UGANDA'S MAURICE KIRYA HEADED TO BBA STARGAME

Guitar star Maurice Kirya of the 'Nanaagira' fame is all smiles after getting information that he will be performing on the same stage that American rapper J. Cole performed three weeks back in South Africa.

Maurice who is about to launch his latest album 'The Book of Kirya' confirmed this in a related posting to his followers; ''I've been told to break a leg at the Big Brother Africa, but I like my legs, I need them both.''

Tanzania's Diamond almost broke a leg as he performed during the last eviction show that saw Zambia's Mampi evicted from the Big Brother Africa house. Meanwhile, Uganda's housemates in the house still have some two weeks in the house after surviving the random nomination machine.

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER APPOINTED STATE MINISTER

Grammy-winning African music star Youssou N'Dour has been named as Senegal's minister for culture and tourism. Earlier this year the singer-songwriter, perhaps best known for co-writing and singing Neneh Cherry's 1994 hit '7 Seconds', announced his intention to stand as a presidential candidate against the octogenarian incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade. N'Dour criticized Wade's tenure, stating he was "hearing in mono, not stereo" and claiming he has held back the creation of a "new Senegal".
N'Dour failed in his bid for presidency, as his application was disqualified due to a lack of valid signatures. However, the new Senegalese president, Macky Sall, named N'Dour as member of his new cabinet earlier this week (April 4). N'Dour also held a concert in celebration of Sall's win.
When his own bid failed, N'Dour became an avid supporter of Sall, joining in street protests against the undemocratic reign of Wade – who was seeking an unconstitutional third term in office - and getting hit in the leg by a flying projectile in the process.
N'Dour has released 27 albums over the past 28 years, his most recent being 2011's 'Mbalakh Dafay Wakh'.

2FACE OUTS ANOTHER ALBUM

2face Idibia unleashed another sizzling hot album. The Nigerian star unveiled his album last weekend in Lagos.The new album was formally launched at his Buckwyld n Breathless - Away & Beyond Concert, which was held on the 30th of April at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

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.

2FACE HAS A NEW DOCUMENTARY

The more recent life of Nigeria’s most celebrated contemporary artiste is about to be released in a documentary, entitled, The Rise of the Phoenix. It basically chronicles the last two years in 2face’s career. The reissue of the Unstoppable album; his experience at the 2010 World Cup; the One8 project; 2face Live at
Eko Hotel; the 2face and Mario concert in London; the various causes he is involved in and the various awards he has won in that period.

The production dwells on the triumph and rejuvenation of 2baba after the various scandals and controversies that trailed him after his initial success as a solo artiste. It looks at what is arguably the second part of his career so far; his recent successes and metamorphosis to become one of the biggest names in African music at the moment. This is akin to the legend of the Greek mythical Phoenix bird which initially lived for 500 years then burnt itself to ashes and from those ashes arose another phoenix.

It would be produced by Buckwild Media and would be available for commercial release within the next month. There would also be a syndicated broadcast of the documentary as a TV special on selected TV channels just before the full release on CDs.