JULIANI ENTERS DEAL WITH NEW SOCIAL MEDIA SITE GOOGLE PLUS

Gospel singer Juliani launched his newest video, off his newalbum exclusively to the newest social media.

The rapper launched the video Exponential Potential exclusivelyto Google Plus, making Juliani the first Kenyan artiste to venture into the newworld of online marketing.

The singer is also using the new platform to get five “Superfans” to join him in on his road trip to Mombasa for his Pulpit Kwa Streetsalbum launch on December 24.

The rapper famed for his hits Mtaa Mentality and Hela hasbeen enjoying the prime placement of advertisements of his Google Plus page andYouTube channel on various websites that have enabled Google Adsense.

Google plus was launched to the public slightly over threemonths ago and in Kenya, last week. The site it makes connecting on the webmore like connecting in the real world. One can use easy, spontaneous videochat to strike up conversations with as many as nine people at once. You can alsoshare different things with different people. Circles make it easy to put yourfriends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and yourboss in a circle by himself, just like real life.

JIMMY GAIT TO BUILD HOUSES FOR IDPS

 Gospel singer Jimmy Gait recently took his philanthropiccampaign of Make It Or Make It to the internally displaced families in KieniForest’s Huruma Village.

Jimmy together with Expansion International are planning to buildhouses for the IDPs but they are at a crossroad because, they do not have theland to build on. They currently live in semi permanent structures.

 

The event, saw various artistes appeal to the government to provideland for the construction to take place to fully settle the IDPs who have beenliving in the forest for 11 years now.

Jimmy who recently released the remix to Furi Furi dancefeaturing Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, TV personalities Julie Gichuru and JeffKoinange, will use the single to raise funds.

“The single can be downloaded by Safaricom subscribers, allthey have to do is download it by SMSing ‘Jimmy Gait’ and sending it to 8025,”he said.

JIMMY GAIT AND UK SINGER MICA PARIS IN KIBERA

Late November, gospel singer Jimmi Gait and UK singer Mica Paris rolled up their sleeves and got down and dirty at the Kibera Slums.
The two were part of the Riziki Kenya and Kibera in Need initiative that saw them traverse the slum and take part in a feeding programme.Kibera In Need funds more than 200 Kibera children through school, runs a weekly feeding programme, has made small business loans and provided mattresses, vaccinations, medical support, outings, vocational training and much more.

  Jimmi Gait told Hot Secrets, “I was touched by the appreciation and the expression of joy by the kids when they saw us there. And the fact that we identified with them.”Jimmi came up with the Make IT or Make IT campaign that seeks to “encourage people who are down not to give up and strive to make it,” adding that, “I would like to see their livelihood improved and see an attitude change.”
Mica was recently honoured as an “Icon” at Windsor Castle by the Duke of Edinburgh and performed at his 90th birthday celebrations. Her trip to Kibera will be compiled into a documentary. On pledging her support for the work KIN is doing, she said, “It is indeed an honour to be a patron of this great cause. Our children are our future.”

AY, REMEMBER SAM? HE IS IN PRISON NOW

The Smallville actor who was featured in Rapper AY’s musicvideo Speak With Your Body shot in July will spend the Chrismas holidays behind bars.

The music video also features two American musicians Lil Romeo and La’Myia.

 Sam Jones checkedinto a correctional facility in Lompoc, California earlier this week to beginhis punishment, reports TMZ.com.

The former Smallville star was sentenced to serve 366 daysin prison in June after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell more than 10,000Oxycodone painkiller pills as part of a major Los Angeles drug ring.

DONELL JONES’ NAIROBI TOUR!

 

American RNB artiste Donell Jones jetted into the country onThursday for Friday (December 9) night’s performance at the Nairobi NationalPark.

The star was the headlining act for the concert dubbedDiscover The Tusker Lite Experience with Donell Jones. Singers Dela and Neema also performed at the concert. The Where I Wanna Be Star was excited to be in the country. Anyhow, here are some pics from his Nairobi tour and /orvisit.

KEVIN NDEGE’S MOVIE TO PREMIERE IN WASHINGTON DC

The movie, Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS thatfeatures Kenyan actor Kevin Ndege Mamboleo will be premiering in the US nextyear.

Kevin who acts in the KTN drama series Changing Times, playsKalu in the movie. He is a gifted footballer who moves from rural Kenya tourban Johannesburg to follow his dream and support his family. His path becomesmore challenging when he falls in love with the coach's daughter, Ify (KendraEtufunwa), and subsequently finds out he is HIV positive.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,Hotel Rwanda, 24) also stars as Kalu's mentor and tough-as-nails coach, whileFana Mokoena (Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda) plays the ruthless club owner.

Nairobi actor, Peter King plays Kalu’s coach who tries toteach him the meaning of team and Regina Re plays Miriam, Kalu’s mother. 

The US debut will be in Washington DC in January, followedby national broadcasts across sub-Saharan Africa and distribution throughgrassroots efforts of NGOs, schools and governments in 2012.

JUST A BAND'S LATEST VIDEO HUFF PUFF

This video, Huff Puff is the third promo produced for Just A Band's second album, 82. The song at the tail end of the video is Tingiza Kichwa, also from the album.

VOWELS BY OCTOPIZZO

Octopizzo is a hiphop artist from Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. He has recorded 3 mixtapes: S.O.N. (Strugglers of Nairobi), Y.G.B. (Young Gifted and Black), and The White Shadow.
Here is his latest single Vowels.

BRAND NEW: AY FEAT SAUTI SOL - I DONT WANNA BE ALONE

 

TOXIC SPEAKS HER MIND – INDEPENDENTLY

Controversial personality Toxic wears many hats, fromsocialite to dancer turned singer. She spoke to Hot Secrets about her Europeantour, the love of her life, and her latest music project.

How is fame treating you?

Well, fame for me is somehow a bitch. So, I like to ignorethe fact that it exists.

What was the idea behind the Independent Video?

Independent is a song I wrote some time back when I wasstill dealing with another single I had just released and it didn’t do well inthe market. But I’m a fighter. I don’t give up. If you listen to its lyrics, ithighlights on dancing and the independence of a woman. I wanted to bring outthe two factors. Something that is different.

Are you recording any collabos?

Well, as for collabos, I won’t say much right now but i cansay for sure I have a few lined up. Until I have at least had the song conceptlaid out and we have started recording with the artists, ill keep it close tomy chest.

You are touring Europe right now, how is that like?

I have been to the UK for two weeks and its not bad. Forsome weird reason it felt no different from home apart from the good roads andtrains and fast Internet speeds.

What shows are lined up for you there?

I have had a couple of shows here in Germany, where I ambased. Recently, I performed in Augsburg, Gutersloh and I am currently gettingready to curtain raise for Awilo Longomba in his show here in Hamburg inDecember. I am still meeting new promoters in the field and I am sure I willhave more shows with time.

What is the last book you enjoyed reading…

To be honest, I’m not much of a book reader but the book Iwant to buy this year is The Power of a Praying Wife. I hear its nice and Ithink I’d love to read it.

A common misconception about me…

People think I’m this arrogant bitch who thinks she has herway with everything.

Toxic with her dancers performing at the MTV MAMA’s withWyclef Jean

My worst childhood fears were… 

Being raped.

My ideal night out is…

If you asked me that 2 years ago, I’d tell you partying outwith my gals in Westlands, but now, a quiet dinner with my man and a bit ofdancing would do perfect for me.

If I were a politician I would

Act more and speak less.

The best part of my job is…

Meeting different people with different characters, fromdifferent walks of life hence learning new things from them.

Living leader I admire…

Ahhhh… i guess this is where Martha Karua falls under. I admireher guts and if all women were like her - confidence wise - Kenya would be on adifferent level.

My greatest regret is…

I regret meeting the man of my dreams recently. I wish I’dmet him years ago.

My greatest possession is…

My engagement ring.

PREZZO'S SH 490,000 VIDEO OUT. A HIT OR A MISS?

 

Kenya's King of bling and everything ostentatious has released his come back track and music video dubbed 4 Sho 4 Shizzy.

In an interview with Hot Secrets, Prezzo revealed that the video cost a good Sh 490,000.
The rapper stressed that his fans shouldlook forward to his music video which will be as “big as kawa,” and as usual willbe “just Prezzo – in the style of doing things”.
Anyho, here is the video. Is it a hit or a miss? Enjoy.

Prezzo whose real name is Jackson Makini talked about hisnew “girlfriend” of “one and a half years”.

The Nataka Tupendane rapper has been spotted severally withJoy Wanjohi who used to work at Phat Magazine hand in hand in several highprofile entertainment events.

He said, “She is my girlfriend, we have been together for ayear and a half now,” smiling, he added, “We meet long time ago when she wasworking at Phat Magazine, but back then, it wasn’t meant to be till now.”

Prezzo likened his relationship with Joy to that ofcontroversial America couple Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose. He said, “I feel likewhat Wiz Khalifa feels with Amber Rose.”

Joy joins the list of ladies linked to Prezzo, they includeradio personality Sheila Mwanyigha, video vixen Al Huddah Shariff and ex-wifeDaisy Kiplagat.

ERIC WAINAINA RELEASES LOVE AND PROTEST ALBUM

For only, Sh399, y’all can have a listen to Eric Wainaina’s latest musical album titled Love and Protest. This weekend sees the official launch of the album that will also see Eric hosting album signings and performances at select Nakumatt stores in Nairobi. 

The itinerary is as follows; on Saturday, December 3, he will be at Mindspeak Conference at Hotel Intercontinental at 9 am, the at 3pm he will hold album signing at Nakumatt Embakasi and at Nakumatt Mega at 6pm. 

Then on Sunday December 4, he will hold two signing at 3pm, Nakumatt Junction and at 6pm at the Nakumatt Westgate. 

The title of the album is exactly who Eric as an artiste has been. According to his profile details on his website the Twende Twende star is described as one who has composed hit singles that are “powerful indictments of the authoritarian and ethnically divisive governments that have governed Kenya since independence”. 

His middle class up-bringing in Nairobi and thorough music grounding at the Berklee College of Music don’t make him the most likely candidate for leading social revolutions, yet this is precisely what he has done, time and again, through his music, right from his career onset in Nairobi.

With Love and Protest, Eric has featured tracks that are familiar to fans via his numerous performances.Some of the songs include Fancy Car and Orutu Special.

NICK NDEDA JOINS CAST OF JACOB CROSS

Kenyan actor, Nick Ndeda has been selected to join the castof South Africa TV series, Jacob’s Cross.

Nick will be joining the set of Jacob’s Cross this week. Oursource says that he could be traveling to South Africa this week to take up arole in the South African TV series that is on it’s 7^th season.

The 26-year-old actor, radio presenter and writer recentlybagged a role in local TV series Higher Learning. And was on set shooting thenewest series of Shuga dubbed Love, Sex, Money.

Jacob’s Cross is set in both South Africa and Nigeria, thestory centres around businessman Jacob Makhubu and his quest to build the nextgreat South African empire. But Jacob has to contend with the antics of hishalf brother Bola.

CEDRICK TODWELL: THE SMALL MAN BEHIND THE BIG EVENTS

Who is Cedrick Todwell?

Cedrick is Africa’s nexttop business man watch this space and I mean it. Currently I’m full time at mycompany, Twelve Agency. We are a small time marketing and event management  firm with some pretty big clients.
My childhood was full of ups, downs, and everything in between. I watched assome of the things I held close go away and I lacked all the privileges some ofyou had. It's funny how time and certain situations change things and people.I’ve learned new lessons and re-enforced old ones, trust, relationships andloyalty are extremely rare in the world. As the night falls and doors close tomy past, I will reflect on the past, and plan for the future. My now and futureis looking good, just gotta make it happen!!!!
 

What do you do?

I am a business development manager with Verge Media asister company to level One Communication and part time MD at Twelve Agency. Wemajor in advertising, creative and experiential marketing with some great clients like Sony/Google among others. Formore info check us out on our website.

What are your aspirations, passions with respect to your company?

I am a business gambler and an adventurer at heart, one wholoves to take risks, to discover and explore new worlds, and to travel theuntried path rather than the safe, reliable one. I am independent, freedomloving, and often very restless. I have a lifestyle that provides opportunitiesfor travel, movement, change, and meeting new people.

An incurable optimist, I have big dreams, aspirations andhope for the future and I am usually engaged in pursuing a far-off goal. I havea great deal of faith and trust in life and failures do not crush my spirit. Ialways bounce back from disappointments due to God, often with another brightdream or scheme.

What motivated you to do what you do?

When I grew up my dad always told me I need to leave alegacy and you can leave a legacy either through planting a tree, having achild or writing a book but I want to leave a legacy that will change peopleslives for the better and that’s by doing international events and raising thebar of international gospel events.

Where do you see yourself two years from now?

I see myself going global with Twelve Agency mostly in areas of advertising and events becausealready we have spread our tentacles in Africa…we are already building strongpartnership with like minded partners in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica and in 2012 we heading to West Africa.

How many events have you done?
I have done quite a number thanks be to God. There’s the Chevelle Franklyn Xtreemeweekend/ Recharge Concert with Marvin Winans Jr, Sherwin Gardner and Damita Haddon,Love At The Dome that featured Stitchie, The Cece Winans Kenya tour, The Big Pictureevent that was headlined by Da Truth, Rapper flame who headlined the Capturedconcert and most recently the Unashamed Kenya concert featuring Lecrae and 116 crew.

Which was the best event ever?
I can say 116 was the best event cause we had lots of mediasupport especially you Hot Secrets, got some great supportive sponsors (StandardGroup, Naivas, Ghetto Radio, Mavuno, Spinrej DJ), and the attendance wasamazing just over 4000 people.

What are some of the major challenges you go through in Kenya whenorganising and promoting your events?

Malice and negativity from guys in the industry! Somethingstrange is that it is starting to get into the gospel industry. It is gettingto a point where people form hate cliques and start mudsling. There is also theissue of high taxes.

What keeps you awake at night?

Positioning  myself asthe #2 guy at everything I do. All my businesses; everything that I do. Being#2 gives me a challenge: whoever thinks they're #1 I'm giving you fair warning,stay on your toes cause I'm right at your back!!! Don't sleep, don't party,don't go trickin'.

What is your advice for a young events organiser?

Do not give up, the journey won’t be so smooth there aretimes you will burn your fingers but the passion is what will drive you.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

(Laughing) I won’t say that for now…..it keeps changing eachmonth.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Setting up Twelve Agency and being able to hire 5 people. Iam grateful for the team at Twelve they are so amazing.

What was the biggest gig that got away?

I think it was the Megafest Unplugged that plunged me to avalley as I was planning to bring to Kenya 7 international gospel actsbut 2 weeks to the event, we realized that the artiste’s plane tickets had beenbooked using stolen credit cards. After that event I was branded afraudster/conman especially with people in the church but during that time Imanaged to find new friends who embraced me and walked with me in the journey.

  
If I gave you an elephant where would you hide it?

How big will the elephant be? If I know the size I will know,so get me the size.

AVRIL & MARYA GO TOPLESS FOR CANCER

The bold and beautiful Ogopalets took their tops off infrontof a camera for the cancer awareness campaign. The two stars, Avril and Marya got a breast cancer medical exam on camera! This cause  isvery personal to Marya who lost her biological mother and grandmother to thedisease.

The two teamed up with Link 254, The Pink Project and AARWilliamson to raise awareness amongst young women about the silent killer thatis cancer.

EDI GATHEGI DATING SOPRANO ACTRESS

Mr Edi Gathegi is dating. According to online sources, Ediis seeing Soprano actress Jamie Lynn Siegler.

The details of the when, where, how and everything inbetween is scanty. When I read about it, all that came to mind is RL and ErickSermon’s song Got Me A Model.

*Whistling and singing along to the track*

 It's a nice body
(I got me a model)
She can't look like a shorty
(I got me a model)
She knows how to party
(I got me a model)
I gotta tell somebody
(I got me a model)
She ain't level headed
(I got me a model)
Thinkin' bow legged
(I got me a model)
So why ain't Mama trickin'
(I got me a model)
Fellas get to listen
(I got me a model)

RL - Got Me A Model Feat. Erick Sermon (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: RL

CANDID LOOK AT THE MAN, KWAME MUZIK

Hot Secrets caught up with Kwame Rigii who is known by hismusic moniker Kwame Muzik. Kwame talked about his music, tribute to the late NobelLaureate Prof. Wangari Maathai and the little things that make him tick as aman and musician.

Tell me a bit about the Wangari Maathai song?
The Wangari Maathai tribute is a song Mama Africa I did to celebrate an amazing woman,fighter and an amazing Kenyan. I had earlier written a song on environment andthe initial plan was to incorporate the late Prof. Wangari Maathai but we nevergot the chance to meet, so after the sad news that she had passed on, I decidedto do some changes on the chorus and sing about her and still talk about canceron the bridge.

We have heard the release, what is next on your musical releases?
I have been working on my debut album and will be coming out soon, we areworking on some few logistics and once that is done, then I will be giving youa chance to listen to NedokaH Music (My Music). I will be releasing/launchingmy next single, Stop The Stigma,  a song denouncing different forms of stigma against minorities(ethnic minorities, people living with HIV/AIDS, sexual minorities, refugeesand IDPs) on December 5, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 2011 ICASA(16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection s inAfrica)

Are you recording any collabos?
For now I am not but in the future, yes.

What is that one thing your Kenyan fans don't know about you?
That I’m very passionate about kids and women. I am a socially engaged artist,particularly working with kids.

What is the last book you enjoyed reading is…
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

A common misconception about me…
That I’m an introvert and a Rastafarian.

My worst childhood fears were…
Being chased by dogs - and it did actually happen.

My ideal night out is…
Chilling out, in a conducive environment listening to some beautiful music. Ifat home, cook (Which I love) and meditate.

If I were a politician I would…
Just be me. Work in common cause with people who are poor and those who havebeen denied their rights to obtain social justice and development.

The best part of my job is…
Listening to what I’ve been working on.

My greatest regret is…
The purpose of life is to live it with no regrets. I never look back and say ‘Iwish’.

Historical figure I admire…

Martin Luther King Jr. He never let go or bowed to pressure.He fought for what he believed in, left a legacy, his dream is still alive.

Living leader I admire…

The good and admirable onesare long gone.

My greatest possession is
My attitude.