Apple Music just announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program as Ghanian singer-songwriter and producer, Amaarae (real name Ama Serwah Genfi).

“It’s amazing to be selected by Apple Music as their Africa Rising artist. The love and support the album has received from the Apple Music family has been incredible to say the least." she said.

Adding "I am truly honored and can’t wait to share this milestone with my Angel Army, who I know, will be just as elated as I am. I look forward to a successful campaign!” 

Raised between Ghana, Georgia, and New Jersey, Amaarae’s cross-cultural experience is the driving force behind her deeply experimental ethos and emotive writing style, with her West African heritage at the core of the music she makes.

 After dropping her scene-changing, self-released EP, Passionfruit Summers (2017), Amaarae capitalised on her burgeoning success with the rip-roaring “Spend Some Time” which featured Wande Coal and the sleeper hit “Like It”, that established her as a social media trendsetter.

Her recently released 14-track debut album, THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW draws on a myriad of genres from Afro-fusion to pop-punk to progressive house to neo-R&B, and garnered global recognition from publications like Pitchfork, The Guardian, The New Yorker and CLASH Magazine because of its unique vision.

The latest music from Amaarae, along with the next generation of African superstars is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising playlist https://apple.co/3bhTtwT Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars.

Africa Rising will see Apple Music select six artists every year who will each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including the new Apple Music 1 radio station.

Previous Africa Rising artists are Omah Lay, Manu WorldStar and Tems. Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world.

Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Cuppy which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Tiwa Savage, Davido, Sho Madjozi, Yemi Alade, Cassper Nyovest, Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Mr Eazi, Patoranking, Rayvanny, Adekunle Gold and Master KG.

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afro-popstar Rema as one of it’s 2020 Up Next artists, following the addition of Burna Boy to the roster in 2019 and Mr Eazi back in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has announced the appointment of English supermodel Naomi Campbell to become Magical Kenya International Ambassador. 

The appointment was agreed upon following a meeting between Campbell and Najib Balala, the Cabinet Secretary of the ministry.

“We welcome the exciting news that Naomi Campbell will advocate for tourism and travel internationally for the magical Kenya brand,” Balala said in the statement.

Commenting on her appointment, Campbell commended the government for the improvement of infrastructure at the Coast including the upgrading of Malindi Airport to international standards.

“I am also impressed with the world-class standard facilities at the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Baobab course located in Vipingo Ridge, the only golf course credited by the PGA in the whole of Africa. I invite gold professionals globally to visit the course to enjoy the experience,” she said.

Naomi Campbell has been a frequent visitor of Kenya especially Malindi during December holidays, spending her time at the exclusive Lion in the Sun resort owned by her ex-boyfriend and billionaire Flavio Briatore. The superstar also usually visits the Children of the Rising Sun, an orphanage she is supporting in Malindi.

The news of her appointment has however not gone down well with some Kenyans who questioned why the ministry could not appoint a Kenyan for the position.

The concerns from Kenyans forced Tourism cabinet secretary Najib Balala to explain the decision.

In a tweet Balala said Ms Campbell’s appointment to promote Kenyan tourism abroad is meant to strengthen the domestic market and not take away anything from it.

“Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it. #MagicalKenya,” reads the tweet.

The fastest world growing smartphone manufacturer realme has promised to sustain its growth in the Kenyan market with new product releases for this year as it targets to strengthen its roots in Kenya’s smartphone market share.

The company says as the year 2021 kicks off, it has placed in the pipeline smartphones tailored towards the needs of Kenyan millennials that will not only give them value for their money but give them a breakthrough hack in terms of technology.

In 2020, the smartphone maker took over the Kenyan market by storm by introducing new phones and other AIoT products in a span of four months including realme C3, realme C11, realme C15, realme C12, realme 6, and realme 7i, realme band realme Buds Q, and realme Buds Air Neo.

The phones introduced by realme in the Kenyan market during the year that just melted away became a hit for most Kenyan consumers given their affordability for their advanced features including mega batteries with some featuring a capacity as high as 6000mAh that charges faster and takes longer to discharge.

In terms of performance and sales the realme 6 from the number series was picked quite well in the market while the C3 bagged the coveted single-day sales champion award on Jumia during a flash sale campaign.

As 2020 was snailing on, realme, despite the economic challenges that the majority of Kenyans were facing, carried out campaigns like Black Friday and Christmas by offering amazing discounts on most of their phones including realme 7i, realme C15, and realme 6.

In 2020, the brand became the world’s fastest brand to hit 50 million shipments since its inception. Notably, 50 million units were shipped during the third quarter of 2020 with Kenya forming part of the destination.

In a bid to continue connecting with customers, realme has also extended its festive season offer to January which will see very purchase of the realme 7i come with free realme Buds Q while the realme 6 will come with a free realme band and the realme C15 will come with a customized pillow all available on all online and offline shops.

Diamond Platnumz's half sister Esma Platnumz  has come out and admitted that she terminated her pregnancy with ex- husband Msizwa.

The two got married at a fancy wedding held last year in Daresalaam, only for things to change after three months with Msizwa going back to his first wife in South Africa.

Speaking during an Instagram live session on Sunday, Esma said she was aware of the claims and admitted that she aborted.

"The answer is Yes because I can't sire with a man whom I don't have feelings for. So this means if I had given birth to that baby, I wouldn't have loved it. You need to sire with someone you love. Why would you give birth to a being that you know you will hate on?" she said.

She went on to state " For all those who say that he left me you are all wrong, no man has ever left me in my life, I'm the one who leaves".

She also stated that she married the tycoon to enjoy life together and not reproduce.

"Stop attacking me with the fact that I aborted the pregnancy. I married him to enjoy the lap of luxury shortly like one week and we separate, so tried to be with him for months," she said.

In an interview with Wasafi online Tv, Msizwa confirmed that Esma indeed aborted criticising the act saying it unacceptable. 

"This is an act that is not accepted in our religion and even under the Tanzanian laws and it is very surprising that one goes out and start bragging about it. The government needs to take action on this now that she has also admitted it" said Msizwa.

In November last year through Wasafi Tv, Esma accused Msizwa of being addicted to fame and instagram.

"I stopped posting him on Instagram and he started DMing bloggers to post him. He disappointed me. It means he is inboxing many other people.I wanted my marriage to be private, not out there. I want to live my life and publicise my business. I have spoken to him many times about this but he didn’t listen. That is what he loves. I don’t want him to be fighting with people on social media." said Esmma 

In an earlier interview with this blog, Esma's close friend Juma Lokole that he warned her about Msizwa even before they got married syaing he was just after fame and not marriage.

Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir has called on his opponents to stop making him the issue in their campaigns.

Speaking in a meeting with Women groups at the Mbaraki hall, Nassir who has made public his intention to succeed Hassan Joho as the next governor of Mombasa county accused his opponents of always attacking and insulting him whenever addressing a gathering.

"Some people have made it a habit of mentioning my name with all manner of accusations and insults in their meetings" said Nassir.

Adding "If it's my name that you are in love with, I pray to God to bless you with a son and name him after me".

He told the politicians to sell their policies to the people of Mombasa and not insults.

The Mp also assured the opponents that he will be in the ballot in 2022 for the Mombasa gubernatorial post.

Nassir argued '"To all the doubting Thomases, be rest assured that when 2022 comes we will meet in the ballot and I will win"

The Mp called on his team and supporters to ignore the opponents and avoid insulting them back.

"For every insult towards me, my late father Shariff Nassir and my mother let's remind them that we are humble people and we are still one and that politics will not divide us" he charged.

Among those who are also keen to take over from Hassan Joho is Kisauni Mp Ali Mbogo and businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones has team up with his Ghanaian colleague Sarkodie in his latest release titled 'Wavy'.

In the song, Khaligraph Jones displays his undisputed rapping and freestyling skills.

Watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBFXrZY3dL4.

Former Mombasa Mayor Ahmed Modhar has called on the Mombasa County assembly to pass a special motion to name the Mombasa municipal stadium after former nominated MCA the late Mohammed Hatimy.

The county assembly is currently on a recess and is expected to resume on February 7th.

Hatimy succumbed to COVID-19 on November last year 2020.

Prior to his death, Hatimy was also  Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Mombasa County chairperson.

According to Modhar, the late Hatimy played a major role in the developement of the stadium and promoting local football.

"Hatimy used to camp in my office when I was serving as the mayor, he always insisted that we need to develope the stadium , he fought so hard to an extent that he ensured there was a special budget for the stadium. And it's not just about the stadium, he had a passion for football and promoting local teams and talents" said Modhar.

Adding "There is no other way that we can honour him apart from naming the stadium after him".

Construction of the stadium into a modern stadium is currently underway.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/sports/item/1252-construction-work-begins-on-mombasa-stadium

The late Hatimy once served as the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) chairman.

Mayor Modhar was speaking during the finals for the Mohammed Hatimy memorial cup where Magongo Rangers emerged winners after beating Omax Fc 4 - 1 in penalty shootouts.

Several leaders including Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, Women Representative Asha Hussein were also in attendance. Hatimy's family led by his two sons were also present.

On his part Faki called on the organisers to ensure that the tournament is held annually.

"We all know how passionate he was about football, I propose this tournament be held every year in is honour" said Faki.

After succesful collabos with Tanzanian artists Mbosso 'Sonona' and LavaLava 'Warembo', Mombasa based artist Susumila has now shifted his focus to the South, South Africa.

Susumila is currently working on a song with South African rapper, singer and songwriter Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, known professionally as Sho Madjozi.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/1373-susumila-shifts-focus-to-east-africa-market

According to a source, the two have already recorded the song and are expected to shoot the video from Saturday in Mombasa. The audio has been recorded by producers TK2 and Sho Madjozi's personal producer Tboy Daflame.

Sho Madzoji has of late been working closely with artists from East Africa especially Tanzania. Just last week she was in Tanzania for a series of performances before coming to Mombasa for the new year concert at Whitesands beach hotel.

Among the artists she has worked with from Tanzania includes Romy Jones, Darasssa. The Limpopo born star rose to fame thorugh her hit song 'John Cena'.

Tanzanian singer Nandy has team up with JoeBoy from Nigeria in her latest song titled 'Number One'.

Nandy is the second female artist from Tanzania to work with JoeBoy who rose to fame after releasing the song 'Baby'. Zuzchu has also worked with JoeBoy.

Listen to the song by Nandy ft Joeboy here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDsVDG0b58

Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassit has called on Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to make sure that the over 80 doctors who were sacked by the Mombasa County Government are reinstated.

Speaking in Tana River in the presence of Joho, Nassir criticised the move by the county government to sack the doctors saying it is not the solution.

"This is 2021, this is the year that we need to focus more on dialogue. Sacking the doctors is not a solution" said Nassir.

Adding "As the Governor you need to punish those in your government who took that action and make sure that there is dialogue between the doctors and the county government. These are our doctors for heavens sake, we should not treat them this way".

The legislator further stated that he was confidence a dialogue will solve the problem and doctors will be back to work.

"I'm pleased that the senator Mohammed Faki has offered to spearhead the dialogue and be the mediator, I believe a solution will be found" he said.

On Wednesday the County government through the County Secretary Jeizan Faruk fired 86 doctors including Kenya medical practitioners and dentists union (KMPDU) Secretary General Chibanzi Mwachonda an issue that has attracted a sharp raection especially from residents who called on the county government to meet the doctors and solve their issues so that services at the hospitals can go back to normal.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/1924-mombasa-county-govt-sacks-86-doctors