Former Mombasa councillor Kombo Juma Mzee has died.

Mr. Kombo who served as Mikindani Ward councillor between 1992 to 2012 died on Monday morning at his home after a long illness.

He was laid to rest on Monday evening at the Kwashee muslim cemetry, Mikindani.

Several leaders led by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib attended the burial.

In his condolence message, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho described him as a charismatic leader.

"I receive the news of the demise of Hon. Kombo Juma Mzee the former Mikindani ward councillor. He was a charismatic leader who served the people of Mikindani and Mombasa at large with utmost rigour and enthusiasm" said Joho.

On his part Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib said the late politician was a mentor and father figure to many young politians.

"It was a honor for me to serve with him way back at the municipal council of Mombasa as councillors. Surely death has robbed Mombasa county one of his gallant sons." said Twalib.

South met West Africa for the first annual cross boarder music festival which took place over the festive season for The Amapiano Festival in Ghana.

Joining some of Ghana’s leading artists - Amapiano royalty DBN Gogo, Kamo Mphela, Uncle Waffles, Focalistic, Bontle Smith, Felo Le Tee and Ntosh took to the stage in Ghana this past December for the first Amapiano Festival.

Over the past couple of years, South Africans in the entertainment industry have vastly enjoyed the dance type that has taken the world and the African continent by storm. The sound and amapiano culture have received recognition in parts the world and has proudly represented South Africa within afro pop culture.

To celebrate this incredible music milestone, D Global Entertainment hosted the first music festival, purely dedicated to the genre.

Hosting some of the leading artists from South Africa, D Global Entertainment brought amapiano to life in Ghana for a unique music showcase that also featured Major League and Uncle Vinny as guests at the festival.

Ensuring the first of an annual celebration of Amapiano in Ghana, the festival saw thousands of music fans in attendance at Garage Lounge in East Legon – which also kicked off the December Festivities in West Africa.

He’s a look at what went down at The Amapiano Festival in Ghana here.

Mombasa artists have come to the defense of the county governor Hassan Joho over the New Year fireworks concert expenditure that has come under criticism.

This is after Mombasa health workers, who have threatened to down tools tomorrow over an impending two months’ salary arrears, accused Joho over his exorbitant expenditure in the concert at the expense of unpaid staff.

Last week during a media briefing, the Mombasa county health workers questioned why the county had to spend an unidentified sum of money in a new year concert while employees of the county have two months unpaid salaries.

Governor led locals in ushering the New Year in style at the Mama Ngina Waterfront where an array of artists entertained the mammoth crowd who had thronged the grounds for the governor’s final fireworks concert.

Speaking during a media Briefing at the Mama Ngina Water front in Mombasa on Monday, the artists drawn from singers, producers, MCs acknowledged the governor Joho’s contribution towards supporting the industry.

“We have a big contribution to the economy of this country and we should not be understated, we respect the doctors but we ask them to respect our professionals as well,” said Peter Siku Karisa alias P-DAY.

Among the artists who took part in the new year eve concert include Stephanie Khatiera alias Tiera Gee,Ali Hamisi alias Ally B,Esther Mwangala alias Adasa,Peter Siku Karisa alias P-DAY,Yusuf Kombo also known as Susumila among others.

 “People should stop thinking being an artist is a simple thing, we are perturbed by these sentiments by our fellow professionals who have underrated the creative industry by making the sentiments against us,” said Stepahie Khattiera alias Tiera Gee.

Yusuf Kombo also known as Susumila , said what has angered them most is that the artists are still awaiting the balance of their payments while they are being regarded as highly paid.

"Everyone was paid half of the amount according to their market rate, therefore it pains us seeing people say we were exorbitantly paid by the county government at the expense of other employees who are also agitating for their rights,” said Susumila.

Ali Hamisi, alias Ally B thanked the Mombasa governor for his continued support to the music industry, saying the industry is still struggling due to covid-19 disease thus needs much support.

 “The job we do is like another job in any profession, we deserve better and not condemnation since we are still feeling the heat from the disruptions of the coronavirus,” lamented. Ally B.

The coastal stretch showed off a spectacular display of fireworks as the hospitality sector reaped bountifully as it recorded a hundred percent occupancy after two years of incurring losses owing to the covid-19 pandemic pandemic.

American singer and actor Rotimi has postponed his World music tour.

Last year, the 'In My bed' hitmaker and Vanessa Mdee's lover revealed that he was a planning a world tour dubbed 'All Or Nothing World Tour' citing Nairobi as one of the places he would be visiting.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/gossip/item/2466-power-star-rotimi-to-visit-kenya

In a statement, Rotimi revealed that he has postponed the tour due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Due to the recent surge in covid cases amid the Omnicron variant, my team and I have made the tough decision to postpone the tour. We feel it is best for the safety of my fans and crew." he said.

Adding " All tickets purchased will remain fully valid and available to be used at the new dates. If you wish to have your tickets refunded that is possible as well. We are working diligently alongside our tour partners to finalize an updated tour schedule which will be announced soon. I appreciate your love and support. Please stay safe and I’ll see you soon."

Grammy award-winning Nigerian superstars, Burna Boy and Wizkid have joined forces to create amonster masterpiece video for the African Giant’s new song ‘Ballon D’Or.

Produced by Nigerian British producer P2j, the banging track is inspired by one of the most prestigious trophies given to professional soccer players — Ballon D’Or whose recipient is regarded as the best male football player in the world.

The music stars announced the release of the visuals via their individual social media pages on Friday.

The feel-good video starts with Burna Boy and Wizkid on a boat cruise, savouring the serenity of the cool atmosphere at a beach in the company of several ladies.

The video also featured UFC champion, Kamaru Usman as both singers croon about their heroics in the music industry.

Tanzanian Bad boy and United States based independent record label, Legacy Records Inc. Loui just dropped the visuals to his latest release My Queen.

The vibrant colorful video was shot filmed on location in Zanzibar,Tanzania and directed by the Young Director making his debut2K Grapher.

This comes months after dropping his single “Hennessy” which did very well with over 4M views on YouTube charting on various charts and also after dropping ‘Selema Popo’ with award winning South African DJ and producer, Musa Keys.

Those two records have made Loui Top 5 with most Spotify monthly listeners of not only in Tanzania but the whole East African region. It’s a love composition with vibrant and melodious RNB feelings mixed with some Afro Bongo vibes. Loui serenades to his lady, telling her how beautiful she is, how she makes him feel and how he is going to give her everything and make her feel like a queen that she is.

 “This video is going take my career to the next video. We start the Year on a higher note. One of the best videos ever shot by a young and vibrant director who we share the same vision. The video is a bit different full of different happy moments that resonates with the song and my sound. Apart from showcasing my talent and the capacity I have to bring change in this Industry, I just wanted to show the world how beautiful my country is." said Loui.

Adding "This is a beautiful Song and I urge everyone to watch, enjoy & share this Afro Bongo masterpiece”.

Award-winning hip hop artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist King Kaka has linked up with the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site, Sportsbet.io, as a global ambassador across East Africa and beyond.

King Kaka is one of the biggest names in African rap, lauded both for his creativity and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

Now he’s joining Sportsbet.io, part of Yolo Group, as a global ambassador, with the first campaigns including King Kaka to launch later this month. Players in East Africa and other countries in the region will gain special access to promotions and bonuses, brought to you exclusively by King Kaka and Sportsbet.io.

King Kaka, Global Ambassador for Sportsbet.io, said: “Sportsbet.io are true innovators, and that’s always something I’ll value. Throughout my career and with my music, I’ve tried to follow my own path, and I respect Sportsbet.io for doing the same. I can’t wait to get started as a global ambassador for the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site.”

Albert Climent, Head of Africa at Sportsbet.io, said: “King Kaka is an inspiration to millions, not just for his game changing music, but also his humanitarian work. He’s the perfect match for our fun, fast and fair approach to crypto gaming, and we know this is going to be a showstopping partnership.”

Sportsbet.io is the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site, offering thousands of markets and events. It is globally renowned for sponsorships of leading football clubs, including Arsenal, Southampton and São Paulo.

Ugandan star rapper NAVIO, celebrated as East Africa’s King of Hip Hop has released “Raha” - brand new single and music video, experimenting with Amapiano / Rap. Tanzanian music genius, Daxochali, who is renowned for his mastery in Amapiano, produced this song with authority to create a massive hit. 

This is the first release off Navio’s upcoming studio album ‘Vibes Out The East’ (#VOTE) . Navio stands out on the new release, flowing effortlessly on Amapiano, the biggest genre sweeping through the African charts right now. 

It’s a daring and bold move as many rappers have refused to take the plunge as compared to their counterparts in other genres.

Navio says “I spent almost more than 8 years in South Africa when I was younger and in my prime club years so I’ve always been influenced by the region’s sound and more. Plus with a grandmother from that side it’s always hard for me to ignore any trend from there.”

The track’s high energy music video directed by Sasha Vybz, who stays true to his style, crafting a timeless video paying homage to the scale of the song, with big sweeping shots and a choreography centered on Afro Hip Hop dance, calling out for freedom, and expression.  

Navio says about the release, “Uganda has been locked up. No dancing, no concerts, no vibes and no good times allowed. Now that we’re coming to the end of that I think we needed an anthem that showed all of those qualities. Besides the fact that UG hasn’t been on the scene, we still have something to add to East African music and therefore Navcorp is proud to present the new hit to usher in 2022 - “Raha” - Leta Raha: bring on the good times!”

Seemingly not slowing down, Navio gets to exclusively share more about the upcoming body of work,

“The album is a bit more centered on Navio as compared to my 2020 album ‘Strength In Numbers’ whose whole theme was centered on the title and by that involving people I respect from across Africa. This next project ‘Vibes Out The East’ (#VOTE) is centered on my personal story and expression to the rest of the continent and world. It aims to still have that freestyle approach but push a new level of excellence.” he says.

Adiing,“The next divergence will be on this project in terms of experimenting with other genres.”

East African Hip Hop music, Ugandan music, Navio and all of his brothers in the industry are still very active and have a message for East African fans and beyond,.

“You can never overlook quality. This will never be a numbers game and the art form whether commercial or underground needs to actually contain ART. Let’s keep expressing ourselves and pushing further the right way. Support each other in East Africa and we will be the region to reckon with on the continent.”

Navio has undoubtedly proven himself in these dark times of the pandemic that tremendously had an impact on the music industry globally.

Having the most successful year of any rapper regionally, he released the ‘Strength In Numbers’ (SIN album) which sold 39,459 copies in the first few weeks before the street vendors pushed the sales to higher heights- off a well crafted boda delivery strategy in the heart of lockdown.

The album itself won awards - and the collaborations with Vanessa Mdee, Ice Prince, Joh Makini, Seyi Shay, Laylizzy and a Burna Boy Remix- makes it an instant classic. He had the first virtual concert in Uganda launching his album. 

A matatu driver and his conductor who assaulted a traffic officer on Thursday morning in Mikindani, Mombasa have been arrested.

The two, Emmanuel Lwamba and Nicholas Ngwava Peter descended on the officer with kicks and blows leaving him with a bruised nose and chest injuries.

They are said to have later took off with the officer’s phone and Sh2,000. The vehicle was registered KBF 578K.

According to a statement from the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) a manhunt was launched immediately after the incident leading to the arrest of the two

"Two suspects who assaulted a police officer on traffic duties in Mikindani, Mombasa county have finally been arrested.The officer was busy controlling traffic at around 6:30am, along the busy Changamwe - Mikindani road, when he was accosted by the two.The duo, a matatu driver and a conductor descended on the traffic cop with heavy blows and kicks, leaving him with a bruised nose and chest pains. They also took off with his mobile phone and Sh2,000. A manhunt for the two small operating a matatu KBF 578K, was launched leading to the arrest of the two identified as Emmanuel Lwamba and Nicholas Ngwava Peter, a few hours later. Detectives based at Jomvu police station are currently handling the matter. Members of the public are cautioned against attacking a police officer on duty, since it is a serious offence that may land one in serious conflict with the law." reads a statement from DCI.