KORA AWARDS CHIEF WANTED IN NAIJA

Since winning the 2010 KORA Award for Best African Reggae Act, Best African Artist, and Best Music Video Director, King Wadada, P-Square and Jude Okoye, have not seen a dime of their prize money. King Wadada was supposed to get $20, 000 (N3m), P-Square $1m (N150, 000, 000) and Jude Okoye $10, 000 (N1.5m), but nothing has been heard from the KORA organizers. KORA Awards chairman, Ernest Adjovi, has literally disappeared into thin air. Nobody knows where he is...at least nobody in Nigeria, not even his erstwhile media managers, Z-Mirage. So please if you see him anywhere, tell him he's wanted in Nigeria.

WINNERS CHAPEL CONTINUES TO PROSPER

The Winners Chapel GO has completed a multi million naira Goshen project, called Goshen City, situated along Kilometre 26, Abuja-Keffi Road, in Abuja. The new Goshen City is a camp like Canaanland, which is situated in Ota, Ogun State. Goshen City, which sits atop over 560 acres of land, has a primary school (Kingdom Heritage Model School), a secondary school (Faith Academy), a youth centre, a mini housing unit, a 15, 000-seater auditorium, printing press and so many other facilities. It cost the church a whooping N2 billion and three years to make the Goshen project a reality.

D'BANJ BUYS A NEW WHIP WORTH $200,000..AN ASHTON MARTIN...

The Naija international star turned G.O.O.D music signing is making loads of cash in what may seem as a tough economic times. Yes ,D'banj has acquired a $200,000 whip..read Ashton Martin. This is a car for big boys...In other juicy news from the celebrated act....The crooner is currently in a hush hush romance with Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari. The actress was spotted a fortnight ago, precisely on Friday and Saturday,October 14th and 15th 2011 at the crooner’s house where she spent the weekend and paraded herself in a sexy night attire.Other sources also confirm that the two have been an item long before now and have been spotted many times together in Ghana as well.

NOLLYWOOD STARS JET IN KENYA AGAIN......

The stars

ASHAWO STAR TO LAUNCH ALBUM IN SA

Flavour’s album, ‘Uplifted’ will be available in South African music stores this November, Lolhiphop Records has announced. The hunky Nigerian singer has captured the hearts of music lovers in South Africa with seductive dance moves and banging hits such as Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) and Adamma.
Lolhiphop Records President Wax Dey said the release is a move to quench the thirst for Nigerian music in South Africa.
“Over the past few years, Nigerian music has achieved significant underground success in South Africa.  But In 2011, Flavour has set a precedent by gaining mainstream recognition in South Africa, with high rotation on major stations such as Metro FM and 5 FM.” “This popularity is helping the local industry tremendously. We are seeing more collaborations and new fanbases across the continent for South African artists. It has also raised the bar for local video production, making South African music more competitive and globally successful.In addition, Nigerian artists spend a significant amount of money in South Africa, producing music and first-class videos. This is a healthy relationship that must be encouraged,” said Wax.
Flavour’s album is only the first of several such releases to come from Lolhiphop Records. The label is expected to announce more releases from top Nigerian artists in March 2012. Born Chinedu Okoli, Flavour began his music career in 2002 at the age of 19. He joined the band Enugu as a drummer and pianist. He went solo in 2004 and released the album Nabania in 2008. In 2011, Flavour teamed up with Godfather Productions in South Africa to release the music video of the single ‘Nwa Baby”. It became an instant international hit, and a popstar was born.
Flavour has since become one of the continent’s most sought after artists. He is set to perform in Botswana and South Africa this November, before going on tour in Europe and the United States.
He will also perform at the upcoming Channel O music video awards, for which he has two nominations.
The album UPLIFTED (International GOLD Edition) was billed for release during Easter 2012, but massive public demand has driven a soft release in music stores this year. This means that music lovers will be able to buy the album in South Africa from 15 November.

SEXY GHANAIAN ACTRESS STARTS A REALITY SHOW

Heard the Ghanaian/Nollywood actress and some of her very close family members are getting set to star in their own reality show titled - The Buari Ville. The show will feature Nadia Buari's parents, and siblings.Critics are already labelling the actress a c

opycat saying the whole concept is borrowed from the Kim Kardashians show.

NOLLYWOOD ACTOR LIVING LARGEST

Actor Jimmy lyke lives terribly large. No doubt that he should be labelled ..'Mr. Showbiz'. Dude rides in expensive whips and rolls big. Recently,the  celebrated actor acquired a Plymouth Prowler Convertible and a Camaro SS Convertible worth millions of Naira recently. He will also officially open his Untamed Closet on November5 in Abuja.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE TO RAISE FAMINE MONEY FOR KENYA

WILLS and Kate are set to make a personal plea to help the 13million victims of the famine in Kenya and Somalia.In the royal couple's first joint humanitarian mission, they will visit UNICEF's supply distribution centre in Copenhagen next week.And they will use their global fame to highlight the desperate plight of more than 320,000 children who are at risk of death after East Africa's worst drought for 60 years.The region is dear to their hearts as Kenya is where the couple, both 29, got engaged.A Clarence House source said they had been deeply moved by the tragedy and want to "do their bit". Britain has donated £128million to the cause since July but more is needed. Unicef UK chief David Bull said: "I am thrilled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are committed to helping."

NOLLYWOOD STAR WINS A UK MOVIE AWARD

The actress who recently completed a tour of four countries on a project she is still keeping under wraps, was on Sunday announced as favorite West African actress of the year at the reputable Screen Nation Film and Television Award, which held in indigo O2 Arena in the UK. The award ceremony was hosted by Angelica Bell and Michael Underwood. In winning this year’s award, Omotola beats other nominees such as Jackie Appiah, Mercy Johnson, Genevieve Nnaji , Ama K Abebrese and others. The award further confirms the international brand following of the actress who is also an ambassador of the United Nations and Amnesty International. Omotola, who has been adjudged as the West African actress with the highest number of following on the internet, has been doing so much on the international scene of late. Her international expedition has taken her to countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone on charitable ventures. Her charitable ventures earned her the United Nations and Amnesty International ambassador and an honorary citizen of Liberia; she took to the runway to help draw attention to hunger in some African countries. The Screen Nation film and TV Awards is a televised event, which takes place in October during Black History Month and combines the glamour of international movie stars alongside British talent. The awards ceremony – dubbed by the media as the ‘’Black BAFTAs’’ – brings together actors, actresses, directors and filmmakers from the UK and international film and TV industry.

WOLE SOYINKA COMES TO NAIROBI

Re-known African literature expert, film writer, poet and play write Professor Wole Soyinka is set to grace this year’s Kenya International Film Festivals that will take place between October 21 -31, 2011.

Wole will be joined by Idrissa Ouedraogo, a well-known film director from Burkina Faso as jury member at KIFF 2011. Ouedraogo is a graduate of the African Institute for Cinema Studies (Institut Africain d’Etudes Cinématographiques) in Ouagadougou and has directed various short films. Ouédraogo also graduate school at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinématographiques IDHEC in Paris in 1985.

Ouédraogo is also known for winning the Grand Prix for his film Tilaï (The Law) at the 1990l Cannes Film Festival, and the FIPRESCI Award for his 1986 film Yam Daabo (The Choice). His 1993 film Samba Traoré won the Silver Bear at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival.  

Prof. Soyinka, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, has written 21 plays, 2 novels, 5 memoirs, 10 poetry collections, 6 essays and 3 movies. His visit to Kenya has been made possible by the Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board. The literary giant will also be accompanied by several Nigerian film producers who submitted their films for viewing at the KIFF.

In keeping with KIFF’s tradition, Prof. Soyinka is expected also facilitate a forum for literature scholars in Nairobi. During the forum film dons, film makers and lecturers will interact and with the insight of Prof. Soyinka forge the way forward on film syllabus and curriculum in Kenyan universities and colleges.   

Festival director Mr. Charles Asiba said: “We are delighted to have a personality of the stature of Prof. Wole Soyinka, who is an authoritative figure in the African film industry to come and grace us with his presence. We are also excited with the fact that KIFF is going to be used as platform for Prof. Soyinka   to educate the young literature scholars in Kenya”. 

SYLVIA OWORI'S NEW BOYFRIEND

Sylvia and Malik

Uganda's fashion designer and publisher Sylvia Owori is dating again. The mother of two and one of Uganda's powerful fashion voices has a young dude whom she's spending her hard earned money on.Her current toyboy is called Malik Kaliisa. The publisher of African Magazine separated with her white hubby several months ago.

PHOTO OF THE DAY..ONLY IN KAMPALA

FORBES REVEALS: AFRICA'S POWERFUL CELEBRITIES

The debut list of Forbes Africa 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa includes actors, cerebral authors, musicians, movie producers, supermodels, TV personalities and athletes, drawn from all across Africa and traverses the generational divide. Top 10 below...

1. Chinua Achebe, 80, Novelist (Nigeria)
2. Youssou N'dour, 51, Musician (Senegal)
3. Didier Drogba, 33, Footballer (Cote D'Voire)
4. Angelique Kidjoe, 51, Musician (Benin Republic)
5. Akon, 38, Musician (Senegal)
6. Wole Soyinka, 77, Playwright (Nigeria)
7. Salif Keita, 62, Musician (Mali)
8. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 46, (South African)
9. Oumou Sang, 43, Musician (Mali)
10. Femi Kuti, 49, Musician (Nigerian)
11. Toumani Diabaté, Malian, Musician

12. Oliver Mtukudzi, 59, Zimbabwean, Musician 

13. Haile Gebrselassie, 38, Ethiopian, Athlete 

14. Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, 51, Algerian, Musician 

15. Samuel Eto'o, 30, Cameroonian, Soccer Player 

16. Alek Wek, 34, Sudanese, Supermodel 

17. Liya Kebede, 33, Ethiopian, Supermodel 

18. Dobet Gnahoré, 29, Ivorian, Musician 

19. Genevieve Nnaji, 32, Nigerian, Actress 

20. Koffi Olomidé, 55, Congolese, Musician 

21. Neill Blomkamp, 32, South African, Movie Director 

22. Souad Massi, 39, Algerian, Musician 

23. Baaba Maal, 58, Senegalese, Musician 

24. Hugh Masekela, 72, South African, Musician 

25. K'Naan, 33, Somali, Rapper 

26. Amadou and Mariam, Malian, Musicians 

27. Awilo Longomba, Congolese, Musician 

28. Eric Wainaina, 38, Kenyan, Musician

29. Binyavanga Wainaina, 40, Author (Kenya)
30. Ngugi Wa Thiongo, 73, Author (Kenya)
31. Freshlyground, Musicians (South Africa)
32. Chimamanda Adichie, 34, Writer (Nigeria)
33. Rokia Traoré, 37, Musician (Mali)
34. Tuface Idibia, 36, Musician (Nigeria)
35. P-Square, 29, Musicians (Nigeria)
36. Don Jazzy, 30, Music Producer (Nigeria)
37. D'Banj, 31, Musician (Nigeria)
38. Nneka, 31, Musician (Nigeria)
39. Asa, 29, Musician (Nigeria)
40. Patricia Amira, 33, TV Personality (Kenya) 

Do you agree with this list?

BONGO FLAVA STAR DIAMOND ENGAGED TO A SERIAL DATER

Finally,they're now engaged. Talk about taking their affair to the next level. Tanzania's play girl or better call her serial dater former Miss Tanzania Wema Sepetu has finally won the heart of Bongo flava crooner Diamond. The two whose relationship has been talk of town have gone a step ahead. And now the grapevine is that a wedding may be on the cards before the end of the year. Wema is also an actress and has dated several Tanzanian stars.

MANDELA'S FAMILY REALITY SHOW PREMIER'S IN SA

South Africans will glimpse into the lives of Nelson Mandela's family when a reality show featuring three of his grandchildren premiers in 2012, the producers said Thursday.

"The show provides a first look into a high-profile South African family," the producers said in a statement.

The stars of the show, Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway, 34, Swati Dlamini, 32 and Dorothy Adjoa Amuah, 27, promise to "showcase contemporary independent women in South Africa", it said.

"Their aim is to showcase the new Africa and give viewers a peek into its level of sophistication and its exciting potential," said the statement.

It will trace the daily lives of the American-schooled women who lead glitzy lives among Johannesburg's rich and famous, it said.

"These girls may have grown up abroad but they have all chosen to come back home to South Africa and bring the best that they have gathered in their international experiences and studies," it said.

"They feel that they can make a positive contribution to the continent," said the statement.

Mandela's daughter Zenani, born with his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is the mother of the two Dlamini women. Amuah is the step-daughter of Makaziwe Mandela, one of Mandela's children with his first wife Evelyn.

The producers did not say what the rest of Mandela's family thinks of the show, but said "they believe they have fought for the right for their children to choose their own destiny and their own path".

The show would be the latest commercial initiative connected to Mandela. Two months ago, a local clothing company launched a fashion line to raise money for Mandela's AIDS charity.

The clothes were last week paraded at a Fashion Week.

It is not clear whether the ailing Nelson Mandela, now 93 and living in his village home, will feature in the show.

RAPPER EVE, CABO SNOOP AND SHAGGY IN NAIROBI READY TO ROCK

Eve makes a step outside Serena Hotel Nairobi

 

 

 

D'BANJ ,DON JAZZY DENY RUMOR

From D'Banj and Don Jazzy's publicist...

We find it really mischievous and wicked for somebody to sit in the comfort of his home and send out messages capable of damaging the lives of his fellow human being.”

This statement above formed part of the statement by multi award hip hop artistes and producer, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly called D’banj and Don Jazzy, C.E.O of Mo’Hits Records’ media company, Media Image Managers.

 Late Sunday night through Monday, Internet and Blackberry broadcast messages were flying around which said the duo were ‘arrested’ in the US with 1,000 kilograms of substance suspected to be hard drugs and they have been detained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.

 The stars’ publicist in the statement described the news as the handiwork of people who want to bring down any successful person. “It is this Shoot Him Down Syndrome (SHDS) that has pervaded the country for years now, and artistes as well as celebrities bear the brunt more. We want to state categorically that Dbanj and Don Jazzy are in Lagos. They are nowhere near New York or even Ghana.”

 The statement continued: “The two respected artistes are proud Nigerians doing the country proud worldwide. They do not need to peddle drugs as they are successful young men who worked hard to get to where they are today. The report making the rounds that they were arrested in America on Sunday is false and an attempt to tarnish the image of these proudly Nigerian artistes. It’s a figment of someone's evil imagination. We at Media Image Managers are not losing sleep about this malicious campaign, but records must be set straight. D'banj and Don Jazzy are at their Lekki home in Lagos, Nigeria, they are well and okay. They have had no brush with the law for any reason, not even for a traffic offence. What makes it more funny is the fact that D’banj and Don Jazzy were having a routine meeting with many others including his media company representatives on Monday when obnoxious message dropped in many phones in the living room claiming the duo were in custody in America. Really sad.”

 Since the popularity of Internet,people have literally gone gaga. Every average Nigerian is now a journalist as they struggle to outdo each other in broadcasting the news of the death of popular people as well as posting on their status on social networking site, Facebook. These news turn to be false most of the time. Nigerians have killed former Biafra war lord Chief Udumegwu Ojukwu and Freedom fighter, former South African President, Nelson Mandela several times before they will eventually die.

It was a  broadcast message that sparked off a widespread panic early this year. Some mischievous people started spreading the news that the Third Mainland Bridge was falling apart and people should avoid that route. Government of Lagos had to debunk that claim. So many incidents that have led to panic had been caused by this new generation Blackberry and Facebook ‘journalists’. Rumour peddlers have told the world that Charly Boy was ‘dead’ some couple of years ago. They ‘killed’ gospel musician and Evangelist Sonny Okosuns once before he eventually died. The most guilty of this crime are faceless individuals who run web sites. They have turned the Internet to blackmail tool used in running anybody who tries to stand up to them down.

“That is why we at Media Image Managers will want to use this opportunity to call on government to call Nigerians to order by way of enlightenment on the need to verify information before they spread it further. D’banj and Don Jazzy, two successful artistes are target today (so many people had been targets in the past), who knows the next target? These young men even when they were yet to break into limelight did not do any illegal thing, so it would be most sad now that almost a decade of hard work that has paid off would be rubbished by engaging in anything illegal.”

D’banj and Don Jazzy aside winning many awards were recently signed American superstar Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music

SHAGGY, SNOOP PLANT TREES IN HONOR OF WANGARI MATHAI

SHAGGY planting a tree

cabo snoop planting his tree at Karura forest

The Tusker All Stars prime guests Shaggy and Cabo Snoop and icons Msechu, Alpha and Davies, today joined the East African Breweries Ltd E-Green Team at the Karura Forest for a tree planting session as part of Karura Forest Conservation efforts. The Stars, who are in Kenya for East Africa’s biggest musical fete, the Tusker All Stars Concert, planted a selection of various indigenous trees and took time off to enjoy serenity and bond with nature at one of the country’s most famous conservation names. Speaking during the tree planting event, EABL’s Marketing Director, Kenya, Caroline Ndungu said, “Environmental conservation, as one of the EABL Foundation key pillars, is not only an initiative that we invest a lot of resources into but also a calling that is deeply embedded in our corporate social responsibility mission,” “Bringing the Tusker All Stars to Karura Forest, one of our country’s greatest environmental assets, therefore gives them the crucial and memorable opportunity in lending a hand in its conservation.” She added. Adding his voice during the exercise, American musician, Shaggy said he was excited to be part of the initiative.”Sustaining the environment is an obvious concern across the world and as responsible global citizens, each one of us has a responsibility to play in ensuring that we do all it takes to conserve the planet for future generations,” Shaggy said. “I thank EABL for giving us the opportunity to join them in this very symbolic and historical initiative,”
On his part, Angolan musician, Cabo Snoop in his native Portuguese noted that trees are one of the planet and humanity’s most valuable assets and whose conservation calls for genuine commitment from all. “As plantas sao importantes para o ser humano, por isso vamos manter a nossa missao em conserva-las (trees are important to mankind, let us make it our mission to conserve them.” Said Snoop.

CONTROVERSIAL TPF JUDGE TO JUDGE FASHION

Reality show judge Ian Mbugua will take up a new job as a judge but this time as a fashion cop judge. Ian will judge the competitors’ costumes at the AccessKenya Africa Concours d’Elegance to be held by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club at the Nairobi Racecourse on September 25.
He will be joined by Millicent Ogutu, a popular actress at Phoenix Players.
Ian said, “These will be worn by a significant number of competitors in the Concours d’Elegance while they parade their cars and motorcycles for judging. The costume contest adds to the status and style of the event and is a popular gathering point for spectators in the Racecourse grand stands. It is hoped that as many entrants as possible will enjoy competing for the lavish awards.”

. AVRIL TO STAR IN MTV DRAMA SERIES

Ogopa DJ artiste Avril has bagged a role in the second MTV drama series, Shuga that starts filming this week in Nairobi.
Avril who will play the role of a character called Miss B’have will be joined by other Kenyan personalities like Nick Ndeda (Angelo), Nancy Wanjiku (Baby), Brenda Wairimu (Dala), Edward Nyanaro (Rayban) and Ikubese Emmanuel - a.k.a. 9con - (Femi).
Meanwhile, Lupita Nyong’o, who played the pivotal character of Ayira in Shuga, returns on the other side of the camera as co-director alongside South African veteran Teboho Mahlatsi.
Also returning for the second series of Shuga are Sharon Olago (Violet), David Omwange (Skola), Nick Mutuma (Leo), Antony Mwangi (Kennedy) and Valerie Kimani (Sindi).
Other actors chosen at the public casting a few weeks ago are Christopher Otieno and Wairugi Mutero. Wairugi will be playing the role of Njoki (a party girl who loves to live in the moment) while Christopher will be cast as Slim, a small-time gangster.
Shuga: Love, Sex, Money is sponsored by MTV Base, The Staying Alive Foundation, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation (HFG).

YOUSSOU N’DOUR IN NAIROBI TO FIGHT HUNGER

Legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour talked about his visit with communities that have been badly affected by the ongoing famine at the Dadaab refuge camp.
"Whenever there is a problem it is the Westerners who are in the foreground, where are the Africans?" Youssou said, speaking after a visit to Kenya's giant Dadaab refugee camps as an ambassador for the UN children's agency.
Youssou and Somali rapper K'naan are planning a series of events across Africa to raise funds and awareness about the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
"I think Africa should be at the forefront," he added.
Youssou was joined by UNICEF Regional Director for Southern and Eastern Africa Elhadj As Sy, on Tuesday (Sept 6) and spoke about the specific needs of children, the response of the humanitarian community, what more he believes needs to be done to alleviate the current suffering faced by so many, and what the future holds for the millions of children caught up in the combination of drought, rising food prices and insecurity in many parts of the Horn of Africa.

TRENDY OUTFITS OF THE SLUM PRESIDENT AND 1ST LADY

Uganda's president Bobi Wine and 1st Lady Barbie Itungo ..dressed for dinner after tyning the knot..trendy...i must say...

UGANDAN DIVA GRACE NAKIMERA'S NEW VIDEO PHOTOS

Grace Nakimera poses

Grace Nakimera on Tuesday brought business at UMA show Ground Lugogo to a halt when she paraded sexciting gals in her new video shoot. The ‘Onyambanga’ singer, who last year scooped the PAM Awards Video of The Year 2010 for the Onyambanga song, was energized to shoot for the highest.
For her new video of her latest single “Sexy”, Grace dressed in sizzling shorts and was accompanied by sexy dancers dressed in carnival costume that showed off lots of skin as they pulled off raunchy erotic dance moves.

action..sexy moves

HOLYWOOD ACTRESS IN KENYAN SLUMS TO FILM DOCUMENTARY

Hollywood actress Olivia Wilde is in KENYA to shoot a documentary for an American media portal called PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). On Saturday, the actress known for her role in blockbuster movie Cowboys and Aliens and TV series House was in Kibera.
In her twitter account on Friday afternoon, the actress posted: “I'm in Kenya with PBS and Nick Kristof shooting a doc for Half The Sky!! Tomorrow we head into the slums to interview female entrepreneurs.”
On Saturday (September 3) Olivia was at the Jamii Bora Trust in Kibera know for it’s initiative in getting over 50 street beggar families in Nairobi out of poverty and building a better life for their families.
PBS is the most prominent provider of television programs to U.S. public television stations.
The documentary Half the Sky, based on Kristof's book of the same name will highlight how women turn oppressive situations into opportunities. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who writes op-ed columns for New York Times.

K’NAAN TO SHOOT ROMANTIC MOVIE IN MWANZA

Rapper K’naan will have to take on a mushy role in a new romantic movie set against Belgian Congo's decolonization in the 1960s. K’naan will star in the movie titled The Catastrophist alongside actors Steve Coogan and Stephen Dorff that will be shot in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Produced by British director Nick Broomfield via his Lafayette Films, Paul Miller of Escape Pictures and Blighty's Channel 4 with line producer Donall McCusker ("Hurt Locker") the movie will tell an endearing l0ove story. According to Variety, Broomfield believes The Catastrophist will give Tanzania's fledgling film biz a similar boost. While McCusker expects difficulties -- such as finding the period vehicles and set pieces to recreate the Belgian Congo of the 1960s -- Tanzania has enough of a barebones industry with equipment and local technicians to support a foreign production.
Meanwhile, K’naan was in Kenya together with retired basketball player Dikembe Mutombo and Cindy McCain the American businesswoman, philanthropist, and the wife of failed presidential candidate John McCain. The trio visited Dadaab, the main refugee camp on the border of Somalia and Kenya.

RAPPER AY REVEALS COLLABO WITH T-PAIN

Tanzanian rapper AY has already recorded a single with American rapper T-Pain and is planning on shooting the video.  The rapper was in the country for Saturday evening award show EMAS where he bagged the award for Best Collabo for him musical effort with Mwana F.A. in the track Habari Ndio Hiyo. AY released his latest collabo with Romeo and La'Myia Good – actress Meagan Good’s older sister - for the single titled Speak With Ya Body.

MAURICE KIRYA PROVES HIS MIGHTY

There were no curtain raisers, no posters reminding us of who had sponsored the concert, no parents being hurled up to stage by the artiste, apparently to be thanked for their input in their son’s music career, no host boring us with eulogies about the artiste in a bid to kill time as the organisers wait for the crowds to swell. And oh… there were no publicity stunts for the concert involving religious conversions, no. The Maurice Kirya Live concert on Friday didn’t have that nonsense. It was simply all about music.

He walked onto stage at 8.15pm at Victoria Hall in Kampala Serena Hall and went straight into his set with the soulful, I will sing to the applause of the crowd. It was Kirya unplugged. It was Kirya shedding off the skin of “yeah he’s alright”, putting one a more tougher skin that signaled his arrival as one of the most accomplished East African artistes.

The way Kirya approached his concert in terms of preparation and concept also spoke volumes about the kind of artiste he wants to portray but better still, his knowledge about how music concerts in the West are run in terms of advertising. He for example didn’t have the traditional approach of using FM stations to announce the concert, but rather relied on the social media in avenues like Facebook to get his message out. He used Twitter to do auditions of those who wanted to participate in the concert. He actually had the concert shot live (in a documentary form) in HD (High Definition). Now, Ugandan artistes don’t do that.

The show didn’t disappoint and had a few surprises like former Tusker Project Fame contestant, Valerie Kimani having a duet with Kirya entitled Village Girl. His other duet was with his brother Vampino at the end of the show. Kirya fused his brother’s hit Sika Chapati with his own hit Boda Boda. Everything worked out well for Kirya right from his constant cheeky engagement with the fans, to issues like time-keeping. He started on time and ended on time. It was a perfect show.

The show was wrapped up by 10.30pm and going by the huge diverse crowd, Maurice Kirya had managed to convince his fans that he had moved a gear in his journey as an artiste.

CHAMELEONE ATTACKS MEDIA

Jose Chameleone’s Mukisa Gwo album launch on Friday was more than launching songs; the controversial singer also launched attacks on the two leading dailies. Chameleone was not happy that Daily Monitor did not give him prominent pre-event coverage for his concert.

The singer took time off and mentioned names of scribes whom he thought had ignored giving his concert pre-event coverage to his fans who welcomed his tantrums with wild cheers. The singer bragged that by not writing about his concert, the media houses were retarding the Ugandan music industry. “I’ve done everything, I’m no longer looking for fame.

I don’t doubt my fan base, these people are not here because of stories, they are here because of the love they have for Chameleone. If you think you can destroy me, be rest assured, even if an elephant died of HIV/Aids, it could never have shrinked to the size of a dog!” A fan near the photographers in the VIP section screamed out a question; “How come you never tell us when they write good about you?” That’s a question only Chameleone can answer.

Besides the attack on the media, Chameleone reminded the crowd about his efforts towards getting Ugandans to appreciate Ugandan music. Back to the show, Chameleone performed for about two hours, mainly focusing on his 2010 and 2011 songs, like Owakabi, Movie Star with AK 47, plus duets with Papa Cidy, Jackie and Eritrean Sammy. After performing Mukisa Gwo the album title track, most revellers stood up to leave, but Chameleone announced, “If you came for the launch, it just ended, but if you came for music, I’m now starting to sing.”

The singer observed a moment of silence for departed comedian Jimmy Musisi who died earlier last week, before he resumed his performances, this time round taking the crowd back in time with songs ranging from his breakthrough hit Beyi Kali before he was joined by his mother on stage as he sang Maama Wange.

Before Chameleone got on stage, Ronald Mayinja, AK47, Skeleton, Raga Dee, Eddie Kenzo, Catherine Kusasira and Big Eye entertained the revelers with exhilarating performances. The show ended a few minutes after midnight and many revelers went home wondering why Chameleone had to attack the media that has helped sell him and the entire industry to them-his fan base.

NOLLYWOOD'S MERCY JOHNSON'S WEDDING

UGANDA'S SLUM SHOWBIZ'S PRESIDENT LAVISH WEDDING

Around 1000 guests were invited to the lavish Bobi, Barbie wedding  on Saturday, 27 August 2011.

Singer Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, wed Barbara Itungo at Rubaga Cathedral Kampala in a ceremony presided over by Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. Their guests were treated to a luscious lunch in the sprawling Victoria Hall at the lakeside based Lake Victoria Serena Hotel.

From the guests that attended the party, it looks like the invitations were limited to the ‘who is who’ in society. A rough breakdown of guests included religious leaders, members of parliament, ministers, cultural leaders, prosperous businessmen, artistes (both in music and film), family, friends and well wishers and not forgetting city socialites.

Each of these categories of people were duly represented. Notable guests included the Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda, Prince Wasajja, Gilbert Bukenya, Godfrey Kirumira and his wife, Latif Sebbagala, Eria Lukwago, Ken Lukyamuzi, top artistes except Bebe Cool, Chameleone and his wife Daniella were present for mass but curiously absent at the reception, socialites led by Judith Heard among others.

Bobi’s wedding goes down in the books as the poshest celebrity wedding so far! We are comparing it with the fellow artistes Jose Chameleone’s, Ragga Dee and Silver Kyagulanyi who also had lavish weddings.