline Amollo Arunga and the police.
“They cannot arrest me on the basis of where I worship and where I chose to live,” adding, “I’m planning to sue Dr Frank Njenga to the tune of 300 million for unlawful detention and sedation as well as other civil and criminal charges and unfortunately my parents too because they were working on their instruction.”
As a parting shot Esther responded to questions o if she is truly herself. “The way things are happening it is not a form of abnormality. The Esther you saw reading news is not the same one who is now running for office. The one you see now is the full on Esther.”
Meanwhile, the officer in charge of the Industrial remand Prison Pauline Wanja said there was no way the two could have been married in prison because weddings were not allowed in remand prison.
“Quincy is still here and to the best of my knowledge no wedding ceremony has taken place here. In any case such ceremonies are not allowed,” said Wanja.
Esther and Hellon have visited Quincy several times with the latest visit being yesterday.

PHOTOS/DUNCAN NDOTONO

CHIZI'S ALBUM TO BE MASTERED BY JOHN LEGEND'S PRODUCER

Self proclaimed crown prince of Benga Dan 'Chizi' Aceda is toying with the idea of mastering his upcoming album abroad.
Chizi has been in communication with Dave Kush, a man famous for working with John Legend, Alicia Keys, Outkast and Al Green amongst many others. Dave is the Engineer at The Mastering Palace.
Chizi meet him when he was in New York, on tour with Mo Faya the political musical that starred Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani.
“I spent a lot of time roaming around trying to understand how the industry there works. I managed to make some really good contacts. I managed to get a demo to Dave Kush and after he reviewed it he sent me an email saying he would be open to mastering my upcoming album,” Chizi said.
However, The Blackberry singer is considering another studio, Hilton Grove Mastering, a UK based studio run by engineer Dave Blackman. “I have not made the decision yet on who will work on the album because I haven’t yet finished recording but I am certain that this record will be mastered by the best that I can find,” Chizi said, “It goes without saying that either of these options is very expensive but I am keen on making the investments so that I can get a good quality product out for my fans who have been waiting a very very long time for this record to come out.”

MERCY MYRA TO RECORD AT RNB STAR'S JAGGED EDGE'S STUDIO

Afro fusion diva Mercy Myra who relocated to America with hubby Attitude did not give up on
her career as an entertainer and singer.Attitude who was in the country revealed how Mercy is
doing musically and how she managed to get a one album deal with Joi Studios, owned by the twin RnB brothers Jagged Edge.
“Mercy did a showcase in one of the concerts in Atlanta, where the mother of the Jagged Edge twins was. When she saw Mercy’s performance she was impressed and she offered her a contract,” Attitude said. However the well laid out plans for a recording deal with 981 music did not pan. “The paper work involved did not work out there company is 981 Music but the contract did not work out with Mercy so what happened was that they will be recording a one album deal in the studio called Joi recordings in Decatur, Georgia."
JOI Studio is the premier recording studio in Atlanta, Georgia where Jagged Edge and a host of other artist record what is popularly known as commercial songs - songs that enjoy a lot of radio airplay. The studios has recorded big names like Akon, Nas, Keisha Cole, Trey Songs,
Pimp C, and Jagged Edge just to name a few.

BEBE'S HUMMER FINALLY ARRIVES

Controversial Ugandan singer Bebe Cool finally got a chance to show off his Hummer after it arrived last week.
The Hummer is a H2 Hybrid 2004 model and is estimated at whooping Sh3.2 million. According to Ugandan press, Bebe has always wanted to own one and this is a dream come true now that he has acquired it, a pal said.
He intends to put ''Big Size'' number plates. The Hummer that he has christened Munene isn't the last of his bragging acquisitions, he still plans to buy a Cadillac Escalade for the wife Zuena Kirema.

GAL LEVEL BARES IT ALL...

Namibian girl duo Gal Level that is recorded by Kenyan record label Ogopa DJ's gave an interview recently. Daphne Willibard and Frieda Haindaka talked about the musical race and the awards that have won and been nominated to.
“We are making music for Africa,” Frieda who seems to be the outspoken of the two declared this week when they were going round media houses for interviews.
 “That’s why we get nominated for international awards,” she adds referring to the duo’s recent Kora Africa music award nomination. “Out there, it’s not a Gazza thing or Mshasho thing. It’s not about Lady May but Namibia.”
Daphne, the former banker, rolls off some of their nominations, “We were the first to be nominated for Channel O Video Awards, the first to be nominated for the MTV Base music awards and certainly the first female group to get a Kora nomination.”
It’s no mean task for any musician or artist for that matter to scale this high in just five years. In 2004, Daphne and Frieda teamed up a few years after their first group, the Dungeon Family, broke up and released their chartbuster single Shake It. With this song, they wormed their way into the murky musical waters.
But it was their second single Go Back to Her that introduced them to Africa when they were up for a Channel O award. At home, both Shake It and Go Back to Her dominated the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards in 2005.
“Gal Level are, right now, giving the guys a run for their money. We make our music differently,” laughed Daphne. “But for us it’s the image we have created that does it . . .”
“We have created a sexy, afro-chic, confident, modern yet not western image. The in-control type of thing,” explains Frieda.
“We believe women should not be too conservative or too western. They have to create a balance,” puts in Daphne.
This, the gals admit, is what has made Africa turn to look at Namibia as an emerging music powerhouse.
“It’s not only about good looks,” Frieda shoots again, “but it takes talent and we are talented. We make people remember us by our dance.”
Although they say their dance has no specific name, the gals believe it sets them apart from the rest of the brood. 
“Let’s just call it the Gal Level dance,” suggests Frieda.
And Daphne chips in, “The dance enhances the music. It makes the performance powerful. People remember us and relate to the song through the dances.”
It has worked for them because they now live off their music and they do not regret leaving their jobs.
“We always tell upcoming artists that education matters in music, that they have to create a fan base first before they opt for music full time. It’s important,” volunteers Daphne and adds that Frieda used to work in a clearing house.
Just how far true is it that they are boycotting the Sanlam-NBC Awards?
Frieda looks at Daphne and says, “It’s not like we are boycotting. The thing is our manager wanted the nomination process to be revised along international norms. But this was not heeded so we decided to wait a bit.”
“We have been nominated for several international awards now we know that artists should not fill in nomination forms and pay money. Rather the organisers nominate and inform artists,” adds Daphne.
While they have been nominated, the gals are dying to perform with the backing of a live band but only when the time is right.
“A band can break you up. Music is fragile. So we are looking for a band that understands our music . . .” that’s Daphne.
“Once we get it, then we can go live,” concludes Frieda.  

MASEKELA TO HEAT UP HARARE JAZZ FESTIVAL

South African jazz crooner Hugh Masekela is billed to perform at the Harare Jazz Festival scheduled for Harare Sports Club on April 17.
The Independence eve festival will see Masekela sharing the stage with Zimbabwean groups among them, the Cool Crooners Mbare Trio and Afro guru Oliver Mtukudzi.
Other heavyweights expected at the second edition of the Festival include the internationally acclaimed Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sibongile Khumalo and Themba Mkhize.
Bernie Bismark, who is the festival director, said this year's festival has grown bigger and better. She said Masekela was happy to come and perform in Zimbabwe.
"He is making a comeback to Zimbabwe after so many years and he is looking forward to visiting Zimbabwe. He wants to connect with his fans and local musicians as well," she said.
"We have noted that several jazz groups have not had a chance to perform with international artistes, and this show will present them with the opportunity.
"We, however, need to emphasise that we have limited tickets," she said.
After the concert, Masekela and the participating groups will visit Victoria Falls the following day before returning home.
At 71, Masekela has entered his seventh decade marked by a jam-packed international live touring schedule that underscored one simple fact: "that Bra Hugh (as he's fondly known in South Africa) was born to play."
Indeed, alongside dates in Europe (Including a sold-out December show at the London Barbican) and the USA, 2009 saw Masekela even making his mark in new territories.

SAMINI ADMITS TO POLYGAMY

Ghana’s Afro dancehall star Samini has come out and apologised to his fans and the families of the two women he is now married to.
In a statement sent out to Ghanian entertainment website, peacefmonline.com, Samini's handlers admit that nicca does indeed have two wifes and apologizes for any humiliation or embarrassment caused the two families.

The unedited message reads: “SAMINI ACCEPTS MARRYING TWO LADIES WITHOUT PREPARING THEM FOR HIS DECISION. HE THEREFORE APOLOGIZES TO THE FAMILIES OF BOTH LADIES FOR ANY DISRESPECT OR HUMILIATION CAUSED BY HIS ACTIONS. THE MATTER IS BEING RESOLVED PRIVATELY AND THE OUTCOME WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC. HE ALSO SENDS APOLOGIES TO HIS FANS AND THE MEDIA AND ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN TIMES LIKE THIS”, signed by Mr. Anthony Pun, Samini’s Manager.

Samini reportedly got married to Christiana Aboagye Mensah, mother of his 6-year-old daughter, Theresa Toyila Samini in Accra last year, while she was residing in Canada, with the daughter. About three weeks ago Samini performed customary marriage rites to seal his relationship with another Ghanaian lady based in the UK, Ms. Geker, mother of his six-month old baby girl, Yelisun Samini.