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Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • Nyashinski releases “Good To Me”, espouses the importance of self-love

    Nyashinski releases “Good To Me”, espouses the importance of self-love

     

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAT7pcEzN6A[/embedyt]

    Kenyan rapper Nyashinski has released a new single dubbed “Good To Me”. The song and the video, directed by Justin Campos, showcase the rapper singing the lyrics of the song to the mirror-image of himself.

    Some of the lyrics read, “Promise you’ll be good to me, I promise you I’ll be good” intimating that the song is about self-love but also a thought-provoking portrait of mental health and the role of positive thinking and affirmations.

    Sharing a clip of the song the rapper said, “Some days are going to be good and some days are going to be hard but at the end of the day, remember to be good to yourself. What you put in is what you get out.”

    Nyashinski is one of Kenya’s most renowned award-winning rappers with over a decade’s worth of experience. The rapper recently partnered with the alcohol brand Johnnie Walker who was the name sponsor for his since concluded concert that took place in various counties across the country dubbed Shin City.

    The song is available to stream on all digital channels.

  • Shoke Shoke festival cancelled amid ongoing demonstrations

    Shoke Shoke festival cancelled amid ongoing demonstrations

    Nigerian superstar Ruger was to headline the event that was slated for July 29.

    The organisers of the Shoke Shoke Festival, Mwanaume Ni Effort, have announced the cancellation of the second edition of the Shoke Shoke Festival that was meant to take place on July 29.

    Announcing the news via a statement released online the organisers cited growing concerns of unrest within the country as the main reason for rescheduling the event. Further adding that the headliners Ruger and Sun-El would still perform at the festival in Spetember.

    “Due to the ongoing political unrest and “Maandamano” demonstrations in Nairobi, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the festival from July 29 to September 9. All performing acts, including Ruger and Sun-El, are set to entertain fans on the new festival date,” the statement read.

    Further citing concerns about the safety of the fans and suppliers, MNE said that moving the date forward would ensure a more enjoyable experience for all involved. 

    “The safety and well-being of our suppliers, vendors, artists, partners, and, most importantly, you – our valued attendees – are of utmost importance to us,” the organisers said, adding, “We believe that moving the festival forward to a future date will ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”

    If you had already bought tickets to the event, no need to worry, the tickets will still be valid for the new September date.

    “Rest assured that your current tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure a seamless transition to the new date, with improved amenities and an even more unforgettable experience for each attendee,” the statement clarified.

    The July edition of the Shoke Shoke festival would have been the second edition following the critically acclaimed festival that took place early this year headlined by Ayra Starr.

    Read full statement.

  • Tickets for October’s Blankets & Wine event go on sale

    Tickets for October’s Blankets & Wine event go on sale

    The event is scheduled to take place on October 1.

    Kenya’s biggest musical event Blankets & Wine begins selling tickets for its upcoming October session.

    This will be the event’s third music festival this year following the successful April 2 and July 2 events that featured artists such as Nyashinski Nviiri the storyteller, Boutross, Xenia Manasseh, Les Wanyika, Lisa Oduor, Okello Max, Kinoti, Nameless, Bensoul, Maya Omolo, Khaligraph Jones, Coster Ojwang and many more.

    The October 1 event will take place at the Laureate within (the Home of Heroes) Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The musical line-up will be announced closer to the day of the festival.

    While announcing the four 2023 events earlier this year the organiser’s said, “This year, we plan to host four editions of the festival every 1st Sunday of each quarter and the last Sunday before Christmas at the Laureate Garden, within (the Home of Heroes) Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.”

    After going on hiatus during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the event made an in-person comeback in 2022 with the Kenyan Summer 2 edition headlined by Nigerian artist CKay alongside Kenyan performers Savara, Wakadinali and The Only Rosa.

    Over the years, Blankets & Wine has established itself as one of the more popular live music experiences in Kenya, where music, food, craft and fashion are paired to create an event that delights and uplifts.

    Tickets are currently on sale at KShs. 3,000.

  • Bronx rising rapper Ice Spice named Apple Music’s “Up Next” artist

    Bronx rising rapper Ice Spice named Apple Music’s “Up Next” artist

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7OFVxD88U[/embedyt]

    Apple Music announces Bronx rapper Ice Spice as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music’s monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. 

    The 23-year-old rapper has had a meteoric rise since her drill anthem “Munch (Feelin’ U)” went viral on TikTok in 2022, which she soon followed with the six-track chart-topping debut EP Like..?. Since then, Ice’s inherently New York sound and her swaggering lyricism have opened the door to collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music industry: PinkPantheress, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. 

    To date, her music has reached Apple Music’s Daily Top 100 in 142 countries worldwide, including 55 where it has reached the Top 10. In the first six months of 2023, her streams grew 868% on Apple Music, and her streams on major Apple Music editorial playlists, like Rap Life and High Maintenance, grew over 1,300%. It’s no wonder she was included among Shazam’s Predictions 2023 playlist, a collaboration with Apple Music that predicts 50 artists that are poised to have a breakthrough year.  

    “Thank you to my fans for helping me get this far in my career,” said Ice Spice. “I’m excited to share pieces of my journey with you all on Apple Music!”

    In her exclusive Apple Music Up Next short film set to be released on Thursday, Ice shows off some of her favourite stomping grounds in the Bronx, talks about being a role model for young women, and is flooded by fans in her neighbourhood as they spot their hometown hero. In her sit-down with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, also out today, Ice talks candidly about having mentors in Minaj and Drake, being smart about her career following her rapid rise to fame, and her excitement for the upcoming Doja Cat tour.

  • Diamond hits back at critics

    Diamond hits back at critics

    Tanzanian crooner Diamond Platnumz has hit back at critics who claim most of his songs are copied from top Nigerian artists.

    Taking to his Instagram stories, the musician said that he was not bothered by those claims and went on to add that people were not bothered when other musicians sample music until it comes to his music.

    The claims surfaced online after Diamond released his new song featuring Jux called “Enjoy”. Sharing clips from Asake, Spyro, Burna Boy, and Wiz Kid, the online user claimed the Bongo was more than sampling Nigerian music.

    While on his way to Toronto, Diamond said he had heard that the new song was making waves both in homes and club. While addressing the “copying” claims he said that when other people do it, they are branded geniuses but not them, also asking why Nigerian musicians were doing Amapiano if they couldn’t write it.

    Writing in Kiswahili, he wrote, “Niko angani to Toronto, Canada, naskia huko duniani kila nyumba, club. Chochoro na kona ya mtandao gumzo ni “Enjoy” . Hayo Mengine niachie. Mie….Ukisikia Mtoto anapiga kelele ujue bakoraiimemuingia!…maana wakifanya wengine, utaskia magenius wanaakili wamesample, tukifanya sie tumekopi! Wangekua waumiza vichwa. Kweli wangeimba Mangaka, lizombe au Lingunjumu Ngoma na miziki ya kwetu…Mbona wameenda Kudandia Amapiano? tena zakuandikiwa… Nyenyenye! Nyenyenye! Fyuuuuu.”

    Diamond is currently promoting the “Enjoy” music video which is currently trending at number 2 on the Kenyan YouTube music official charts.

  • SemaBox launches podcast distribution platform Wazo

    SemaBox launches podcast distribution platform Wazo

    WAZO will enable Kenyan and African podcasters to earn directly from plays and advertising revenue

    SemaBox Founder Dan Aceda

    Podcast incubator SemaBOX has launched Wazo, a new podcast distribution platform that will enable Kenyan and African podcasters to earn directly from plays and advertising revenue.

    Wazo, which means “Thought” in Kiswahili, will initially be available free of charge to all listeners through the Wazo One plan from July 17, 2023. The monetization of Kenyan content will begin immediately, while the monetization for Ugandan and South African Creators will follow in the third quarter of 2023.

    Wazo is the first platform of its kind in Kenya, offering a brand-new revenue stream for podcasters, while also providing advertisers with an aggregated audience of over 39M listeners across the SemaBOX creator network. Advertisers will now have a one-stop shop to reach the Kenyan podcast audience in a highly effective way. This is especially beneficial for creators as the major Western platforms do not currently offer monetization to Kenyan creators.

    “We are truly excited that we can finally bring this online. Our goal has always been to help podcasters earn revenue, and we are confident that WAZO will be the tool that can unlock this effectively. We also hope that by introducing monetization right from the start, the rest of the podcast industry will follow. These wonderful creators are making world-class content, and it’s about time they started to benefit from this,” said Dan Aceda, Founder, CEO SemaBOX.

    Wazo will also aggregate data about Kenyan podcasts and Kenyan podcasters more directly. This will enable podcasters to get the necessary information to grow their product and improve their delivery. In addition, Wazo will also enable advertisers to make more informed investment decisions.

    Wazo was formally launched at a creator event on July 17th, 2023, and will be immediately available globally on the web the same day. IOS and Android apps will be released shortly after. The creation of the platform has been supported by Baraza Media Lab and Africa No Filter.

  • Production company to venture into scripted podcasts with “After The Credits Roll”

    Production company to venture into scripted podcasts with “After The Credits Roll”

    ‘I Am Samuel’ protagonist, director feature on scripted podcast series “After The Credits Roll”

    We are Not The Machine stylised as WANTM, a globally renowned production company behind commissioned factual content for distribution on the BBC and ARTE Digital, and the co-production of the independent documentary Softie, featuring Kenyan activist BonifAace Mwangi, which premiered at Sundance in 2020 is venturing into scripted podcasts. 

    Through its first project, ‘After The Credits Roll,’ available on audio podcast platforms,  will detail the experiences of the protagonist of the award-winning documentary I AM Samuel which was banned in Kenya upon its release.

    Production for the first podcast was done by AMP Studios in Nairobi, a leading sound engineering and production company. The podcast will be distributed as a special episode on the ‘Nipe Story’ podcast, – a popular Kenyan podcast that revels in the storytelling of authentic short African fiction. Thereafter it will be globally available for free on the documentary’s website.

    “We are inspired by the incredible and entertaining work of podcasters in Kenya and Africa. The podcast space is becoming an important platform for the inclusion of diverse and exciting voices,” says Toni Kamau, the News Emmy-nominated founder of We Are Not The Machine. “The popularity of podcasts is dependent on their ability to be non-traditional, and thus, radically honest and inventive.”

    The growing wave of podcast listeners is not just in Africa, but also all over the world, with 464.7 million podcast listeners actively tuned in. It is predicted that there will be around 504.9 million podcast listeners worldwide by the end of 2024 according to Oberlo statistics.

    Additionally, We Are Not The Machine is in the process of developing a slate of scripted podcasts celebrating the richness of African history and the multitude of experiences of young Africans; telling all stories, from all points of view. 

    “Podcasts are a great place to develop intellectual property and build audiences for scripted African content. We would love to meet with writers and co-develop projects in this format. The future is thrilling, and it is collaborative,” adds Ms Kamau.

    The podcast will be released in tandem with a series of short essays written by lyrical writer Kiprop Kimutai, and inspired by Samuel’s journey from childhood, all the way to his relocation. I Am Samuel director Pete Murimi worked closely with Kiprop Kimutai on the essays.

     “The point of these stories is to share the lived experiences of this Kenyan man, and illustrate the true power of friendship and community, even beyond borders.” These essays will be distributed for free also, on the website, and through social media platforms.

  • Fully Focus releases “Olodo’ AI visuals featuring Niniola, Sho Madjozi

    Fully Focus releases “Olodo’ AI visuals featuring Niniola, Sho Madjozi

    The song is off his album ‘African Ambassador’.

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibpUTIFb-B0[/embedyt]

    Kenyan music producer Fully Focus has released his song, with an AI visualiser, featuring Nigerian musicians and South African star Sho Madjozi.

    The song is a fusion of both the popular Afrobeats and Amapiano genres produced by Yung Willis, the track masterfully takes listeners on a thrilling, high-energy journey propelled by pulsating rhythms, irresistible melodies and clever wordplay. 

    The title “Olodo” derived from Yoruba, playfully admonishes those who are slow to understand or learn, capturing the lighthearted ribbing commonly found in various African cultures. The blend of genres is infectious with a rhythmic fusion that resonates with listeners worldwide. 

    “Olodo” is off Fully Focus recent album African Ambassador with the infusion of diverse genres including Afrobeats, Amapiano, Bongo, Gengetone, Kizomba to Zouk. Fully Focus says, “One of the things I enjoyed about collaborating with other producers is learning instruments and sounds that are dear to their culture and tweaking them to match the ideas I had in mind,” adding, “Discovery is the best part about the creative process.”

    The album has since surpassed 10 million streams with the lead single “Dimension” featuring Bien, becoming the longest-charting Kenyan song of 2022 on Apple’s Top 100. The ten-track album also features music byNyashinski (Kenya), Ya Levis (DRC), Vanessa Mdee, AY (Tanzania), Kuami Eugene (Ghana), Fik Fameica (Uganda), Slap Dee (Zambia), Djodje (Cape Verde) and Davis D (Rwanda). Plus his two PMG artists, Scarr from Atlanta and Llumi from Nairobi.

  • Search warrant issued in connection with Tupac Shakur murder investigation

    Search warrant issued in connection with Tupac Shakur murder investigation

    Tupac Shakur was shot in 1996.

    BBC

    Police in Nevada have confirmed they served a search warrant this week in connection with the unsolved killing of rapper Tupac Shakur.

    Detectives carried out the search at a home in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas where Shakur was gunned down in September 1996.

    Las Vegas Metropolitan police did not provide further details of the search, citing the ongoing investigation into his murder.

    Shakur was 25 when he was killed.

    No arrests have been made and no suspects are currently in custody.

    The home that was searched is less than 20 miles (32km) from the Las Vegas strip where Shakur was shot in a drive-by shooting.

    “LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation,” a Las Vegas police statement said.

    “We will have no further comment at this time.”

    Las Vegas Police Lt Jason Johansson told the Las Vegas Review Journal that detectives were working on the cold case once more.

    “It’s a case that’s gone unsolved and hopefully one day we can change that,” he told the newspaper.

    Shakur, whose stage name was stylised as 2Pac, released his debut album in 1991 and went on to enjoy chart success with hits including California Love, All Eyez on Me, Changes and I Ain’t Mad at Cha.

    He died on 13 September 1996, a week after he was shot four times in his car while waiting at a red light.

    Shakur, who sold more than 75 million records worldwide, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

  • Supermodel Gigi Hadid arrested for marijuana possession

    Supermodel Gigi Hadid arrested for marijuana possession

    The model was arrested at Owen Roberts International Airport, Cayman Islands.

    Model Gigi Hadid was arrested and fined $1,000 (KSh. 141, 600) at the Owen Roberts International Airport.

    This was after Customs and Border Control agents discovered marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia in her luggage upon arriving in the Cayman Islands last week.

    In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Hadid’s representatives confirmed that she had purchased the drugs “legally in NYC with a Medical license.” They added, “It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island.”

    The model and influencer, 28, had taken a private jet to the British Overseas Territory as part of a girls’ trip. However, her vacation got off to a rocky start when she was “arrested on suspicion of Importation of Ganja and Importation of Utensils used for the consumption of ganja” shortly after arriving at Owen Roberts International Airport on July 10, according to local outlet Cayman Marl Road. 

    When scanning Hadid’s luggage, officers discovered “ganja and utensils used for the consumption of ganja,” according to the outlet. It noted that the quantities were “relatively small” and “seemingly for personal consumption.”

    In addition to Hadid, her friend Leah Nicole McCarthy was also reportedly arrested after similar materials were found in her suitcase, per Cayman Marl Road. The pair were subsequently taken to the Prison Detention Center for processing before being later released on bail. 

    Hadid and McCarthy appeared in court on July 12, where they both pled guilty to the charges and were fined $1,000. No convictions were recorded.