At first glance, Coke Studio Africa collaborators Naiboi and Rayvanny, seem to be music industry polar opposites. The Kenyan is on a laid back chill tip whereas the Dar Es Salaam native is swaggerlicious in style and attitude. But over Nyama Choma in Nairobi at a former hood Naiboi left ten years ago, they discovered commonalities that helped them cook up a super romantic song in studio. 

“Being on Coke Studio Africa for the first time is a big deal for me and I’m also excited because I’m a big fan of Rayvanny’s”, said the "2 in 1" hit maker before they met and covered each others chart toppers. “It’s a challenge for me, cause he has an afro trap vibe and I’ve not been involved in hip hop for a long time.” Though, noted Rayvanny of "Chombo" fame,“Our music is actually not so different, his sound just has more of a ragga tone."

The real ice breaker, however, was when Naiboi took Rayvanny on a visit to the hood he built his career in, they went to his old home and studio and they chatted as they walked round the place he left ten years ago.

 “I feel so good to see where he grew up and how he lived in his community and what his home looked like  - when I looked at him it seemed he was feeling a little emotional.” Indeed.

“Now I’m back here with Coke Studio Africa, man it’s just proof that if you work hard at things and keep your prayers up, dreams come true,” said Naiboi. The trip provoked memories to come flooding back and he shared them with his new song making mate over their side walk meal. 

“I was set on being an artist” reminisced Naiboi. “And that was very hard, especially because my relatives felt my dad was wasting money investing in me, they felt he was letting his child waste his life.” His father supported him none the less, “He bought me machines and computers and I started to record myself in his house.”

Turns out Rayvanny’s father was also pivotal in his musical career, “He worked at the railway company. He was an engineer, but when he came home from work, he’d fix radios. On those radios he would play music, and I think that’s what made me love music, and now it’s my career…”

Naturally such a heart to heart would lead to relationship talk. "2 in 1" was inspired by Naiboi’s great love, the mother of his child and his son. “I also have someone” answered Rayvanny.

In an industry where committed and admitted relationships are rare, the two share the desire to get married. Though they both nodded their head when Rayvanny commented, “It’s not the right time to get married though.” Naiboi replied to Rayvanny’s delight, “When you do get married, call me, I will come, and I will sing! But then you also have to sing at my wedding too!”

So clearly, though walks down the aisles are some time off,  what it was the right time for, was to create "Vigelegele" - a jam inspired by marriage and weddings. Produced by Rayvanny’s long time producer Lizer, the two created what Ravyanny calls “A wedding song for everyone to celebrate love with, women, men, children, everyone!”

Naiboi, who was so pleased with the marimba touch he spiced the song with, agrees that “It’s a song that can be played at each an every African wedding across the world. It just has that authentic African touch

Watch Naiboi and Rayvanny's "Vigelegele" performance here: https://bit.ly/2TBUgjW

Tanzanian artist Harmonize has dropped his first video off his newly launched EP 'Afro Bongo', featuring Diamond Paltnumz and Burna Boy from Nigeria.

The video 'Kainama' was shot and directed by Mr C in Ghana and Director Kenny in Tanzania under Zoom Production. Audio produced by Mix Master Garzy.

Watch the video below

In a bid to ensure equal distribution and each student from Jomvu constituency benefits from secondary school bursary and attains education, the area Mp Badi Twalib has launched the Bursary mashinani exercise.

This will see the CDF officials visit each ward and village in the constituency to issue out the bursaries to needy students.

Badi cautioned his staff against being involved in corruption during the exercise.

"I will not allow anyone to play around with this money, if you are caught in those funny businesses  you will personally be held responsible and you will never serve in my office. You will face the law" said Badi.

A total of 29 million shillings has been aside for the exercise which has so far been conducted in Miritini, Jomvu and Mikindani.

"We want to devolve our service and opportunities at the grass root level as part of service delivery " charged Badi.

Kenya's biggest stars Khalifraph Jones, Naiboi, Nyashinski, Fena Gitu and Jua Cali have team up in a new banger titled 'Chukua selfie'.

Check the video below

Boomplay, the number one music streaming and download app in Africa, will celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 this Friday (8^th March) by featuring songs, albums and playlists championed by creative and talented Kenyan women on all sections of its homepage through the “Boom Queens” app takeover and play time campaign.

On International Women’s Day, the Boomplay app will have a feminine look, to showcase, promote and celebrate women in music.

From Fena, Avril, Muthoni The Drummer Queen, Evelyn Wanjiru, Mercy Masika, Akothee, Nadia Mukami, Vivian, Victoria Kimani, Gloria Muliro to Efya, Rihanna and Vanessa Mdee, the playlist will also include leading Kenyan female artists and others from around the globe who continue to inspire and change the narrative one day at a time in the male dominated industry.

Boom Queens Playlist here: https://bit.ly/2H5cuo1

On this initiative, Head of Public Relations Boomplay, Ms Tosin Sorinola said, “The conversation on gender equality and parity is one that is constantly ongoing and on occasions like this, it is important for us as a platform with so much interest in promoting Women in Music, to show our support in the best way possible. This is not a one-off campaign for us, it’s one that started since inception and will continue, a pledge evident in our daily and weekly activities and inclusions.”

Boomplay will also be running a play time campaign for a chance at increasing streaming revenue and numbers for female artistes whose songs will be featured in the “Boom Queens” playlist; a playlist consisting of songs by some of the best female artistes all over the world.

This women’s history month, Boomplay users on Android and iOS stand a chance to win iPhones and loads of Boomplay Essentials across its major operating countries – Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania.

To show support to women in music and stand a chance to win, users will be required to:

1. Subscribe to either the Boomplay daily, weekly or monthly plan.
2. Stream the ‘Boom Queens’ playlist as many times as possible.
3. Post a screenshot of the playlist on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Boombuzz using the hashtags #BoomplayCelebratesQueens 

#BoomQueens #IWD2019 - Remember to tag @boomplaymusicKE in your posts!

This campaign will run from March 7^th , 2019 - March 21^st , 2019. Winners will be announced on the March 28^th, 2019.

Terms and Conditions for the “Boom Queens” app takeover and play time campaign.

1. To participate, you must have an active subscription plan as only subscribed play time will be counted.
2. Winners will be chosen based on play time (how long you stream the playlist for)
3. Winners will be announced on the March 28, 2019
4. This campaign is exclusive to Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania & Kenya only
5. Boomplay staff are not eligible for this promotion

#BoomplayCelebratesQueens #BoomQueens #IWD2019

The Boomplay app has over 42 million users and recently launched its iOS app in December 2018. It boasts of an expansive catalogue consisting of over 5 million songs and videos from local and international acts. 

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho's niece Kulthum Abubakar Joho is set to wed tonight.

According to an invitation card seen by Ommy Dallah, Kulthum the first daughter to Abubakar Joho, the Governor's elder brother, will be getting married to Haikal Omar Osogo.

She is named after her late grandmother, mother to the Johos, Kulthum.

The short ceremony (Nikkah) will take place at the Masjid Ummu- Kulthum after the night prayers (8pm).

A close family source has also revealed that there will be a major party on Sunday at the Governor's home in Vipingo which will be attended by prominent people including ODM leader Raila Odinga.

"Tonight is the nikkah, tomorrow there will be lunch but only for Women then on Sunday is when we expect the major party/ launch in Vipingo, at the Governor's home" said the source

Kisasa, a modern day Mombasa based drama, with strong themes on love, maternal death and mental health, revolving around the lives of middle aged friends, lovers and family is expected to premiere on Mother's Day,12th May 2019.

The drama features some of the top acts from Mombasa including Dan Kinyanjui who plays Alan, Mwanaisha Kuwania (Alice), wife to Alan and Winnie Bwire playing Viki.

Other acts includes veteran Kenyan actor Ken Ambani who plays Booker,  Catherine Enane playing Red who is the wife to Booker. 

The drama has been written by Janet Chumbe and produced by Caroline Rita.

Here is the trailer