Icy Lando’s artistic journey is one of hard work and persistence. Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, the rapper, singer and producer teams up with Multi-Platinum Selling Artist Sean Kingston on his pulsing club hit “Options”. 

Icy Lando- Options ( Feat. Sean Kingston ) ( Official Audio ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrqbaP67xqI  

Filled with ferocious melodies and pounding drum patterns, “Options” is an artful display of Icy’s passion for music. Produced by UK based producer Blanq Beatz, Icy collaborates with one of his musical icons to create a track overflowing with summer soaked rhythms. 

Discovering a passion for music through his sister, Icy joined his high school choir and band - later competing in music festivals annually. Eventually joining the Kenyan Boys Choir, the artist found the time to nourish his musical talent and create a sound that is truly unique. 

QUOTE TO THE SINGLE

“In 2007 when Sean Kingston released 'Beautiful Girls', I had just joined our high school band and we did a rendition of the song”, Icy recounts. “I loved the vibe of the track and it inspired me to be an artist. Thirteen years later and I have the privilege to release a single with my idol. Sean Kingston’s music has influenced me throughout my journey and I am so excited for everyone to listen to this single”

Icy Lando got the chance to work with Sean Kingston via his manager Go2kelo who has been working with Icy Lando on previous singles. Options was a solo single by Icy Lando and as much as it was a banger, Go2Kelo believed the Brand power and talent of Sean Kingston on the song would make a huge difference. Once the song was to Sean, he loved it and put his hook on it

With support from Elicit Magazine, Fame Magazine and Urban Vault, “Options” showcases a rising talent who has a passion for his craft. 

Multi-talented Nigerian artiste Chike has released the third single Nakupenda featuring Ric Hassani.  The track marks another milestone for Chike whose album “Boo of the Booless” has garnered over 20 million streams globally since it was released earlier this year.

The single is off his album titled -"Boo of the Booless" that was released earlier this year and has been produced by Deyasso.

Nakupenda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhPUUEhkYOY

Shot in a studio set up , Nakupenda is about a top client who plays out a fashion film as he fights for the love of a top model against Ric Hassani, a noted photographer. The video is directed by Ani James for Aje Filmworks.

The singer and songwriter says, “They say to love and be loved is a great thing, if you meet the right person, shoot your shot do not hesitate to tell them Nakupenda, Love is expressive and it’s imperative to serenade the one you love at all times.”

Amen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M4HJ-UYGz4

On Valentines this year Chike dropped his album – Boo of the Booless that features M.I Abaga, Zorro and Ric Hassani.

Out of Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ygnUT-WOo

Chike whose real name Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka is a singer, songwriter and actor known for his participation on the Nigerian reality competition Project Fame West Africa in 2015 and The Voice Nigeria Season 1 where he finished as a runner-up on the show. Chike is also known for his acting debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela Battleground.

Bongo flava star Alikiba has fired his manager Esi Mgimba popularly as Esilovey, in just under nine months after she joined the King Kiba’s , Kings music  Record Label.

The artist confirmed to have parted ways with the manager via Tanzania’s Clouds FM and said the decision was reached following “some misunderstanding with the management.”

“It is true I no longer work together but this is all about reorganization of our operations. She has been of immense value to our company at the beginning but some problems occurred coupled with some misunderstanding  with the management and we thought it wise to have her removed,” explained the artist.

This is the second time King Kiba has found himself wading through troubled waters with his manager after his working relation’s with his previous manager Seven Mosha also went south.

But the singer who is currently rocking the airwaves and jamming the Youtube trends with his latest single Dodo, produced and released under the management of Esilovey has cited lacking in experience as part of Esilovey’s undoing.

Produced at Kings Music Records, Dodo in which King Kiba has uniquely featured one of his fiercest rival Diamond Platinumz’s ex- girlfriends and Baby Mamas- Hamisa Mobeto as a lead vixen is currently tracking at 6.8 million views on YouTube in two months.

The creative inclusion of Mobeto in the song was seen as a clever jab by the Kings Music boss towards Diamond considering the song depicts pampering a beautiful woman, well raised and ready for marriage, yet this is the complete opposite of what Mobeto got from Diamond.

As to whether Esilovey has left a void, King Kiba is optimistic that the manager’s exit will not in any way paralyze the daily running of operations at Rockstar4000 which he hailed as an unwavering record label laden with abled hands.

“it is true Esi loved her job but she had no experience… most of the time she relied on Charlie for guidance… I think this is an opportunity for her to take time and polish her trade so that she gains enough experience,” explained the Kadogo hit maker who hailed Esilovey as “a manager with amazing industry.”

On her part, Esilovey declined to engage on the details and instead directed all enquiries to her former boss.

Zambi'as dancehall dynamic duo, Davoas has team up with award winning Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo in their latest song titled 'Oh My Love'.

"Due to public demand.You asked for da international collabo, we came back with da ANSWER''  posted the group.

Check out the song below

Veteran South African actress Mary Twala has died at the age 80.

The news of her death was confirmed by her son and media personality Somizi Mhlongo.

"Today's my late father's birthday.....and my mom decided to respond to his call to join him in heaven.....THE TREE HAS FALLEN... I'm shattered to the core.....but I'd be very selfish if I dont release her.my mom lived to the fullest achieved beyond her dreams.its hurts like hell.I wont lie a day without her calling to either say I love u or give me money.thank u south africa for loving the phenomenal super star that is my mother.she left us peacefully around 11am at parklane pvt hospital as I was on my way to drop off her gown and a few minutes earlier the dr called to say come shes up and jolly now. I arrived a few mon late......LALA MA." posted Somizi.

South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa led South Africans in mourning the icon.

"Like millions of South Africans, I am saddened by the passing of a great icon of our nation’s creative community; someone who was a household name and face to all of us and brought home the joys, the struggles and the humour under pressure that characterises our national life," President Cyril Ramaphosa said. 

Adding "We have lost a unique talent and an endearing human being whose performances brought to life the meaning of being South African, and appealed to South Africans of all generations. We will miss her dearly."

In 2011, Twala was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She received the National Order Award from president Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019.

She is known for appearing in several productions including Generations, Sarafina, Yizo-Yizo, Muvhango, and many more.

Mi Casa is one of South Africa’s most exciting and consistent success stories.

With a sonic uniqueness that has not only stood the test of time, but shaped South African dancefloors for the past decade, the band has gone from strength to strength with their Afro-Pop/House grooves and shown the world that nothing can keep positivity and a good formula down.

Now, ten years, countless awards and 5 albums later, the group has signed an international record deal with Afroforce1 Records and Universal Music Group, making them a priority act for their region.

Their brand new album 'We Made It' is a testament to a decade of raw pushing that saw this self-made success story emerge once again on top.

April 2020 saw a strong kick out the gate with the first single, “Church Bells”.

Released alongside a powerful video of a space-inspired traditional African wedding, the single immediately topped SA’s most played charts and firmly reminded audiences Mi Casa are leaders in their arena.

They have returned to South African airwaves with more determination, growth and relevance than ever before and fired up about dropping their 5th album at home, in the African continent and in Europe this July.

Aptly titled, 'We Made It' makes J’Something beam with happiness and speak about it as if it’s his newborn child.

He states, “We are completely re-energised with this record. It feels like we have emerged on another planet compared to where we were before we started the recording process.”

The band, with close musical companions such as producers Jay Em, spent 3 months writing from a house in Mpumalanga with no distractions, pushing through a tough time when the band was probably at its weakest in terms of spirit.

Amidst the rumours of break-up and song-writing apathy they emerged with an offering that leans more towards a ‘band act’ than the ‘club act’ they felt they may have been before.

Lyrically, J’ Something takes the helm as always. With love still remaining a strong lyrical undercurrent, there’s no doubt that this time the sex appeal is definitely riding high too.

The album is probably one of the smoothest Mi Casa offerings to date.

Tracks such as “Mamela” speak to the tender side of all of us as J aches for quiet time with his partner.

Vocally, it gives a definite nod to 90’s R&B, whilst smatterings of musical beach vibes bring the listener closer to that holiday.

“Obsessed” takes it right to the top with fire lyrics cradled in a sexy Latin-House beat.

“How Could You” is a gut-punch that speaks almost tangibly to anyone who’s ever been played in a relationship while party tracks like “Chucks” and “Love Everything about You” remind fans why this band is still on top of their game.

A stand-out track is without a doubt, ‘Eve’ – a deeper, socio-political look at the dark place we find ourselves in as mankind.

With a definite African angle to the lyrics, the sadness of the track is visceral and although perhaps not destined for dancefloor dominance without a remix, the sheer vocal mastery by J’Something, Mo’s melancholy pull of the trumpet and the slowed-down beat take the listener on a journey of awareness. In short, it’s pure fire.

Another stand-out track is ‘Home Alone’, featuring AKA. The song speaks to long distance relationships, longing, isolation and all the hard times people experience when being alone, much like what so many people have been experienced worldwide right now with the Covid 19 pandemic.

The 3rd July sees the official release of the album, as well as the second single, ‘Eve’. The band plans to support it with an exciting 9-province virtual tour and a host of other awesome digital content, until such time as they can perform live.

As a complete record one could be forgiven for feeling like they’re witnessing the blossoming evolution of their favourite OG’s.

Emerging the other side as a more mature, slick and sexy force of nature. Mi Casa has literally, never sounded so good.

Queen Cha real names Yvonne Mugemana is a Rwandan female artist, last year (2019) she was awarded as Rwanda's best female artist. She has also been a brand ambassador for Techno mobile.

Some of her hit songhs include, Romantic, Umwe Rukumbi, Question  among others.

In an exclusive interview with Ommy Dallah, the songstress reveals more about her music.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned against political interference in the forthcoming national roll out of the Kazi Mtaani youth employment program.

The President said the initiative was mooted to assist Kenyan youth whose livelihoods had been disrupted by the Covid-19 health crisis.

“The program will be free of any political interference. It’ll not be a process which politicians will use to get votes,” he cautioned.

The Head of State spoke today at KICC in Nairobi, at the close of a two-day training workshop on Kazi Mtaani for Regional and County Commissioners.

Following the successful pilot phase of the program, the national roll out of the youth employment initiative will start on Monday next week.

The President said the pilot phase of the intervention, which was conducted in eight counties, had been a major success.

“I had the opportunity to visit a number of sites where these young people were working and I saw the positive impact they had in terms of improving lives and protecting the environment of those who are the most vulnerable,” he said.

The Head of State regretted that similar interventions were in the past mismanaged and, directed Regional and County Commissioners to take full control of the program.

“Many of you will recall that a similar program was unfortunately abused. I have to be very clear with you, we will not entertain abuse this time around.

"It will be your direct responsibility to ensure that there is no abuse. It is for you to ensure that the money that comes to your regions is used properly and used for the intended purpose,” the President said.

President Kenyatta charged Regional and County Commissioners with the responsibility of ensuring transparency in the recruitment of the youth into the program.

He said beneficiaries of the Kazi Mtaani initiative should be identified purely on merit.

“Recruit people who are in need and not brothers, sisters or cousins. This money should only help the people who are in real need. The first test for you will be the recruitment," the President told the administrators.

In his remarks, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i reiterated the President’s message saying the national roll out of the program must meet the highest levels of integrity and transparency.

Dr Matiang'i observed that the pilot phase of the youth employment initiative had registered positive outcomes.

“So far, so good. We have had very positive reports from the field. The level of commitment, focus and effectiveness are very high.

But still, much more is demanded of us to go forward. It’s then upon us not to let the President down,” the Interior CS rallied the administrators.