OLIVIA WILDE SHOOTING DOCUMENTARY IN NAIROBI

Hollywood actress Olivia Wilde is in the country 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.
Anyho, 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.



In his blog post about the PBS documentary deal in May this year, Nick wrote: “Sheryl (his wife) and I will be traveling with various celebrity actresses for filming on location about issues ranging from human trafficking to girls’ education. I’m sure that some people will be wary of celebrity involvement, and I understand the reason for the wariness. But on the other hand, celebrities are a fabulous way to get the attention of people who don’t otherwise show much interest in issues of global poverty.”
The show will be aired in US TV stations in March 2012.

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 the country 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.

HOLLYWOOD - NOLLYWOOD MOVIE BLACK GOLD TRAILER IS OUT!

The movie by Nollywood actor-director Jetta Amata that features to Hollywood actors has released the trailer actually it was released a while back, i just saw it.

The movie titled Black Gold is about the conflict in the Niger Delta that arose in the early 1990s over tensions between the foreign oil corporations and a number of the Niger Delta’s minority ethnic groups who felt they were being exploited, particularly the Ogoni and the Ijaw.
Black Gold is an epic film about environmental justice and the fight over the control of the scarce oil resources that the world runs on. The line between good and evil is blurred as corrupt government officials, greedy oil companies and violent rebels go on a war path over oil spills and degradation of the land caused by oil exploration. Starring Billy Zane, Mbong Amata, Hakeem Kae Kazim and Sarah Wayne Callies.

RINGTONE TURNS TO POLITICS

Gospel act Ringtone declared his interest for the Kitutu Masaba seat. The singer famed for hits Pamela and Talanta has joined area ODM chairman Timothy Bosire and ousted MP Walter Nyambati who have already declared their interest for the seat.
Well, keep your eyes peeled as National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende is expected is in the next few weeks to issue writs declaring the seat vacant.
The singer real name Alex Nyanchoga Apoko said in a rally in Kisumu that he has “responded to calls for the people of Kitutu Masaba and accepted to throw my hat into the ring when the by election is called.”

SPREAD THE LOVE IS BACK

Spread the Love Campaign is back this year, promising to do great things this time round.
An initiative of Kijiji Records, the campaign identifies and brings awareness to key social issues, which form the pivot around which the campaign will be themed that year. Founded in 2009, the campaign has received partnership from Faida Investment, Mavuno Church, Gina Din Corporate Communications, Red Cross, Capital FM among others.



The annual Month of Love serves as a call to action for individuals to be able to sign-up for a one month commitment of service with different social justice organizations and initiatives. This year the focus is on four prisons situated within Nairobi and its environs and the campaign is currently in the process of mobilizing people and corporate resources based on a needs assessment done.



The Spread the Love campaign team engaged the community, inmates and wardens of Industrial Area Police Remands in various community service activities.
Led by the founder of the Spread the Love Initiative, Kanjii Mbugua, the campaign team helped in painting 72 blocks of the remand premises, unblocking of sewage systems and tiding up the compound.
The team also gave donations of tooth paste and tooth brushes to the inmates, and joined the entire community in an afternoon of entertainment.
“Inmates are human being and they need to be cared for in every aspect of their lives. That is why we have come here to spend time with them and give some donations,” said Kanjii.



The Spread the Love campaign has done various facelifts to four prisons in Nairobi and its environs, and today’s marked the final one.
An initiative of Kijiji Records, the campaign identifies and brings awareness to key social issues, which form the pivot around which the campaign will be themed that year. Founded in 2009, the campaign has received partnership from Faida Investment, Mavuno Church, Crown Berger, Gina Din Corporate Communications, Red Cross (Emergency Plus), and Capital FM among others.




This year the Spread the Love Campaign will hold its first ever Spread the Love Honors Night on Tuesday 13th September 2011 at Crowne Plaza; the aim of the awards gala is to celebrate individuals and/or organizations that have made a difference in their communities and industries.



A panel has been set up to assess all successful nominations and determine whether they satisfy the relevant criteria to win in their respective categories. There are a total of 11 categories and each of the categories is well represented on the panel to ensure that the nominees are properly evaluated taking into account the relevant industry standards and practices.



The Spread the Love Honors 2011 seeks to identify and honor individuals and/or organizations that satisfy the criteria set out in the following categories:

Nurturing the Core – Preservation of the family institution and promotion of positive family values in society.

Healing Hands - Dedication to the enhancement of human health.

Restorer of the Elements - Celebrating innovative efforts to preserve and protect the environment.

Soul Stories - Telling the other (positive) side of the African story with any form of media.

Learn to Love - Dedication to promoting education using innovative ways.

Business with Heart – Operations that reflect a double bottom line - impacting both profit and people.

Champion for Justice – Dedication to advancing good governance and promoting sustainable development.

Love in Action – Individuals or organizations that are making an impact in society in profound innovative ways.

Challenging Change – Celebrating innovation and out of the box thinking.

Major Minor - Individuals under the age of 18 who are significantly impacting society.

Love Honors –This is the ultimate award; the recipient is an individual who has made a major impact in their community and devoted their time and energy to achieving sustained positive change over the span of their life. Their work will demonstrate measurable positive results and changes that have made a difference to the wider community.

FINALLY THE FIRST GRADER COMES HOME!

Celebrated Kenyan film, The First Grader, will be screened in Kenya after making rounds in various international film festivals. The movie about Mzee Maruge, the Kenyan octogenarian who enrolled in primary school in 2003 at the age of 84, will be the festival opener during the ten-day Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF) that will run from October, 21 this year.



The award winning film was selected by the Kenya International Film Festivals (KIFF) Trust as the festival opener because of its relevance and stature among so called “Kenyan films” that have been produced this year. The Festival organisers are currently reviewing over 450 films that have been received in preparation for the annual festivals that will have simultaneous screenings in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.
The Kenyan based film which was produced by Richard Harding of Sixth Sense Productions has already received ten awards from film festivals worldwide. The film which is based on the true story of Mzee Maruge who started school at the age of 84 features Kenyan actor Oliver Litondo starring as Maruge, also in the cast is award winning actress Naomi Harris as Maruge’s teacher, Vusi Kunene and Tony Kgoroge.



The film is based on the true story of Mzee Maruge, depicts him as an 86 year old man with a desire to read a letter from the Office of the President that had been addressed to him and he wanted to understand the contents of the letter, he is however unable to read as he has never been to school. He then enrolls to begin school upon the government’s directive to offer free primary education.



Charles Asiba the festival director said: “The film is very much in tune with our theme on leadership as it explores the opportunities that came in with a change in governance in Kenya that ushered in a new government that offered free primary education for all”.
This year’s film festivals whose themed is ‘Leadership; the Next Generation’ has surpassed its target of having 365 film. Forty five of the 450 films received by KIFF are Kenyan. The categories with highest entries were 106 short stories and 87 documentaries.
The country which sent in the most films was Kenya with 48 film entries, followed by Germany with 37 films and Poland with 32 films.



Other films that were received were 22 films in the Student films category, 21 Experimental films, 44 animation and 45 feature films.
Asiba said : “From the few films that we have so far classified and had a quick look through, shows that the quality of entries this year have improved. We are very impressed by the level of creativity, style and approach displayed by film makers this year” remarked Asiba.
KIFF jury is currently reviewing the films and will announce and award the winners of each category during the festivals. The categories that will be awarded include Best Short film, Best Student film, Best documentary, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best East African Film, Best Feature Film as well as Special Jury prize.

FRESH NEW: PEPE HAZE FT. STEPH MCKEE - RAIN ON MY LIPS

MTV Shuga actor Pepe Haze has a new song.It is basically the first ever stop motion Kenyan music video. Sitasema mingi just check it out.

ROBERT MUGABE…WHAT HAPPENED? THE DOCUMENTARY

A stunning look at how Zimbabwe’s controversial leader President Robert Mugabe turned from saint to sinner after assuming power in 1980 airs on the FX Only in Africa Season 2 strand on Zuku TV last weekend.
Robert Mugabe… What happened?, is directed by Simon Bright and produced by Michael Auret, and the documentary had its World Premiere two months ago in Cape Town as the opening night film at the Encounters South Africa International Documentary Film Festival.
Billed as the definitive account of Mugabe’s life, it dramatically illustrates his role in the successful struggle for liberation and development of the country but also his ruthless and cunning retention of power at all costs.
In publicity material, Bright said that the documentary “gives Mugabe the credit where it’s due”.



“It’s an exploration of what happened to a promising African leader who was well respected and it recognises his fight for freedom and against Apartheid. But it also explores the forces that caused him to effectively destroy a lot of what he built.”
In parallel narratives Bright tells the stories of Rhodesia’s transition to Zimbabwe and the personal journey of Mugabe, using one to explain the other, finally suggesting why Mugabe chose the road he has taken.
As a biography it makes for compelling viewing with first-hand accounts of Mugabe’s early life with a desperately poor Catholic mother, what he was like at school, the effects of a Jesuit education and his rage against his absent father.



As his star ascends commentators reflect on early landmarks, particularly his attendance of Ghana’s independence celebrations in 1957. It’s clear the highly intellectual Mugabe was admired and respected through the 1960s and 70s, Bright traces the origins of the adoration towards Mugabe through fascinating archival film interviews with some of his ardent supporters.
The parallel story of the transition is equally well researched, as are later episodes of importance, notably Lancaster House, the Matabeleland genocide and the growing role of global business in Africa’s economies. But it’s the behind-the-scenes jostling for power which Bright exposes that is the most riveting, and from it Mugabe emerges as unquestionably one of history’s most canny, devious leaders.
Accompanied by a haunting soundtrack, the music is an achievement in itself, a mix of liberation, folk and contemporary sounds. It is Mugabe as not seen before…
“Robert Mugabe… What Happened?” aired on Saturday, 03 September at 22:30 CET on FX Only In Africa Season 2 on ZukuTV.

MERCY JOHNSON'S WEDDING PIX

So you have all heard of the controversial Mercy Johnson wedding, well then here are the pix.

WILL.I.AM REVIEWED JUST A BAND'S SINGLE

Kenyan all boy group Just A Band have found out that Will.i.am reviewed one of their tracks called Save My Soul a while back.

Here is what they said on their Facebook page







...and this is what Will.i.am said about the single

AY’S NEXT PROJECT IS WITH T PAIN

Hot Secrets has learnt that 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.







Other winners included a tie in the Best Male category where Dr. Claude of Rwanda and Jaguar shared the award. Best Female went to Juliana for her single Alive Again while Best Group was P-Unit. Gospel group BMF bagged the Best Gospel Group for the single I Live For You and Emmy Kosgei scooped the Best Gospel Collabo for her callabo with Lynn in the single Omegeu Rerein. Kidum and Papa Wemba were both awarded in the Best Male in the Afro Fusion and Rhumba category respectively. South Sudan rapper Lam bagged the Best Video for Stay in Love.

Anyhow, 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.

ALPHA, DAVIS AND MSECHU TO JAM WITH CABO, SHAGGY AND EVE ARE COMING

So word on the street is that the promoters who have been contracted to sign up acts for the Tusker All Stars finale concert are from Tanzania. Crying shame. After Kenyan promoters, Homeboyz failed in their bid to get Usher and Keri Hilson to sign on the dotted line, Clouds FM people have been contracted to get acts for the Tusker All Star concert.







Though it has not been confirmed by EABL, the acts signed for the October concert are American rapper Eve, ragga star Shaggy and Angolan Cabo Snoop – famed for his hit Windek.







This means that the winner for the Tusker All Stars reality television show will be jamming the stage with the three international stars. The winners of the concluded show were Alpha, Davis and Msechu.







Meet the all-star finalists



Alpha Rwirangira

Alpha has been on a roll and busy with music and performances since he won the 3rd edition of Tusker Project Fame.

The soft spoken but charismatic young man recently won the Pan African Music awards for best male artist with his song featuring Bebe Cool, Come To Me. He was also nominated for a Kilimanjaro Award in the best male artist category, for his song, Songa Mbele featuring AY.

Alpha has toured the region giving live musical performances and most notably he had the chance to represent Rwanda in the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa at the Fan Fests that were set up for fan entertainment.

The talented performer has also managed to catch his President’s eye and is feted by many Rwandese as a role model for the youth. He has obtained the President’s scholarship to study Music and Business at Fulbright University in Ohio, in the United States.







Peter Msechu

The Tanzanian who is known to be a bag of laughs has definitely been busy since he left at the end of the third season as first runner up.

Msechu has recorded songs with a number of producers back home in Tanzania. He has recorded Unaniumiza Roho with renowned music producer and Tusker Project Fame judge Hermes Bariki at his B Hits Studio and Majaribu with renowned producer Marco Chali of MJ Records.

He cites Tusker Project Fame 3’s Ngangalito as his favorite contestant since the inception of Tusker Project Fame. He says that he admires his fellow musician due to his humorous streak and his superb stage performances.

Msechu has had the opportunity to meet the president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete and other notable leaders in Tanzania because of his new found fame.







Davis Ntare

Tusker Project Fame Four’s golden boy, winner of Season 4 and energetic performer, has relocated to Kenya and has been in studio with R Kay working on his debut album.

He recently released his first single Sheka Sheka on Sound Cloud and the video is currently doing the rounds on You Tube as well.

He writes his own music and therefore promises to deliver fresh and original content in his album debut.

ARTISTES UNITE TO FIGHT HUNGER

Top musicians are working together to fight famine under the umbrella of Africans Act 4 Africa, the artistes, aims to put pressure on their governments to fund relief for the hunger crisis.

Organizers by Afro Fusion act Sara Mitaru, the campaign is supposed to get the personalities involved in the crisis.

Sara has called, texted, Tweeted, and Facebooked her network of fellow musicians in countries as far apart as South Africa and Nigeria, calling for their participation.







Already Kenyan acts Nameless, Juliani, Jaguar and Sauti Sol are on board and are now being joined by P-Square and Asa from Nigeria and Tanzanian poet Maya Wegeris on the line-up. Youssou N’Dour from Senegal has indicated to organizers that he is interested in being involved.

According to various press outlets, Africans Act 4 Africa aims to spread this clear grassroots desire to help across the continent. Participants are discussing the possibility of scripting and scoring a single to be released to raise funds for the drought.



Check out the acts pledging their support

KENYAN GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING FLAVOR

Naija singer Flavour has being in the music industry for 2002 but y’all know him because of his hit remix Nwa Baby (Ashawo).







Well Flavour real name Chinedu Okoli began his music career in 2002 when he was 19-years-old. He joined the band Enugu in his home state as a drummer and went on to play the keyboard after performing with them for a while.







After going solo in 2004, he went on to release the albums Nabania (2008) and Uplifted (2010).



Have a listen at some of his music