Sony/ATV Music Publishing South Africa announced it has named Munyaradzi Chanetsa (Munya) A&R Manager, Africa.

The appointment took effect on June 1

In this role, Munyaradzi will be responsible for finding new talent throughout the continent, promoting songwriters’ copyright and careers, and connecting them to larger opportunities around the world.

He will also work closely with colleagues to pitch new and existing repertoire into the marketplace.

Munyaradzi is a prominent music executive in South Africa and throughout the continent.

With his A&R and licensing experience spanning over ten years, he has engaged mobile and online platforms, independent record labels, artists and music publishers.

He has also been a featured presenter on music copyright at leading forums in South Africa, Angola, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Rowlin Naicker, Managing Director of Sony/ATV South Africa said, “I have worked with Munya previously and I have no doubt we have a person here who brings with him dedication, passion and experience, which is key as we expand our publishing business across the continent. We are excited to work with him to achieve our goals.”

“Munya is a creative talent with vast experience and a perfect fit for our company and its creative ambitions. With Munya’s position in the creative community both in South Africa and across the African continent he will be a great addition to our global team.” said Guy Henderson, Sony/ATV President, International.

Munyaradzi said, “I am joining a great team of talented people who share my passion, and I just cannot wait to see what we can all achieve together.”

He joins Sony/ATV SA from CAPASSO (Composers, Authors, Publishers Association of SA) where he served as Head of Licensing.

Prior to that, Munyaradzi was Head of Operations at Content Connect Africa whilst also assuming the role of Managing Director of Content Connect Ghana and Content Connect International.

Earlier in his career, he was Head of Marketing & Promotions for Putumayo World Music in South Africa, which is based in New York.

About Sony/ATV Music Publishing:

Sony/ATV Music Publishing is the #1 global music publisher, which is home to world-class songwriters, legendary catalogs, and industry-leading synchronization licensing and production music businesses.

With an international network of 38 offices, Sony/ATV represents many of the most iconic songs ever written by celebrated songwriters such as The Beatles, Bob. Dylan, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Queen, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder, as well as contemporary superstars such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, P!nk, and Sam Smith.

Sony/ATV South African songwriters include Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Brenda Fassie, Mdu, DJ Maphorisa, Samthing Soweto, E Kelly, Freshlyground, Mafikizolo, Mi Casa, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Beatenberg, Celebration, JR, D’Banj, Matthew Mole, Busiswa, Moonchild and Oskido.

Kenyan gospel singer Bahati has expressed his concern over the ongoing feud between Dimaond Platnumz and Harmonize.

In a post shared on Instagram, Bahati pleaded with Harmonize to approach Diamond and make peace.

''DEAR HARMONIZE .Guys I was looking at this Photo here With My Brother @Harmonize_tz and got me thinking; asking myself about the Greatest Virtues of Life & True Success- What Stood Out Loudest for me was #LOYALTY & #HUMILITY? In 2020 I Chose to think differently and that's Why Every time I See this Story of Harmonize & Diamond Platnumz it Pisses off Because,1st.. it's So uncalled for. Secondly, We don't forget how we have been helped Just Because we've become Stars, NO! To Harmonize; First Congs for your Record Label & Album but Where I come From we Say "Don't Bite the Hand that Fed you. And if You've happened to Read the Bible in "Ephesians 6:2" reads the post 

Adding ''"My Religion teaches me to "HONOR MY FATHER & MOTHER" and in this Case #WASAFI is Your Father & Mother!!! I Know the Current Order of the Day is; Beefing with the Successful to gain a Short Cut to the Top- But I don't Believe in that Bro, We Can Make it to the Top Clean. Bro you don't have to Create a Beef with Diamond Platnumz for you to be at the Top, No, infact you need the Blessings of this Man Ndio pia Usitumie hizi Nguvu Nyiingiii ku Prove a Point. Every One has their Faults and I Believe your Boss is not a Perfect Man; Ata Mimi amenikosea, Aliwachana na Sister Wa Mine but Sahi Niko Kwa Maombi Warudiane?”. But MY POINT IS.., his Mistakes Cannot Be Compared with the Kind heart that pushed him to pick you Up from the Streets and Made You Who You're Today. God Used him to Introduce you to the World! As I Close My preaching I will Tell You... Go Humble, Apologize and Walk away with Your Blessings Bro- Unajua Baba Ni Baba ata Awe Mchawiii... Hivyo Baba anauwezo Wakubariki na Kulahani... If You want to be the #Tembo you Claim to be Stop the Cheap Fight & Make Peace!!! #WIZKID Was Once Signed By #BankyW and Even after the Completion of the Contract he still Recognizes & Respects BankyW as his Musical Dad! Remember KARMA is Real. The Young Artist You've signed Today Might do you to you just the Same Very Soon! Don't get me wrong, Harmonize you're my Friend and I have always come through for you anytime you have Needed my assistance. So Do Something Bro!!!”.

In his media interviews, Harmonize has always maintained that he highly respects Diamond Platnumz for the role he played in his music career.

You can also read; http://ommydalla.co.ke/gossip/item/1238-feud-escalates-as-diamond-calls-harmonize-a-traitor-for-leaving-wcb

Multi -Award winning group Sauti Sol return with their fifth studio album, MIDNIGHT TRAIN, released today on Universal Music Africa.

The 13 track album takes you through the journey of life, embracing the trials and tribulations that come with it.

The title track “Midnight Train”, produced by Andre Harris (Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Jill Scott), is a representation of their never -say-die attitude.

The song is about their hustle and the effort they have put into their career, burning the midnight oil.

“We’ve had an amazing journey so far and it’s like an ever moving train. Each time we make it to a destination we realize the road doesn’t stop there. We continue to better ourselves and look forward to bringing our fans along with us as we grow, says member Chimano.

With many accolades, awards and global recognition, Sauti Sol has been soaring high, offering 4 critically acclaimed singles ahead of the album’s release.

The release of the rhythmic love jam “Suzanna” set the stage for the album.  “Disco Matanga” featuring Sho Madjozi and Black Motion enticed fans as the lead song from Netflix’s Queen Sono and the uplifting “Brighter Days,” featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir, gave hope at the beginning of the world pandemic.

The recent release “Insecure” explores the fear and insecurity that lies deep within. Listen Here:

Singing in Swahili, Luhya, Luo and English, Sauti Sol prides themselves on storytelling as an East African tradition that permeates music from that region and this is what has kept them relevant with audiences across the world and earned them so many accolades along the way.

MIDNIGHT TRAIN Track list:

1. Intro
2. Midnight Train
3. Insecure
4. Feel My Love
5. Brighter Days ft. Soweto Gospel Choir
6. Nenda Lote
7. Suzanna
8. Set Me Free (Interlude)
9. My Everything ft. India Arie
10. Wake Up ft.Mortimer
11. Sober
12. Rhumba Japani ft.Kaskazini, Bensoul, Xenia, Nviiri the Storyteller, Okello Max, NHP
13. Disco Matanga (Yambakhana) ft.Black Motion & Sho Madjozi     

Tanasha Donna's latest and first solo video 'Sawa' has hit 1 million views on you tube.

This comes just less than a week after it was officially released (May 29, 2020).

The song represents love, peace and unity, a song to remind you to love yourself and others around you.

Taking to social media, Tanasha thanked her fans for their support, promising another hit.

''1m in less than a week...Asanteni. Thank you all. Thank you God. Tutoe next au tusubiri kidogo'' she posted.

She had earlier promised her fans to release another video after 'sawa' hits 1 million views on you tube.

Kenyan singer-songwriter Otile Brown has released his debut album “Just In Love”, in collaboration with Boomplay.

The 10-song album is his first major project, following his entry into music industry in 2015.

In that period, he has established himself as one of Kenya’s most exciting musical prospects, as well as a leading voice in the region.

“Just In Love” is set to further enhance this, with collaborations in the album featuring East African giants: Mejja, Khaligraph Jones, Tanzania’s Juma Jux, Meddy from Rwanda and Burundian singer Kidum.

Speaking on the album’s release, Otile Brown says, “My fans should be prepared for a musical feast for the senses. Expect nothing but flames! I believe from this album, I’ll be able to win over new fans, because the vibes are different from what many are used to.”

Stream JUST IN LOVE on Boomplay: https://bit.ly/2XYmDc9

HIT AND RUN video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd_BLD-d8lA

“Just In Love” explores themes of love and the relationship between men and women, while drawing inspiration from a variety of different musical genres, from R&B to Afropop.

The album’s mid-tempo hits include “Regina”, “Hit and Run”, “Leila”, “Dusuma”, “Pretty Gal” and reggae infused “Umedamshi”, with the up-tempo groovy tracks including “Dede”, “Kosea”, “Watoto Na Pombe” and “Zaidi Yako”.

Speaking on the support he has received from Boomplay, Otile notes that the project was a labor of love, and the process was easy.

“For the longest time I didn’t believe in doing albums but Boomplay guided me in the right direction and supported me from a business & marketing perspective. I’m glad to have worked with them on this album, which fans can get exclusively on Boomplay!”. He says

Otile is a serial hitmaker, who has delivered on a series of love ballads including “Baby Love”, “Mapenzi Hisia” and “Aiyana”. “Chaguo La Moyo” featuring Sanaipei Tande was so successful, it has surpassed 20 million views on YouTube.

Kenya’s first ever Djs competition is about to go down.

The competition dubbed 'Compe Ni Compe' will see fans take a musical journey through the art of disc jockeying.

The competition targets all DJs with the ability to wow the audience with their art and skills and will see the DJs compete from the comfort of their homes and their various sets streamed live on Facebook Group page –Compe ni Compe – https://web.facebook.com/groups/compenicompe/?_rdc=1&_rdr

The Compe ni Compe winner will be voted by the audience and the winner will be named the “Kenyan DJ of the Year”.

He or she stands to gain street credibility and some monetary incentive.

The timeline of the competition depends on the number of participants who will confirm their availability to take part.

With the ongoing online debate of DJs being cut off during live streaming, the organizer of the online DJ competition Prince Otach said, "The copyright issue is more complex than we think."

He however encouraged Kenyan DJS to join the competition.

“This is an opportunity for true Kenyan DJs to stand up and be counted, Kenyan DJS have been selling us an illusion of an over hyped top DJ, who believe they have it. This is their time to come out and claim their seat at this competition,” Prince Otach Organisers, said.

DJ Kalonje and DJ Brownskin will be joined by top Embu DJ Caril the scratch queen master in the competition.

For many, every month seems to be the start and end of a year, as locals adjust to the “new normal”.

In January, it was about a ‘new year, new me’ and choosing to ignore those 2020 memes, the start of the nationwide lockdown was the beginning of new lifestyle choices by Kenyans, according to data by Uber Eats. 

Self-isolated Savourness 

While the most ordered healthy meal is a toss-up between the delicious yellow bean, decadent coconut of the always welcomed chapati, Uber Eats reports that healthy orders overall spiked at an 82% increase since the beginning of April as compared to the first week of the year.

With many still wary about the restrictions on gyms and those home workouts that continue to buffer, maintaining a robust lifestyle has become increasingly difficult. 

“Kenyans love good food, especially meals that are healthy, vibrant in colour and taste delicious.Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there has been a steep increase in food orders that is fresh, organic and health-conscious, proving that locals are making generous steps towards achieving healthier lifestyles,” says Nadeem Anjarwella, General Manager of Uber Eats in Kenya. 

Favourite Foods Ordered 

Uber Eats reports that the keyword ‘healthy’ grew by a massive 227% from customer searches further solidifying the trend towards living leaner and greener. Vegetable Dim Sum and spring rolls were among the most popular snacks ordered while the immunity booster smoothies were a fan favourite drink, proving that every meal and beverage was given a healthy overhaul by locals. 

“Uber Eats in Kenya is all about celebrating our local tastes and heritage in the food we enjoy together as a country. We are always working to increase our options and bring the food people want, when they want it, in a convenient, contactless and affordable manner.”, concludes Anjarwella. 

South African star Jahzo and Rudebwoy Entertainment have dropped the 3^rd single #JahAhMiGuide off the Dutty wine Album and is available on all major digital platforms for download and streaming.

Jah Ah Mi Guide is an inspirational song that talks about Jah being the only hope for the Covid-19 since the cure is yet to be found.

Jahzo, who hails from Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province South Africa says, “I fell in love with dancehall music during his days studying at Varsity College in Cape Town.”

“I have been listening to dancehall music since and fell in love with it due to its uniqueness and message, I grew up listening to the music of Anthony B, Assassin, Buju Banton and Capleton," He adds.

Jahzo is currently shooting the visuals for the track which he expects to release on his birthday later this month.

Nigerian music heavyweights, rapper Vector and super music producer MASTAA a.k.a Masterkraft team up to release a new collaborative EP ‘CROSSROADS’.

With three studio albums, 2 EPs and 2 mixtapes under his name, Vector proves yet again his prowess and artistry laced with masterful lyrics, wordplay and unique rap.

 A redefinition of rap in the African music landscape showcasing Masterkraft’s production and Vector’s rhythm and poetry, the 5-track EP features the slow-tempo ballads: “No Peace”, “Blessed”, “If We Must” and Afrobeat hits: “No Worries” and “Eyan Colgate”. DJ Magnum, Sun X Rain and DJ Neptune feature in EP collaborations.

Vector says, “This body of work is a deviation from the norm designed to captivate the sense. If rebellion was music, this would be it.”

Stream CROSSROADS here: https://smarturl.it/Crossroads.EP

COMFORT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH_uOey4GmQ

ALAYE JOR JOR JOR video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8xSwaBXJEs

Produced by SELF, Vector and MASTAA, CROSSROADS EP is a journey into something new, eclectic, rhythmic and refreshingly different. 

It’s a unique blend of Afrobeat’s signature rhythm in rap, creating a revolutionary sub-genre (Rapfrobeat) that will definitely open the doors to a new wave of musicians. 

Coming off the successful of his 9-track EP ‘VIBES Before T.E.S.L.I.M’ and his latest hit single “COMFORT” featuring Davido, Vector presents a project that will entertain you and also leave you reflecting with CROSSROADS EP.

Popular and influential music chart, Billboard recently published an article detailing how musicians can go global through YouTube with a case study of Diamond Platnumz.

The Billboard analysis shows that the WCB President has managed to garner over 980 million views on YouTube with over 3.6 million sub-subscribers, making him the only artist in Sub-Saharan Africa with such a milestone.

YouTube Music Trends manager Kevin Meenan was particularly struck by the innovative approach that Tanzanian Bongo flava artist Diamond Platnumz takes with his Youtube channel just one facet of an entrepreneurial strategy that includes an FM radio station.

He was also struck by Diamond's full service management, recording, publishing and entertainment company, Wasafi Classic Baby, which represents Rayvanny among other top music acts.

Rayvanny and Harmonize  have also been featured on the list of 15 sub- Saharan African artistes based on Global views Billboard.

“In that time, Platnumz has a mind-blowing 3.6 million subscribers and 980 million views on his channel, about 80% of them from outside of Tanzania. For the measurement period of May 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020, globally, Kenya, which is on Tanzania’s northern border, drove the most views for Platnumz, followed by Tanzania and the United States,” said Kevin Meenan.

He also was wowed that in span of 1 year, Platnumz had posted 600 videos on YouTube.

“I literally had to check it three times to make sure it was right,” said Meenan in what he described as mind blowing.

Bongo flava artists dominate YouTube’s Tanzania chart and Afrobeats stars in Nigeria and Ghana. 

Top 100 songs in Nigeria and Tanzania were compared for the same week and shared nine tracks. 

The United States and Tanzania shared four songs in their respective top 100, according to the YouTube music and culture.

''Local music cuts through because it's reflective to the culture. It really speaks to how these countries are theri own musical ecosystem'' said Meenan.

According to the analysis Diamond's most views are from Kenya, followed by Tanzania and the United States

Billboard is one of the most influential platforms in determining the music trends in the United States.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9393686/how-to-go-global-on-youtube-watch-and-learn-from-africas-top-music-stars