Africa’s premium live band Alternate Sound formed by Nigerian ace music producer GospelOnDeBeatz is in Kenya for their debut East African tour.

Kicking off the tour in Nairobi, they performed with pop queen Tiwa Savage at “The Baddest” album launch (15^th September, 2018) by Redsan. Their performance p live at the Kiza Lounge, in Nairobi this Saturday, 22^nd September 2018 will open doors to many other East African performances.

At the very same time, GospelOnDeBeatz has teamed up with Alternate Sound and Davido Music Worldwide hitmakers: Davido and Peruzzi to release “Run Am”—a new Salsa-infused pop banger.

GospelOnDeBeatz says, “This tour to East African has been in the works for a while now and we are ecstatic to make it happen. We are bringing sounds from the West and fusing them with the East African sound and make magic,” adding, “While here, we are also hoping to collaborate on some projects with more artistes and events/festivals from the region so watch out for that. “

The band's meticulous panache has been paired with the Africa’s top artistes among them, Tiwa Savage, Patoranking, Banky W, Praiz and Reekado Banks on the most prestigious stages across and beyond the continent.

They have featured as headline acts and also official band on positioned stages like The CAF Awards 2017, SoundCity MVP Awards 2017, The Headies Award 2018, One Africa Music Fest (London) 2018, The Nigerian Football Federation Awards 2018, amongst others.

The band headlines their own show - “Alternate Sound Live” which is a quarterly live and intimate showcase by the band. The first edition took place on the 23rd of November 2017 had over 700 people in attendance with the second live show taking place on the 5th of April, 2018. 

Both events were staged at Hard Rock Café in Victoria Island and saw A-list artistes such as Banky W, Skales, Praiz, Dr. Sid, Reekado Banks, Terry Apala, Iyanya, Chike, Fiokee, Kaffy and upcoming artistes; GreyC, Okiemute, Marv and Squeeze Terella and many more performing.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD "RUN AM" ON ITUNES: https://bit.ly/2O0JOQk

Leleshwa Wines & the Afro-soul star Atemi have partnered in a tour dubbed as ‘Inspired by Kenya’. The tour celebrated Kenya as a beautiful and magical country and showcased its beauty and romance through the melodious tunes of Atemi and delicious Leleshwa Wines. Both are a great source of pride for Kenya.

The tour culminates in the release of the hit song ‘Romantic’ by the Bebi Bebi hit maker, Atemi Oyungu featuring the legendary Kenya pop artist Nameless. 

Romantic is a fun, uplifting and catchy love song that tells the story of African romance as each sideasks for more romance from the other side.

The track was written by Atemi Oyungu and David Mathenge, arranged and produced by Ihaji and mixed and mastered by Denis Ihaji and Robert Kamanzi(R- Kay).

The visuals were directed and beautifully captured by the award-winning Nigerian video director, Clarence Peters.

The audio was officially released on Tuesday 18th September and the videowill be launched at an online eventon Thursday 20th September at 7:30pm

Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi has launched Business Lunch at the Hotel’s rotating restaurant to cater to the business public looking into an ideal space for client engagements.

This move is a bid to reach a wider target audience and to further cater to corporations that are looking for a good dining experience at reasonable pricing.

The signature revolving restaurant located on the 24th floor offers panoramic 360-degree vistas of the city, as guests savour traditional Swiss specialities including an array of fondues.

“We are delighted to be launching Business Lunch at the View as we have an opportunity to differentiate our offering by capitalising on the unique aspects of our signature revolving restaurant which offers 360-degree panoramic views and mouthwatering Swiss cuisine. All these appeal to our target audience in addition to the location of the hotel,” said General Manager Andreas Flückiger.

Available weekdays from Tuesday to Friday, the Business Lunch offering will include 2-course and 3-course meals for lunch at 2,200 per person and 2,600 respectively from 12.30pm – 3.30 pm.

Since Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts made its debut in Kenya in April with the official opening of Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi, the hotel has been getting great reviews with its big spaces and great culinary experience.

The upscale property features 276 spacious rooms, suites and residences and introduced new and exciting dining, leisure and event concepts to the Kenyan capital. It is in the thriving commercial, retail and entertainment hub, Westlands, which is close to the city centre and diplomatic districts and 20km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Mövenpick’s commitment to culinary innovation and excellence is showcased through the property’s five distinct dining experiences: La Mesa; all-day dining venue Baluba, which showcases themed buffets and local produce; signature revolving restaurant the View, which is the best place to take in 360-degree panoramas of Nairobi City and traditional Swiss specialities; Kijani bar, which is next to the outdoor pool and offers inventive cocktails and light snacks; and the lobby café presenting Mövenpick’s signature coffees, international teas and handcrafted cakes.

Emmanuel Jal, Juno nominated Musician, Actor, and Campaigner has released his 6th studio album “NAATH”—a stunning joint collaboration with his hugely talented sister, Nyaruach. 

NAATH is a vivacious, Afrobeat infused album with Emmanuel and Nyaruach drawing strongly on the unique sounds of their country; interweaving traditional folklore and love songs - alongside infectious dance tunes.

NAATH is the ancient word for the land and language surrounding the glorious Kingdom of Kush. Carefully choosing this theme - Jal and Nyaruach's music is often at odds with the image of war and poverty that has blighted South Sudan.

Instead, both artists choose to reflect upon the resilience and rich culture of their identity through their vibrant tones and messaging.  

"South Sudan is still suffering from years of war and oppression, we feel it is our cultural responsibility to bring out the music and voices from our country. As siblings we were forced apart in our childhood through extreme circumstances, so we are excited to be united on this project to bring the sounds of our village to the mainstream."

From his start in life as a child soldier in the war-torn region of Southern Sudan in the early 1980s, Emmanuel Jal has come through huge personal struggles to become asuccessful and acclaimed recording artist and peace ambassador now living in Toronto, Canada.

Emmanuel's sister Nyaruach was also born in South Sudan at a similar time and was separated from the rest of her immediate family, including Jal, at the age of 4.

As years went on, the war intensified, she witnessed her family members killed and was raped by government officials.

It wasn't until 2004 that she was finally reunited with Jal in Nairobi.

Unfortunately due to renewed violence in South Sudan and threats upon her life, Nyaruach has been forced to live in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya where she has an uncertain future.

Emmanuel and Nyaruach have recorded together on Emmanuel's break out single Gua, which stands for “peace” in their native Nuer tongue which was broadcast by the BBC across Africa and became a hit in Kenya in 2005. 

The two have since performed together in Kenya for Oxfam and South Sudan for the first of its kind peace concert with Daryl 'DMC' McDaniels organised by Emmanuel's non-profit organisation 'We Want Peace.'

Despite immense obstacles, Emmanuel and Nyaruach have now finalised their first album together with the release of their first music video Ti-Chuong - shot on location in Kenya.  

The track is an upbeat dance song, drawing on the unique and rarely heard sounds and traditional afrobeat from South Sudan. 

Emmanuel and Nyaruach are both keen to work with additional producers and DJs to remix and reinterpret the music to bring it to a larger audience. 

Emmanuel has released five award nominated studio albums: The Key, Gua, Ceasefire, Warchild and See Me Mama. His live appearances have included Live 8, Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert and the One Concert for his Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He has collaborated and performed alongside artists such as Lauryn Hill, Peter Gabriel, Nelly Furtado, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Nile Rodgers and Alicia Keys.

Emmanuel has also co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in the Warner Brothers motion picture, The Good Lie which tells the story about the journey of four young Sudanese refugees (based on The Lost Boys of Sudan) and as the adult lead in the major motion picture Africa United; a Pathé, UK Film Council and BBC Films presentation in association with Warner Bros, released in October 2010.

Drawing on his personal experiences and background, he speaks and performs with a strong message of reconciliation and peace, and has spoken at TED Global, addressed the UN, US Congress, the Carter Centre and the very highest level of several governments.

In 2008 a full-length documentary on his life was released.

The film, Warchild, won 12 prestigious film festival awards worldwide. In the same year, his autobiography, also called Warchild, was published by Little Brown. 

Nyaruach kept her past to herself for a long time, but in 2008 she also stepped over her personal pain and revealed her shocking story in War Child, the documentary on Emmanuel’s life.

In 2010, Jal released ‘We Want Peace’, part of a wider campaign of the same name that called for peace, protection and justice for all of Sudan, as well as calling for an end to all conflicts that affect innocent people around the world. 

This campaign is supported by a number of A-list stars and leaders, including George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter and Kofi Annan. 

For his outstanding commitment to peace building, Jal has been awarded the Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Award 2017, The Mattie Stepanek Peace Prize, The Hunt Humanitarian Award, The Dresden Peace Prize and The Common Ground Award amongst others. In 2012, he was asked to be a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, and he has performed at the G20 summit in Mexico

Emmanuel's greatest passion is his charity Gua Africa, which supports those affected by war and poverty from South Sudan.

The charity has trained and educated South Sudanese refugees to becoming first-class professional in medicine, law and education. 

Through her story Nyaruach has become a vital spokesperson for women’s rights and education and has also joined the campaign to help her brother build a school in South Sudan.

NAATH is now available worldwide from all major digital platfroms and streaming channels and through SONGA & SKIZA for Safaricom in Kenya - through Gatwitch Records.

No one has finessed the art of entertainment in modern day times like #MadamSumbuaTarrif! Akothee.

She  has the brains of a Tzee entertainer and everyone needs to take notes if they want to remain relevant in this age and era! She has understood the subtle art of entertainment and she is running with it!

This woman wakes up with calculated moves in her head and she strategizes on how she’ll get everyone talking!

 She calculatedly incorporated Diamond Platinumz and Flavour in her music and this propelled her to the next level both locally and internationally. If you’ve ever attended one of her shows then you know she’s a show stopper! She possesses the moves of an exotic dancer and this compensates her weak points!

Her family of five is not a secret and everyone who follows her on her various social platforms knows that she has three different baby daddies and she owns her truth!.

She has become a demi god to most baby mama’s and a source of criticism to her haters but this gunners her numbers and her huge following on social media which in turn  also lands her deals as brand ambassador for different companies including famous phone company Tecno and local airline Silverstone Air. Look at that!

Her newest ‘sauce’ of entertainment is her new found love! Our timelines are flooded with photos of these two love birds. The photos are skilfully accompanied with the #AkotheeSafaris just to sell something that’s of more importance to both Akothee and her manager. The mullah! How genius is that?

At this point we are slow clapping at the fact that her wit full captions on Instagram have created the impression that she is head over heels in love. Critics and haters can’t wait for them to call it quits. Meanwhile her ardent supporters are routing for them and this increases her popularity on the gram day in day out!

Akothee is the kind of woman who will call her relationship quits and use the situation to her advantage. She’ll bag numerous interviews and then use the opportunity to release a song or to talk about her business. She’ll use the opportunity to market whatever requires her financial attention at the moment!

Akothee’s entertainment is five star and extremely strategic. She doesn’t do things for the sake of doing them. She knows that entertainment is a business and she will do anything to remain relevant in the present! We need more Akothee’s if our industry is to grow to a whole other level!

Dynamic duo consisting of two Lyn Klint King and Kena Kraizy YoungKing from Kawangware, Nairobi has premiered their latest single “Kawangware Kings” produced by AJ ft Motif, the video was directed by Kashkeed of Mainstream films.

Upcoming female Reggae and Dancehall sensation Black Heart has dropped "Situation" fourth single off of the BLACK POWER E.P featuring Zj Mhat; an upcoming, massive talented signed under the Half Live record label.

Situation is an uplifting song mainly focusing on the youth for i believe, they are the future generation. The sweet infusion of Patois and Swahili (sheng) in the melodies makes it easier to cut across the message. 

Speaking on the new single an elated Black Heart says, “This is a dedication to any person undergoing through stuff in the daily hustle and bustle of life, I want to encourage them that No situation is permanent, worries and worrying is never a solution in life. They should have a positive and optimistic mind of conquering difficulties and wrong turns.

Speaking about the industry, Black Heart is optimistic that the industry is currently growing and Kenyans have started appreciating female artist more “We are making strides in the industry though small, but we are taking over East Africa as the Power house in the entertainment industry in the region.

watch the video below

After a successful week-long public screenings to communities in Kakuma and Daadab refugee camp, the annual FilmAid festival is back in Nairobi .

The festival in its 11^th year is set to showcase films and hold panel discussions with various stakeholders in the film industry and humanitarian organisations from 17^th to 22^nd September in Nairobi.

This will be followed by the highlight of the festival – FilmAid Festival Award gala dinner.

This years showcase will include screening of 50 selected films in strategic areas within Nairobi targeting urban refugees, Kenyans as well as the international community.

This year, the festival received over 1400 submission from creative storytellers, artists, filmmakers, journalists and photographers across the globe.  

Speaking on the project, FilmAid Executive Director said, "We are thrilled with the submissions we got this year, the numbers improved significantly and this shows our commitment and vision of informing, inspiring and empowering refugees and marginalized populations is bearing fruit".

This year’s theme for the festival is My story. My voice. Your move.” a non-confrontational demand for dialogue, and is a self-confident assertion that refugee voices be included in any dialogue about their lives and their future.

The theme also captures the dynamism, determination and ‘swag’ of FilmAid’s remarkable Media training Class of 2018.

The film festival is held annually and it strives to fulfill FilmAid’s vision of informing, inspiring and empowering refugees and other marginalized populations throughout the world.

Through FilmAid’s extensive programming in Nairobi, Kakuma and Daadab, each year, FilmAid is able to train, support and empower more than 100 refugee youth to tell their own stories through the power of film.

This year’s festival will see around 14 student films from Kakuma and Daadab showcased. These include 6 fiction films and 8 documentaries.

The refugee films will additionally be shared through FilmAid’s online platforms, including the website, YouTube, Vimeo and linked through social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), and international film festivals.

Nigerian star Tiwa Savage has taken to social media to express her frustration after being left stranded at a Nairobi hotel with unpaid bills, this comes just hours after she attended Redsan's 'Baddest' album launch at the KICC where she was also among the performers.

The singer went ahead to explain how the promoters failed to pick her calls even after making several calls.

There was also no vehicle to take her to the airport.

Tiwa tweeted “Checking out of the hotel and full accommodation not paid for, no car to take us to the airport and promoters want to talk trash about artists” 

She went ahead to state “Funny how everyone is asleep and phones are off after the show but they blow up your phone when they need you for radio and press runs before the show”.

She however maintained her love for Kenya and fans "I love KENYA always have and always will'.

"We shall still continue in this though because the fans deserve better regardless of what happens behind the scenes".

There has been no word from Redsan and the organisers of the event concerning Tiwa's misfortunes so far.