Award-winning musician and songwriter, Nikita Kering, is set to release a new EP dubbed ‘The Lick Back’ on May 29.
The album that Kering’ has called a project about “revenge” features five songs, including an Introduction alongside globally celebrated musician Sofiya Nzau.
Speaking about the new project and her connection to the audience, Kering’ asked her fans to pay attention to the lyrics.
“…I’m losing my connection with you, and so now I’m just a stranger sharing a product with no back story, nothing to keep you here. So, here’s what I’ll say: my EP drops on the 29th,” Kering’ said. “It’s about revenge. For everything, and to everyone (that deserves it). Instead of me trying to share the inspiration here, listen to the music. That’s where I share everything cause one thing I did this time, is WRITE.”
The new EP is a shift from the single released a few months ago called “Dilly Darling”, inspired by Disney classics such as ‘Camp Rock’ and ‘High School Musical’. Produced by Cap, with assistance from Nase, the single reflects on a high school love story.
The pictures from the new project, shared on her social media, point to a darker theme and tone. And revenge does, indeed, fit that bill.
The track list is as follows:
Intro feat Sofiya Nzau
Niwache
Give Me My Money
Outside
Sema Ukweli
Nikita first rose to fame in 2011 with her performance at Emmy Kosgei’s 2011 album launch at just 9 years old. Today, she is considered one of the few voices shaping the future of African R&B and soul.
The enduring tale of The Lion King will take to the stage from June 11th to 14th at the Jain Bhavan Auditorium under the umbrella of the KitFest Trust. The show is called ‘Lion King Junior: The Musical’.
Directed by Michael M. Jones, the story presents a condensed, musical and theatre-friendly version to “celebrate the Circle of Life in this timeless story of courage, friendship, and destiny”.
Featuring beloved characters Simba, Rafiki, and Nala, the show promises a colourful blend of music, puppetry, and storytelling drawn from the Broadway and animated classic.
KitFest have called the show a “journey of music, magic, and wonder”, urging theatre lovers to buy their tickets early. The show is offering student tickets at the price of KShs. 500 and group tickets for 5 or 10.
The story, retold since the 1994 movie became a hit, follows Simba’s journey from a carefree cub to a king who must confront loss, guilt, and responsibility.
The narrative, rooted in themes of growth and identity, mirrors the tale of “a young prince [who] loses and then reclaims his kingdom”. The enduring appeal of ‘The Lion King’ lies in its universal themes and storytelling simplicity. Often likened to a folk tale, the story explores responsibility, family, and the balance of life, concepts that remain relevant across cultures and generations.
A Spanish court has ordered the tax authority to refund Colombian pop star Shakira more than 55 million euros ($64 million) improperly collected in a dispute over her 2011 taxes, according to a ruling seen on Monday.
The National Audience said tax authorities had failed to prove that the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer spent more than 183 days in Spain in 2011, the legal threshold requiring residents to pay personal income tax in the country.
“On the contrary, the court found that Shakira spent 163 days in Spain and that the tax authorities had therefore failed to prove that the singer had the centre of her economic interests in Spain,” according to the ruling issued last month.
The court ordered “the reimbursement of the sums paid, together with legal interest”, cancelling the tax assessments and multi-million-euro fines imposed by the tax authorities, which had considered the singer a tax resident in Spain in 2011.
The ruling comes as Shakira is set to wrap up her record-breaking “Women Don’t Cry Anymore” world tour with a concert residency in Madrid starting in September.
The opening night of the play “In the Seashell Hum”, starring Nick Ndeda, Foi Wambui, Angela Mwandanda and Gitura Kamau, reignited the conversation around mental health in Kenya.
Before the show, organisers held a 10-minute session with the audience to discuss the importance of sharing stories about mental health. Nairobi Representative Esther Passaris was in attendance and said it was crucial, now more than ever, to show compassion and support those suffering in silence.
According to Mental 360, youth in Kenya face the highest mental health risks because 75% of Kenyans lack access to mental health care services, 50% of Kenya’s population is under 35, and 25% of youth grapple with mental health challenges by the age of 24.
Written by Adipo Sidang’ (author of Parliament of Owls), the play explores what one creative goes through while suffering from mental illness. The story is inspired by the rising cases of mental health issues in the creative sector. Through the character Baraka, it lays bare the weight of mental illness.
KBC English Service presenter Nick Ndeda emerged as the star of the night for his portrayal of Baraka, an artist suffering from alcoholism who desperately tries to make sense of his world as his mind fractures. Foi Wambui played his partner, Salma, while Angela Mwandanda played his sister Kendi.
Nick Ndeda as Baraka
The audience is first introduced to Baraka in the opening scene as he listens to a fictional radio transmission from Seashell radio before Athman joins him to discuss its contents. It is only later that the audience discovers Athman is Baraka’s cousin, who died over 10 years ago and is now a figment of Baraka’s fractured mind.
Ndeda carries the emotional weight of the show and delivers a compelling performance. With the most dialogue in the play, he keeps the audience locked in, slowly drawing them into his character’s fragile state of mind. He makes the descent into madness feel painfully real and deeply human, which is what makes you sympathise with him at the end.
Angela Mwandanda as Baraka’s sister Kendi, and Foi Wambui (Seated) as Baraka’s girlfriend Salma
Elsewhere, speaking about what drew her to the play Ms Mwandanda, who delivers the final pieces of the puzzle required to understand Barak’s obsession with Seashell radio and his cousin Athman, said she is an advocate for mental health.
“Mental wellness is something I strongly advocate for, especially as an artist and actor, because our creative process begins in the mind. Anything that contributes to protecting and nurturing that source of creativity is something I will gladly be part of.”
Some of the play’s supporters included Mental 360, Creatives Garage, the Creative Economy Working Group and more.
“Michael,” the biopic about late music superstar Michael Jackson, has returned to the top spot at the box office, showing impressive staying power with audiences, industry estimates showed.
The film, which chronicles the legendary artist’s rise from child star to one of the world’s most famous pop icons, took in $26.1 million in its fourth week of release, Exhibitor Relations reported.
The Lionsgate movie, which stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in his first acting role — has been criticised for not including any material about allegations of sexual abuse, but fans have nevertheless flocked to hear the King of Pop’s iconic hits.
Overall, “Michael” has raked in a massive $703.8 million at the global box office.
Elsewhere, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” slid to second place with an $18 million haul in its second week. The Disney/20th Century film sequel to the 2006 smash hit about the cutthroat world of high fashion stars Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.
Debuting in third place was horror flick “Obsession” from Focus Features, which earned $16.1 million.
The low-budget film stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette as a man who makes a sinister bargain to win the affections of the woman he admires. and must bear the consequences.
“Another weekend, another well-made, low-budget horror film over-performing at the box office. This opening is excellent,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, saying it only cost an estimated $750,000 to make.
“Mortal Kombat II,” a Warner Bros sequel based on the popular martial arts fantasy video game, dropped to fourth place at $13.4 million.
And “The Sheep Detectives,” a family-friendly mystery film from Amazon MGM, finished in fifth place at $9.3 million.
The film stars Hugh Jackman as a shepherd who reads mysteries to his flock in an English village. When he is found dead, the sheep (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Patrick Stewart, among others) band together to solve the crime.
If you grew up in Kenya in the late 90s and early 2000s, you might recognise Angela Mwandanda from a picture. Better yet, you might recognise one of her songs, “Teso” or “Ulopa.”
Back when Ogopa Deejays produced almost every song you heard on the radio, Angela was part of a music trio called Tattuu (Kiswahili for ‘three’), formed in 1999 with Angela Ndambuki and Debbie Asila. After releasing a number of hits, the group slowed down as each of them transitioned into other careers.
(L-R) Agela Mwandanda, Angela Ndambuki and Debbie Asila
In the years since then, Angela has built a career across music, film, theatre and currently works as the National Coordinator for the Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE). But this Friday, May 15, Angela will return to the stage in a play called ‘In the Seashell Hum’ – a Mental Health Play by Adipo Sidang’.
Speaking about what drew her to the play, Angela said: “Mental wellness is something I strongly advocate for, especially as an artist and actor, because our creative process begins in the mind.”
KBC Digital caught up with Ms Mwandanda ahead of the play’s opening to discuss her illustrious career, lessons learned along the way, her nomination at Kalasha, her work as a producer on the music documentary, ‘Sonic Nation’, produced by RIKE and importantly, the play.
Angie and the cast of ‘In the Seashell Hum’ Foi Wambui, Gitura Kamau (back left) and Nick Ndeda.
Congratulations on your Kalasha International TV & Film Awards 2026 nominations for Best Lead Actress. What do these recognitions mean to you at this stage of your career, especially as someone who has continuously reinvented herself in the creative industry?
It was a welcome surprise, to be honest. I love to perform! To take on characters that need my voice and presence to come to life. Simply being able to do the work is always the real reward for me.
At the same time, being recognised as an actor is something I’m very proud of, since most people primarily know me for music. What actually brought Tattuu together in the first place was our shared love for stage performance back at Phoenix Players.
I’m glad that the circle of people who know me for acting continues to grow, and the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards nominee nod was truly a feather in my cap, one I’m very grateful for.
Speaking of Tatuu, looking back at your journey from being part of the girl group to where you are now, what would you say has been the biggest personal and artistic transformation for you?
In acting, I love that the roles I’m now being considered for are becoming more diverse. For a while, I felt somewhat typecast, and while I value every character I’ve played, I’m especially drawn to roles that are challenging and thought-provoking. I’m also grateful to work behind the scenes in the music industry (through RIKE). Though often unglamorous, this side of the business is where meaningful change and long-term improvements can impact the industry as a whole.
You are also working as a producer on the RIKE documentary, Sonic Nation, cataloguing the history of Kenyan music. Why is it important to preserve and document Kenya’s musical heritage now, and what are some stories or discoveries from the project that have particularly stayed with you?
This documentary was very close to my heart because, while the industry continues to evolve every day, which is a great thing, much of the history of how far we’ve come still exists only in the memories of the people who lived it.
Sadly, some of those people have already passed on, and with them, valuable stories and knowledge have been lost.
The goal of the documentary is to ensure that both present and future generations have a place to look back, appreciate the journey, identify the areas where we still need to improve, and hopefully move toward a future where our industry is recognised locally and internationally on a much larger scale than it is today.
Angela Mwandanda – National coordinator, RIKE at Sonic Nation screening at Unseen Cinema (KBC File photo)
Having experienced Kenya’s entertainment industry both as a musician and now as an actress and producer, how would you describe the evolution of opportunities for women in the arts over the years?
We still remain underrepresented on many fronts, if I’m being completely honest. There could be several reasons for this, whether it’s fewer women taking up certain roles in the industry or the challenges we face that can slow our progress compared to our male counterparts.
That said, this is not to diminish the progress we’ve made. We have come a long way. I hope we continue to take up space, claim our place in the industry, and overcome both individual and collective challenges, because we certainly have the skills, talent, and intellectual capacity to achieve far more than we have so far.
You will star on Friday, in the play ‘In the Seashell Hum’, which tackles mental health. What drew you to this production, and what conversations do you hope audiences will leave the theatre having?
Several things drew me to this production. First was the writer, Adipo Sidang, who had been passionate about this story for a long time. When he considered me for a role in it, I was genuinely elated. I deeply appreciate when a writer or director sees me as an actor they can trust to bring their story to life.
I also saw it as an important challenge because this is not just a dramatic story; it tackles the sensitive subject of mental health. Mental wellness is something I strongly advocate for, especially as an artist and actor, because our creative process begins in the mind. Anything that contributes to protecting and nurturing that source of creativity is something I will gladly be part of.
Mental health conversations are becoming more visible in Kenya’s creative scene, but many artists still struggle silently. From your experience in the industry, what changes do you think are still needed to better support creatives emotionally and psychologically?
Trust first has to be established for vulnerability to truly exist. Too often, mental health is trivialised or mocked, especially within creative spaces. What creatives need are safe spaces and safe people, along with environments where mental health is prioritised and treated with the same care, seriousness, and sensitivity as a visible illness or physical challenge.
Synopsis ‘In the Seashell Hum’ is a deeply engaging mental health play by Adipo Sidang’ (author of Parliament of Owls). The play explores the weight of mental illness on a creative (inspired by the rising cases of mental health issues in the creative sector, workplace, domestic settings and more.) Through a character called Baraka, it lays bare the weight of mental illness and what this means to his loved ones.
Many young creatives know you through different eras of your career, from music with Tatuu to film, theatre and cultural work. What advice would you give to emerging artists about sustaining a long-term career while remaining authentic to themselves?
The simplest thing that comes to mind, though it’s not easy, it’s necessary, is to diversify your portfolio as much as possible. I don’t know a single creative who only does one thing. The beauty of being creative is that your skills can be applied across several fields, and that flexibility is important because our industry can be volatile.
If you can sing and write music, can you also write music for others? If you can put together a presentation, can you also develop a creative strategy for a brand? It’s important not to limit yourself to just one thing.
Because I have to ask, is Tatuu ever reuniting?
Perhaps one day soon! If we are all in the same country!
FIFA has announced that Colombian musician Shakira, Hall of Fame member Madonna and popular Korean band BTS will headline the first World Cup final halftime show on July 14.
The organisation sent the message through Coldplay’s Chris Martin and one of Sesame Street’s popular puppets, Elmo, on Thursday morning (Kenyan time) in a video posted by Global Citizen.
The three headliners will share the stage at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This year’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted across North America in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The globally popular event will run from June 14 to July 14, 2026. The tournament will feature 16 host cities, with 11 venues in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Additionally, Shakira, who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka”, is set to release a new World Cup song produced by Burna Boy, later on Thursday, May 14.
A man who broke into a car and stole hard drives containing unreleased music by Beyoncé has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Kelvin Evans, 41, pleaded guilty to charges including entering an automobile and criminal trespass last year in Atlanta, Georgia. A judge sentenced him to an additional three years of probation.
Apparently at random, Evans broke into a Jeep Wagoneer rented by a choreographer and dancer for Beyoncé on 8 July 2025, as the singer’s Cowboy Carter tour was coming to Atlanta.
The two returned to find the vehicle’s rear window smashed and their luggage gone. Investigators have not recovered the hard drives or other stolen items.
Evans struck a plea deal in court on Tuesday ahead of his trial this week, the Fulton County District Attorney’s office confirmed to the BBC.
His lawyer told the judge his client was “hoping for a future where he can make money legitimately and be part of society like the rest of us”.
Jury selection in the case began on Monday, and prosecutors showed surveillance footage of a red Hyundai driven by Evans, pulling up next to the rental car in a parking garage.
Another surveillance video showed the same red Hyundai arriving at an apartment block, with Evans handling suitcases believed to belong to Beyoncé choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue.
Grant and Blue had told police that the items stolen from their rental car included two MacBook laptops, Apple headphones, luxury clothing and accessories, and hard drives that investigators said contained unreleased Beyoncé material.
Grant also told authorities he was carrying “personal sensitive information” belonging to Beyoncé.
Prosecutors said the stolen laptops had tracking technology that placed the items at the address seen in the second video.
As part of his sentence, Evans has been ordered to stay away from the victims as well as the car park where the theft took place.
He has been in jail since his arrest in August last year.
The break-in happened just before Beyoncé launched the four-night leg of her Cowboy Carter tour at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Award-winning director Christopher Nolan has confirmed in a new interview with Time magazine that Lupita Nyong’o will, in fact, play Helen of Troy in his film adaptation of Homer’s poem ‘The Odyssey’.
However, the surprise does not end there; the Kenyan-born actress will also play the role of Clytemnestra, the half-sister of Helen of Troy and the wife of the Achaean king Agamemnon.
The news comes after months of online speculation and backlash for the film’s casting choices. To understand the criticism surrounding Nolan’s casting decision, it is best to explain the three most controversial roles.
Helen of Troy
Nyong’o’s first role in the film as the character of Helen of Troy is what prompted the ongoing criticism from fans of the original work.
While the role of Helen of Troy is very minor in the events of ‘The Odyssey’, Helen is written and regarded by fans as the “most beautiful woman in the world” in ‘The Iliad’. In the poem, she is so highly revered for her beauty that her “abduction” at the hands of the Trojan prince Paris spurs the Spartan king Menelaus to ignite the popular conflict known as the Trojan War.
Clytemnestra
In her second role, Nyong’o will play Helen’s half-sister Clytemnestra. Clytemnestra is notably not depicted as Helen’s twin in either ‘The Odyssey’ or ‘The Iliad’, but rather a half-sister of Helen who shares a mother, Leda, hence the second issue according to critics.
The Bard
Travis Scott
Aside from Lupita’s casting, Nolan also cast rapper Travis Scott in the role of the bard. Explaining his reasoning behind the casting, Nolan said he wanted to amplify the fact that the story was passed through oral poetry.
“I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap,” Nolan said.
The three roles are not prominently displayed on the first trailer for the film released last week.
‘The Odyssey’ stars Matt Damon in the role of as Odysseus alongside stars such as Tom Holland as Telemachus, Charlize Theron as the nymph Calypso, Robert Pattinson as Antinous and Anne Hathaway as Odysseus’s wife Queen Penelope.
Stars arrived at the Cannes Film Festival, which opened on May 12, without Hollywood backing.
Celebrities from Demi Moore to “The Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood headed up the red carpet for the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, where the impact of AI and the absence of Hollywood studios are major talking points.
Others on the carpet included model Heidi Klum, the Marchioness of Bath and Bollywood film star Alia Bhatt.
Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath/GettyHeidi Klum/GettyBoolywood Star Alia Bhatt/GettyJane FondaDemi Moore
Elijah Wood walked the carpet ahead of presenting “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson with an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement.
Elijah Wood and Peter Jackson
In its main competition, a total of 22 films are vying for the prestigious Palme d’Or prize for best film, which was won last year by the highly political Iranian movie “It Was Just an Accident” by Jafar Panahi.
