TUSKER ALL STARS CONCERT ROCKED

By Buddha Blaze Pictures Courtesy of IMG Media

EVE ROCKS THE CROWD


After all the fun and action at the end of the week, the day arrived, it was Saturday 1st October; thousands of music lovers were going in one direction towards the south of Nairobi, specifically on Langata Road headed to Carnivore Grounds for the Tusker All Stars Concert, The main purpose was enjoying the music of Shaggy, Eve, Cabo Snoop, Alpha, Msechu and Davies.

ALPHA DEEP IN HIS ELEMENT


The Tusker All Stars came out first in the order of Msechu from Tanzania whose bulky frame and thoughtful choice of songs endears him to his fans. The next entertainer was the passionate Rwandese Alpha who gave his best but it was the Davies that really entertained the concerts with his unique dance styles making his performances very loveable. He held it for Uganda well.

DAVIES ROCKING IT


Next on stage was the kuduro dance sensation Angolan star Cabo Snoop who many were awaiting to learn his unique leg work. Dressed in his signature skinnies, he didn’t waste time, he got right into it with ‘Prakatatumba’, then his major hit ‘Windek’ that got the crowd roaring and rushing toward him and turning his set into a got so energetic Cabo dance competition.

CABO SNOOP TEACHES A FAN THE KUDURO


On stage next was the immaculate Ruff Ryders hip-hop queen Eve who came on the stage rocking a white t-shirt and black tight pants looking sexy as ever. This is a baddazz hip hop chick and a veteran who kept it gangsta giving love to the hustler brothers in the house. Her set was hard very reminiscent of the golden era of hip hop using hard backgrounds such as MOPs ‘Ante UP’ and a lot Ruff Ryder anthems. She kept it real on that stage and was a pleasure to see live.

HIP HOP QUEEN EVE


People braved the rain to see their reggae star - Shaggy who got on with Rayvon and went through many of his songs ‘Mr Bombastic’, ‘It Wasn’t Me’ among many and even introduced his new track – ‘Sugarcane’. Shaggy is a top class performer; however many times you see him, he never disappoints. Surprisingly, he brought Morgan Heritage on stage. The crowd left satisfied.

SHAGGY NEVER DISAPPOINTS

MR.BOOMBASTIC

THE CROWD LOVES SHAGGY


To find out more go to: http://www.facebook.com/SparkAfrica

EVE, SHAGGY AND CABO HANGING IN KENYA

By Buddha Blaze Pictures Courtesy of IMG Media


Eve kicking it in Kenya with Shaggy

The exciting weekend of September 30th was fun filled in the city of Nairobi as stars trickled in for the big Tusker All Stars Concert set to happen on October 1st at the Carnivore. Fans from all over were quite elated to know that some of their favorite music stars were hanging out in their town. There was pandemonium at the airport, hotels, clubs, malls and everywhere they went.



The Stars Hangin out in Kenya

They slowly trickled in one by one; first it was the Angolan star Cabo Snoop who was so happy to visit Kenya for the first time. Next was Jamaican reggae star Shaggy who has been to Kenya so many times he knows people and the streets by name he is suspected to have a Kenyan cell number. Hip hop diva Eve landed in later welcomed by celebration and camaraderie.

They quickly embarked on getting to know the Tusker All Stars Ugandan Davies, Tanzanian Msechu and Rwandese Alpha exchanged a lot of music and talked about industry experiences. They went out hanging out in Kenyan clubs visiting different venues enjoying Kenyan food and hospitality and culture. There was a lot of love, music, laughter, fun, embrace and style in the air.



Cabo planting a tree.

The jovial musicians then embarked on the first leg of their tour which was environmental conservation by teaming up with the EABL team and visiting the infamous Karura Forest which was saved by the late Wangari Maathai (RIP). The artists were elated to be involved in the experience in a country known for having an international tree planting hero. They loved it.



Alpha gets down and dirty.

To find out more go to: http://www.facebook.com/SparkAfrica

RAPPER EVE TO SET NAIROBI ON FIRE

By Buddha Blaze Pictures Courtesy of IMG Media

One of hip hop’s finest female rappers Eve formerly the first lady of Ruff Ryders Records is on her way to Kenya to perform at the Tusker All Stars Concert on Saturday 1st October at Carnivore in what is dubbed to be the biggest party on Kenyan soil this year. And yes it is indeed because it’s a dream come true for many hip hop lovers that have loved her music since she dropped on the scene in 99. Known for her witty rhymes, she was known to fans as the cutest chick in the game, adored for her for her sexy lips and thick curves. She will be in Nairobi and she will be joined on stage by Shaggy, Cabo Snoop (Angola), Alpha, Davis and Msechu.

It will be this Philly born and bred rapper’s first time to visit this side of the world as she comes in from an Australian tour. Eve is not just another female rapper with a pretty face; she has enough rap skills to earn her enough top respect and to work with some of the top names in the hip hop game including The Roots, on ‘You Got Me’, and ‘Ain’t Saying Nothing New’. She then became the Ruff Ryders Records female top MC doing songs with DMX, The LOX, Swizz Beats, Dr.Dre, R Kelly and many top artists. Her song ‘Who’s That Girl’ is her signature style and simply one of her most popular ones. She has sold lots of records, done film and now is a fashion icon.

Shaggy is one of the most popular reggae artists in the world having sold over 20 million records that’s more than Bob Marley sold. He is a mega star and has been to Africa severally – in Kenya he is part of the citizenry. His hit single ‘Wasn’t Me’ is a major tune in these parts. He is very familiar with Kenya and he is always a great act who never fails to deliver. He gets to Nairobi next week from his tour of Asia. Cabo Snoop is the Angolan new kid on the block, singing in Portuguese; his dance music has defied the language barrier. His hit ‘Windeck’ is played everywhere from clubs to bars. Fans look forward to dancing with him on Saturday 1st.

The party is for the winners of Tusker Project Fame a music competition that was held by Tusker Lager last few months. The winners:- Davis (Uganda), Msechu (Tanzania) and Alpha (Rwanda) will also join the other stars on stage for what is the most awaited concert in Nairobi is this year. It’s bound to be a great time in Nairobi lots of music, culture, fun and Kenya's best beer - Tusker. Tusker is definitely Kenya’s most loved beer brewed by the best brewers in Africa – East African Breweries. So at 2pm on the first of October get your beer mugs and be there to witness some hip hop action at Carnivore. Ticket prices are Ksh. 3,500 for Golden Circle and Ksh.1,500 regular. For more go to: http://www.facebook.com/sparkafrica

NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL OPENING GALA

STORY BY BUDDHA BLAZE, IMAGES BY LUMZ LENZ

ANGOLAN ACTOR OF VIVA RIVA AT NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL



What great timing to be in New York just in good time to catch the opening gala for the prestigious New York African Film Festival http://africanfilmny.org in the Walter Reade Theatre at the Lincoln Centre. This is an event attended by the top names of the African film industry both from the motherland and the Diaspora. I’m here with Kenyan Vibe TV www.KenyanVibe.com the team is amped and we get busy at work quick. The one thing that’s clear is that the crowd doesn’t ever come more Afrelegant than this.

NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL FOUNDER MAHEN BONETTI



This is the gala of the 18th New York African Film Festival held in the Walter Reade Theatre at the Lincoln Centre on Broadway. This is the biggest African Film event in the world, everyone is smashingly Afrelegant. We’re welcomed by the festival’s founder Mahen Bonetti an amazing Sierra Leonean woman dedicated to African film. She moved to New York 20 years ago, worked in advertising and journalism at Weekly News. Due to necessity she started an African film club which later became the New York African Film Festival in 1993 due to popularity. It’s been growing strong here ever since. http://www.danaroc.com/inspiring_041706mahenbonetti.html


FOUNDER MAHEN BONETTI WITH VIVA RIVA ACTORS PATSHA & HOJI



The gala starts with screening of this year’s star film; Viva Riva’ a Congolese and Angolan collaboration film by Congolese film director Djo Tunda Wa Munga. Riva acted by Patsha Bay is a local Kinshasa, DRC hoodlum who goes to Angola featuring and steals a truck of gas belonging to a gangster acted by Angola actor Hoji Fortuna. The story unfolds when the truck arrives in Kinshasa, a city that is in dire need the gas and so does the owner. The search is on and drama unfolds when the search for gas in the city turns into suspense, greed, intrigue, lust, corruption and violence. What a Great film.

VIVA RIVA



VIVA RIVA CO STAR HOJI FORTUNA WITH THE STAR PATSHA BAY



CASSANDRA GOINES (PUTAMAYO RECORDS), BADUU (KENYAN VIBE) www.kenyanvibe.com



ZAWADI'S AFRELEGANCE, WAIRIMA'S BEAMING, STACY'S SMILE & CREW



After the screening there was a question and answer session hosted by the festival. We were later treated to a sumptuous African dinner as the crowd starts to mingle with each other into the later hours of the evening. It was time for press briefings, interviews and just plain old African networking. I bump into Kenyan bred Tanzanian director Ekwa Msangi-Omari of Taharuki and her US based cast Miriam Chemoss, Gilbert Owuor and Chris Kamau http://taharukithefilm.com they are at the festival to promote the film. This is a film to watch and you will be hearing so much about it soon. Keep it here.

STAR OF TAHARUKI MIRRIAM CHEMOSS, DIRECTOR EKWA MSANGI-OMARI, GABRIEL OWUOR & CHRIS KAMAU



ENYINNE OWUNWANNE (FAR RIGHT) OF HERITAGE 1960 WITH CREW



KOJO LOOKING AFRELEGANT



BUDDHA BLAZE CHILLING WITH GHANAIAN ACTRESS MAAMEYAA BOAFO





The gala is filled with every other film name that you can imagine from South Africa, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and the Diaspora. I can’t meet everyone but the ones that stand out. And here at the New York Film Festival gala I would like to introduce to you an actress that you will be seeing on your screens very soon; the New York based afrelegant Ghanaian theatre actress and radio host MaameYaa Boafo who has appeared in a long list of Shakespearean productions of Hamlet and Comedy of Errors. She is currently playing one of the principals at George Street Playhouse's educational tour, and she's modeled for MTN - West Africa division, Hats So Me, and BHF Magazine. Check her out in the new Les Nubians music video 'AfroDance', and is the executive director of a non-profit called Shaggae’s Song Performing Arts Collective, INC. Miss Boafo is gearing up to hit the film scene - watch out Genevieve. This is one actress I personally hope to be seeing in a starring role in with Majid Michel very soon. It’s her time support her: http://casting.benetton.com/profile/1328341-maameyaa