Kenyan Rapper-Breaks New Ground With Historic Deal

Sony Music Entertainment Africa is proud to announce the signing of rising African rapper, Xtatic, to a multi-album and full management deal.The deal marks a first for a Kenyan artist and sees the hotshot rapper, songwriter and performer (born Gloria Edna Mecheo) join a global roster of artists on Sony’s RCA label that includes the likes of Usher, Chris Brown, R Kelly and Pink.The 21-year-old was recently in Johannesburg, recording tracks for her debut full-length album with hot new producers ‘The Fahrenheitz’. The record will be released later in 2012 as part of the multi-album recording deal Xtatic has inked with Sony and is being preceded by the first single, ‘WILD!’ due to hit the airways in the next two weeks. Xtatic has also signed a full services management deal with Sony Music and ROCKSTAR4000, and worldwide Music Publishing deal with ROCKSTAR PUBLISHING, positioning her for a full assault on the South African, Nigerian, Kenyan, Pan African and, ultimately, global music scene.

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YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA MAKES HISTORY

South African Music legend, and UN ambassador, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, on Wednesday January 25th, became the first Africa woman to receive the world Economic forum's Crystal award.   She received the award at the Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland for her fight for freedom and justice in her native country and also for her immense work as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, her Roll Back Malaria Partnership and as MDG Envoy for Africa.

SOUTH AFRICAN TO HEADLINE BLANKETS

South Africa's Lira is set to headline the first Blankets and Wine this Sunday, March 5. Lira is not new to the Kenya stage as she has performed at the Jazz festival South Meets East and Black in 2009 and the Black Peacock Ball in 2008. Both concerts were held at the National Museums of Kenya. According to Blankets and Wines's  Justine Wanjiku, Lira will be performing for the third time in Nairobi due to public demand. The South African singer is best known for her single Feel Good, which won her the 2007 South Africa Music Award (SAMA) in the category Best Music Video. She has performed alongside Jazz music heavyweights like Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Ringo, and many other jazz bands. Tickets for the show are going for Sh2,500 for a seat in the VIP stand and Sh1,000 for an ordinary seat.

. 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).

HUGH MASEKELA TO LIGHT NAIROBI

Legendary jazz maestro Hugh Masekela is in Nairobi ahead of his performance at the Carnivore tonight.

The 73-year-old South African composer and singer is famed for his hit Bring Him Back Home which became the anthem for Nelson Mandela's world tour following his release from prison.

Now, his Kenyan fans can get to watch him live in concert. He will be backed by Aaron ‘Krucial Keys’ Rimbui at the concert sponsored by Safaricom. Hugh was in the country last year on behalf of African Leadership Academy (ALA). He performed at the ALA Champions Dinner event, a small private event at Serena Hotel. ALA is a non-profit organization, which has as its mission to develop the next generation of African Leaders. They held the event to raise funds. The gate charges are Ksh 2500 advance and Ksh 3000 at the gate.