The Kenya National team, Harambee Stars, held their first training session in Egypt on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, ahead of their opening match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations against Algeria.

The team arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Kenya played two friendly matches in Europe, winning 1-0 against Madagascar and sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw with the DRC, in the run-up to the tourney.

Harambee Stars has been pooled in Group C alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Tanzania, the first match will be against Algeria on June 23. Tanzania will be up next on June 27, before Kenya winds up her group stage matches against Senegal on July 1, 2019.

Sultry singer Mayonde has team up with the talented crooner ElvisWho in a new video titled 'Turn Up'

The banger #TurnUp was produced by VDJ SPACE - one of Kenya’s top DJs turned music producer.

“Turn Up” is the leading single off DJ Spaces’s upcoming debut album titled ‘No Expiration Date’.

Watch the video below

Award winning Kenyan gospel female musician Mercy Masika is the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  (UNHCR) National Goodwill ambassador for Refugees.

This appointment comes after she working with one of UNHCR's campaign dubbed LuQuLuQ which was for protecting people who had been forced to flee.

Breaking the news on twitter UNCHR twitted 

"A very big warm welcome to our newly appointed @Refugees Goodwill Ambassador for Kenya  @MercyMasika!"

On her part the talented singer notes

"Refugees are just like you and me, they could be in-fact be any of us.I believe as an African community we have a responsibility to invoke the spirit of Ubuntu,that we carry each others burdens by showing our warm warm heartedness in the face of refugees struggle."

Jah Prayzah is a Zimbabwean contemporary musician and lead member for the band Third Generation. 

Back in his home country, he is popularly referred to by fans and media as “Musoja” which translates to soldier, this is  because of his signature band uniform of military regalia.

His music has seen him win five awards at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) including the song of the year award in 2013 . He also won two awards at the Zimbabwe Music Awards( ZIMA)  in 2014.

Some of his hit songs include “Dzamutsana ”, “Maria”, "Chengetedza", “Mdhara Vachauya". He also worked with several starts including Diamond Platnumz  on “Watora Mari”, Yemi Alade "Nziyo Yerudo" and Davido "My Lilly".

He has released several albums including "Sungano", "Rudo neRunyararo", "Ngwarira Kuparara", "Tsviriyo", "Kumbumura Mhute" and "Mdhara Vachauya". 

In a interview with Ommy Dallah, Jah Prayzah revealed more about his music.

1..Who is Jah Prayzah, kindly describe yourself?

Jah Prayzah is a musician from Zimbabwe, born Mukudzeyi Mukombe in a family of five. I am the last child, unfortunately i lost two of my brothers. I grew up in the rural areas of Nyadire under the guardianship of our parents, John and Shirley Mukombe. I began music around 2004, thats when i started using the stage name, Jah Prayzah which is a direct translation of Mukudzeyi, meaning Jah Prayzah.

2..What kind of music do you?

I sing afro beats but its heavily influenced by our traditional music in Zimbabwe. The key instrument in my music is the Mbira.

3..When did you start singing and when was your breakthrough?

I started singing in 2004 back in high school, but my breakthrough only came 5 years later when i released my single titled Sungano. From there i never gave up, i made sure i would make every next year, better than the last one.

4..What inspires your music?

Anything really, from stories we heard whilst growing up, the current situations that people encounter daily or even just my fantasies at times. I must also mention that the late Lucky Dube and Oliver Mtukudzi played a huge role in inspiring me to become the musician i am today.

5..How is the music industry in Zimbabwe compared to other African countries?

Its picking up, it used to be really small a few years back but right now i suppose we can proudly talk about it any where we go. We have various African stars willing to work with us and also visit Zimbabwe for business, which is a good thing.

6...Who is your favourite Kenyan artist?

I cant really say i have one favourite artist as i appreciate most of them, but special mention goes to Sauti Sol, those are my brothers and we have worked together before. I also love Nyashinski, i believe he is really good.

7...Any collabo with a Kenyan artist that we should expect soon?

We have one with Sauti Sol already, titled Special Somebody. Its on my album as well as theirs. Would love to get to make more beautiful music with my Kenyan peers, will update as time goes.

Popular sensational music group Ethic Entertainment unveiled their first song 'Figa' under new record label –AI records last Thursday at Golden Ice Bistro, Nairobi.

Figa is the first single under AI records a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, the song talks about the beauty of a well-endowed woman.

The audio has been produced by super talented producer Motif.

In 2018, the quartet released “Lamba Lolo”, “New Position” featuring The Kansoul and Instagram.

Lamba Lolo became an anthem among the youths and earned them a spot on Coke Studio Africa featuring Award winning artist Mr. Eazi.

Touted as one of the biggest breakout music groups in Kenya’s music scene in 2018, the group comprises of Rekless, Swat, Zilla and Seska as members.

The group has been signed to AI Records an International recording, publishing and distribution music company based in Kenya.

“Figa” is out now and available on all digital platforms.

Kenya’s fastest rising and Coke Studio Africa featured producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, Mutoriah is set to launch his self-produced debut album ‘Dive In’ in a star-studded live concert on Saturday at the Sands Club (Ad Life Plaza). 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Mutoriah shared,

“Dive In is all about inspiring people, myself included, to stop being afraid, get out of their shells and share their light with the world.”

The live concert promises to showcase Mutoriah in his full element as a performer as he presents his Afro-electric pop-inspired sound to the world.

Guest acts confirmed to perform at the launch include SERRO, Ayrosh, Tha Movement, Bensoul, Njerae as well as Steph Kapela.

Anticipation for the album is already building up after Mutoriah made available a free-to-download acoustic version of the album just to give fans a taste of what to expect.

The acoustic version is available for download on http://bit.ly/DiveIn-Acoustic  

Mutoriah has built an appellation as a multi-instrumentalist having played for a host of top African acts including his current regular - Tha Movement band and Sautisol.

Fans also recently got to discover his production finesse thanks to the#IMadeKenyaChallenge and subsequent recruitment unto Coke Studio Africa 2019 as the first Big Break Producer.

However, ‘Dive In’ encompasses Mutoriah’s musical exploits under the different hats he wears as an all-round creative and aims to marry that with his singer-songwriter persona.

The 10-track album also features the sultry vocals of Xenia Manasseh, rap prowess of Steph Kapela, the raspy mugithi resonance of Ayrosh, heartfelt expressions of Njerae, charming lyrics of the crooner Bensoul and eccentric sounds of Tha Movement Band.

Ace Nigerian music producer and entertainment business executive GospelOnDeBeatz has released his anticipated debut album titled “Flux” (June2019).

The “Flux” album features African music heavyweights.

GospelOnDeBeatz is taking us to East Africa with the album’s second single “Ready” featuring Kenyan hitmaker Naiboi and talented singer Kemunto.

The music video of the mid-tempo Afrobeat jam produced by GospelOnDeBeatz was filmed in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Ready” follows the success of album’s first single “Blessings” which featured Peruzzi, Praiz, Kholi & Alternate Sound.

Other Africa acts featured on “Flux” the album include Sauti Sol, Rayvanny, Skales, Reekado Banks, Victoria Kimani, Mi Casa, Anselmo Ralph, MoonChild Sanelly, Falz, Iyanya, Timaya, Tekno, Stonebwoy, Davido, Okiemute and Kholi. Gospel also collaborates with music producers: DJ Khayleb, Brainz and instrumentalists: Fiokee and Alternate Sound on the album.

GospelOnDeBeatz touts his album as “a life changing and defining moment” for his career, from the time he embarked on its making in 2016.

Featuring 23 celebrated African artistes from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Angola and Ghana.

“Flux” album shows the power of African collaborations and the strength in diversity of embracing African languages, cultures and sounds.

“Flux” album is exclusively available on Boomplay Music since June 6th and will be available on other digital stores from June 21st 2019.

GospelOnDeBeatz will be embarking on an African media tour of the album and host a listening party in Kenya. He will also be releasing more videos from the album.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has urged the youth to fully utilize their talents in the arts and culture as an economic activity.

The First Lady observed that the arts and culture present vast opportunities for the youth to apply their creativity and generate income.

“We must encourage our youth to pursue the arts and culture as a new frontier towards economic development for the future,” she said.

The First Lady was speaking today when she officially opened a photo exhibition by diplomats based in the country dubbed, ‘Kenya Through the Diplomats Lens'.

“This Exhibition celebrates our country's diversity and also provides appreciation of culture, heritage and harmony through photographs" the first lady said.

Adding "As a result of its empowerment and mentorship projects, it will also have great social impact that will inspire and nurture the talents our youth in photo-art,”.

The photo exhibition showcased a unique collection of photographs taken by members of the diplomatic community in Kenya illustrating the nation's beauty and diversity.

It also featured photographs taken by students from Kibera sponsored by the Nikon Photo School, who through pictures, communicated their thoughts, imagination and passion. 

“We are also here to appreciate the remarkable talents of our youth who have participated by showcasing their creative work through images presented at this event,” the First Lady said.

Proceeds from the sale of the photographs will go towards supporting Destiny Children’s Centre which caters for orphaned children in Kibera and Karika Care Giving Centre for the elderly in Kawangware, Nairobi.

On environmental conservation, the First Lady said the photo exhibition depicted different aspects of the country and reminded all Kenyans of the need to pay special attention to the environment.

“Land, air and water are all central to our survival. We must be deliberate in our actions to protect and preserve it for future generations. We are all custodians of this planet,” she said.

Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said the exhibition was a step in the right direction as it promoted the preservation of the country’s cultural and national heritage.

The CS pointed out that the event created a new watermark in the recognition of photography as form of art with immense economic potential. 

“We will collectively work to see the expansion of this space as a source of livelihood for many,” the CS said noting that the cultural and creative sector is increasingly being recognised as an engine that powers job creation.

Other speakers included National Museums of Kenya Director General Mzalendo Kibunjia and Iraqi Amb. Burhan Al-Jaf who is also the chairman of the ‘Kenya Through the Diplomat’s Lens’ photo exhibition.

Earlier at State House Nairobi, the First Lady hosted the Chief Executive Officer of Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) Ms Rina Attias at a meeting where they discussed the challenges facing children from poor families born with heart conditions. 

SACH is an international non-profit organization that works to save lives by improving the quality and accessibility of cardiac care for children. 

The First Lady, who is the patron of the Kenyan chapter of SACH, was briefed on the progress made by the organization in helping 48 Kenyan children to undergo complex heart surgeries in Israel. 

The organization also runs a training programme for Kenyan paediatric cardiologist and cardiac surgeons in Israel. 

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta commended the organization for its outstanding charitable work and promised to continue to supporting the its programmes.

Adelle Onyango, through her initiative, has unveiled a podcast series titled PursePective.

As the name suggests, the podcast is a space where women can talk about their experiences as they relate to gender equality, and men can objectively respond with their perspective.

PursePective will be a podcast to drive gender equality, women empowerment and inclusion.

During each show, Adelle Onyango and a panel of three guests will tackle different ways in which we can all promote a more equitable society. 

“The narrative of the podcast is based on the premise that in the patriarchal nature of society, men have a privileged hand and many times do not even realise it,” Adelle noted.

“The aim of this podcast is to bring this to light, highlighting for men the privilege they may take for granted,” she added.

“The podcast is a platform to not just tell the African woman’s story but to get men to understand what it takes to be the modern African woman and the social intricacies involved.”

On Tuesday June 25th, PursePective will premiere at a two-hour live viewing which will be held at K1 Klub house.

The viewing will feature a 60-minute panel discussion followed by a 60-minute Q&A between the guests and the show's panel members. 

The premiere and all future episodes of PursePective will be posted on Adelle’s social media channels in both podcast and video form, where she will encourage women to watch or listen with a man or with men.

Adelle further explained, “The podcast is based on the understanding that women are not the problem; the obstacle and hindrance to gender equality and sexual abuse, is not fellow women; and that if men know and do what’s right, we live in a society as equals.  The podcast is really for men.”