Zambian star Jay Rox has teamed up with Tanzanian R&B King Juma Jux and Kenz Ville Marley to release “Changanya” (Mix in Swahili and Nyanja languages) 

The song’s rich mix of cultures has hit home, in Zambia and East Africa, positively with many relating to the song’s lyrics talking about the mixed emotions encountered in every relationship. 

 “Changanya”  is a classic Zed beats/Bongo flava infused record produced by Kenz & Beingz, the dynamic duo responsible for Jay Rox’s “Distance” remix featuring Rayvanny & AY. Its befitting video directed by director Jordan Hoechli is complete with royal vibes and the star trio showing off their on screen chemistry.

“Changanya” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNvCRUumJpY 

Stream “Changanya” : https://africori.to/changanya 

The coming together with Jux was more than a connection in the studio but a look at how to merge their musical prowess into broader business.

Jay says, “Plus I love his sound!” Adding, “Jux and I have got quite a number of things in common. Apart from being a musician, he is also business minded; he's got his clothing line African boy and I also have a clothing line and sneaker brand that I'm pushing down here.”

With a mission to empower the Zambian music industry into something the next generation acts can pursue as a career, Jay Rox has over the years managed to build himself a solid brand himself as a solo artist. His consistent growth on social media paired with a strong fanbase in Zambia and beyond into Africa stand out. 

He continues to perfect his craft, releasing songs inspired by life situations. Through his records, Zambian people have learnt to love and apply lessons into their lives.

Jay Rox confirms that his collaboration with Jux is among many planned releases of collaborations with other East African artists.

He reveals, “We’re in the process of shooting more music videos so my fans should expect a lot more fire coming from me and some of their favourite East African artists.”

South African TV presenter and radio personality Luthando Shosha aka LootLove is taking over as new host of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1, beginning Sunday, June 13.

Africa Now Radio, Apple Music radio's first global African music radio show, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Over the past year, the show has featured exclusive interviews with Davido, Nasty C, Tiwa Savage, Rayvanny and many of the biggest and brightest artists spanning the African continent, debuted over 250 new releases, and introduced Apple Music subscribers around the world to over 50 of Africa’s hottest new artists, from Omah Lay to Tems.

Based on the Africa Now playlist, Africa Now Radio with LootLove will continue to showcase the latest African sounds, be it amapiano, afrobeats, highlife, alte, house, hip-hop, bongo flava, or kuduro.

"I am beyond elated to host Africa Now Radio,” said LootLove.

Adding “This is a big moment for the universal language that is music. A moment that continues to shine a light on our continent. I am looking forward to seeing more, experiencing more and learning more through the beauty of Africa’s music. From the Cape to Cairo and to the rest of the world.”

On her debut episode, LootLove will be joined by the legendary Angélique Kidjo, who will talk about her upcoming album “Mother Nature,” out on June 18, 2021.

LootLove will also spotlight The Big 5, the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment  and the next generation of African superstars featured in Apple Music’s artist program and companion playlist Africa Rising.

In the new Loot Loves feature, LootLove will select and play one track she loves from her favorite Apple Music African playlists.

Africa Now Radio with LootLove airs weekly on Sundays, beginning June 13 at 2p Lagos/London / 3p Johannesburg/Paris / 6a LA / 9a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow

Infobip, a global cloud communication company for businesses, and a leader in omnichannel customer engagement, has integrated voice and SMS capabilities for Jiji Africa, a leading online marketplace in pan-African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

Aside from the initial project in Nigeria, the voice and SMS channel implementation was recently expanded to Jiji’s operations in Kenya and Ghana as the company’s activities in those markets increased and services were extended.

Jiji Head of Africa, Yuliy Shenfeld says the company needed a solution that would enable it to seamlessly send out vital transactional information to buyers and sellers that use Jiji’s platform to exchange goods.

The company was established six years ago and acquired OLX’s business in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda in 2019. It currently has between 12 million and 15 million active buyers and a range of between 200 000 and 250 000 sellers.

“We experienced challenges with our previous SMS service provider in terms of delivery rates. Not all transactional SMSes, relating to registration on our platform and inquiries about advertised items, would reach our customers,” says Shenfeld.

Global company

He says the company engaged Infobip as it is a global company with local presence in the markets in which Jiji operates. In addition, Infobip beat its competitors on pricing, enabling Jiji to lower its SMS and voice costs by almost tenfold, while its delivery rates improved to over 90%.

“We have benefitted from a reliable service, because Infobip offers direct connections to carriers, which ensures high delivery rates for our customers. This is obviously very important for our end users in terms of transactional traffic and allows us to ensure that they have a seamless experience,” Shenfeld adds.

Dorotea Vatavuk, Enterprise Sales Lead at Infobip and Jiji’s dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM), says the online classified platform also benefitted from Infobip’s local presence and support as its business expanded.

“We have a deep understanding of their business, which enables us to serve as advisors and consultants to Jiji as its business and customer needs expand. They also benefitted from 24/7 technical support and a dedicated CSM who is looking after them and their business,” says Vatavuk.

Local support

“When it comes to any transactional traffic, reliability and stability of the service is crucial and this is something that Infobip can secure for its clients. It was really important for Jiji to receive support from local experts and also ensure that their subsidiaries – in Kenya and Ghana – also benefitted from a dedicated CSM that takes care of their needs and ensures that local regulations are followed.”

She adds that Jiji currently has no plans to roll out additional channels as its management feels that the SMS and voice solution are adequate to their customers’ current needs. However, Infobip will continue to provide support to the business as its needs evolve.

“As an omnichannel solution provider and a consultant to Jiji, we are able to support them with any new projects and the enablement of communication solutions that may come along on their digital journey as the needs of their customers evolve.

 “We will always share new ideas and introduce any new solutions to ensure that they are aware of new possibilities. It’s about having their business in mind and thinking how to support them and add value with our solutions to help their business grow.”

A section of Tanzanians on Twitter have launched an online petition to have Diamond Platnumz disqualified from the 2021 BET Awards.

Diamond is nominated as the only East African artiste, under the category Best International Act, battling out with Aya Nakamura (France), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Emicida (Brazil), Headie One (UK), Wizkid (Nigeria), Young T & Bugsey (UK) and Youssoupha (France).

The petitioners accused Diamond of ‘actively and publicly supporting deceased Magufuli’s regime’. 

They also claim Diamond remained silent when fellow Tanzanian artistes were imprisoned and abducted in 2017-18 over video clips deemed obscene by the authorities.

Over 17,000 people have so far signed the petition.

"Diamond Platnumz is a world-renowned Tanzania music artist who used his popularity and his talent to whitewash and deodorize the brutal repression of the late dictator John Magufuli and his regime. Diamond is also a close friend and business ally of Paul Makonda the former Governor of Dar -es-Salaam who has openly persecuted and cracked down on LGBTI people. Makonda has also been designated in 2020 by the US State Department for gross violations of human rights including cracking down on freedom of expression and association." reads part of the petition.

Adding “In 2017, he deliberately released a single called 'Acha Nikae Kimya' (Let me remain quiet) as a response to the increasing demand from the public to speak up and condemn the crackdowns."

Diamond Platnumz was among artists who campaigned for the late president John Magufuli in the last elections, 2020.

In a response, Diamonds manager Sallam SK referred to the petitioners as 'haters'.

"Waliopo kwenye industry ya mziki duniani wanaelewa kuna viumbe duniani wanaitwa haters.. Wasipo-hate wanaweza kupata upungufu wa damu kwahiyo msiwachukie wala msibishane nao ila endeleeni kuwapenda tu (Those in the music industry understand very well that there are people called haters, without hating they will end up sick so dont take them seriuosly and argue with them, continue loving them." he posted.

In a previous interview, Diamond said the late Magufuli was like a father to him revealing how he reached out to him during the drama surrounding his biological father last year.

Kenyan urban pop and R&B singer-songwriter Brian Nadra has released his debut album 'Nadrenaline',  via Decimal Records.

The 8-track album cleverly defines his musical journey, right from inception to where he’s currently at professionally-speaking. ‘

NADRENALINE’ is an eclectic mix of sounds, perfectly showcasing Nadra’s diversity in genres and musical styles all together.

https://platoon.lnk.to/-nadrenaline

Ahead of the release, Nadra shared, “The inspiration behind this album was our [Musyoka and I] desire to explore my talent in depth. We wanted to create an album that will have a lasting legacy on my career and I am sure my fans will appreciate this.”

‘NADRENALINE’ is influenced by Nadra’s inspirations and own taste in music.

From a young age, Nadra was exposed to a range of music from country, Afro pop, Lingala, Kapuka to R&B.

Nadra goes all guns blazing starting off with a Lingala hit “Chocolatte” as the album opener.

R&B bangers include “Pumzika”, a slow tempo sexy song featuring Kenana Mwawasi and “Over and Over”.

Album pop singles include “Bella”, “Belly” with Nviiri The Storyteller and “Kahora”, featuring Bon'eye and KonKodi. Sufuri appears in “Booty”, a street anthem suiting his style and persona, alongside Bon'eye and KonKodi.

On his choice of album collaborators, Nadra says, “Picking Bon’Eye and KonKodi was rather obvious being my label mates. Plus we got to spend a lot of time together writing and coming up with the music,”.

Adding, “Nviiri, Zzero Sufuri and Kenana’s features showcase new emerging Kenyan acts and how we are collaborating to shape and push forward the future of African music.

‘NADRENALINE’ Music Producers include Eric MSYOX Musyoka, KDAGr8t and Samuel Hendricks.

Speaking on the making of the album, “Firstly, it’s an honour to have worked with an absolute dream team throughout the making of ‘Nadrenaline’. East Africa is currently enjoying a rejuvenated vibrancy in the music scene and there’s a whole new wave of artists attracting global attention to the region.”

Adding, “Listeners should expect to hear bigger and better from Nadra on this project. It is my inspired contribution in show-casing the best of what KE flavour has to offer.”

On his part music producer Musyoka said “We are more than pleased to see the progress that Brian’s Career has taken and we are proud of the quality of act he is turning out to be. We aim to make him an international sensation and keep the mantra of the label, that quality is everything.”

His co-pilot at record label Bon’Eye concluded, “We shall endeavour to keep producing good music for our acts and this shall be our hallmark. It's never an easy road but it's worth every effort and we love making great music.”

‘NADRENALINE’ certainly will leave you wanting to hear more of what Brian Nadra has in store. The artiste who made his first big impression on the scene with RnB,on a Valentine’s special release “Matwana”, has evidently since then grown into more styles. Just like its title suggests, the album is representative of Nadra’s adrenaline in the industry - to succeed.

Ugandan comedian Anne Kansiime is in mourning following the loss of her mother.

Taking to social media, Kansiime said that her mother died on Sunday morning.

God's ways are indeed not our ways! My mother has gone to be with the Lord this morning.'

Her death comes barely two months after Kansiime and her boyfriend Skylanta gave birth to their first son.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2151-kansiime-expecting-her-first-child-with-singer-skylanta

Several celebrities and fans sent condolence messages to the 35-year-old comedia.

 “Deepest condolences Darling. May Mum rest with her fellow angels.” wrote Abel Mutua.

Tanznaian rapper Rosa_ree said, “Oh noo so sorry for your losss love. Take heart. May her soul find eternal peace"

On her part Ugandan singer Spice Diana posted "Oh no, may her soul rest in peace Bambi".

The Kenya Ports Authority(KPA) has today commissioned a newly constructed Dockyard tug jetty, a critical facility for the repair, servicing and fueling of marine crafts at the Port of Mombasa.

The modern jetty is a vital infrastructure that will improve immensely the maximum availability of marine crafts contributing to a faster ship turnaround time.

It is a modern facility connected to the land side by means of an access trestle of the same construction design as the main jetty.

Floating marine crafts play a crucial in port operations since Mombasa Port is classed as compulsory pilotage port, that further requires towing by harbour tugs, pilot and mooring boats with each playing a huge role in securing vessels that call the port to quay.

Speaking during the ceremony, KPA Board Chairman General Retired Joseph Kibwana noted that the new facility will hasten the repair and maintenance of the marine crafts further boosting efficiency and productivity at the Port of Mombasa.

On his part KPA acting Managing director Eng Rashid Salim said the new tug jetty which cost the Authority, 480 million to complete has overall length of 50m.

"It will accommodate all our harbour tugs as a temporary resting place and during the refilling of provisions and maintenance. In this respect, I would like to note particularly that the arrangement of the new tug jetty structural members is designed to meet local load transfer and stability requirements." said Salim.

Adding "The old and dilapidated jetty was often cited as an obstacle to efficient marine craft maintenance and posing as a workplace hazard or endangering the safety of users.Some mobile crane operators were reluctant to workon the old jettyas they feared the structure could collapse and plunge with them into the ocean."

The old Jetty made of reinforced concrete deck on tubular steel piles was constructed in the early 1950s.

French-Canadian Nigerian singer Töme has dropped her latest single titled Nana.

Töme’s latest song. “Nana,” is a blend of afrobeats’ tonality with the poignant lyricism of the indie-folk music of her childhood, creating an eclectic brand of music that’s at once roomy and relatable.

Töme released her sophomore album last year titled - #BiggerThan4Walls-Chapter 2 a sequel to her debut album – Tomesroom- Chapter 1. The album did well and earned her a nomination at the awards in Canada. 

The single is from her upcoming Extended play dubbed Dreams set for release later this year. 

Speaking about the song, Töme says, “I think it’s safe to say that when it comes to boys/men and relationships, you need to make sure you know what YOU want and if they don’t like it, we'll you can’t hear them”. 

Töme has cemented her entry into the music industry broadening the scope of afro-fusion, Töme stands out with her intuitive melodies and searing lyricism, she mixes the best of both worlds for music that speaks to the experience of being Nigerian without being within the geographical confines of the country.

Töme’s 2020 album, Bigger Than 4 Walls, pulsated with genteel sashays and calming influences that segued, at times, into a warm party feel.

The first song from a forthcoming project, “Nana” signals Töme operating in a pocket of sound that’s fundamentally attuned to her unique strengths.

She makes a tribute to her individualism over an ebbing instrumental, packing in lyrical choices that urge her to move on despite what might be happening in her life at the moment.

Töme is set to jet into the country early next month for a listening party and media tour to popularize her single and upcoming EP. 

Former Taita Taveta woman representative turn gospel singer Joyce Lay has dropped her family name 'Lay' and adopted a new stage name.

Through her instagram page, Joyce said she will be using 'Jewel' as her stage name adding her husband doesn't want to be associated with what she is called to do.

"I will not use my family name Lay anymore. I'm forced to pick a stage name. I am Jewel. This is because of my special mission with God," she stated.

Adding "My husband doesn't want to bne associated with what am called to do. I truly understand him. So he said that, I have to drop the family name , if i'm determined to follow my dreams . I chose the latter. I will follow my dreams to the end. This is what will lead to my success and fullfilment".

This comes just months after she stated that she will no longer go back to politics.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2238-politics-sorry-not-interested-joyce-lay.

Joyce is set to release her first video titled 'Holy' soon.

Kenyan Afro-pop band, Sauti Sol are the new Brand Ambassadors for Infinix.

The tech company announced on Wednesday that the top-performing afro-pop band will be featured in a new integrated campaign for Infinix which will run across TV, print and online channels and in-store.

According to the company, the choice of Sauti Sol as brand ambassadors is informed by the band’s youth focus.

"Sauti Sol are not only the best fit but the natural choice for the path we as a youth-centered brand aim to pursue. They are the very embodiment of why young people should make their own way through life regardless of the challenges they face along the way.” said Mike Zhang, Infinix brand manager, Kenya.

On their part, the Grammy award winning band  believes that Infinix has not only carved a niche as a strong sponsor of the African Creative Industry but has also been a great supporter of the Kenyan Music Industry.

“We chose to work with Infinix as they have a strong sponsor of African Creative Industry, and have been a great supporter of the Kenyan Music Industry. Their business model is collaborative, inclusive and strongly hedged on innovation. They wanted to co-create a campaign whose pillars capture the essence of both businesses, more so, a campaign that is transformative,” said Moriasi Omambia, Sauti Sol, Kenya.

Adding "“This rang true to us, and we are glad to not only work with Infinix but, with their vast network of affiliate businesses which range from music technology solutions, fitness & lifestyle technology and app development solution. This is a strong partnership with is not only about the great phones we are launching together but also about the possibilities of creating a transformative model of technology companies working with the creative industry,”

Moriasi is an entertainment, IP and business lawyer who represents the interests of Sauti Sol Entertainment.

This campaign rolls out from June 16 when the company will be officially launching the new Infinix NOTE 10 Series to the Kenyan market.

Infinix says it has been keen on seriously promoting diversity and inclusivity in every aspect of its business in Kenya.