WIN A TICKET TO SEE EVE IN CONCERT

Rapper Eve is on her way to Kenya and you could be the lucky winner of a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her live at Carnivore in Nairobi on 1st of October.

ALL You have to do is answer the following question:

What do Eve’s tattoos stand for?

Send a reply by following the blog and commenting.

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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

CAMP MULLA RELEASE PARTY DONT STOP VIDEO

By Buddha Blaze, Pictures by Sebastian of Vibe Weekly


Last Friday, Kenya’s rising teen music sensation Camp Mulla with the help of top Nigerian video director Clarence Peters released their highly awaited videos for the songs ‘Addicted’ and ‘Party Don’t Stop’ featuring Collo. The video launch was an industry affair attended by hundreds of top industry personalities including radio hosts, video DJs, artist’s producers, promoters, entertainment journalists, and also fans. During the one of a kind video launch at Prestige Plaza, Nairobi it was evident that these have been the best pop videos ever produced in Kenya paying attention to international quality acceptable to global music TV stations such as Channel O, MTV and Trace.

Watch the Camp Mulla 'party Dont Stop Video' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awrbsMeL3F8







In the late 90s and early 2000s the Kenya pop music scene underwent a boom with artists like Five Alive, Jabali Afrika, Hardstone, and Mercy Myra making major waves with a lot of hit music. After that wave came another wave of even more energetic artists such as Nameless, Redsan, Big Pin, Juacali, Nonini, Prezzo, Kleptomaniacs and a few others. But then something very interesting happened in the mid 2000s– there was a lull. The industry became monotonous with no interesting acts, no competition and no innovation. Kenyans have been starved for new talent for over 5 years – there’s always a light at the end of a tunnel, recently entered new comers Camp Mulla in 2011.

CAMP MULLA From Left to Right KCous, Mykie Tuchi, Miss Karun, Kass and Taio Tripper.

This event was jointly sponsored by Mtech Ltd, who’s MD – Iyke – was responsible for flying top Nigerian director Clarence Peters to direct the videos, and Sub Sahara Ltd currently the producers of Camp Mulla. Clarence Peters jetted into the country for a week to do the video like he has done for Africa’s most successful artistes such as P-square, Wiz-Kid and many more. Camp Mulla consists of Marcus ‘K’Cous’ Kibukosya (producer, composer, rapper), Benoit ‘Kass’ Kanema (rapper), Mathew ‘Tripper’ Wakhungu (composer, rapper), Karun Mungai (singer) and Mykie Tuchi (Manager).They are currently working on their debut album.

Camp Mulla Fans

The one prominent thing that you could hear from the roaring crowd of industry personalities, players and fans was the delight that this group; Camp Mulla has a fresh Nairobi sound and are probably that one group that will take the Kenyan music scene to an international level. Young energetic and amped; Camp Mulla are the new age K-South or Kalamashaka taking Kenya to that next level. Times have changed and music is very different at this moment. I would love you to watch out for Camp Mulla’s promising career as they keep soaring to greater heights. Enjoy the videos. To find out more go to: http://www.facebook.com/buddha.blaze

Much thanks to Vibe Weekly www.vibeweekly.com

ALBUM REVIEW: SAUTI SOL Sol Filosofia

Sauti Sol is all about consistency - this album covers diverse topics and spells out in bold letters that they are here to stay. For spiritual nourishment ‘Mbinguni’ is a well stringed composition with both super acoustics and an electric tendency. Most of the album is love ballads such as ‘Malikia’, ‘Awinja’ ‘Coming Home’ and ‘L.A.D.Y’. They deserve an educational award for encouraging young people to embrace school on ‘Soma Kijana’. These are the kind of role models the young nation needs not just ones that promote debauchery. They get very soulful on the reggae track ‘Private Spice’ which is really about having a great time. They sign off with ‘Sol Generation’ which is a political manifestation about leaders of tomorrow. This is definitely a five star album.

ALBUM REVIEW: DEZYNE - Rebel Manifesto

Dezyne puts his right foot forward with this conscious effort to export his thoughts about his experience as a young man growing up. On ‘Dark Dayz’ he paints a picture of a shameless world that is filled with greed and selfish individuals he raps “I couldn’t comprehend why the rich had senseless things/ while the poor stay locked in an endless dream” – its not like it used to be. He sets of the revolution on ‘Picture That’ where he provokes thought about living in a world of full of righteousness people who’s sole purpose is to fight against what’s wrong. He sends an ode to the motherland on ‘Africa’ where it’s clear where he gets his inspiration. Dezyne exhibits a mature lyrical flow and an amazing ability to tell his story. The name is Dezyne you heard it now check him out.

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

RED UMBRELLA DIARIES HAPPY ENDING, LOWER EAST SIDE NEW YORK

ZAWADI NYONG'O WITH BADUU OF KENYA VIBE AFTER HER PERFORMANCE http://www.kenyanvibe.com/



ZAWADI FLAWLESS


By Buddha Blaze images by Lumz Lenz and Zawadi Nyong'o

Let me introduce you to Zawadi Nyong’o; a human rights activist, specializing sex workers’ rights. At first it sounds overwhelming but as a proponent for universal human rights, I’m down with anything that propagates to protect the rights of any human being. No self respecting grown individual deserves the humiliation of being discriminated for the reason of the colour of their skin, their nationality, they sexual orientation, their religion, their cultural choices or their work. Some rights maybe touchy to others but I understand that I cannot stand for equality if I discriminate about the form of equality.

THE FLYER



If a grown woman chooses to live her life a sex worker, there’s not much society can do expect give her alternatives of how she can lead her life. If all effort to get them away from that lifestyle is futile, then the same society has the obligation to protect this individual so she can do her job with safety. Understanding the human rights of a sex worker is not easy but they’re human too and someone has to do it. Zawadi is that person and she does it with pride. I have learnt to love Zawadi for what she stands for, she could have chosen to do anything else in the world but she made this her life. http://www.facebook.com/redumbrelladiaries?sk=wall



So when Zawadi learns I’m in New York she makes it’s a point to invite me invite me for poetry and story telling performance called The Red Umbrella Diaries at Happy Ending a small spot on the Lower East side of New York. Red Umbrella Diaries is a monthly poetic and storytelling event about the sex industry. I arrive at the spot on Broome Street late to find the place packed to the max with a multi culturally elegant crowd. Zawadi was just leaving the stage but the crowd is still murmuring about how awesome she was. The word is the performance is exquisite and Zawadi is flawless.

ZAWADI & HER DAD DR. ANYANG NYONG'O & SISTER LUPITA



AATARA JEWELLERY


I’m entertained by the amazing host Audacia Ray a former sex worker now sex workers’ rights activist. Being the community supporter she is, Zawadi has brought along Aatara Jewellery http://tinyurl.com/3dhvzv9 by Empress Wairimu Njoroge which keeps the crowd fascinated and occupied. I get to meet and hang out with Zawadi’s dad Dr. Nyong’o – who’s also in town for a conference; he’s a lover of the arts and poetry. Zawadi’s sister - sexy actress Lupita Nyong’o of MTV film Shuga http://vimeo.com/7775923 is also in the house. A beautifully talented family all in NY at same time.

LUPITA NYONG'O