FINDING MIMMOH: KENYA’S RISING DIVA…

Describe Mimmo Wanjuhi?
A music lover who’s driven and is very aware of what’s happening around her which influences my music alot! Having said that, i am a scatter brain who writes songs about anything and everything that touches me in one way or another. I am also a little shy in person.

Before the fame, what were you doing?
I was and still am a journalist at Hot96 where I have risen through the years to position of news editor. I was however still singing though not professionally while attending Graffins College.


Mimmoh interviewing Wycleff Jean during the 2009 MAMA awards in Nairobi


How do you balance the two?
It’s challenging sometimes and honestly, my music did suffer when I was promoted to news editor in 2008 because I was required to put in a lot in the newsroom. I have however since learnt how to strike a balance. On a normal day I’m in the office by 5.30am up until 1pm so my afternoons are flexible. If I’m not at home writing music or having a meeting of sorts, then you’ll find me in the studio finishing up on my album.. I keep a diary strictly for my afternoon engagements.

What don't your fans know about you?
That I’m currently learning how to play the violin… My younger brother, a student at K.U (KenyattaUniversity) is very good at playing instruments like the violin, guitar and piano so I’m taking lessons from him. It’s hard though! Lol!



Your latest single Morning After, what is it about?
It’s about things that could go wrong when you pick up a guy/chick in the club and take them back to your place. It was actually inspired by a good friend of mine who after taking home a chic woke up two days later without most of his furniture, cash and other valuables!




Tell me about your other singles and how they have given you a chance to advance in the industry? (Best Friend and Karee)..
Best friend was produced at Ogopa Deejays in 2008, it was huge for me. As my first track, I’m glad that it was well received and even won me the Boomba Female Artiste award during the 2008 Kisima Music Awards.



Having featured Collo of Kleptomaniacs, that also gave the track a much needed boost. In 2010, I also recorded a track inspired by my late mom called Muciari which surprised many who think having grown up in Nairobi I may not know my Kikuyu! Last year, I was also featured in P Unit's hit track Kare which gave me the bounce back into the music industry after a hiatus to concentrate on my radio job.



Its 2011, what are some of the projects you are working on?
Jua Cali has featured me on the remix to his track Kazi ni Kazi, I am also working on a track with Madtraxx and just finished another one with Lady B called Rollercoaster. I am also in talks with one of the leading hip hop artistes in Ghana and another in Tanzania though I’m not at liberty to disclose any names until both deals are sealed.



Please describe what inspires your upcoming album, Finding Me More?
It’s basically a life journey as I find myself some more and what it is I go through and how I handle it… I feel it will resonate with my fans because it touches on issues they can relate with like love, self destructing in relationships or jobs etc. In the album, I have also delved into issues inspired by my friends, colleagues, acquaintances and how those situations have affected me.

WHEN NAIJA WAS IN NAIROBI

I know, i know it's weeks overdue but i have to post a piece on the AMAA nomination night ceremony in Nairobi.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations party took place on February 25-26 at Ole Sereni where the known Nigerian and Ghanian movie stars attended.



Some of the stars who have confirmed attendance include Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye, Jackie Appiah, Kate Henshaw Nuttal and Joke Silva among others.




The following night at the Carnivore, P-Square and P Unit performed at the conclusion of the AMAA nomination ceremony.

RICK ROSS FOR MAMAS

Former prison guard - or not - Rick Ross has joined the list of performers for this year's MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel.
The rapper along with Kenya’s P-Unit, South Africa’s Jozi and Nigeria’s Wande Coal will join previously announced performers DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast), 2Face (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Banky W (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Teargas (South Africa) and Cabo Snoop (Angola) on stage at the event.



This is Rick Ross’ first ever visit to Africa and the rapper is very excited about the opportunity to perform in Nigeria. Rick Ross is not just a performer but also a nominee as well. He is nominated in the Best International Category. Following the trend set by international nominees who performed at the MAMAs in prior years, it is safe to assume that Rick will be walking away with the award.
Making their first appearance at the MAMAs, Best Group contenders P-Unit are going head to head against Uganda’s Radio & Weasel, South Africa’s Teargas and multiple MAMA winners and Nigerian music phenomenon, P-Square.



The MAMAs will take place at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Saturday 11 December 2010 and will broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), MTV platforms around the world and partner TV stations from 18 December 2010.

KENYAN MAMA NOMINEES TALK, DADDY OWEN, P-UNIT, AND MUTHONI

Three Kenyan acts who are nominees for this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA)spoke to Hot Secrets.
Breaking the record for the first ever gospel act to be nominated in any MTV award is Daddy Owen. The King of Kapungala has received a nod in the Best Anglophone category for his hit single Tobina while hip hop outfit P-Unit got a mention for Best Group for single Karee and Muthoni’s Mikono Kwenye Hewa secured her a spot in the Brand: New category.
“I give all the glory to God for this. It was just last year when the MAMAs were in Nairobi and I got the chance to attend. I kept asking myself, ‘What is the gospel industry doing wrong such that there are no gospel acts nominated or performing’. That is when I purposed to find out hat it takes to make a mark,” Daddy Owen said.
Asked if he will bring the trophy home, he said, “My goodness nothing is impossible.”



A speechless Muthoni was also surprised at the news of the nomination, “I’m surprised and wow,” was all she could say. P Unit’s Frasha, Bon Eye and Gabu were also excited about the nomination. They are currently on a nationwide tour dubbed Wateule Tour with all-boy-band Sauti Sol.

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.