CHRONNIXX IN KENYA SATURDAY 18TH JUNE 2016

One of Jamaica's youngest roots artists the Prince of Reggae; Chronnixx will be in Kenya this weekend to bless his fans with his sweet reggae music. The concert will take place at KICC Grounds on Saturday from 6pm. Other acts on stage include Chris Darling from Dhooty Family, Muzikal Sherriff, DJ Zheno and Jahmby. Regular Tickets are Ksh. 1000 VIP: Ksh. 3000. BUY Chronnixx Tickets

As usual we come to make dreams true. We are giving away a free tickets to #ChronnixxInKenya.

The Questions is: When did Chronnixx first visit Kenya?

You can answer the question here pon this blog or tweets us using the hashtag #ChronnixxInKenya and tagging @GoodTimesAfrica 

BLINKY BILL AT NAIROBI RAPSODY NEXT TUESDAY

Just A Band producer Blinky Bill will be playing cool hip hop vibes and progressive music on the decks at the hip hop industry night Nairobi Rapsody at Choices next week. Every week a different DJ plays at this night as the hip hop industry. This night is intended to bring back true hip hop culture and take the Nairobi party scene to other parts of the city. FREE ENTRY. Don't Miss it.

More Info on Facebook: Nairobi Rapsody

NAIROBI HIP HOP RAPSODY

Finally the day is here when hip hop has a home in Nairobi. Tired of listening to hip hop in dingy spots well look no further every Tuesday Choices Pub on Baricho Road will host Nairobi Hip Hop Rapsody an industry networking night and authentic cultural night. Different DJs will play at the night and sometimes artists who play live with a DJ will perform. This is the place where we will host hip hop activity, hip hop album launches and all that good stuff. The month of May will see DJ Zaq playing followed by DJ Gapp, DJ Blinky Bill of Just A Band and then DJ Supafly. Every Tuesday, be there. Entry is FREE.

Find Nairobi Hip Hop Rapsody on Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/525287994198045/?fref=ts

May 7th - DJ Zaq

One of the top hip hop DJs in Nairobi - Kenya. Hi love for hip hop has sen him be the DJ for Mwafreeka on the radio show 'The Joint' on YFM radio. he later became resident DJ at WAPI. he later moved to Ghetto Radio where he played lost of great hip hop and is now at HomeBoyz Radio as producer of the massive show; Bassment. 

May 14th - DJ Gapp

DJ Gapp's 12 years in the DJ games has seen him playing hip hop, RnB, Neo Soul in Cyprus before coming back to Kenya where's he has played at Psys in Langata, Bar Code in Westlands, Alfajiri in Kilimani. He also plays at Kenya Harlequins, Blanco's Sports Grill in Karen and now based at Tribeka Lounge in Nairobi City.    

May 21st - DJ Blinky Bill

DJ Blinky Bill is the main man in the biggest experimental group in Kenya; Just A Band. He has huge love for hip hop and is heavily influenced by the culture.  As an artist and producer he paves way in how other African musicians should approach their craft - with diligence and interest. 

May 28th - DJ Supafly

DJ Supafly is a Nairobi based DJ from the original old school days of Q-Stakes and Crooked Q. He is known for his New Jack mixes and has played at various clubs around the city including nights such as 'Back & Forth' at Volar, New Jack at Chequers, Fabulous Fridays at Bavaria Sports Bar, Soiree Gardens and Counter at Museum Hill. 

MTV BASE & KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE PRESENTS AFRICA ALL STARS

This is a unique partnership between music and African tourism, the Kwa Zulu Natal Province, South Africa Tourism has linked up with MTV Base to promote a series of parties called Kwa Zulu Natal presents MTV Africa All Stars. These parties will be going on across Africa and the Nairobi one will be held on Friday April 5th at Tree House from 9pm onwards.

The party will be headlined by top African musical stars including Camp Mulla, P Unit, STL, Madtraxx, Kanja, Big Nuz and DJ Tira. So much music, fun and partying at Tree House this Friday, Nairobi is about to be on fire!!!

For More info on MTV All Stars and Tickets check: MTV BASE

Get more info on facebook:  MTV Base Verified

KAMA & BLAZE AT 8th ANNUAL TRINITY INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP FESTIVAL IN CONNECTICUT

As a hip hop head, every now and then I must do a cultural pilgrimage that sees me visiting the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut; USA. Trinity International Hip Hop Festival

Lots of hip hop activities, markets, discussions and love. The festival is attended by students, artists, graffiti writers, teachers, professors, break dancers, industry players, scholars from all over the world. The festival is an opportunity for students and world hip hop players to connect with each other through workshops, cyphers, film showcases, art exhibitions. This year the festival will start on April 4th and end on April 7th and will be headlined by Dead Prez and will have a wide range of artists from all over the world including Kama from the legendary Kenyan hip hop crew Kalamashaka. The festival will also have Aisha Fukushima (Japan), Teddy Yo (Ethiopia), Bideew Boo Bess (Senegal), Humanist (Burkina Faso), Mandeep Sethi (India), Las Krudas (Cuba), Rael (Brazil) just to name a few. The schedule: Festival Schedule

Kama who is a Kenyan hip hop pioneer will perform on Friday 5th April 10pm at the Washington Room of Mather Hall. On Saturday 6th April at 2pm he will be a part of a hip hop panel discussion about "Hip Hop and Human Rights through Education". This will be a major comeback for Kama of Kalamashaka who has started his solo career after a long silence from the group Kalamshaka. Follow Kama on twitter @KamaKshaka to see more of his moves hear his music and see what he's up to. Also check out his new music here Kama of Kalamashaka.

During the festival, yours truly (Buddha Blaze) will also hold a lecture in Professor Seth Markle's African Studies class about "The influence of African hip hop on contemporary African society". The class will take place on Thursday 4th April at Trinity College be in class.

Representing Kenya to the fullest.

CELEBRATING WALTER RODNEY'S LEGACY WITH HIP HOP

Tonight in downtown Atlanta, Georgia we celebrate the life and legacy of one brilliant black scholar, writer, pan-Africanist and historian; Walter Rodney. Artists to perform are Humanist from Burkina Faso via Paris and Waterflows from Senegal via DC. The show will be hosted by yours truely Buddha Blaze.

CELEBRATING WALTER RODNEY WITH HIP HOP

Venue: Soundtable, Space 2

Address: 482 Edgewood Avenue, 

South East Atlanta, Georgia

Date:  Friday March 22nd

Time:  8.30pm

WALTER RODNEY (March 23 1942 - 13 June 1980)   

He is a Guyanese history scholar and lecturer who has written and lectured on the need for Europeans to accept their part in under-developing Africans. By the age of 24 he earned a Phd. at the London School of African & oriental Studies. His lectures were against capitalism and in 1968 he led a revolution of poor workers in Jamaica an action that led him for being banned in Jamaica for ever. The riots came to be known as the Rodney Riots. Rodney went to teach at Dar es Salaam University in 1969 where he built a centre of African knowledge and education. in 1974 he returned to his native Guyana to take up a position at the University of Guyana but the government of Guyana resisted his return, this led to riots in that country. he then formed a powerful opposition political party called Working People's Alliance that was opposed to the government's capitalistic tendencies. He was later arrested and charged for various allegations. He was assassinated in 1980 after falling victim to a car bomb. he was one of the first black scholars to really take on the capitalism system. His most important book is called How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, where he described how Europe had a calculated plan to exploit Africa. He is a celebrated figure of Black freedom all over the world with lecture halls, history syllabuses, libraries, and school spaces named after him. The city of Atlanta Georgia hosts the headquarters to the Walter Rodney Foundation at Marketplace Boulevard on East Point. Visit the foundation here: Walter Rodney Foundation

DISCUSSION: IS AFRICAN HIP HOP A SOCIAL MOVEMENT??

African Hip Hop or Hip Hop in general can be viewed in many ways. Many people have used it as voice of the poor, some have used it as a tool to riches  others have used it as channel of expression. Do you see Hip Hop as a Social Movement?

Join Me as I host this Discussion in Atlanta, Georgia. Is African Hip Hop a Social Movement?

Thursday 21st 7pm;  The University Amphitheatre - Kennessaw State University - Northern Atlanta, Georgia.

Performers will include Humanist from Burkina Faso, Waterflow from Senegal, Ambassador for Ghana, Sol Messiah from Atlanta just to name a few.

DONT MISS OUT:  

WHY DON'T KENYAN ARTISTS GET POLITICALLY INVOLVED?

The Kenyan General election has just ended and what an interesting time it was. I took time to do an article for Okay Africa about some of the hip hip artists that had brought us some great music that had political messages.

There were artists who got paid to do songs for political parties and that's their right. But then there were artists who refused to take money and did songs about how they felt. The artists included Muki Garang, Jemedari and Octopizzo.

Read the article: Kenyan Political Tongues

Jemedari wrote a Letter to the President

Bro Muki is tired of living on 'A Dollar  a Day'

Octoppizo reveals what happened on Toboa

DJ CORTEGA & ELECTRIQUE DJS AT TREE HOUSE

If You Love Afro & Soul House Music This Saturday Night at Tree House Nairobi, Museum Hill this is the place to be. DJ Cortega and Electrique DJs Present ELECTRAFRIQUE

Saturday 12th January 2013. Starts 9pm - 5am. Entry: Ksh 500/- 

BLACK SUPREMACY DJs IN SOUTH AFRICA

Kenyan Reggae DJ Crew Black Supremacy is heading to South Africa next week for two shows in Johannesburg and Capetown. This magnificent DJ crew known for amazing DJs mixed and high energy at their shows. Unlike many local reggae DJ crews, Black Supremacy is one crew that has a major following at home and internationally. They have been performing in USA a lot but this year their African takeover started when they linked up with Spark Africa and Red Fox to perform in Zimbabwe twice and are now about to take it to South Africa.

Supremacy South Africa Tour Facebook Page

On 30th November Supremacy Crew will be at Jobuzz in Newtown, Johannesburg and then head off to Club Purple Turtle along Long and Short Market in Capetown. The tour is supported by Spark Africa and Black Exodus Sound Southern Africa's Dancehall ruler.

Be there with your Lion Palm sky high.  

 Listen To Supremacy Sounds

AKON LIVE IN KENYA

After many years of planning, Akon is finally coming to Kenya. Akon is brought to you by Spartan Group and concert will take place on the evening of Saturday 27th and afternoon of 28th of October, both concerts at Carnivore Grounds. The Saturday night concert will be for grown-ups while the Sunday afternoon the Family concert will be for all ages.

AKON LIVE IN KENYA
Opening acts will be Juliani, Bamboo and Stella Mwangi

The evening of 

SATURDAY 27th October 2012

Carnivore Grounds, Nairobi

Ksh: 2,500/- Main Arena
VIP: 5000/-
Family Concert on 28th: 2,500/- 

ALL ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT CARNIVORE & TAMARIND IN TOWN

 AKON PROMO

Akon In Kenya Event Page

WIN! A TICKET

By Simply answering this question.

Before Akon blew up, he first appeared on a song with a famous group.

What was the song, group and album?

RULES: To win this ticket, You must register yourself on this blog and then successfully answer the question.

The winners shall be announced be announced on this blog 12 hours before the concert.

THE KING OF BOLD TOUR

WHEN CORPORATES FINALLY EMBRACE HIP HOP

Images by Visual Edge, story by Buddha Blaze & L'Afrohemien

The King of Bold hip hop tour kicked off on September 20th in Nairobi Kenya at a lavish party that was held at Prestige Plaza on Ngong Road in Kilimani. Scores of hip hop heads and enthusiasts flocked the venue to see their favorite hip hop acts. Special invited guests included hip hop industry playas, movers and shakers of the business world, graffiti writers and even journos. Joining the star-studded lineup was recently returned home MC, Bamboo a former member of the 90s rap group K-South. After making major hits such as ‘Tabia Mbaya’ ‘Compe’, ‘Kabinti’ Bamboo left Kenya to pursue music interests in the US, where he has been able to work with artists such as Akon. This tour is a welcome home gift to him, and is a way for him to reconnect with his fan base. Also on the bill was the ever flamboyant entertainer Prezzo who earlier this year made headlines as a house guest on  Big Brother’s Africa edition. ‘Tokelezea’ hit maker Abbass a.k.a. Doobeez also joined the line up, with yours truly as the host MC. DJ Joe Mfalme was the man on the decks.

 Prezzo doing it for his fans

 Hip Hop Fans Galore

Bamboo and Abbas reconnect after 10 years (KSouth)

Three Kingsafter show

Hip hop Fans in Nairobi

 The new bottle

Bold Boss Playas

 Buddha Blaze the MC photo by Magic Lens

If you have been following me for the last ten years, you know I have been venting about how corporate brands in Kenya have ignored hip hop music. I have seen them come to embrace the other genres of music but never do you see them talk about hip hop.  This tour came at a great time because I was just about to give up on Kenyan corporates ever having a genuine interest in hip hop.  There have been many talks about brands embracing this culture and finally someone is working. In September 2012 the East African Breweries Limited brewed beer Pilsner who’s logo is a proud lion finally reached out to the hip hop community and decided to sponsor a nationwide hip hop tour of artist from the community and those associated with it. Ten years later this is a first and kudos to the people at EABL Pilsner for taking such a bold commendable move. 

 Pilsner hotties

Pilsner has recently changed its beer bottle to one with a thinner neck, new bold look but same international taste, and winning attitude.  Pilsner is the beer of the sharp, bold street guy who loves hip hop and is too cool. He knows his style and does it without flair. Pilsner beer endears to the hip hop street king. Pilsner embarked on an action packed King of Bold Tour to connect with “Kings of Bold” around the country. The first stop was the green town of Meru in Eastern Province on the 29th of August. This is the food basket of Kenya and while most people are farmers, they love their hip hop! It was great to see the joy on the faces of Meru people just happy to finally see their beloved hip hop stars live in their town. For the Meru leg of the tour Bamboo and Abbas were joined by Wyre and Juacali who held their own. Prezzo had just left to New York to meet with Jay Z. The next weekend the King of Bold Tour joined by Juliani and Madtraxx proceeded to Nakuru town in the Great Rift Valley where the fans came out in numbers in this industrial town and fastest rising town in Kenya. Nakuru loves to party and its residents definitely know their hip hop. It has been the best party thus far.

Bamboo Afrikan Bantu in Meru

Juacali Babayao in Meru

Abbass 'Murume' in Meru

Wyre in Meru

 Meru loves hip hop

 DJ Joe Mflame rocks Meru

Fans in Meru

Abbass in Nakuru

 Madtraxx gets down in Nakuru

Juliani Rocks Nakuru

Nakuru loves hip hop

This King of Bold Tour is a great demonstration that artists need to be professionally consistent with their craft in order to be noticed by big brands. They need to build a major fan bases that corporate companies can attach their brand qualities to. Brands identify artists who have built careers that resemble their brands. The Kings of Bold; Abbas, Bamboo and Prezzo have all built strong careers confidently; they haven’t wavered even when times were rough. What they get in return is a tour across the country to their fans and media exposure that boosts their careers. It’s a win – win situation that shows hard work pays. The King of Bold Tour continues to other parts of the country; Kisumu, Mombasa and so forth, pending security concerns in those places. Keep it here for more information.