H_ART THE BAND FINALLY GETS FEATURED ON NTV’S #THETREND

#THE TREND

F

or me as a writer; I remember the first time I heard H_Art the Band perform at the Pawa-254 during a regular event now on poetry and music dubbed Fatuma’s Voices (read it here- http://nairobizblogazine.blogspot.com/2013/08/backstage-pass-with-hart-band-ask-my.html). Tracing that and how I went ahead to blog and write about their new sound-music from the heart (H_Art) meeting poetry, and the other day, I couldn’t be proud to see the band get featured on #TheTrend.

Mark Masai did an awesome job interviewing and hosting the boys. Sing such a band get featured on a major TV station such as NTV was massive for me. And their performance for their hit single “#Uliza Kiatu” just blew me away literally.

#TheTrend; a highly followed evening show; provided that much needed platform to highlight where Kenyan music is now going- and what followed, fans in their legions and numbers online tripling on the social media!

“So where are we now watching H_Art the Band?”  The age of youthful musical bands is here with us. It is a season when artists are not only releasing records but also bringing together all the elements together: music from the heart; rhythm, beat, poetry and melody; to create that ‘good to the ear’ sound.

We have moved from “throw your hands in the air” stuff. The question is, are we ready to embrace this change? The show on #TheTrend also featured Poet Teardrops- a performing spoken word artist. Check him out!

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

The Suits & Tie event at Skyluxx Lounge Nairobi

Hosted by Dj Hypnotiq; Dj Stretch and listen To Slick; the Hennesy sponsored event went down attracting both fashion and a hyped crowd. Eyecon Photography were there too.

#SuitsandTies 

#SKYLUXnightlife

Photography by- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.668849759831618.1073741940.250423201674278&type=3

SANAIPEI TANDE GOES THE PASIONATE SAUTI SOL WAY WITH NEW VIDEO-“MFALME WA MAPENZI”

#EXCLUSIVE

So it seems now that the trending way to have your video being the talk of town is going the sexy and passionate way as Sauti Sol did. Well some say it is a reflection of art about the society and if that is so then it means our ladies are yearning for more intimacy if Sanaipei Tande’s latest video is anything to go by.

The video done by Onfon Productions has scenes set in the bedroom and shower and is quite a high quality HD video. The concept is also quite easy to grasp and the director has chosen to hide the Mfalme (king) in the video.

As I write this; the video is at 73,000 hits already on YouTube. What we remain to see is whether the video will only be a YouTube hit and not make it to TV as others before it have done.

By Mfalme Embukane Vincent Libosso

GRANDPA’S KEPHER PRINCE FUSES BONGO & OHANGLA- #OBERANA

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Grandpa Records are back with a new style- a blend of Bongo (Tanzania) and Ohangla (Kenya). The latest release by Kepher prince dubbed #Oberana-my beautiful; oozes pure praise and innocence of love. The video is quite colorful and the choice of scenes shot in atop hotel adds to the video’s quality and tempo.

The artiste’s decision to rock colorful suits including Gor Mahia jerseys; and the lady in colorful dresses that compliment her body helped create an alluring contrast. The out-door shot video has a well-balanced light exposure and this is a thumbs up to the director.

Kepher Prince is a new act and he has room to improve but al in all; the video is easy for the eyes. Check out another video by Grandpa’s Kidis- full shangwe and the new video by Bwana Ngoma and Kristoff- Nipe…

By Wuod Gi Libosso.

KAKA SUNGURA RELEASES NEW VIDEO: “BADO NAKUPENDA”/ SUDI & AMILEENA- “NAONA BADO”

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

“Naona Bado” is the latest music video that has brought together two great coast based vocalists Sudi Boy and Amileena in this amazing song that has a bongo feeling to it. It is a simple but easy to grasp dramatized video set in a coastal village.

The song was officially launched at Refigah’s wedding last month and Amileena particularly wowed the gathered crowd with her vocals, earning prolonged applause at the end.

Shot by Hamza Omar of One Point One Montage; the video tells a story of Sudi whose wife-Amileena; has refused to bear him a child and now he wants to bring in another wife but Amileena is against it.

And still on matters on love, Rabbit Kaka Sungura has also released a new love themed song- “bado nakupenda”. The indoor shot video goes ahead to stem Rabbit as a great poet and rapper as he expresses himself on the track.

The video would have been more established on the love theme with more outdoor scenes and the lyrics to accompany some dramatized scenes- but that is just our take! Directed by Wawesh; it features Safari Sound Band on the chorus.

Also kindly check out this new video release of Victoria Kimani featuring Bien of Sauti Sol.

By Kaka Embukane Vincent Libosso.

AKOTHEE RELEASES NEW VIDEO- “PASHE”

#NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Kenya rocks! And Kenya music rocks! I am glad discussions are on-going everywhere on Kenyan music that has rapidly grown up and out. A thriving music scene exists throughout Kenya with new local styles. And Akothee’s latest release- “pashe” incorporates tales of the past with sounds from the present.

The song is well shot and the village scenes also enhance the video. The vigorous dances of Akothee and her girls set the clip’s high tempo. The story is about “pashe”- a guy who lives larger than life and has managed to convince everyone of his good life; yet on the contrary he is a poor person.

The change of dressing from kitenge on some scenes to tights and white tops while dancing also worked great and the director does a commendable job- balancing the video exposure and the final mix down.

And in a rather characteristic fashion borrowed from his hit song ‘kwata kawaya’; gospel star Mbuvi has again release a fast and highly dramatized video for his latest song ‘mutui museo’; which loosely translates to “good neighbor”-check it out!

By Mgenge True Embukane Vincent Libosso.

NAIROBI’S SUPER BIKERS COME OUT TO RIDE

#BOYS & THEIR TOYS…

The month of May 2014 saw business come to a standstill along the busy Bunyala and Machakos road, when the big boys turned up in large numbers with their motorbikes on Sunday 18^th may.

This was to facilitate the Superbike Championship practice race from 8am to 5pm. It was the Super Bikers invites only qualifying trial. Talk of speed and the risky of this event that saw the roads closed and local access maintained.

Sponsored by The Nairobian newspaper and General Motors, this year’s event attracted more participants and spectators compared to last year’s.

The event also saw world leading bike brands grace the occasion- from Yamaha to Suzuki, to Ducati, to BMW- you name it!

Last year, the event took place in Tatuu City road in Ruiru but was moved to Industrial Area this year; the finals at the same place on June 15^th this year! Be there!

#THEDIARY- courtesy of @thepulse

Photos by John Telewa.