NGWATILO AT ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL - JOHANNESBURG

Kenyan poet Ngwatilo Mawiyoo will be the second Kenyan poet to perform at the internationally known Arts Alive Festival in Johannesburg in September 2012. Last year Kenyan poet Wanjiku Mwaurah was the first poet to perform at this prestigious festival which is attended by thousands of music, film, dance, puppetry, theatre, poetry and art lovers from all over the word. Arts Alive is a 10 day annual festival that showcases the best performances from all over the world. The festival is supported by the City of Johannesburg, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and other companies that believe in supporting the arts. This festival is about lending African artists exposure to the international stage while offering the stage of international acts to local audiences.  This year’s festival will be showcasing Thandiswa Mazwai, Ms Cosmos and Kaboma just to name a few. 

Ngwatilo who is known for her gracious poetry in 2010 she published her first poetry book called Blue Mother Tongue. In 2011 she launched the well-received Peusic Project which was a showcase of her music and poetry. In 2012 she has embarked on a Kenya wide tour called This Kenyan Life where she visits families in remotes parts of Kenya and hangs out with them for days, sharing, eating with them and just talking about life. She has performed bot at home and many other countries and this will not be her first performance in South Africa she was on the Poetry Africa Tour with Mutabaruka.

Booked by Spark Africa; Ngwatilo will be performing on the Speak The Mind Sessions stage together with acts such as Napo, Shanelle, Synik, Nancy G from New York, Capetown, Zimbabwe, and Johannesburg.   She will be on stage at 7pm on 7th of September 20012 at Arts on Main, Johannesburg.   

Follow the event on @ngwatilo, @Arts_Alive, @MindSpeech

BEYOND THE MUSIC: A TALK BY JULIANI & IAN KAMAU

BEYOND THE MUSIC

  

A great musician is not just one who sings but one whose work affects people beyond the speakers and headphones.  Here are two musicians involved with their community one from Nairobi - Kenya and the other from Toronto - Canada. Two different places but the same passion for life. In Kenya, rapper Juliani is known not only for his popular songs but for his love for his community. He was raised on the community moved called Ukoo Flani Mau Mau and even as he went solo he has demonstrated a strong community leaning with his movement KAMA SI SISI (If Its Not Done by Us Who Else Will?). This is an attitude change campaign towards the youth to be responsible and accountable to themselves, community, and their surrounding make it better than they found it; Politically, Economically, Socially and Spiritually. Take care of yourself by taking care of others."

  

Ian Kamau is a social activist and you can hear it in his music but he goes beyond that. His love for his community sees him very concerned about the way his government and local authorities treat the issues of crime in Toronto. He is vocal in the treatment of young people of color in his community and passionate about using hip hop to uplift.  “My creative life extends to my work in community development, specifically with arts-based projects for young people. From painting murals in downtown neighborhoods in Toronto, to volunteering with youth hip hop projects in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Nairobi to working with the Royal Conservatory of Music. That side of my life has always run parallel to my artistic life and reminds me of the importance of expression, inspiration and opportunity,” say Ian Kamau. See more of his thoughts here: IAN KAMAU

 Tonight 8th August at Pawa 254 Hub on State House Crescent Nairobi Kenya, which is the base of rapper Juliani, he hosts Canadian MC Ian Kamau for a talk open to the public to talk about Beyond the Music. Tha talk begins at 4.30pm and ends at 7pm. Come join us as we give you knowledge of what it means. 

 

DIRECTIONS: Map To Pawa 254 Hub

BEYOND THE MUSIC ON FACEBOOK

IAN KAMAU IN KENYA

One of the freshest artists to come out of hip hop in the last ten years is Toronto bred MC/poet Ian Kamau. It may be a forgotten fact but those who know the roots of this movement know that hip hop started out as a community and was all about each one - teach one. The foundation of hip hop established by the early greats such as Cool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Zulu Nation was based on a notion that the movement was for the benefit of the people other than the rappers themselves. This is one thing you notice about Kamau in all his music is that he is about the community. His music is powerful; it’s evident that Kamau is a scholar and a great conversationist who listens to the voice within.

His Trini parents named him Kamau a Kenyan Kikuyu name meaning ‘Silent Warrior’; perfect name for a poet MC that listens a lot. He has opened shows for K'Naan, K-OS, Saul Williams, The Roots, Michael Franti, Ben Harper, Ursula Rucker, Talib Kweli and Shad as well as collaborating with the likes of K-OS, Tumi (from Tumi & the Volume), Shad and many more. His connection with Africa is special to him and he loves spending time here performing and connecting with people.  His desire is to put his experiences into the world so that he may enter a larger conversation with people in different places. Early this year released the album; One Day Soon and embarked on a South African tour: Ian Kamau

VIDEO: The Village

Spark Africa and Kwani Trust have put together their energy to enable his presence in Kenya in the first week of August. He performs at Kwani Open Mic on August 7th. During this performance he will be supported by Kenyan poets Wanjiku Mwaurah, Number 8, Dembede Mido and Githuku Ndungi. He will be doing a lot of other interesting things such as doing music with Kenyan artists such as Juliani, Octoppizo, Bamboo just to name a few.  Keep it here for more.

WIN A TICKET TO SEE NNEKA LIVE IN KENYA

NNEKA LIVE IN CONCERT
Opening Performance By Dan Chizi Aceda
Hosted By Buddha Blaze
Venue: Treehouse, Museum Hill, Westlands Nairobi
SATURDAY 4TH February 2012 (7PM)
ENTRY: 500/-

Advance Tickets are avilable at Goethe Instiut - Nairobi. To win a ticket all you have to do is answer this question: Advance Tickets Online: http://tixpress.com.132.blankserver.com/artiste.asp?eventid=124

Press Conference: Thursday 2nd Feb, 3pm Venue: Kilimambogo Conference Room Nairobi Safari Club, University Way

WHAT IS THE NAME OF NNEKA’s LATEST ALBUM?

The first 20 people to follow and reply this question on this blog automatically stand a chance to win a ticket to see Nneka Live in Kenya. Good on you.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/323638384335360/

Nneka ft Nas - Heart Beat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp5FdsaP2QU

A bit about Nneka


Nigerian songstress Nneka grew up in the Delta region, and later relocated to Hamburg - Germany. Her first album was Victim of Truth (2005) followed by No Longer at Ease (2009). She impressed Lenny Kravitz, he invited her to be supporting acthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif on tour. In 2011 she released her third album; a multi-faceted and “politically conscious”, a potpourri of Reggae, Soul, Afro, R&B and Hip Hop.
Daughter of a Nigerian father and German mother; Nneka Egbuna follows the footsteps of Fela Kuti and other artists who use music for community. She is setting out for an East Africa tour to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zanzibar. Some regard the powerful vocalist Nneka first as an activist, and then as a musician. “If there were no pain in the world, I wouldn’t sing,” says the soul singer

Nneka is internationally well known and has performed all over Europe, USA and is getting Africa to know her. She has toured with award winning Nigerian star; 2Face. She has made songs with top rappers such as Nas, Damian Marley and toured with Knaan. Nneka is the future of African music.

www.nnekaworld.com

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

MC Kah Speaks about his visit to Colombia

By Buddha Blaze
When it comes to hip hop in Nairobi, no other place is known to embrace this art form more than the inner city slum neighbouhood of Dandora. The home of hip hop pioneers Kalamashaka, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji and Ukoo Flani Mau Mau. Dandora is a nurturing ground for many stories and many MCs as a matter of fact it has the biggest concentration of MCs in Kenya every other young male is a rapper, a retired one or an aspiring one. It is the home of one MC Kah who is the younger brother to Kamah; one part of Kalamashaka. MC Kah is from a school of hip hop that is all about lyrics, its all about making sense and seeing how hip hop today is never about lyrics he may be one of those MCs that inwardly frustrated by his counterparts who are all about stunting.


Kah has been rapping since his teens and all he has ever known is positive lyrics. So being chosen to participate in this Translating Hip Hop project was not far fetched. He knows first hand the power of lyrics because he grew up around Kenyan hip hop pioneers Kalamashaka and later on as his own artist, he was involved in major projects such as he was part of the song ‘DANDORA L.O.V.E’ that was a hit in East Africa, he also participated in the human rights album Kilio cha Haki – Cry for Justice. Kah knew that going to Colombia to translate hip hop would be a challenge due to language but having performed in Europe for crowds that didn’t understand Swahili he knew well that hip hop doesn’t have a language barrier and that wouldn’t stop the fun.

The long journey to Colombia from Nairobi did not stop his enthusiasm after all he was probably the first Kenyan MC to ever visit Colombia a place that is known more for its medicinal export than its hip hop. On his way to Colombia he had been warned about his security but when he got to Bogota everything seemed fine, after all his home neighbourhood of Dandora is not a walk in the park. He loved the city of Bogota and he notes that there’s a lot of hip hop, reggae, salsa. Bogota had a similar hip hop vibe as in Kenya and he noticed how Colombian music had a lot of historical influence to African music probably through slave trade. He noticed that Colombians were quite interested in Africa and world affairs in general.




In Colombia hip hop artists seemed to enjoy a certain level of freedom to say whatever they need to say and censorship didn’t seem to be a thing they worried about that much. Like in many developing countries Colombia is plagued by youth unemployment, lack of resources for proper education, proper health facilities and an internally displaced population that is highly reliant on drugs for their daily survival. The rich drug barons seem to control the local economy with politicians being the vehicles for corruption and moral decays. Yeah we’ve heard that story way too many times. Most Colombian hip hop artists addressed these vices in their music. Their unique blend of hip hop laced with reggae and salsa is cool sound that is unique to Colombia.



Colombians have a big love for art and its encouraged throughout the society unlike Kenya. He enjoyed the Seventh Street – Septima a street in Bogota that’s dedicated to the arts every Friday. MC Kah enjoyed doing the translation with Colombia’s hip hop big wigs DJ Benny, Dianna Avella, Falco Flow and Melanina. His whole experience in Colombia makes him understand that many countries have more to offer than they are known for. He noted that he had heard about the kidnappings, drugs in Colombia but nobody ever told him about the great food, music and determination of Colombians to fight these vices.

On 25th of March to over 15 MCs including Nazizi, Malikah and Rayess Beks will converge in Nairobi to network and perform at TRANSLATING HIP HOP a workshop and concert featuring Big Mic, Octopizzo, Sharama, Wanjiku Mwaurah, Deejay Zaq, Deejay Steel just to name a few. Be there come witness. To find out more go to: http://www.facebook.com/buddha.blaze

NAZIZI SPEAKS ABOUT HER TRIP TO BEIRUT

By Buddha Blaze
When first asked by the Goethe Institut to go to Beirut for the Translating Hip Hop project the first lady of Kenyan hip-hop – Nazizi was hesitant. After all Beirut is not known for its hip hop; it is known as a battle ground for opposing ideological, cultural and political standpoints. Still it wouldn’t have hurt for Nazizi to go see what type connections she would link up in this Middle Eastern cultural melting pot. Two weeks ago, she embarked on her first visit to Beirut anticipating racism like in other Arab countries she had been to, but was surprised by her overwhelming reception. To add to it, the Beirut architecture reminded her home on the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa. With warm weather at play, she already felt at home. Although people did not know where Kenya was, they definitely knew about Africa, she was ready to start Translating Hip Hop.


Beirut after the War
At the start of the Translating Hip Hop workshops, she was blown away by the similarity between the Lebanese, hip hop scene and the one back home. It was still gritty, organic and developing. She simply loved how rappers spit in Arabic fusing their Middle Eastern instruments in (reminds me of Slick Rick’s verse on the Auditorium with Mosdef)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT-hYXqTN38 This got her wondering why African hip hop artists never use traditional sounds in their music - Arabs are proud of their strong heritage and culture. Through the process, she learnt how Swahili is deep rooted in Arabic. Hip hop is a very important tool of communication in Lebanon as a vessel of spreading messages. Lebanese hip hop artists are a conscious lot and their lyrics are mostly about issues about the civil war. They are in tune with what’s happening in their neighbourhood and politics.

Beirut Now
Nazizi visited Beirut a time when there’s a lot of revolution talk in the Middle East, we have seen the youth in Egypt and Tunisia hold successful revolutions in the last one month. “Lebanese youth are also speaking out and I could hear it in many conversations that they want change and they want to be heard. They are fighting for peace in their region. There were a lot of discussions about peace revolution in Beirut,” says Nazizi. You would’ve thought she would be scared for her life being around Beirut but she took memories. “I love Beirut, it’s close to my heart, it was the last place I thought I would ever be so attached to and I definitely want to go back. My overall experience was really inspiring for me to go out there and see for myself what Beirut was like, I will definitely go back and keep in touch with the artists there. It was an eye opening experience.

“I am blown away by the idea of this Translating Hip Hop and I’m really happy to be part of it. It is important because as an artist to sit and understand other artists’ perspectives of their lyrics and translating it to my own language,” says the enthusiastic rap scholar. While Translating Hip Hop she met Beirut’s biggest rappers - Malikah and Rayess Beks whose lyrics are quite political and have been subject to censorship due to sensitivity of their lyrics. For example there certain countries such as Israel which are not recognized in Lebanon and so cannot be mentioned therefore so Lebanese artists have to be smart in their lyrics and they use a lot of parables. They are currently working on a ground breaking and collaboration album that will be released at the end of the Translating Hip Hop project. It’s about to get really hot Swahili and Arabic hip hop.

On 25th of March to over 15 MCs including Nazizi, Malikah and Rayess Beks will converge in Nairobi to network and perform at TRANSLATING HIP HOP a workshop and concert featuring Big Mic, Octopizzo, Sharama, Wanjiku Mwaurah, Deejay Zaq, Deejay Steel just to name a few. Be there come witness. To find out more go to: http://www.facebook.com/buddha.blaze

BUDDHA BLAZE BIOGRAPHY

Born: March 28th
Race: African
Nationality: Kenyan
Govt Name: Moses Mbasu. Son of Malik (Senior Diplomat) – Abu Dhabi - UAE, Brussels - Belgium, Ottawa - Canada), Elizabeth (teacher). Marital status- single, No children.
Address: 50 Sumo Flats, Marcus Garvey Road, 17960, 00100, Spark Africa. Africa.

Occupation: Writer, Artist, Project, Event, Content & Marketing manager. Social Networker.

Best Known As: Entertainment Writer at PHAT/ WAPI Event Organizer at British Council/ Music & Hip-Hop Activist/ Creative Entrepreneur/ Connector

Current specifications: Creative Director Spark Africa, Content, Marketing and Artist manager Ingoma Talent

Blogs & Web: http://wapiunderground.blogspot.com
http://ingomasoul.blogspot.com, ingoma.co.ke, http://archive.baobabconnections.org/country/?country=6 www.twitter.com/itsbuddhablaze www.facebook.com/buddha.blaze

At Work: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=56543513319&set=a.56542878319.65648.650693319

Targets: Radio show/ TV show/ Media & Record Company/ World tour with artist.

Buddha Blaze was the editor of East Africa’s first entertainment magazine PHAT! The first magazine of its kind in Kenya. He provided a platform for young and budding African artists to express themselves and connect with fans, documenting the emergence of an entertainment industry in Kenya. The result is local dailies such as Nation and Standard newspapers in adopting Pulse and Buzz. Through his time as editor of PHAT Magazine, Buddha Blaze interviewed numerous entertainers namely Suzanna Owiyo, Yvonne Chakachaka, Shaggy, Nameless, Redsan, Eric Wainaina, Bamboo, Alpha Blondy, the late Lucky Dube, Mandoza, Lebo Mathhhhosa and Brenda Fassie. Buddha Blaze was the TV host for Channel O ‘On the Streets. He was host of Nation TV’s RootStop. He produced two street DVDs called SHIKA 1 and 2 featuring. Chris Rock.

Buddha Blaze led campaigns through articles to have radio stations start playing Kenyan music instead of only playing international music changing the way radio looks at Kenyan music. In 2002 he was facilitator for the Safaricom Star Search looking for talent. In 2003 he led first group of Kenyan artists to the KORA All African Music Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2004 he was involved in World Bank anti-piracy project Action for Music. In 2007 Buddha Blaze became creative partner at Spark Africa where they designed and managed a global artists movement for British Council called WAPI and set it up in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi http:// www.britishcouncil.org/africa-wapi-lights-up-africa.htm. Through WAPI Buddha Blaze has inspired the careers of many artists such as Sauti Sol, Big Mic, Point Blank, Muthoni the Drummer Queen and Liz Ogumbo. Buddha Blaze is the founder of the major poetry event Slam Africa: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120572724680372&ref=mf. Buddha Blaze manages the UN Habitat movement called Messengers of Truth with Knaan & GURU: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=193895913552 and managed the Your City Summit by UN Habitat in Durban: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=193895913552
BUDDHA BLAZE BIOGRAPHY (2000- )

SELECTED CAREER PROJECT REFERENCES
2000: Head reporter at PHAT! Magazine
2000: TV presenter/ host Nation TV; Rootstop
2001: Organizer PHAT! LIVE Concert
2001: TV Host on CHANNEL O ‘On the Street’ Documentary
2001: Media Rep at LUCKY DUBE CONCERT in Kampala, Uganda
2002: Mobile Phone content provider SAFARICOM 411
2002: Media representative; FESTIVAL MUNDIAL, Tilburg, the Netherlands
2002: Organizer PHAT! Magazine Launch; Johannesburg, South Africa
2002: Event organizer; OKTOBERFEST 2002, Nairobi, Kenya
2002: East African PR for KORA All Africa Music Awards, Johannesburg SA
2003: Radio Presenter, Ethnic Fusion, CAPITAL FM, Nairobi, Kenya
2003: Facilitator; SAFARICOM STAR SEARCH, All over Kenya
2003: Organizer / Host for RAP & VIBE, Nairobi, Kenya
2003: Artist Manager; BIG BROTHER AFRICA Beach Party, Mombasa,
2004: Event Organizer at TUSKER SAFARI SEVENS, Nairobi, Kenya
2004: Spiderman Launch for FOX CINEMA, Nairobi Kenya
2004: Tour Manager for COCA COLA Real Country Tour
2004: Sales Agent of KENYA MUSIC WEEK, Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
2005: Organizer of OLIVER MTUKUDZI Tour of Kenya
2005: Artist Liaison, FANTA - Bamboocha Launch, Nairobi, Kenya
2005: Media Rep, United Nations GLOBAL HIP FESTIVAL, Johannesburg, SA
2006: Manager for World Environment Day Concert- ECOFEST, Nairobi
2006 -: Event & PR; WAPI: Words & Pictures, BRITISH COUNCIL, Nairobi, Kenya
2007: Facilitator UN HABITAT; Urban Youth Development Conference, Kampala,
2007: Event & PR for WAPI Tanzania, BRITISH COUNCIL, Dar es Salaam,
2007: Client Service for SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM activation, Nairobi,
2007: Host of AFRICAN HIP HOP RADIO, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2007: Event & PR for WAPI Nigeria, BRITISH COUNCIL, Lagos,
2007-: Editor WAPI TIMES Magazine
2007: Organizer DEAD PREZ show in Kenya - Tanzania
2008: Organizer EMCEE AFRICA 1 & 2 for CHANNEL O – Kenya
2008: Organizer KENYA YOUTH PEACE WEEK (NYVP) for UN HABITAT
2008: Coordinator for US/Kenya Culture Exchange workshop c/o US EMBASSY
2008: Organizer of London’s BLAK TWANG Tour of Kenya
2008: Coordinator BRITISH COUNCIL YOUNG MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
2008: Facilitator of BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FORUM – New Stanley Hotel
2008: Event & PR for WAPI Ghana, BRITISH COUNCIL, Accra,
2008: Host/ MC PILSNER rebranding launch for EABL
2008: Project coordinator ONE CITY: GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT – Durban, SA
2008: Content Agent: PEACH MOBILE/ MOBILE SAWA (Ringtones)
2008: Project manager KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS EPA Advertising Campaign
2008: Organizer NYAMA CHOMA FIESTA Book Fair, Ngong Road Nairobi
2008: Production Management STANBIC BANK ‘Win out of the Blue’ Ad Campaign
2008: Media and event consultant for JIPANGE Youth Campaign
2008: Organizer SAWA MTAANI at SAWA FESTIVAL Arboretum, Nairobi, Kenya
2008: Project manager for Finnish National Day EMBASSY OF FINLAND, Nairobi
2009: Organizer UNITED NATIONS Governing Council, Gigiri, Nairobi
2009: Coordinator Dynamax Tour for US EMBASSY
2010: Artist, Content & Marketing manager – INGOMA TALENT MANAGEMENT
2010: Host/ MC Nairobi Berlin Cultural Collaboration for GOETHE INSTITUT, Nairobi
2010: Blogger/ Social Networker: SONY Music/ Rock4000/ AIRTEL
2011: Blogger/ Social networker NOKIA Activation Ambassador

CALL NOW FOR YOUR CULTURAL CONSULTATION NEEDS: WE TAKE YOUR WORK SERIOUSLY

SPARK AFRICA LTD
Arts, Social, Media Consultancy/ Events, Talent, Relations & Project Management
P.O Box 17960, 00100, G.P.O, NAIROBI, KENYA
Staying Until The Finish Line
Office Landline:+254 020 386 52 33
Cell Lines: Airtel:+254 736 528 116/ Orange:+254 772 045 357
Skype:Buddha.Blaze

http://www.facebook.com/SparkAfrica

KENYAN RAPPER BAMBOO SIGNS INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DEAL WITH FORMER WU-TANG MANAGER

BY BUDDHA BLAZE

Former K-South member, Bamboo is one Kenyan rapper that keeps making major moves. Yesterday he became the first Kenyan rapper to get into the international hip-hop game after he signed a marketing deal with Wu-Tang Clan’s former manager Cedric Muhammad. Since mid 2000s, Bamboo has been in the US hard at work molding his skills, learning the game and working with artists in the industry. Working between Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta he has been putting in work on new music which include a remix of Akon’s ‘Mama Africa’ and a few mix tapes to his name.

Bamboo is one of Kenya’s pioneering rappers who rose to fame with the duo K-South which consisted of him and another veteran Doobiez who goes b his alter ego Abbas Kubbaff. They named themselves after the tough inner-city Nairobi neighborhood called K-South (Kariobangi South) a perfect setting for great street tales. K-South was lyrically untouchable around 2000-07 making major noise on the Kenyan music industry with hits such as ‘Tabia Mbaya’, ‘Kapuka’, ‘Sitaki’, ‘Usilete Compe’, ‘Sitaki’, ‘Kariobhangi’ just to name a few. They sealed their name in the Kenyan hip-hop history books.

Bamboo now lives in New York and has been searching for someone to direct him to where he needs to be as an artist. Cedric Muhammad is a journalist who writes for www.allhiphop.com, www.blackelectorate.com, and many others. He is an accomplished music manager who has worked with many hip-hop artists notably the multi millions album selling WU-Tang Clan. Cedric Muhammad is an economist who is a consultant for the African Union. His deep interest in Africa, its economy, culture and music drove him to set up a management company Hip-Hoppreneur Brand Management.

While networking with a group of African artist managers, filmmakers and industry practitioners recently, the name Bamboo came up as a perfect African rapper to get introduced to the US market. A meeting was organized and the rest as they say was Africa’s first rapper to work with a major US hip-hop industry insider. The Official Press is here: http://tinyurl.com/27vwloz. This is an exciting time for Bamboo as he will now get the perfect exposure needed to catapult his career in the direction he needs and the sky is the only limit from now on, he is in perfect hands.

Meanwhile Bamboo has new music out: http://soundcloud.com/bambooshakazulu/heya

http://buddhablazeworld.blogspot.com, http://www.cedricmuhammad.com,

www.facebook.com/Buddha.Blaze www.facebook.com/Spark.Africa