It has been a whole new and assorted year of 2019 that has seen various Kenyan artists come out and express themselves in different ways concerning the state of their entertainment scene and that of the world as a whole.

Release of songs such as ‘Nitembezee’ that has seen Kenya’s top act Kidis The Jembe incorporate young and aggressive rapper from Kisumu, Gabiro Mtu Necessary famously known as Kisumu President  following his current and previous achievements as a young dreamer and celebrity.

He is also one among the few Kenyan acts who has proven that hard work forever beats talent.

In the song, Gabiro comes in with heavy and lyrically powerful verses that depicts his struggles as young artist mentioning at least every person who inspired him and still inspires him to be a better musician cum rapper in the tremendously dynamic music industry that pops up with new trends very fast.

He is notably talking about shining his light on other as heard on the first verse “…siwezi shine mpaka refugee apate dish…no role model mpaka Jaguar akuwe rais.”

It simply translates to him wanting to use his influential being as a musician to ensure all refugees have a better life and that he has no role model at the moment until the day musician and politician Jaguar becomes the president.

Kidis makes the song flow smoothly by being on the chorus on the Videz produced track that has seen him bring a whole new style and life to Gabiro’s genre and style of music as witnessed in his previous releases like Chini Ya Maji and Low Key which he featured singer Matamu.

The song has touched on a number of issues like encouraging and insisting on artists to always be ready for change and that everything in life will always take time.

Two of world’s best stars: Best Reggae Group Morgan Heritage and Nigerian Dancehall King Patoranking have met in Nairobi, Kenya for the video shoot of Morgan Heritage’s first single of 2019 with Patoranking titled “Pay Attention”.

They have already shot the video at 2 Rivers Mall, will shoot over the weekend at Onyx then go straight to Maasai Mara for the last part of the video. They shoot is supported by Bonfire Adventures.

Kenyan rapper King Kaka has partnered with American Tracy Morgan in new song titled 'Royalty'

Watch the video below

Veteran Ugandan female singer Juliana Kanyomozi has just released her latest song dubbed 'Omukwano Ogwedda'.

The song  is off her new Bits&Pieces album.

Audio Written by Sylver Kyagulanyi and produced by Benon Mugumbya at Swangz Avenue. Video directed by Marvin Musoke at Swangz Avenue.

Watch the video below.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has weighed in on the ongoing debate between Kenyan artists and presenters over support for local music.

The debate was sparked few days ago by Nyashinski after he attacked Citizen radio and Mambo mseto presenter Willy Tuva over what he termed as promoting Tanzanian artists and neglecting Kenyan music.

Nyashinski's move has resulted into a heated between presenters and artists which is currently ongoing on social media with rapper Khaligraph Jones stating he is ready to sponspor some Kenyan presenters to Nigeria to find out if they enjoy a fan base in the country.

The debate has since attracted the attention of Mombasa governor Hassan Joho who has now come out to show his support for local Kenyans.

Joho a known close ally of Tanzanian artist Ally Kiba and a fan for local music and artists especially from Mombasa took to social media to share a photo posing with gospel artist willy Paul and captioned it “#PlayKeMusic cc @willy.paul.msafi @gatesmgenge@chris001ke @daddyowen @realshinski@thenaiboi @officialsusumila @jalangoo,” .

Renowned businessman and creative producer Elijah Girimani has offered to sponsor an upcoming and talented artist from the country.

According to Girimani who is also a song writer and talent scout , he has set aside kshs 1 million to help in audio production, video recording and marketing of a song from one of the upcoming talented artists whom he has given the members of the public that chance to propose to him the artist.

In an interview with Ommy Dallah, Girimani revealed that together with some like minded friends they will be launching an online platform that will help in finding the artist before end of this week.

He further lashed out at artists complaining that local radio presenters have not been supporting Kenyan by playing foreign music songs especially from Nigeria and Tanzania.

This has been a debate for the last few days with several artists including Nyashinski, Khaligraph Jones, Naiboi among others attacking the presenters and even making fun that they are ready to sponsor them for a trip to Nigeria to find out if they too have a fan base there.

"Lets stop complaining that our songs are not played on radios and tv , its not their fault, people want good music so lets concentrate on making good music" said Girimani.

Tanzanian songstress popular for the hit song 'Angejua', Dayna Nyange has a new song.

The new song is titled 'Jiba'.

Listen it below

Former National Youth Fund Chairman Bruce Odhiambo is dead.

According to reports Bruce who was also a music producer and played with the Mombasa based safari sound band and the Spartan was pronounced dead early this morning after he was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital Intensive care unit after his blood pressure hit extremely low levels.

He was also an actor and featured on the star studded controversial Kenyan movie 'Project Daddy'. He owned the Johari Cleff studio and has nurtured many talents especially in the music industry.

Odhiambo was appointed  Chairman of the Youth fund  in 2014 replacing Gor Semelang'o but later resigned after allegations of theft at the organisation.

Several celebrities and colleagues who were with him at the entertainment industry have so far come out to mourn him.

"Very sad about the passing of my friend Bruce Odhiambo. In the last three months, he remained strong even as his sick heart failed him. It was sad to watch him suffer. I will cherish the many moments we spent together. We have lost a good man and one of the most creative minds," posted Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

On her part Carol Radul of Radio Afriica posted "You were front and centre when we created@RadioJamboKenyain 2008. I'll remember you for your contribution to Kenya's music industry. Rest in peace Bruce Odhiambo"

Artist Prezzo described his death as a big blow to the industry noting "Just got the sad news and its hard to come to terms with your demise. You paved way and had everyone's back . Huge blow to the industry. Rest in paradise Bruce Odhiambo till we meet again".

Brown Mauzo has just released his latest song.

The song dubbed 'Kizunguzungu'  talks about the ups and down of love and the fear of letting go.

Watch the video below

PETE, a new Swahili soap opera, has launched on Maisha Magic East.

The show, which premieres today , Monday, 7^th January 2019 depicts hate, enmity and revenge that threatens to destroy a brotherhood bond, out of the desire to seek leadership and control.

There was uncertainty earlier if the launch would take place after the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) released a statement just hours to the launch stopping the event accusing the producers of violating the law governing creation, possession, exhibition, distribution and broadcast of any audio visual content in the country  , the launch however proceeded as planned after consultations  between the board and the team behind the film.

PETE will air every weekday Monday to Friday at 9.30pm on Maisha Magic East on both DStv channel 158 and GOtv channel 4.

To celebrate the launch of the new Swahili soap opera, Maisha Magic East organized a special screening of Pete’s first episode at the Jomo Kenyatta public beach(pirates) to give coastal region viewers a taste of what to expect when the show premieres on Maisha Magic East channel.

The special screening event also gave the audience an opportunity to meet and interact with the top-rated cast of the show, led by Mutran Tamim who plays Jasiri (the main protagonist) and Leon Ongaya, who plays Jasiri’s brother, Mbura (main antagonist). Other main cast members included Selestine Nyagha (Nuru) and Aisha Mwajumlah (Nimimi).

Speaking at the first-ever outdoor beach screening at the coast, GOtv Kenya General Manager Simon Kariithi reiterated the commitment by MultiChoice Kenya to offer memorable, quality and affordable entertainment.

He said, “We understand our customers changing demands and we are committed to offer them the kind of entertainment they want.  Furthermore, we strive to deliver value to our customers by making great entertainment more accessible by maintaining affordable subscription rates on both GOtv and DStv.”

Speaking at the same event, MNET Channel Director, East and Southern channels Timothy Okwaro reiterate Maisha Magic’s priority to deliver 100% local content to its consumers

“We are committed to the delivery of this promise to our subscribers by providing our customers with unique viewing experiences as the industry video entertainment leaders,” he said 

Kariithi added that Maisha Magic East provided a ready market for the growing entertainment industry and urged local producers to take the opportunity offered by Maisha Magic to invest in creation of more local shows that viewers across the East African region can enjoy.

Over the course of 2017 and 2018, Maisha Magic East has launched premium local content to the delight of its viewers.

Some of these include the award winning show Selina that won the Best TV Drama series award at Kalasha 2018 Awards, Maza – yet another Swahili soap opera produced in the coastal region, Sue na Johnnie amongst others.

PETE is a drama series that follows the fight by two brothers, Mbura (older brother) and Jasiri (younger brother), to attain the right to rule Funzi Island after the demise of their father Dalu.

At the centre of this fight is the leadership tool, the ring (pete). Also keen on getting their hands on the ring are the mermaids, who send their beautiful daughter, Safira, to fetch the ring that threatens to end the mermaid generation if they don’t claim it from the human race.

Pete is a Swahili word meaning a ring and in this case it denotes a circular or endless situation.

This ring plays out metaphorically as a beacon of ultimate competition, love and hatred.

The show is produced by Daudi Otieno, a cinematographer and with seven years’ experience.

Speaking about the production, Otieno said, “Pete is one of my biggest projects that I am so much passionate about. The story is close to me, especially having been raised at the Coast and experienced its rich culture which plays a major role in this telenovela drama series”.

Below are some photos from the launch