Y254 presenter Phyline Jean is a woman on the rise!
Six years into her career, she is already a renowned figure and a household name among the youth who watch her on KBC’s youth channel.
Her dedication and passion for her work have earned her recognition and admiration from her peers. Just this year, Phyline is the recipient of two nominations from South Africa’s Shining Stars Awards – Best Female TV Personality of the Year and Best Media Personality of the Year.
This comes a year after Jean was nominated Best Dressed Media Personality and Best Female TV Personality of the Year at the Zikomo Awards in Zambia.
In this interview, Phyline discusses her biggest inspiration, her sense of fashion and how it feels to be the recipient of high praise.
Phyline Jean
‘I can confidently say that I’m living the dream.’
Her inspiration to become a presenter
My dad served in the army and at the time, there was this late-night show on KBC Radio Taifa, where the soldiers could send shout-outs to their family, it was called “Salamu za Majeshi” and my dad, Laban Ochuka, would send us greetings all the time.
That inspired me and I thought to myself that when I grow up, I’d love to be just like him, so I worked really hard in languages while in school and passed.
Throughout my high school years, I enthusiastically participated in the journalism club and indulged in my passion for poetry. It was during this time that I became certain of my path, knowing that I would undoubtedly fulfil my dream of becoming a journalist. Now, looking back, I can confidently say that I’m living the dream. Not so many people end up doing what they love.
On receiving awards and nominations
I can’t even say that I’m better than other people, I think it’s just God’s grace and the fact that I’m always myself, and when hosting my shows I give it my all.
On challenges at work and how to deal with them
I think the biggest challenge, as a presenter is that you’re not allowed to have bad days. For instance, you could be going through something but when you’re on air, the fans don’t need to know that, you have to keep smiling no matter the circumstances.
In my case, my boyfriend’s dad fell ill, he had been hospitalised for a while then we found out he had cancer. That was really hard to process, they had started treatment for him but just when we thought he was about to recover, he passed on. I got the news while at work but I didn’t have time to cry about it, since “the show must go on.”
Phyline Jean
‘When you look your best you’ll hear it even from the fans’
Advice to aspiring presenters/journalists
My advice would be, practice a lot. The problem with our industry is that, anyone can present whether they went to a journalism class or not, especially if they’re already celebrities. So, make sure that you’re always working on perfecting your craft so that when the opportunity comes, you’re ready.
On being nominated for Best Dressed by Zikomo Awards
Honestly being nominated in this category shocked me as I wasn’t expecting it all. But I was still super grateful. I’d say my style is comfort chic. Because I love getting my face beat*, some nice human hair and all that but at the same time I love being comfortable, so, you’ll find me in rugged jeans, a two-piece and sneakers most of the time.
*Getting her make-up done.
Presentation v perception
When you look your best you’ll hear it even from the fans during the show, though most of the time I don’t wear anything super complicated, simplicity is key for me. I always say, comfort over style any day.
On her fashion inspiration
I don’t think I’m inspired by anyone in the world of fashion, I just wear what feels right in the moment.
‘I just want to be the best version of myself and do everything I said I’m gonna do’
Her inspiration career-wise
When it comes to my career, I’m inspired by Bonang Matheba of South Africa, she’s so eloquent. I also love Juliana Rancic because her story is very inspiring. She came to the US as an immigrant but managed to work hard enough to get to where she is. Plus she’s very resilient, having dealt with infertility, breast cancer, and all that.
About the Rancic/Zendaya controversy…
I think she did the best she could at the time, but she should have taken accountability. That said, I sort of understand where she was coming from since, E presenters follow scripts to the T, unlike us. Even the jokes are given to them.
I would have taken accountability and tried to apologize in person and not try to justify myself.
It didn’t change how I view her because, I started following her long ago, when her husband Bill and her had their own reality show. And we all have bad days at the office, I don’t think that statement was a true representation of who is she as a person.
Plans for the future
I just want to be the best version of myself and do everything I said I’m gonna do. I also want to venture into business, so I’m working towards that. But most importantly, I believe my future is in God’s hands.
Tori Kelly has been hospitalized and is getting treatment for severe blood clots, according to a report from TMZ.
The publication reports that the 30-year-old Grammy winner was out to dinner with her friends in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night when she passed out after saying that her heart was beating fast. She was then transferred to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where she is currently getting treatment in the ICU.
According to TMZ, doctors discovered blood clots in Kelly’s lungs and legs and are working to see if there are any clots around her heart.
Kelly, who is managed by SB Projects, signed to Epic Records earlier this year. The singer-songwriter unveiled her first single with the label, “Missin U,” and its Y2K-inspired music video in March. The song, which samples Craig David’s 2000 single “Fill Me In,” marked Kelly’s first new music since 2019’s Inspired by True Events and 2020’s A Tori Kelly Christmas. In 2019, she won best gospel album at the Grammys for her sophomore album Hiding Place and best gospel performance/song for “Never Alone.”
Following the release of “Missin U,” Kelly told People that she’s excited to get back on the road. “I miss touring so much. I was actually on a world tour right as COVID was happening, and it was heartbreaking to have to cancel that,” she shared. “Since then, I haven’t been able to tour. That’s one of the most exciting things I’m looking forward to. I can’t give any details or anything yet, but I cannot wait just to see fans again and belt out these songs with them.”
Young Gengetone rapper Trio Mio is scheduled to embark on his first Australian tour in October.
Organised by Rasta Lion Wear, will run from October 6 to October 14. The teen sensation will perform in the Australian cities of Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide.
Trio who recently completed his high school education, is popularly known for hit songs such as “Cheza Kama Wewe”, “Prembeshwa” and “Hapa Kazi Tu” to mention a few.
Sharing the news with his fans, Mio said, “Trio Mio is about to slay the stage in Australia! Who’s totally stoked to vibe with his epic beats down under?”
Trio won’t be the only Kenyan going to Australia, DJ Pierra Makena will also accompany the rapper as the event’s DJ. Unlike Trio, Makena has played events in Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria and America.
Kenyan band Sauti Sol has announced the dates for their final show before taking an indefinite break.
Sol Fest, categorised into the VIP show and the Fan Show, has been set for November 2 and 4 respectively.
This will be the third edition of the festival which will mark the beginning of their hiatus and will begin immediately after completing their tour in the US and Europe.
In a statement made in May, the group said that they would be taking an indefinite break as they embark on future projects.
“The upcoming tour across the US, Europe, and Canada is a chance for fans to immerse themselves in the magic of Sauti Sol one last time before the band takes a break from group projects for a while. Each performance will be infused with a sense of deep love and gratitude as the ensemble delivers their timeless hits and fan favourites that have left an indelible mark on our collective memories,” they said then.
Adding that the break would be the closing of a chapter.
“While the indefinite hiatus marks the end of a specific chapter, it also represents a new beginning for Sauti Sol.”
Kenyan premium prices will largely remain the same.
Spotify is raising prices for its 200 million ad-free subscribers for the first time in over a decade, the platform has announced.
In the US, the cost will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 (£8.57) for those with an individual plan. Similar price hikes also apply to the UK, Canada, Australia and 49 other territories.
However, as a new market for the streamer, Africa has largely been spared the hike meaning prices will remain largely the same in the Kenyan market.
In a statement released yesterday, the streamer said, “The market landscape has continued to evolve since we launched. So that we can keep innovating, we are changing our Premium prices across a number of markets around the world. These updates will help us continue to deliver value to fans and artists on our platform.”
The move follows other streaming services which have also increased subscription costs including Netflix which increased its prices for US and European markets and reduced it for Kenya.
Spotify said users “will be given a one-month grace period before the new price becomes effective unless they cancel before the grace period ends”.
The company will continue to offer a free plan that includes advertising.
Spotify has 515 million active users in over 180 markets and about 40% of those users are subscribers.
The event is set to take place from July 28 to 30.
Meet Me Kenya, an artist collective based in Nairobi, is set to host a three-day music festival showcasing the finest talent in the alternative pop and R&B scene. The festival, curated by the collective’s founder and musician Ndung’u Mbithi, marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey of promoting artists who use alternative music to express their unique voices. This will take place from July 28 to 30.
Over the past year, Meet Me Kenya has been at the forefront of organizing captivating music events in Nairobi, featuring local alternative pop and R&B artists like Iyanah Kiragu, Zowie Kengocha and others.
This year, Meet Me Kenya is breaking new ground by presenting a three-day extravaganza, a departure from their previous single-day events. Ndung’u Mbithi shares his excitement about this bold decision, saying, “We use a model where we alternate between daytime events and nighttime events. With this festival, we decided to combine those concepts, blend them together, and do it three days in a row. It should be exciting.”
As the festival approaches, Meet Me Kenya is actively monitoring the ongoing protests in the area. Ndung’u Mbithi assures, “Hopefully, the ongoing protests won’t disrupt our schedule. We have planned this for a long time, and naturally, we would like to see it come to fruition. If necessary, we will communicate any change in plans. The team is already mulling over the subject.”
Festival Details:
Day 1 – July 28
Venue: Bistro Adreno (3:00 PM – Midnight)
Artists: Ndung’u Mbithi, Ashley Kitonga, Kay Khali
Insulated curtains can help reduce electricity costs.
As the state of our economy continues to flounder and the mystery of the reduced tokens remains unsolved, it might be time to think about insulated curtains as an alternative to keeping your house warm during the cold season.
These energy-efficient window treatments play a significant role in retaining indoor heat during the cold season, helping to reduce energy consumption and utility bills while providing a cosy and snug atmosphere inside the house.
What are insulated curtains?
Insulated curtains, also known as thermal curtains or energy-saving curtains, are specially designed window coverings that feature multiple layers of fabric and insulating materials. They act as a barrier between the interior of your home and the cold outdoor air, preventing heat loss and blocking drafts. Unlike regular curtains, whose primary function is decor and privacy, insulated curtains are engineered to serve a practical function by creating a thermal barrier.
How Insulated Curtains Work
Heat Retention: The primary function of insulated curtains is to trap and retain heat indoors. The thick layers of insulating fabric help slow down the transfer of heat through the windows, preventing it from escaping to the colder outside environment.
Draft Prevention: Insulated curtains are excellent at blocking drafts. When installed properly, they seal the edges of the windows, reducing the inflow of cold air and stopping warm air from escaping. This, in turn, helps maintain a stable and comfortable temperature within the house.
Reflecting Heat: Some insulated curtains come with reflective materials or coatings that bounce back indoor heat, preventing it from being absorbed by the window glass and radiating outwards.
Benefits of Using Insulated Curtains
Enhanced Energy Efficiency: By preventing heat loss, insulated curtains can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home. They reduce the amount of time a heater is needed allowing you to lower your electricity bills without sacrificing comfort.
Comfortable Living Space: Insulated curtains create a cosy and inviting ambience inside your home during the cold season. Their ability to maintain a consistent indoor temperature ensures you and your family can enjoy a warm and comfortable living space throughout the day.
Sound Insulation: In addition to heat retention, insulated curtains also provide some level of sound insulation. The multiple layers of fabric help dampen external noises, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful indoor environment.
UV Protection: Some insulated curtains offer added benefits, such as UV protection. They can shield your furniture, flooring, and other interior elements from harmful ultraviolet rays, preventing fading and damage over time.
How to choose the best insulated curtains
When selecting insulated curtains for your home, consider the following factors:
Fabric and Layers: Look for curtains with multiple layers of insulating fabric, such as thermal backing or foam. Thicker materials generally provide better insulation.
Size and Coverage: Ensure that the curtains are large enough to cover the entire window area, including any gaps on the sides. Proper coverage is essential for maximizing the curtain’s efficiency.
Style and Design: Insulated curtains come in various styles and designs, so choose ones that complement your interior decor while fulfilling their functional role.
Where to buy insulated curtains
It’s no secret that normal curtains cost a lot in Kenya and even more so when it comes to insulated curtains. However, if you’re willing to part with a few more Shillings, you can order them online from sites like Jumia or Amazon – which delivers to Kenya. The average cost for a pair could range from KSh. 8000 to KSh. 12,000 excluding shipping or delivery fees.
Kenyan musician Kevin Kioko, better known as Bahati, is challenging his fellow musicians to work together in order to beat out the competition Kenyan music faces from Tanzania and Nigeria.
Sharing a number of pictures of Kenyan charts dominated by Bongo artists, Bahati said that unless Kenyan musicians find a way to work together, they will keep “curtain-raising” for their neighbours.
“This is the time for Kenyan musicians to stop thinking you can make it alone and simply come together… no solo Kenyan artist can take our sound global on their own that’s a fact. We need to work together as a team or else we will keep curtain-raising for our neighbours… look at what they’re doing, they’re coming together and through their unity, they’re taking over home & away!” Bahati said.
True to form, Tanzanian crooner Diamond Platnumz remains Kenya’s top musician despite not being from Kenya.
By June 2020, Diamond had amassed what Kevin Meenan of YouTube Music Trends described as a “mind-blowing” 3.6 million subscribers and 980 million views on his channel with about 80 per cent of the views, most of which were Kenyan, coming from outside Tanzania. As such, he has become the undisputable face of East African music to the outside world.
The same remains true as of Monday, July 24, as Diamond’s new song “Enjoy” featuring Jux remains Kenya’s most-watched YouTube video, ten days after its release.
Bahati further added that while Kenya remained a shining beacon for the East African bloc in other areas, music was not one of them.
“We agree Kenya is the heart & home of African entertainment, Kenya has the best musicians, Kenya is the leader of our region from politics to marathon and economy….. fellow musicians let’s come together if we want to gain back our leadership & respect in African music. If we come together our fans will come together and support us,” Bahati said.
Elsewhere, earlier this month, the world’s largest streaming giant Spotify created a site to track the rise and global domination of Afrobeats, a sound specifically tied to West Africa. According to the site, Afrobeats was streamed 13 Billion times in 2022, with artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid and Rema dominating charts abroad as well as selling out shows in the UK and the US.
According to research by Spotify, Afrobeats’ ability to fuse with other sounds is likely a contributing factor in its exponential rise.
“Afrobeats’ ability to fuse and blend with other genres is likely down to the fact that it’s wrapped up in its DNA. 90% of Afrobeats fans agree that fusing Afrobeats with other sounds has been helpful in its growth,” the report said.
However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Kenyan sound. Earlier this month, the Grammy Awards listed Gengetone as a category for its 66th award ceremony alongside Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres.
Additionally, several Kenyan musicians have been recognised by international awarding bodies including Sauti Sol and Bensoul who were all awarded Grammy certificates for their work on Burna Boy’s Grammy award-winning album “Twice As Tall” and Khaligraph Jones who was nominated for a BET award for Best Rapper in Africa.
“My Desire is to see us get what we deserve- being at the top,” Bahati finished.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, then you know the Barbenheimer craze has begun.
What is Barbenheimer?
Barbenheimer is an Internet phenomenon and a portmanteau of the names of two highly anticipated films both set for release on Friday, July 21 – Barbie and Oppenheimer.
What fueled the memes and jokes on social media was the fact that both films were so diametrically opposed in genre that it was almost laughable that they had the same release date.
Soon, TikTok was flooded with videos of how to dress to watch both movies while Twitter made jokes and memes of the personalities of the people who would opt for Oppenheimer, those who were more likely to watch Barbie and those who would watch both.
Box office hit in the making?
What may have started as a joke on the internet, is however, set to propel the box office to its best weekend in years according to CNN. Elsewhere, BoxOffice Pro, a publication that tracks box office performance, said this week it is projecting “a $200+ million weekend at the cinema. That would result in one of the biggest theatrical weekends since the pandemic upended the industry and a big win for Hollywood while writers and actors are on strike.”
Speaking to CNN, Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice Pro said, “This is truly one of the wildest and most unpredictable situations I’ve ever observed at the box office. Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ were both destined for probable success on their own terms, but capturing the social media zeitgeist has escalated the phenomenon into what feels like will be one of the biggest moviegoing weekends since 2019. Even those who don’t regularly patron cinemas are aware of ‘Barbenheimer.’ You can’t easily buy that kind of promotion, if at all.”
Directed by award-winning director Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is set during World War II and begins when Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints young physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world’s first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history.
Oppenheimer is based on the real-life story of physicist Robert J. Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Directed by award-winning director Greta Gerwig, Barbie follows Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) as she leaves the utopia of Barbie Land with Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) to enter the real world, where she discovers, among other things, patriarchy.
Barbie is based on the Mattel doll of the same name.
Where can I watch both films in Nairobi?
Theatres across Nairobi are showing both movies over the weekend. Two watch both on the same day, make sure you check out Century Cinemax’s website for timings and venues.
Premiering this weekend on Netflix on Friday, the film stars Jamie Foxx, John Boyega and Teyona Parris. The film follows the trio as they fall down a rabbit hole as they try to grapple with a nefarious government conspiracy.
The third season of “Sweet Magnolias” debuts this weekend. The series revolves around lifelong South Carolina best friends Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue juggling romantic relationships, family and careers.
Taking the title of Netflix’s first African animation, the Zambian set story is a great watch for the whole family. Read all about it.
In case you missed it in theatres
It’s a well-known fact that not all movies are available to watch in Kenyan cinemas and sometimes, even if they’re available, there isn’t enough time to watch them. Here’s a list of theatre releases debuting on streaming (Showmax Kenya) this weekend.
Halloween Ends brings one of the all-time highest-grossing horror franchise to its epic, terrifying conclusion as Laurie Strode faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers.
The Swearing Jar tells Carey’s story: a musician and teacher who throws a birthday concert for her husband, which plunges her into the past. Through romance, music and memory, we follow the story of Carey and Simon’s relationship, the birth of their child, and the lie that threatens to ruin it all.
Based on a true story, the crime comedy-drama Bandit stars 10-time Teen Choice nominee Josh Duhamel (The Thing About Pam, Shotgun Wedding, Transformers) as Gilbert Galvan Jr. (aka The Flying Bandit), a charming career criminal who went on a record-breaking spree of 59 bank heists across Canada with an increasingly frustrated police task force on his tail.
