THE HULK IS IN TOWN

Hollywood actor Edward Norton is in town. The star famed for his role in the movies Illusionist and Hulk is set to flag off cyclists taking part in the UNEP’s Kilimanjaro Initiative.
Yesterday, he was spotted having lunch at Café Des Arts in Gigiri, a place popular with UN staff and is conveniently located right opposite the UN headquarters.The Kilimanjaro Initiative was founded in 2005 and the main objective is to encourage young people to have self-belief and to assist in providing opportunities that will enable them to take on a constructive role in their communities. Since 2006 the Kilimanjaro Initiative has brought more than 100 youth, athletes, musicians and representatives of the private and public sector to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The annual ascent to the highest peak in Africa is organized each year around a different theme.The American actor Norton is already heavily involved in what he calls “the Facebook of philanthropy,” for his project called Crowdrise. It uses social networking to get more people involved in charity, fundraising, and activism.

SAUTI SOL TO LAUNCH THEIR SOL FILOSOFIA

On February 25, Kenyan label Penya Africa and Sauti Sol shall release their highly anticipated sophomore album Sol Filosofia in Nairobi, at the Alliance Francaise. This incredibly talented band has played an integral role in shaping Kenya’s emerging Afro pop scene since 2008. With their passion for live performance and fan interaction, Sauti Sol have sang their way into the heart of many, allowing them to perform in Kenya and abroad to much celebration.
“Sol” is Latin for sun and “Filosofia” is Swahili for philosophy. The sun is a symbol of light and knowledge, philosophy in this context represents the lessons learnt and their representation in song. Sauti Sol are staunch believers of making conscious and timeless music. With their double single release of Soma Soma and Coming Home Sauti Sol have given their listeners a taste of great things to come. Their twelve track album is as sincere as it is diverse; Sol Generation and Private Spice are testament of their musical breadth. Staying true to their love for ballads, Sauti Sol infused this album with influences and melodies that will tug on your heart strings.
Their increasing popularity has led to interesting collaborations. Fully sponsored by innovative online discount site, rupu.co.ke, and supported by the homegrown New Kid on the Block – One FM and leading clothing retailer Converse this launch promises to demonstrate why Sauti Sol really are the voices of their generation.

NI KUBAYA: KOFI ANNAN WRITES TO RAILA AND KIBAKI

Here is a statement issued by Kofi Annan, Chairman of the African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities over the recent bickering by mindless humans who have personal agendas our politicians.

Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of the African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities, has been following with keen interest, developments concerning the judicial nominations and that of the Controller of Budget, submitted to the National Assembly by the President of the Republic of Kenya. He also noted the comments of the various stakeholders in Kenya as the National Assembly deliberated on the nominations and the intense debate they generated in the country, as well as the wise ruling of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Mr. Annan has sent personal letters to the two principals appealing to them to come together in a show of unity on the nominations and reduce the political temperature, especially in the National Assembly. “Kenya turned a new page on 27 August 2010 and the momentum generated must not be allowed to dissipate. Much is at stake. I appeal to you to remember the needs and aspirations of the people for a prosperous and stable Kenya”.

CRAIG DAVID IS ALREADY IN KENYA

RnB heartthrob Craig David is already in the country for the five day charity trek in the hot sun that has nothing on his creamy yumminess. The trek will see the Slicker Than Your Average star join other UK celebrities in crossing Kaisut Desert in Northern Kenya.
Today, they tested their boots and rucksacks in a three-hour acclimatisation trek. See video...




The other stars include Singer Olly Murs, actress Kara Tointon, X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary, Daily Mirror columnist Nadia Sawalha, comedian Ronni Ancona, Radio 1 DJ Scot Mills, Radio 4 presenter Peter White and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly.
The team will be highlighting the issue of sight and meeting people in need of urgent eye care along the way.


(AP) - ** COMMERCIAL IMAGE ** This is photograph is provided by the Comic Relief BT Red Nose Desert Trek, 2011. Olly Murs tries out his tent on the first night under canvas in the desert before the start of the BT Red Nose Desert Trek 2011.

BLACKSTAR "DISAPPOINTED" AT NONINI'S NO SHOW

Apparently according to a release sent out by the Blackstar management, The Godfather a.k.a Nonini pulled a no show at a Kenya Night show.
The statement reads: "The management of Blackstar Entertainment, and Coco Base Club Thika would like to express our disappointment in Nonini for not performing at the Kenya Nyte event held at CocoBase Club in Thika, on Saturday 5th February 2011. The event, which is the brainchild of Nonini, had been organized in conjunction with Blackstar Entertainment, and was to be the first Kenya Nyte to be held in Thika, however, Nonini failed to hold up his end of the bargain by refusing to perform.
We don’t appreciate Nonini’s lack of professionalism by blaming Blackstar Entertainment for “Breach of Contract”.
Blackstar Entertainment would like to apologize to all the fans who came to show their support, both for Nonini and Blackstar Entertainment.
Blackstar Entertainment still is and remains your Multimedia Solutions Provider, delivering quality multimedia solutions to all our clients."

STL'S KNOCKS OUT LADY GAGA'S NO 1 SINGLE OFF ITUNES

Kenyan rapper based in Norway STL whose real name is Stella Mwangi has been selected as Norway’s representative for the TV reality show, Eurovision song contest.
STL’s Swahili single Haba Haba won with an overwhelming vote of 280,217 votes with the closest rival Dance Tonight by The Black Sheeps managing 155,059 votes only.
Now, Haba Haba knocked Illuminati queen Lady Gaga's Born This Way off of the top spot on the Norwegian iTunes chart, a day after the single took the MGP third semifinal victory.



Norway will compete against Albania, Finland, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Armenia, Poland and Turkey in the first semi-final on May 10, in Dusseldorf, Germany. 25 countries will compete in the final taking place on May 12.
The Favourite hitmaker has worked with artists like Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and Flo-Rida told Norwegian reporters, “Music means everything to me,” she added, “Maybe I’ll make a trip back to Kenya before the (Eurovision) finals, just to talk with my aunts and both by grandmothers.”
Her song Haba Haba centers heavily on what her grandmothers told her as a young girl, that she could be whatever she wants to be. The song is an energetic pop number full of African rhythm and enthusiasm. “I am so grateful for all the votes, I’m so glad I get to represent Norway with what I burn for,” she told reporters after digesting the fact that she had won.
Haba Haba is the first Swahili song that has been performed on the Eurovision stage. Some of STL’s songs have been used as soundtracks in films like American Pie, Save the Last Dance, and CSI New York.

AUTHOR NGWATILOO SPEAKS ON HER PROJECTS

Author Ngwatiloo Mawiyoo took part is last week’s demonstration by the civil society against the removal of Kenya from the ICC.
“I just took part as a Kenyan, I heard about it and I thought it’s about time everyone played their part. If you are an MP do your job, an environmentalist do your bit, let everyone play their part,” She told Hot Secrets, “We cannot sit back and blame the devil for our mistakes.”
Ngwatiloo’s book Blue Mothertongue is currently on sale at various bookshops, it is a collection of urban poems about growing up in Nairobi. Off the book, she performed the poem, At Stake Our Mistake at the demonstration held at the Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park.
Like most Kenyans, the idea of taxes paying for the defense of the Ocampo 6 does not sit down well with her.
This year, the self-published poet will be working at getting her brand of poetry and music (Puesic) videos played on TV as well as publicizing the Puesic show that will be staged later on in the year.

NGUGI WA THIONGO FOR POST ELECTION EXHIBITION IN THE US

Author and professor Ngugi Wa Thiongo will be taking part in the exhibition in America called Never Again, of photos taken during the post poll violence by CNN photojournalist of the year award winner Boniface Mwangi. This will take place in Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey) at The Center for African Studies (CAS) from February 14 to 28.
Ngugi who recently launched his childhood memoir Dreams in Times of War, is particularly pertinent to the theme of this exhibition. He be joined by another distinguished scholar, Gabriele Schwab, Chancellor's Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of California at Irvine, is currently completing Haunting Legacies her latest book on trauma and healing.
Boniface who will be leaving for the States on Saturday February 11 said, “I will engage in conversation with scholars, students and the American public about the subject of the exhibition. CAS also plans to have two distinguished speakers at the launching of the exhibition who will make presentation on the theme of Violence and Healing.
“Never Again is a collection of my work that captures the tragic moment of ethnic violence in Kenya in the immediate aftermath of the 2007 Presidential Elections.”
Over a period of close to three months, over half a million Kenyans were displaced and nearly two thousand people were reported to have lost their lives in the violence. Guided by the adage that “a picture is worth a million words” this collection of forty photographs captures the multifarious effects of this tumultuous period on the lives of average Kenyans.
The exhibition will be accompanied by the showing of the production “Heal the Nation,” a 30 minutes documentary providing eyewitness accounts of the tragedy that befell Kenyans in 2007-2008. New Jersey and its bordering state of New York have one of the highest concentrations of Diaspora Kenyans in the USA.

IT’S GROOVE AWARDS SEASON, AGAIN!

This year’s Groove Awards with Skiza will be held at the KICC on April 30. Unlike the previous years since inception, the annual gala event will be held in the evening from 6pm with a fully functional red carpet.
The live show will star to be shot from 7pm to 10pm.
Meanwhile, artistes are requested to send in their submissions before February 25. The nominees will be announced on March 29 at a nomination gala night after which the voting process will commence.

BUNNY MACK POSTPONES KENYAN TOUR

UK-based artiste and music producer, Bunny Mack was scheduled to visit Kenya next week. While in the country he was supposed to stage a grand comeback to the spotlight at the Carnivore Simba Saloon on Sunday February 13, in what has been aptly themed “The Lovers Soul Night”. However, the concert has been "deferred to a later date, due to unavoidable circumstances."
Promoters of the Bunny Mack Kenya Tour, Kaibara City Entertainment, would like to assure all fans of this legendary African musician that synergies are in high gear to ensure that the eagerly anticipated visit takes place in April 2011.
Bunny’s return to the stage is being heralded as the celebration of a strong legacy spanning close to five decades. Apart from staging two shows in Kenya , he will also work in collaboration with the tour promoter, Kaibara City Entertainment in unveiling an initiative that supports local music producers and musicians in marketing their talents to a global audience.
The Kenyan Tour in April will be followed closely by a West African Tour that will see Bunny Mack join in the celebrations marking fifty years of independence in Sierra Leone , his country of birth.
Bunny - real name Cecil Bunting McComack - started his musical sojourn at the tender age of six when he began playing the harmonica and penny-whistle. He made his first public appearance at the age of eight, and progressively grew to star status when he relocated from Freetown Sierra Leone to the UK.
Best known for his 1980’s hit Let Me Love You, the Sierra Leonean born artiste has channeled his energies to full-time music production in the UK.

SANAIPEI TALKS ABOUT SAKATA 2 AND MANGA

Kiss 100’s Sanaipei Tande is one of the judges in the TV dance show Sakata 2 on Citizen TV. As a former reality show contestants herself, Sana told Hot Secrets about the feelings of déjà Vu that come with her new position on the show.
“The experience is really two sided. One moment I’m loving the fact that I’m a part of this very successful piece of entertaining and life changing experience for both myself and the contestants but the difficulty and tension that comes with deciding which team has to go and which team pulls through is mind-blowing. I don’t seem to be getting used to it,” Sana said.
“It definitely brings back Pop Star memories and emotions. I’ve realized that the as a (former) contestant and a first time judge you go through similar emotions, the anticipation to win, the stage fright, the preparation to do your best etc. but I cant lie I’m glad I’m on the other side this time round.”
Of late the Najuta star has been spotted with her ex-boyfriend Manga. It had been reported last year that the couple has called it quits. Commenting on the new found closeness with her ex beau, Sana explained, “ Let’s just say this time round, Manga and Sana will let people think and decide what they want.”
Sana is planning on releasing more of her music to this year but in the meantime she is taking over the Karaoke scene. You can catch her on Tuesdays at Tamasha Hurlingham and on Thursday’s at Club Legend from 8pm to midnight.

GHANAIAN RAP STAR TO TOUR KENYA

Ghana’s biggest Hiphop star D-Black is gearing up for his first tour since releasing his highly acclaimed debut solo album Music, Love and Life on September 25, last year.
According to a press releasesent out by his handlers, D Black will from April embark on a 4 - nation Music Tour with his Black Avenue Muzik Team. The 4 countries ear marked for the tour includes his birth country Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
D-Black said, “I’m donating proceeds from this tour to needy children and physically challenged kids in society as part of my responsibility to society. Education is key and I was fortunate to have a good education so this is my way of helping the less fortunate.”
The album features Kenyan rapper based in Norway, STL, she joins a star studded list of other celebrities who are have collaborated with D-Black. They include Wyclef Jean, 2 Face Idibia, Zimbabwe’s Buffalo Souljah and Ghana’s Reggie Rockstone, Kwabena Kwabena and Sarkodie.
The album is distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide via Rockstar 4000 and will be digitally distributed in over 2 million stores worldwide this month.
His first single Somebody ft. Kwabena Kwabena received massive TV and radio play and saw Hip hop and High Life Music merge for the first time in Ghanaian history.

KAMBUA ENGAGED TO WED IN APRIL

Gospel singer Kambua Manundu is set to wed in April. The Holy Day singer is said to be engaged to “the son of a property tycoon in the country,” sources told Hot Secrets. Kambua who dated fellow gospel star Mbuvi last year, recorded a song together titled Kivevelo (Flag).
Kambua first joined the Kenyan music industry in 2004 with her song Amani and went on to top charts with the collaborative efforts in the single Mtoto Wa Sonko with DNA and Isaac Kahura.



The Bachelor’s in Music graduate from Ambrose University also studied at Berklee College of Music where she completed a course in performance.
She is famed as the hosts on Citizen TV’s Sunday morning gospel show, Rauka together with Njugush and DJ Soxxy.

JIMNAH MBARU AND JULIANI ON ANOTHER RAP

Uganda’s president Museveni did it with his popular hit You Want Another Rap, now, Kenya’s business personality Jimnah Mbaru will be featured in a track with Juliani and Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal.
The single dubbed Tribalism is a Disease will be mastered in Jal’s Gatwich studio based in London.



Jimnah spoke to Hot Secrets about the experience in the studio at Click Track Records in Kileleshwa. “I have been to many studios but this one was very interesting. The song highlights the serious cancer that is tribalism and it needs to be removed completely from the body. It is responsible for the slow growth of our society,” adding, “No one choses which ethic background to be born into.” The business tycoon laughed off the possibility of recording his solo track in future.
Juliani said, “It is more than a single it is a campaign that people should take seriously.” The Mtaa Mentality star said that the KKK political Alliance is a fallacy that doesn’t reflect on the ground. “The youth understand one thing, hunger and not tribalism. The alliance will not go far. If we are to fight, let us them fight corruption and not each other on the grounds of our tribes.”

JALANGO AND OTOS TO CHAMPION MATERNAL HEALTH

Comedians Jalango and Otos have been appointed the goodwill ambassadors for the White Ribbon Alliance, an international coalition that pushes for change to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for women and newborns around the world.
Women and newborn babies die or suffer severe injury during childbirth every year – despite the fact that the vast majority of these injuries and deaths are preventable.
Now, Jalango and Otos from the popular TV show Papa Shirandula will be going on a countrywide tour in the country to sensitize the men and letting them know that they are also responsible in ensuring their wife’s are taken care off and deliver safely.
They will be toured Uganda in February then head out to Zambia, and later to Rwanda championing the cause and meeting with other goodwill ambassadors.
White Ribbon Alliance has received support from a number of celebrities like Emma Thompson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench and Naomi Campbell. In Kenya Ida Odinga is the patron.

GET READY TO CARRY JACOB’S CROSS

For three seasons, M-Net’s compelling African drama series Jacob's Cross has kept DStv viewers entertained with explosive storylines marrying vicious boardroom battles to hidden family secrets all set against a world of jet set luxury and relentless ambition.
The series, which has steadily built up a wide and loyal audience, returned to M-Net screens in Africa this January to much enthusiasm and once again, at the heart of it all, is Jacob Makhubu Abayomi.
A South African born businessman, Jacob’s destiny changed forever when he discovered that his biological father was a Nigerian oil baron and head of the powerful Abayomi family. Fuelled by his birthright, Jacob is driven by his dream to create the next great African business empire.



But power and wealth are accompanied by greed and betrayal, and along the way Jacob has to navigate a sometimes treacherous world where his determination, courage and integrity are his only weapons. Family loyalties are tested, long cherished friendships are put under pressure and at the heart of it all, the balance between professional determination and personal desire are often at odds with one another.
“It’s the range of human emotion at play, the ordinary superimposed against the extraordinary that makes Jacob's Cross so attractive to audiences,” says Biola Alabi, M-Net MD for Africa. “Joy, heartache, desperation, passion, sorrow, triumph, Jacob's Cross is the story of an African dynasty at work and at play.”
She goes on to say, “We’re very pleased with the success of Jacob's Cross to date, because it shows that African audiences relate to this mix of drama, intrigue and cross-continental storylines. We must thank our cast and our crew who continue to show that an African series can be dynamic and bold; and we must thank our audiences to their continuing support.”




At the end of season 3, Jacob was chasing to free his mother Thembi from jail whist his Nigerian half-sister Folake’s health suddenly failed and glamourous social butterfly Chichi battled to escape the grip of Jacob’s menacing half-brother Bola. Meanwhile Andile, Jacob’s South African brother, prepared to sacrifice his freedom in order to set the record straight at Thembi’s trial, while a bitter Zanele denies Jacob access to his son. Prospero Brand, Jacob’s best friend makes the connection between little Nozipho’s mysterious sickness and a lethal case of missing enriched uranium with the help of the alluring Dr Jones and finally does the unthinkable to get rid of blackmailing business enemy Paul. The series culminates in a dramatic climax when Bola’s attack on Folake leaves Jacob guilt ridden and determined to rid Bola from their lives once and for all.



It’s brother against brother, family against family, power against power.
In season 4, things are looking up for the high-flying Jacob when Trinity, a beautiful fashion designer enters his life, but a shattering business announcement soon sets him on an unexpected personal journey that will change his and the Abayomi’s world. Meanwhile Prospero, struggling to separate from the Brand mining empire puts his relationship with Dr Jones in jeopardy and a grief-stricken Andile embarrasses himself at a high society Angolan fashion show.



The Machiavellian Paul Lebone engages a corrupt but politically connected Rau Rau in his war against Prospero, while Andile, battling with a growing morphine addiction, discovers a mysterious young girl hiding in the Angolan Abayomi hotel. Back in Lagos Folake enrages the dangerous Chief Soludo when she wins an important concession for the Abayomi family, a short lived triumph that unleashes the powerful return of Jacob’s evil nemesis, Bola Abayomi.
What will happen next? Find out by tuning in!
Jacob's Cross is screened on M-Net every Mondays at 18.30 CAT in East Africa and 21.00 CAT in West Africa.

TPF JUDGE IAN'S MOVIE TO PREMIER SOON

The mean judge on Tusker Project Fame and long-time thespian Ian Mbugua was cast in a "Hellon-type role" in the up-coming movie Me, My Wife and Her Guru. The movie will soon be released very soon.
Produced by Lizz Njagah and Alex Konstantaras, the movie revolves around Steve (Alexandros Konstantaras) is happily married to Angela (Lizz Njagah), a very successful and upcoming TV presenter. But what happens when his wife starts complaining about his outgoing lifestyle while in the same time she shows unusual interest to a religious Guru (Ian Mbugua) whose P.A. ( Millicent Wambui) dances to his flute? To make things worse Steve gets kidnapped by two not very smart thugs.
The Jitu Films production is inspired by all these stories related to cults and fake pastors.

SUZANNA OWIYO TO TOUR WITH YOUSSOU NDOUR

This year seems to be Suzanna Owiyo’s time to really shine. She has bagged a deal where she will go on a European tour with legendary singer Youssou N’Dour in March.
Suzanna told Hot Secrets, “I met Youssou N'Dour in Spain in 2008 during Africa Territories Festival. He must have been impressed by my nyatiti performance. That was where the idea was born. My manager Dudu Sarr was very instrumental in negotiating and arranging the tour. “I'm scheduled to perform with Youssou in a collaboration tour dubbed New African Voices. The tour starts on March 4, 2011 in Copenhagen then head to other cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, Paris, Brussels, London, Besancon (France) and finally in Oslo.”
An excited Suzanna added, “The feeling is way beyond what I would ever have imagined. I first met Youssou in Uganda in 2006. I curtainraised for him during his East African Celtel Tour, little did I know that one day I would share a stage with him but on another level. Youssou indeed is an African icon; to be more precise, he's the best in Africa.“For the first time in my career, I will be engaging myself in a major tour across Europe and I’m excited, I just cant wait for it to start.”
During the tour, she will launch her third album titled My Roots in Oslo on March 13. The Kisumu 100 singer promises that she will launch it in Nairobi too. She said, “I intend to have a major launch at home in August. I have featured Oliver Mtukudzi, Jua Cali, Makadem and Ogoya Nengo. The album was produced by Kirkelig Kulturverksted record label in Norway.
About her album, she said, "My roots is where my music comes from and for the first time I have introduced a traditional African instrument via the nyatiti. My grandfather was a nyatiti player and this album shows it's my way of following his footsteps.”
Joining Suzanna and Youssou during the tour is Senegalese guitarist and singer Carlou D.

NINA BOLA IS A MUMMY!

Former Tusker Project Fame siren Nina Bola is now a mother of a five-week-old baby boy with hubby Omondi Abudho.
The couple welcomed Yves-Gautier Bola Omondi on January 15. The proud daddy wrote on his weblog: “A baby boy whose occupation is sleeping and eating (suckling). A blessing from heaven; I did not have to wake up any single night throughout my three weeks paternity leave. Now my family is balanced, two males, two females and the chapter is closed.”
Their first-born daughter is called Aurea.

CRAID DAVID TO TREK KENYAN DESERT FOR CHARITY

British RnB heartthrob Craig David will join a team of celebrities to trek across the Kaisut Desert in Northern Kenya in aid of Comic Relief, a UK-based charity that runs projects in the country and abroad.
The UK celebrities include Lorraine Kelly, Dermot O'Leary, Ronni Ancona, Olly Murs, Kara Tointon, Nadia Sawalha, Scott Mills and Peter White. They will start their journey over the tough terrain on February 18 and will cover 100km across the barren desert in five days.
They will be leading a caravan of camels, which will be carrying their camping gear and other equipment they need for the journey. The celebrities will meet Kenyans in need of urgent eye care throughout the trek.
A Comic Relief spokeswoman said the team will be highlighting the issue of sight problems and that the money raised will be used to prevent thousands of people in Africa from going blind or contracting eye conditions.
A documentary about the trek will be broadcast on BBC1 in the run-up to Red Nose Day on March 18.

NOLLYWOOD STARS IN NAIROBI FOR AMA PARTY

Nairobi will be hosting the Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations party on February 25-26 at the Laico Regency Hotel and the biggest Nigerian and Ghanian movie stars will be in attendance.
Practitioners from all the participating countries of the awards scheme are expected to converge on the East Africa nation for the announcement of the 2011 AMA nominations.
Some of the stars who have confirmed attendance include Rita Dominic, Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo, Mike Monsuruye, Jackie Appiah, Lynda Forson, Kate Henshaw Nuttal and Mike Ezeronye among others.
In a statement released by the Director of Administration of the award body, Mr. Tony Anih the Nairobi event is being planned to connect with the East Africa block that comprised about eight countries which include Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, and others. He comments: “East Africa has made very strong showing and presence in AMAA since we started particularly in the last three editions. Apart from submitting films for the awards film makers and allied practitioners from these countries have come to Nigeria to attend the awards.



“The AMAA secretariat felt it is time to make them have a feel of the award by taking the Nomination Night to them and thereby increasing the AMAA brand visibility in that region of Africa. Nairobi is central to East Africa and it is the economic hub of the region. It will be easy for people in East Africa to come to Nairobi. It will be a great Night,” he added.
Another feature of this year’s nomination Night is a concert that will follow it on Saturday February 26 at Carnivore Gardens in Nairobi featuring P-Square, J. Martins and other top artistes from Kenya and South Africa. According to Mr. Anih the concert will be an icing on the cake for the nomination adding that the footprint of AMAA will be so visible in East Africa after the two-legged events that participation in the award from the region will double in subsequent years.

ELEPHANT MAN, DING DONG, RDX FOR KENYAN EASTER

Jamaican stars will be in Nairobi for this year’s Easter celebrations. They are Elephant Man, Ding Dong and RDX.
The trio is been brought to won by footballer Dennis Oliech through his Fishbourne event outfit. Kenyan acts signed to perform at the concert include Gospel singer Daddy Owen, Genge trio P Unit, rapper Madtraxx, ragga heartthrob Redsan and Kiss 100’s presenter Shaffie Weru.
The concert is set for April 23 at the Carnivore. More details to be released soon.

CHIZI AND MZUNGU KICHAA BATTLE IN NAIROBI

The stage was set for a battle between Benga star Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda and Bongo act Mzungu Kichaa in a one off concert.
The event dubbed Benga vs Bongo organised by the Goethe-Institut, Nairobi, took place at the institute's auditorium on January 28 from 8pm. It was a free concert.
Chizi told Hot Secrets that the gig is an “opportunity for fans to see a mash up of two interesting music cultures and styles. It will also bring out Bongo and Danish influences that make Mzungu Kichaa interesting,” he said. “I wish we could have more of these forums and events to grow the industry. We are doing this purely for the love of art.”



The performers clashed with their songs and styles, which created an unforgettable experience.
On the Benga corner was Chizi, 25, described as a ‘lyrical genius’. Music fanatics recognise the self-proclaimed Crown Prince of Benga by his popular hits like Black Berry, Saida and Waacha Waseme.



On the Bongo Flava corner was Mzungu Kichaa. The Danish born singer, who grew up in Tanzania, he is fluent in Swahili and his name translates to ‘the crazy white man’. His singles Wajanja, Msanii wa Sanaa and even Jitolee featuring Profesa Jay and Mwasiti have topped the East African music charts.

STAN RELAUNCHES DEBUT ALBUM

Penya Africa-signed act Stan relaunched his debut album dubbed Kenya Debut at the Alliance Francaise gardens in Nairobi on January 26.
The 15-track album showcases Stan’s eclectic and unique feel. If it’s love stories, pain or joy, the way he delivers his musical message allows us all to relate to the urban tales spun in the album.
Kenya Debut is made of various music styles from soul and jazz to reggae and funk. Stan was musically inspired at a very early age through the records played by his grandmother and his aunt’s singing. He came across the Eastlands-based Penya Label/studio in Buru Buru and went on to work with the in-house producer Wawesh on Kenya Debut.



Stan took the stage at 9pm and went on to thrill the fans at the venue with his singles like Zion, Raindrops and Gachungwa. His labelmates were present at the relaunch to show their support. They included Sauti Sol members and Dela Maranga.

MARTHA KARUA ADDS VOICE TO JAL AND JULIANI”S SONG

The MP for Gichugu Martha Karua has pledged her support for Emmanuel Jal’s We Want Peace (WWP) campaign. She recorded her bit at the Click Track Studios, Nairobi on February 4, 2011. “This is a positive campaign and any serious leader would embrace it,” she said enthusiastically.
Martha an ardent user of the social media, said she was approached by Jal through Facebook.



On accepting his request, they had fruitful discussions. She recorded her contribution under the guidance of Juliani, a popular gospel artist. The video recording is set to take place some time in April. Yes, she wrote her own verse, and yes, it had the appropriate sheng and slang words, thank you.



In 2011, WWP announced its latest transition focusing on tribalism. Other leaders who have pledged their support to the noble cause include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, businessman, Jimnah Mbaru and Sudanese SPLM leader Yasir Arman.
As a presidential aspirant, Martha hopes to garner support nationwide, and her role in the campaign will give her much needed national appeal.



Launched in December 2010, the WWP campaign has received high profile endorsement from international celebrity musicians, politicians and businessmen, including Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Kofi Annan, Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson, all of whom feature in Jal's epic We Want Peace music video.
Spearheaded by global hip hop sensation, actor, author and activist Emmanuel Jal, WWP has made a memorable mark in many parts of East Africa and the world, with the popular sing along debut, also titled, We Want Peace.

WHO IS PROFF! HAVE A LISTEN...

After Proff's success with the hit single Data, it was up to him to ensure the fans got to know who he really is as an artiste. The latest release dubbed Nani featuring K-Tisa does just that.

Proff is now under the management of famed fashion designer Jeffrey Kimathi of the Jamuhuri Wear brand. He told Hot Secrets, "We are building something, so i will always keep you posted and give you details when ready.. but right now its about formulating the way.. and this is the first offering.. to many to come and hopefully great tings!"
Coomenting on Proff's music, Kimathi added, "Thats him.. this Kid got the potential to go huge.. his music just moves into your brain!"
Well there you have it. Do have listen!

TRAPEE'S NEW SONG, MY DEAR

One thing that has always drawn me to Trapee's music is his style that is je ne sais quoi.
Well, this video is different from his previous work but still has his salacious input as witnessed in the lyrics. The video by Ogopa DJs is for the single My Dear. Enjoy.

TRUMP'S APPRENTICE TO LAUNCH BIZ IN KENYA

Liza Mucheru-Wisner, the Kenyan who was a finalist in the 10th Season of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice is coming back to Nairobi to launch her technology business.
Liza owns and operates Texas Techies, which aims to teach children computer skills and, at the same time, basic reading and math.
She plans to establish her company, dubbed POWER UP (Providing Opportunities Where Everyone Rises Up) come March, a source told Hot Secrets. During a recent interview with AOL Jobs, Liza said, “I have decided to embark on a program to expand my business internationally through an organization I am setting up by the name POWER UP. I am working on a roll out plan for this new organization to be agreed with partners, donors and sponsors.”
During a two-week visit to Nairobi, in November last year, Liza visited the Kenyatta National Hospital’s maternity ward where she donated Sh150,000 to purchase an incubator and Anajali Primary School in Kibera where she presented a cash donation towards a girls’ toilet after she learned that girls and boys shared a toilet block.
Liza made it to the final three in Trump’s reality show that ended on December 16.

IYANYA READY FOR SECOND ALBUM

The past months have been rough and hard; with the loss of Iyanya's mother, and his only brother.
Now alone and in the cold, the singer is holding tight to his music – his only source of warmth and hope.
And after months of working hard to find his voice again, the ladies’ man is back in full circulation, getting ready for his second body of work.
With two singles already rocking radioland, and a video for I’m The One already on the way, the first-ever PFWA winner says he’s grabbing 2011 with both arms, putting his best foot forward to make sure he records a spectacular outing this year.
‘I’ve practically been living in the studios for months now’, says Iyanya, who recently signed up with Lagos-based label Buzz Avenue. ‘It’s been a period of mixed blessings for me – on one hand I’m getting such amazing support for my career, and I’m humbled by the growth I’ve recorded since I won Project Fame in 2008. But on the other hand, I’ve had to deal with the loss of my entire family: My dad, my brother, and my mom. It’s really more than I can handle, but I thank my friends, fans and the media for standing firm by me’.



Now putting all that behind, and working to make his departed ones proud, Iyanya has teamed up with Wazbeats, TY Mix and other producers to develop an album that he says ‘everyone will be proud of’.
As a sign of some of the stuff to come, he paired up with Rita Isokhen (of Koko Mansion fame) last December, to deliver a dramatic performance during the Rick Ross concert in Lagos.
‘We’re thinking outside the boss’, he says. ‘And that will reflect in everything you see on this new album; from my style, to the music, the videos and performances…’The singer’s yet-to-be-titled second album is expected in a matter of months.