MAMA 2010 NOMINEES OUT: THREE NODS FOR KENYA

MTV Networks Africa and Zain announced Saturday the nominations for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain(MAMA) at a star-studded De Marquee, Lagos, Nigeria.
The nominations were revealed by Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Group and Rajan Swaroop, CEO, Zain Nigeria. Kenyan artistes Daddy Owen, P Unit and Muthoni The Drummer Queen have received three nods.



Nigerians scored an impressive 13 nominations, South African artistes 6 and Fally Ipupa scoring the highest individual number of the nominations with four separate MAMA award nominations.
Daddy Owen is nominated for the first time in the Best Anglophone category while hip hop outfit P-Unit gets a mention for Best Group and Muthoni is recognised in the Brand: New category.



Commented Alex Okosi, “This year’s MAMA is even more representative of the growth of the pan-African music scene and the added emphasis on Lusophone and Francophone artists makes this the most exciting MAMA nominations race that we have seen so far. We congratulate all the artists on their nominations and wish them success on December 11th in. Lagos.” Commented Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, “The nominations today have shown the universality of music and the fact all genres strike a chord and a cross-over appeal with Africa’s youth regardless of their nationality. We are happy to be associated with a platform that recognises and celebrates the rich musical heritage that positively depicts culture from across Africa.”

The nominees for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain were shortlisted by the MAMA Academy – a handpicked group of music industry experts and taste makers from across the African continent.
The winners for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be revealed on Saturday 11 December 2010 at the Eko Expo Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.
The nominees for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain are:
Best Video
Fally Ipupa – Sexy dance (DRC)
P-Square f/t J. Martins- E No Easy (Nigeria)
The Parlotones – Life Design (South Africa)
Banky W – Strong Ting (Nigeria)

Brand:New
Mo Cheddah (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Muthoni (Kenya)
JoJo (Gabon)

Artist of The Year
2 Face (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Jozi (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Song Of The Year
D’Banj – Fall In Love (Nigeria)Liquideep – Fairytale (South Africa)
JR – Show Dem (South Africa)
Banky W – Lagos Party (Nigeria)

Best Anglophone
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wande Coal (Nigeria)
Daddy Owen (Kenya)
Big Nuz (South Africa)

Best Francophone
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Awadi (Senegal)
DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Ba Ponga (Gabon)

Best Lusophone
Lizha James (Mozambique)
Paul G (Angola)
Cabo Snoop (Angola)
Dama Do Bling (Mozambique)

Best Group
P-Square (Nigeria)
Radio & Weasle (Uganda)
Teargas (South Africa)
P-Unit (Kenya)

Best Female
Sasha (Nigeria)
Lizha James (Mozambique)
Nneka (Nigeria)
Barbara Kanam (DRC)

Best Male
2 Face (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Wande Coal (Nigeria)

Best International
Rihanna (USA)
Drake (USA)
Eminem (USA)
Rick Ross (USA)

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Zain in association with MasterCard.

I'm About To Get My Life Back...

Dear Bachelor/Bachelorette Fans,

I see a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a very very long summer/early fall, but things are looking up.  My responsibilities at work have seemed to triple, but my boss gets back from maternity leave next week (hooray!!) and I am positive that things will turn around.  What does this mean??

I can finally get back into my writing/blogging/life.  Here's what has happened since I last wrote:

1. I think I've gained about 10 pounds from stress, traveling for work and lack of motivation to hit the gym now that it's dark when I leave for the office in the morning and dark when I get home at night. How depressing!

2. I've developed adult acne. Seriously - who knew it was possible to have zits and wrinkles at the same time? This is just cruel.  The worst part is going to meetings at work and desperately trying to cover up some bright red spot that I've been battling with the night before in the mirror.  It really sucks.  I often feel like I should explain the spots on my face as otherwise people might think I have the chicken pox or shingles. The Husband says it's stress and that it will one day go away. He says he loves me anyway.  Love is having zits and being loved anyway.

3.  The original cast of the Sound of Music was on Oprah this week and nothing could have made me happier. Except, perhaps, if the reunion went on for about 3 more hours.  There was a man on the show who confessed to watching the movie 128 times or something like that while he was off fighting in Vietnam - it was his escape.  Another woman with a hearing disability discussed that The Sound of Music was the first song she ever heard and it has inspired her.  One of the most inspiring parts of the show was watching Julie Andrews and the real Maria van Trapp singing Edelweiss together back in 1973.  Pure magic.
I love this movie as much as a human could possibly love a musical/motion picture.  Perhaps I will start watching it daily like I did back when I was 5 and 6 years old.  It still does the trick.

4.  The Husband and I have gotten completely sucked into Boardwalk Empire, The Event and Jersey Shore.

5.  We visited friends in Chicago and I ate deep dish pizza twice in 48 hours.  I think I prefer the grandma pizza 2 blocks away in NYC, but that does not take away from how great of a city Chicago is.  Andersonville is a neat little neighborhood.

6.  Two of my best friends got engaged.  Three of my other friends told me they were pregnant and due next April (all within 2 weeks of each other).  Two other friends are due with babies - one in the next week and the other in early December. It is going to be a busy 2011!

7.  I have gotten a couple of emails from readers of my blog of Bachelor/Bachelorette encounters and run-ins.  I love these emails! Thanks for letting me know of any sightings/interactions you have.  So far, I have managed to maintain confidentiality.  I can certainly understand the desire to maintain your private lives.  I too, would be beyond excited, to have a run-in with a former Bachelor/Bachelorette.

8.  Our Ugly Holiday Sweater Party will make its return to our apartment.  If our neighbors don't shut us down, it should be a great event. 

So that's the deal.  In terms of Bachelor gossip all I know is this:  Ali and Roberto are still going strong. From their tweets, it's very apparent that they are still majorly in love.  Yesterday, Roberto and Ali went hiking at Torrey Pines State Park in San Diego.  He brought her flowers home to her (so sweet).  Kiptyn and Tenley are also going strong.  The Kipper bought Tenley a trip to Hawaii in December. My guess is they'll be engaged within the next 6 months.  That's my personal opinion.

Deanna Pappas and Holly Durst are in full on wedding planning mode. They recently came to New York to pick out their bridal gowns (with Alfred Angelo, I believe).  They are still interested in doing a double wedding to their twin brothers (Stephen Stagliano (for DeAnna) and Michael Stagliano (for Holly)).  This still creeps me out, but if they're happy, I'm happy.

Inside sources tell me that Frank and Nicole are still together in Chicago. Good for them.

Gia was in the Hamptons all summer and tweeting it up to Chris Lambton. I am hoping with every ounce of energy that Chris is not interseted in her nonsense.

And that's all I got for now.  What have you all been up to?  Are you getting excited for Brad Womack as Bachelor in January?  Me neither. I think I need a couple of more weeks to see how ABC is going to pitch him.

TGIF, Bach fans.

Stacey B

TRACKING AMANI IN CHICAGO

Kenya’s own superstar Amani is now in Chicago, she left the country over the weekend to join the other members of the Pan-African super group ONE8, a group set to revolutionize music in Africa. The One8 project is a coming-together of some of African best musical talent.



Amani is one of the artistes chosen for the super group along with Nigeria’s talented superstar TuFace Idibia, Ugandan hip hop artist Navio, Zambia’s biggest super star JK, Tanzanian heartthrob Ali Kiba, Ghanaian trio 4x4, Gabonese duo Movaizhaleine and DRC’s hot sensation Fally Ipupa.
The power and excitement around this collective of African stars is so big that ONE8 will be not only be joined by one of the biggest global megastars and icons in music for its first single and video, about to be recorded in Chicago, USA, but this superstar, who’s played a crucial role in defining R&B and Hip-Hop as we know it, will produce the song and video together with some of the biggest names in music and music video production in the world today. It is taking centre stage on this project and working hand-in-hand and as equals with the Chicago based international megastar and his team who are very excited to be working with such amazing talent.



As these artists record the song and video in the USA, millions of fans will experience this music revolution and historic journey as it happens. They will also experience their favorite stars up close and personal and roam where no fan has roamed before with digital ALL ACCESS PASSES delivered personally by these superstars to their fans. They will be connected with them around the clock through the website, mobile site or mobisite, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and live webcasts on location. The collaboration on the single and video will also shatter the typical mode of Africa / Western projects. The all star group is taking the best music from Africa to the global stage, connecting millions of fans through the universal language of music. All the artists are working together to create a song that is truly Pan-African. The group will also shoot a video in Chicago which will be released globally with the first single in November, alongside a full album and DVD soon after.



This all star group ONE8 is produced and managed by the first major pan-African record label and 360 music company, ROCKSTAR4000 within the family of the world’s number 1 recording company Sony Music. ONE8 is destined for greatness, shattering perceptions about African music as it builds networks and excitement across the pan-African music landscape and across the world.ONE8 is the ultimate music force that will single-handedly change the face of the African music industry.

IT'S HATTERS-VILLE AND SUPERNATURAL TALES UP IN TPF

Contestants on probation this week.

Haters have a field day in the Academy as spirits invade contestants.
“You are lucky because people from your country can’t sing. That’s why you’re here.”
Paleki was upset as she recalled a comment from one of her fellow contestants before they got into the Academy after the disastrous weekend that she had with the judges.


Amelina

Most of the students in the house were in low spirits after Sunday’s Live show.
Amileena was in tears after her poor review from the judges, as she asked for Voice Coach Kavutha’s help on how to reduce her "over-singing". She was trying to explain herself but could not find a plausible explanation to why she ends singing off-key and in different styles during her performances. She even claimed to be possessed at times as she performed. Kavutha lent her a sympathetic ear and impressed upon her the need to practice her song and ad-libs thoroughly.




Paleki, on the other hand, was upset because the other contestants were insinuating that she should have gone on Probation instead of those currently on Probation. She had a poor performance on Sunday and the judges criticized her song choice for the night, More and More by Etana, saying that she didn't give it her best. It has now emerged that Paleki was actually unwell, on Sunday night and that was why she had a poor performance. She was commiserating in the lounge with Steven who urged her to keep her head up and ignore the negative talk in the girls' room on Sunday night.


Nazizi
Steve then told her that if she wanted to move from their room, she could move into the boys' room. All through last week, Steve was trying to get close to at least one of the girls in the house. Is this his final choice?
Amileena turned on the water works again during R Kay's class after she was given her song choice for the weekend show. This weekend the contestants are pairing up to sing duets with each other and Amileena abruptly left R Kay's class when she heard Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's When You Believe.
Her partner this weekend will be Rachel from Uganda and when she fled, in tears, to the bathroom, Paleki and Rachel went in after her to find out what was amiss. She had a startling revelation in the bathroom, as she said that she had a premonition of herself singing this song with Rachel when they first met as part of top 25.
The Academy this year seems to be in a supernatural grip that started with Gabiro saying that he was probably possessed during last weekend’s performance and he really did not recognize himself on stage. Amileena’s possession comment earlier and this déjà vu moment that she had is adding to the heightened sense of spirituality in the house this year.


Gaga

Gaelle of Rwanda was not interested in singing with Peter at all; and she was hesitant when she saw him stand up and start to get involved with the song. But once she heard the song she was set to sing, Angelique Kidjo and Papa Wemba’s Ami Oh she was quite excited and didn’t seem to mind that she had to sing the song with Peter.

MEET THE NEW FACE OF THE CHANNEL O FAMILY

The Channel O family has a new member – and he’s nothing short of a multi-talented entertainer!
Sthembiso “SK” Khoza is the name of the latest talented hotshot to join Channel O and his first assignment is to present a brand new series of Mzanzi Ridez – the channel’s hottest car customization show.
In fact, Khoza first came to the attention of the Channel O team when he auditioned for the role of O Access Season 5 host. He narrowly missed getting that job but his incredible energy and passion for all things entertainment means he is perfect for the Mzanzi Ridez role - as well as the multiple other platforms Khoza will be seen on, now that he’s part of the O clan.
Khoza, who hails from Ntuzuma township and is one of seven children, promises to bring the “swag and sexiness” to a channel “I’ve always wanted to be part of”.
“I promise to bring swag and sexiness to Mzanzi Ridez and Channel O and give viewers yet another reason to remain hooked on the best entertainment channel on the continent,” a confident Khoza says.
“I believe that my character will stand out and be noticed by the Channel O viewers and I’m really looking forward to working with people like DJ Waxxy, Lungelo and KB.”
Born on July 1st in 1986, Khoza attended Barracuda Primary School in Newlands East before moving to Parkhill High School in Greenwood Park for his high school years.
He admits that from an early age, he was combining his passion for acting, dancing and singing (Khoza was the lead vocalist and actor in a school musical called The Pulse Of Africa) with his love for sports. A keen rugby, soccer, cricket, and athletics participant, Khoza also has a black belt in karate (Goju Kai Style) and represented South Africa in the World Karate Championship in Hungary!
Khoza’s also no stranger to the rigours of trying to break into the entertainment scene having entered and won a heap of singing competitions in his High School years and making it to the Top 17 of the Durban auditions of Coca-Cola Popstars in 2004.
Armed with a Sports Management certificate from the University Of Johannesburg, Khoza has also been part of the R&B group, Men2B which has since changed its name to Pre – Eminence. Add in his work as a personal fitness trainer until recently and roles in musicals, like Buddy, and you have a driven, passionate and consummately talented individual indeed.
“I have always known what I want in life and will stop at nothing until I achieve all my goals,” Khoza says simply.
Mzanzi Ridez has proved to be one of the biggest draw-cards on Channel O with its uniquely South African take on all things custom cars. Season 4 again features Ash as well as the popular Ready D alongside new presenter SK – and the three promise to deliver a mind-blowing mix of sizzling hot wheels, cooked-up drifting contests, music, mayhem and more!
DStv viewers can tune in for the 2010 season of Mzanzi Ridez Tuesday November 16 at 21:00 CAT on Channel 320.

JOSE MOURINHO GETS HIS KENYAN BRACELET, FINALLY!

The ‘Special One' a.k.a Jose Mourinho, finally got the Sh500, 000 Tanzanite gold bracelet that he ordered made to his specifications during his holiday in Kenya's coastal town, Mombasa.
The Real Madrid boss left the South Coast’s Ukunda airstrip on July 10 on a private plane to Wilson airport to fly back to Europe after a three-week holiday in the country, with his family in Diani's Alamanara Cottage, left before the customized bracelet was completed.
Now, according to reports, he finally had the bracelet sent to him by the manager of Diani Jeweler.

NAIROBISECRETS.COM FIGHTS BACK CYBER CRIME ATTACK

Cheptoek Boyo

Last week, visitors to www.nairobisecrets.com, Kenya’s new women’s online lingerie store, may have noticed “attack site” warning that has prevented them from accessing the shop’s homepage.
The truth is, www.nairobisecrets.com was a victim of an unprecedented but coordinated attack, a technique in which a “competitor” or “hacker” plants a script on the site that sends the wrong “safety” signal to Google and other search engines. This “safety” alarm triggers a shutdown by Google and other search engines bouncing customers and other surfers attempting to access the site.
The site's lingerie models are Cheptoek Boyo, Elizabeth Muthoni a.k.a Sonia, Vera Sidika and Rachel Kamau.
According to a press release sent out by the sites managing director Edith Orwako:
"Though our security features systems prevented substantive impact to our services, including safety of customers’ info, the attack undermined our ability to transact business through the weekend.

Vera Sidika

"Presently, our engineers have arrested the attack script, repaired the damage and improved the security features that will deter such mischief in future. We have also passed the complaint to Google Systems, a lead search engine who will in the next 48 hours conduct a thorough safety review of the website before normal shopping services resume.
"We have also reported the matter to Kenya’s anti cybercrime officers to conduct an investigation and determine the person or persons behind the attack and their possible motives.


Elizabeth Muthoni

"On the brighter side however, www.nairobisecrets.com would like to assure all our customers that our first priority has been identifying what was happening and then installing the filters to enable our users to access our services without compromising the security of information in our systems.


Rachel Kamau

"Security foresight also ensured that the saboteurs did not gain access inside our computers or retrieve information about our customers.
"While apologizing to our consumers for the inconvenience, www.nairobisecrets.com condemns this kind of economic sabotage which retards development of Kenyan’s growing online trade. Because whatever the hackers’ purpose, the end result is the same...an attack often motivated by nothing more than pure greed."

After the success of the screening of our first Kenyan Ghost Film Haunted on the October 1, Jitu Films are going to make another screening of the same movie.
This time together with Nairobi Utumishi Rotary Club are organising a Special Halloween Fundraising screening on October 30, 7pm at Capital Center Fox Cinemas, Mombasa road.
The tickets will cost Sh 500 and the funds will go towards a Free Medical Camp that Nairobi Utumishi Rotary Club will run in Kibera this coming November (more info about this camp will follow).
Haunted is a spooky kenyan ghost story about Wairimu, a writer who needs some inspiration and in order to overcome her writers block, she decides to follow her brother and his three friends to a field trip adventure in an empty huge house where they used to live when they were very young kids. But the house keeps some secrets that only Wairimu knows. But sooner than later the secrets come forward with the help of a ghostly guest.




Lydia Gitachu is the secretive writer, starring together with David Lomunyak, Boniface Loppoh, Brenda Mwai, Methu Muthoni and guest appearance by Pinky Ghelani. The film is directed by Oskari Korenius and produced by Jitu Films.
Jitu Films are showing their social face and co-operate once more with Rotary International, the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.
With this co-operation we are trying to say that we can use the arts and in particular movies not only for entertainment but also for bringing awareness to the public and also helping our fellow citizens. We hope that more of these screenings will happen as in the same time showcasing local film talent but also helping a good cause.
Bagda's Auto Spares limited are also sponsoring and supporting this event.
You can book your tickets at jitufilms@gmail.com or you can get them on the day at Capital Center Fox Cinemas.

COMIC JANE BUSSMAN WAS IN KENYA!

Jane Bussman, a comedienne of note, performed at two comedy shows based on her wildly popular book “The Worst Date Ever”. Her first show was at the at the Serena Hotel on October 18 and at the Vineyard Wine Bar on the October 19.
The Serena Show was a Charity Dinner & Show for the Lorna Irungu Medical Fund while the Tuesday show at Vineyard is a chance to simply experience a 45 minute hilarious performance by Jane Bussman.



Jane Bussmann is an award-winning writer for TV and radio, including the Emmy-winning series Smack The Pony, South Park, The Fast Show and the legendary satire shows Brass Eye and Jam. Jane has also been a columnist for Red, The Face and the Mail on Sunday, winning Travel Writer of the Year. As a journalist, she has written for 100 publications including the Times, GQ, Harpers and the Sunday Telegraph.

SAFARICOM PREMIERS ITS KENYA LIVE CONCERT IN BUNGOMA

Bungoma County last Saturday hosted the first of the Safaricom Kenya Live music concerts with thrilling performances from leading artistes in the country.
After a weeklong training at the Kenya Live Academy in Eldoret, established and upcoming artistes from the region headed to Bungoma’s Kanduyi Stadium braving the rains to keep the crowds on their feet.



Kenya Live is an initiative by Safaricom to nurture music talent among youths across the country by using established artistes in knowledge sharing academies.
The initiative is also looking at enhancing the artiste’s lives music performance as opposed to over-reliance on play-back which has been a common trend in the local music industry.





Under the arrangement, Safaricom will help the artistes in marketing their productions through its online portals in what is expected to increase earnings from the trade.
Among leading artistes who performed at the Bungoma Concert are Juacali, Wahu, M.O.G, Eko Dyda, Redsan, Size 8 and Doggy G. Others are the Webuye Jua Kali Band and the late Jacob Luseno’s Phonotex Band.





“Safaricom will continue partnering with communities in initiatives aimed at improving their standards of living. This exercise is aimed at ensuring that local artistes not only gain fame from their performances but make a decent income out of it as well,” said Virginia Wanyanga, the Safaricom representative at the academy.






The music promotion campaign will see similar concerts held in major towns such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nairobi.
“We wish to play our part in creating a Kenyan music industry that is professionally-run in all aspects. We want to turn music into a career out of which our people can earn a decent living, not just pride and fame. With our 16 million-plus subscriber base and one of the country’s most popular portals, we have an unbeatable medium to advance Kenyan music. The possibilities are infinite.” Said Safaricom Head of Strategy and New Busines Nzioka Waita during the luanch of Kenya Live in Nairobi last week.





He gave the example of Skiza, Safaricom’s popular CBRT (caller ring back tune) service, which only a year after launch had gained vast acceptance, becoming a new and major revenue stream for some Kenyan musicians.
Kenya Live joins a growing music portfolio at Safaricom which includes the recently-held Kenyan Classical Fusion and the CHAT and Groove Awards, which are both headlined by Skiza and a number of sponsorship opportunities, spread across Kenya.

P-UNIT FOR TZ'S “ROAD TO MAMAS”

P-Unit, Fally Ipupa and Joh Makini are set to storm Dar es Salaam’s Maisha Club for another breathtaking edition of the Road to MAMA, the whirlwind party tour brought to you by MTV base and Zain.
Head down to Maisha Club in Dar es Salaam on Friday 19 November for a mesmerizing evening of Africa’s finest urban beats, starring music giants from across the Continent. Alongside Fally Ipupa; P-Unit and Joh Makini, the DJs ripping it up on the decks will include local heroes DJ PQ and DJ Steve B, while MTV VJ Vanessa Mdee will be presiding masterfully over the proceedings as MC.



Part of a pan-African musical celebration, Road To MAMAs - Tanzania is one of two thrilling Road To MAMA events building up to the third edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, which takes place in Lagos on 11 December 2010. The Road To MAMAs tour will also visit the DRC on Saturday 27 November.
Speaking about the show, Sam Ellangaloor, Zain Tanzania’s Managing Director, said; “The choice of Dar-es-Salaam as a venue of one of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain’s two pre-event shows is an indication of the positive impact that our local music genres such as Bongo are having in the continent. Zain Tanzania and MTV Networks Africa will work around the clock to ensure that this will be a showpiece event.”
Making his first Road To Mama appearance, Fally Ipupa is one of the DRC’s most exciting music exports, thanks to his silky-smooth voice, songwriting skills and larger–than-life personality. Ipupa, who will also be performing at the MAMAs in Nigeria, is nicknamed Dicap La Merveille (DiCaprio the marvellous) by his Congolese fans and has gained an international following for his infectious blend of soukous, ndombolo, pop and R&B. Joining Ipupa will be Kenyan hip hop trio, P-Unit and local spinners DJ Steve B (well known to music fans via his Clouds FM radio show XXL) and DJ PQ.
Doors at Maisha Club will be open from 8pm, with the party scheduled to go through to the next morning. Tickets will be available on the door at Maisha Club and cost 20,000 TSH.

THE CRUSHING TRUTH ABOUT LOVE IN THE TPF HOUSE

First things first, y'all already know K-Denk and Prudence were evicted on Saturday night? Right? Great. Now, here is an update on what cut this week in the Tusker Project Fame academy.
A contestant confessed that she has a crush on R Kay even as fitness coach Edu turned red at an awkward question from the girls.
“I think I like R Kay too much.” These are Paleki words uttered in confidence to Prudence, immediately after R Kay’s afternoon class.
Paleki went on to say that she thought the feeling was mutual but Prudence dissolved in a fit of laughter that left Paleki wondering if Prudence had also a crush on R Kay as well.


Paleki

That this edition of Tusker Project Fame is full of twist and turns, surprises and shocks; leaves us wondering what other curveballs the contestants will throw our way this week.

During Edu’s fitness session with the students, Prudence caused the unflappable Edu to get flustered when she coyly asked him whether there was any specific exercise he could show her to enhance the size of her bum!
Poor Edu walked off in a cough and told her he couldn’t answer her question after a protracted discussion that involved Amileena and some of the other girls in the house.
Afterwards, during Edu’s dance class, the Southern Sudanese gangster boy, K-Denk looked miserable as he kept on clutching his right hand.
A forlorn K-Denk was not even participating in the dance battle with Edu and it emerged that Steve had accidentally hurt him as they were horsing around during their free time the previous day.


Steve

Kavutha, however, cautioned Steve not to pick on K-Denk so much while they were at the Academy. Paleki even demanded to know why he kept on touching K-Denk and pushing him around.
Kavutha went ahead and asked the five contestants on Probation to watch a video of their Sunday performances. The other contestants also pitched in to help them analyse their performances with Aneth bemoaning that Gabiro did not fit into his song and Rachel advising Prudence to let her personality shine through her performance.


Prudence

Then R Kay walked in with a wonderful surprise; a trip out for the contestants to his studio to record the Academy theme song they have been practising the whole week!
He then proceeded to listen to the contestants practice their reggae songs. Amileena and Steve awed but K-Denk had some problems with the song that was chosen for him- Alpha Blondy’s Brigadier Sabari. He requested if he could have his song changed to one that’s in English.


Gaelle

Before dinner, Steve, Rachel, Gaga and Davis were in the kitchen discussing relationships and exclusivity. Steve said that he could not eye other women while he was in a relationship with someone. The girls readily agreed with this proposition as all the while Davis remained conspicuously quiet in the background strumming his guitar.
Will Steve be able to focus his attention on any of the girls in the Academy and remain exclusive come what may?

Keep it here and don’t forget to tune in to the daily weekday show from 8.30pm-9.00pm; East Africa time and 10.00pm-10.30pm Central African time on Citizen TV (Kenya), UBC TV (Uganda), TBC TV (Tanzania), Rwanda TV (RW) and SSTV in Sudan.

SAUTI SOL AND COMEDIAN ERIC OMONDI GO GREEN

The latest artist to go-green in Kenya are Afro pop, all-male band Sauti Sol and comedian Eric Omondi.
“The campaign aims to celebrate environmental stewardship in art, fashion and song, reminding us that the choices we make have long-term consequences for the planet”, says Sheila Koki GreenFest spokesman. After a green living induction, the comedian acknowledged it was more comical and fun to go green. The comedian and his troupe will unleash green comedy at the GreenFest Music&Arts Festival, a 3day festival to be held in the New Year eve. Sauti Sol will headline the ‘Green New Year’ celebrations among other acts.
the multi-talented acoustic band nominated for the Africa Music Awards 2010 and leading aka Eriko have gone green.
The month of December 2010 is dubbed as a ‘green month'.




Artist working on green songs include rapper Abbas, Wyre, Saint Crooner reggae artist, Mashauri and Wamathai the poet. The artist will be attending a creative environment workshop facilitated by environmental scientists in the month of October. The workshop will feature art and music and how these artistic capacities can develop and run an environmental solution project in local communities. This workshop will be open to any interested artist.
The festival organizers posted on its site (www.beryllfoundation.org ), a call for performing artist. The call notice states artistes who wish to participate at GreenFest to apply with the understanding that they will actively participate in promoting awareness of our planet safety. They will undergo climate change awareness training. The deadline for application is November 15. All selected artists, bands and groups will be provided with stalls to market and display their music merchandise during the festival.

CHANGES SEASON 2 IS BACK!

Kevin Mbugua and Patricia Kihoro

A drama about marriage, romance, love and life! That’s Changes, M-Net’s exciting African drama series which returns for a second season on October 20 at 20.30. DStv audiences can tune in to the show every Wednesday night for 26 weeks on M-Net (channel 101).
Filmed in Nairobi, the story revolves around three couples as they navigate the challenges of their relationships, from surviving tragedy to finding new futures. As the new season begins, Namata lies fighting for her life in hospital while her lawyer husband Alfred comes to terms with a startling revelation that will change his life forever, while his professional life dangles by a thread as a difficult case threatens to derail his career.
For struggling mother Lupita, caught in the grip of a dangerous addiction, what will the future hold as husband Jabali is caught up in a deadly web of revenge? As for the ever fashionable Cindy, she’s trying to work out what’s happened to her uncle – who was dead but whose body has now disappeared! Is he really dead and if so, who killed him?


Nini Wacera and Fareed Khimani

And there’s more as a host of new characters make their appearance and bring with them a whole new dimension to Changes. Look out for the secretive Steven whose obsession with a very specific piece of footage signals more drama, the elusive Naima who must evade Karimi, and cash-strapped Kiki and Pet looking for a way to survive. It’s all happening at Makao Close this season so stayed tuned.
Meanwhile, make sure you also check out Changes for its stellar cast which includes… Jimmi Gathu, Fareed Khimani, Louis Otieno, Pierra Makena, Godfrey Odhiambo, Kevin S. Mbugua, Renee Sewe, Margie Kiundi, Nini Wacera, Cleoptra Koheirwe, Patricia Kihoro, Nicholas Munene Mutuma, Trevor Gitonga, Keith Pearson, Gaetano Kagwa, Kone Nouhoum, Raymond Ofula, David Opondoe, Derek Bbanga, Elizabeth Aruwa, Lara Mastropasqua, Paddy Mwangi, Mona-Ombogo Scott and Samira Murage.


Biola and Patricia Amira

Commenting on the new season M-Net Africa Director Biola Adekanbi, who flew to Nairobi recently to attend the show’s launch, is pleased that season two is making its debut. “M-Net invested widely in this series because we saw its potential and understood that audiences want to see homegrown programming. We are delighted with the reception that season one of Changes received and we are confident that season two will not only deliver the same exciting content but will improve on it.”
For Wangeci Murage, M-Net East Africa Manager, Changes remains a dynamic series because at its heart are the age-old themes of love and family. “Changes is such a compelling story because audiences can identify with the challenges of relationships and with some of the aspects of each of these characters. But at the same time, it’s not at all predictable…it’s a very different world that audiences can access where drama, glamour and intrigue merge together explosively. Like any good drama, Changes is focused on keeping viewers surprised, engaged and ultimately entertained.”
Season two of Changes was produced for M-Net by Zebra Productions, headed by Margaret Kibe and Njoki Muhoho who are thrilled that the series is about to make its continental premiere. “We had such a wonderful time creating this world, these characters, this season. And many thanks must also go to our very professional, dedicated writers, cast, crew and suppliers, who understood our vision and were able to help in creating it. It is our deepest hope that audiences tuning in will enjoy the production as much as we did making it.”

LUTAN FYAH SUPORTS KENYA’S GREENFEST CAMPAIGN

Reggae act Lutan Faya has joined the GreenFest campaign, a Kenyan initiative to save the planet through music. The reggae act, will be joining a host of other Kenyan stars for the 3-day music and arts festival December 31 to January 2, 2011.
The festival is an emerging annual new life festival that hopes to encourage young adults and the creative industry at large to take on and address the most serious and potentially dangerous consequences to their health and well being caused by Climate Change through music, arts, culture and interactions.
However signing Lutan to the cause has not been easy. The organizer Henry Kioko a.k.a Carlos Henry told Hot Secrets that, some promoters in Kenya are calling Lutan’s agent Ra-Umi Alkebulan to shortchange him.
“There are some people already calling Alkebulan from Kenya and seeking deals with Lutan. Kenyans are funny crooks. He was so surprised people would call him instead of working with us. We are the exclusive agents. We shall sell Lutan in Kampala, Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
Currently Lutan is getting heavy rotation on Fm Radio stations for his hits like Jail, Looking Hot, Mighty Mouth, Give Thanks featuring I Wayne and One Life. The other acts also signed for the cause include Wyre the Love Child and Mutinda.

Here is a short message from the man himself:-

TOXIC IS BACK!

Controversial dancer and socialite, Juliet Kwamboka, a.k.a Toxic is making a comeback to the entertainment scene, this time as a singer.
“I had been thinking of quitting my job since August this year, not that I didn’t like my job, I appreciated it in every way,” She told Hot Secrets, “But I missed my dancing and stopping me from it, is like taking my life away.”
The CEO of Intoxicating Dancers has her comeback all mapped out, “My game plan is get back to the industry, as a recording artist and choreographer. I wont be dancing for other artistes but I will still sing and dance with my girls they will be part and parcel of my package.”
The singer who is now signed with Grandpa Records and Maliza Umaskini promotions says that she is still holding on to her job as a sales and marketing executive in a tourist firm.
Have a look out for her latest video It’s You before the end of this month.

CALIF RECORDS UNVEILS GOSPEL DEPARTMENT

There is a new department in the record label that has been associated with creating a new music movement, Genge, in the country. Calif Records has created a new segment for the gospel acts signed to the label. Thomas Mahondo, the Head of Operations for the label, said, “With the popularity of gospel music, Calif had to oblige and create a department. So far we are working with a number of acts whom we will reveal at a later date.”
The lead artiste from that section of the label is JemmoH among his releases is Flow (Revelation 4).



The label is also pushing two other acts to join the long list of hit makers like Jua Cali, Mejja, Kendi and Qta-C.
Singer turned producer Alpha Msanii is now back to reclaim his spot in the music arena. "I started out as an artiste before I became a studio engineering technician. I suppose Clemmo saw the interest I had in that area and offered to develop that in me. Now I want to explore the artiste part of me."
Alpha is the act that gave you the love track Msanii with the lovely Laety and Ushapoteza with Qta-C. Calif's newbie Ala-C has already released a slow RnB track with Kendi. At only 19, he has grabbed the attention of fans with his single and is thankful for getting the chance to collaborate with Kendi. He says of his hit song, "It is a love song and I’m telling my love interest where I have come from and expressing my feelings on the stuff we have gone through together."

NYOTA NDOGO IS GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR DRUGS

Coast diva Nyota Ndogo is a goodwill ambassador for drugs. For now plans are underway to get the ball rolling on the various responsibilities headed her way as an ambassador. “I just found out I have a lot to do this year. I have to live up to the title by assisting in anyway I can for a drug-free generation,” Nyota told Hot Secrets said.
The singer, who refused to divulge more details about her pet project, broke the bad news of losing a video producer for her latest single Wanionea. In a sad twist of fate, the producer who shot the video for the single died days after he had dropped a final cut of the video to the songstress.
“It is really sad that one day you are talking to someone and the next he is dead. The day he died, I talked to him on the phone in the afternoon. He asked if the video he had dropped was okay and I told him I liked the final edit and he could bring me the DVD copy the following day. At 10 pm that day I was called and told he had fallen down and died.”

KENYA’S AMANI TO JOIN SUPER 8 PAN AFRICAN GROUP

SONY music affiliate record label Rock 4000 is putting together a super African music group called One8 and from what I heard in the corridors of the entertainment industry, Amani could well be joining the fray.
Among the acts chosen for the project is Ugandan rapper Navio who is joined by R&B star JK from Zambia, Bongo Flava King Ali Kiba from Tanzania, Ghana's 4 by 4 and Paris based hip-hop duo from Gabon called Movaizhaleine. All these artists who are very talented and popular in their home countries will come together to form the super group One8.
The word on the street is that they will work on a major collaboration and will go round the continent on a tour of the eight countries joined by an international artiste. Big tings I tell you.
So far, the latest act to be signed is DRC’s acclaimed sex symbol, singer and songwriter Fally Ipupa has been revealed as the sixth member of the much-talked about growing phenomenon, ONE8. This leaves two vacant spaces to be occupied by Nigeria and Kenya, before the international top act that would join the African music supergroup to create the buzzing hit song is revealed.

SUZANNA OWIYO PERFORMS AT OBAMA’S SISTER BOOK LAUNCH

Afro fusion queen Suzanna Owiyo was in Germany to perform at President Barack Obama’s half sister book launch.
Speaking to Hot Secrets, Suzanna said, “Dr. Auma Obama's book presentation took place at the BMW Welt Auditorium in Munich on Thursday October 14. I feel excited and honored to be part of it, this being my first ever trip to Germany.” According to the programme, Suzanna was the only act.
Auma who grew up in Kenya and studied in Germany will be launching her autobiography titled ‘Das Leben kommt immer dazwischen. Stationen einer Reise’ (directly translated: Life always comes in between. Stations of a journey).
The book follows the life of the two siblings who grew up in two ends of the world but had a common father. How they meet, the exploration of family history and finally the support of his brother on his way to the U.S. presidency.
Some of the guest who attended include Willi Lemke, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Sport for Peace and Development and Conrad Robert Tribble, U.S. Consul General.

SISKO REPING KENYA IN GHANA’S INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION

Kenyan dance group Sisko are representing the country at this year's Malta Guinness Street Dance that started on October 6 and lasts for two months in Ghana. They are gunning for the honourable title of Pan African champion 2010.
They will compete against other crews like Nigeria’s X-Fellaz, Cameroun’s Extreme Fusion, Tanzania’s Best Friends and Ghana’s High Spirit for the top prize of Sh2.8 million. Over the next two months these five crews will be competing against each other in a slot at the reality TV series.
The five crews will take part in a boot camp where they will be tried and tested against the best of the best. They will face special challenges, work with top international choreographers and show off their skills in front of an industry panel of international expert judges, which will be
revealed in the coming months. The series will be broadcast internationally across the continent.