South Africa’s Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small) alongside Afro-pop pioneer TRESOR, have just released a vibrant music video for their chart-topping single, “Funu”.

This comes ahead of their April album release titled Rumble in the Jungle, a 14-track anthemic amapiano experience - available for pre-add via Platoon.

Directed by Kyle White and available to stream exclusively on Apple Music from today, “Funu” is an exuberant and colourful celebration of African dance and culture that follows a group of friends gathered in an ornate Johannesburg mansion.

The juxtaposition of the mansion’s colonial stylings with the cast’s vibrant wardrobe and lively choreography, feeds off the uplifting, dance-rooted nature of “Funu”.

Watch “Funu” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rtYA4Iy1f0

“Funu” English Lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DrTX2vQlTo

With their first single off Rumble In The Jungle, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small cement their status as South Africa’s premiere DJs by fully integrating amapiano into the mainstream and by doing so, further spearheading the culture. 

Joined on the upcoming Rumble in the Jungle collaboration album by singer TRESOR, the Congolese-born singer’s uplifting vocals elevate Maphorisa and De Small’s compositions that blend amapiano and Afro-house, to create a sound that is groove-inducing on an album that is destined for chart domination.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Together, Maphorisa and De Small are the mighty Scorpion Kings. Like their chart-topping albums: Scorpion Kings (2019), Return of the Scorpion Kings (2019) and Scorpion Kings Live (2020), their upcoming album Rumble in the Jungle is made even more unique by the addition of Afro-pop maverick and entrepreneur, TRESOR.

DJ Maphorisa has been the man behind South Africa’s favourite club bangers for just under a decade, with his main aim to change the game positively, producing hits like Uhuru’s “Y-Tjukutja” and Mafikizolo’s “Khona” both in 2013, and going on to release the lauded gqom anthems “Oncamnce” and “Midnight Starring”.

He also collaborated with American supergroup, Major Lazer, on the 2017 African anthem, “Particular” which topped the charts across 17 countries on the continent. 

Kabza De Small is frequently referred to as the King of amapiano and with good reason.

His tracks “Sponono” and “iLog Drum” were instrumental in popularizing the genre, and his debut album I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust (2019), became the first album on Apple Music to have all 26 tracks in the Top 30 of the Top 100 Music Chart.

Renowned for his distinct sound, TRESOR is a multi-platinum selling artist with a distinct vocal timbre that has earned him a legion of fans worldwide.

TRESOR has comfortably cemented his position in the African Pop genre since the release of his award-winning breakout album, VII in 2015.

He has gone on to add to his string of accolades, including two SAMAs for Best Male Artist and Album of the Year for The Beautiful Madness (2017) and a Southern African Afrimma Award for Best Male Artist in 2018.

A few weeks after signing under Taurus Musik, Ruguru jumps straight into the studio and gets out with a few gems.

The song bird explores her vocal and lyrical range with No Love, her debut single. The hip-hop track hints at what Ruguru is all about, being the best and not hearing what nay-sayers have to say.

“I had so much fun in the studio! We were playing around with a few beats and we ended up making some fire tracks. No Love is just one of them, guys should be prepared for what’s coming next” - Ruguru

Ruguru’s music career may just be starting but it is clear that the path to success may have already been paved. Ruguru has the talent and the work ethic, it might only be a matter of time before she floods the airwaves.

“She has so much promise and she works really hard. She always wants to be in the studio and she always delivers. Watch this space.” - Camilla (Ruguru’s A&R Manager)

WATCH THE "NO LOVE" VIDEO

A sombre tale of love and pain, we present to you “Why Don’t You Love Me”, Muthaka’s debut single following her recent signing to A.I. Records (K) Ltd, a sub label of Universal Music Kenya.

Written from personal experience, the track takes the listener through a whirlwind of emotions with its well-balanced cocktail of soulful lyrics, angelic harmonies, and astounding musical composition.

"The song was birthed from the feeling of pain and insecurity and was crafted to try and express those feelings not only to him but for myself as well". says Muthaka.

Muthaka’s vocal prowess is also boldly showcased in this musical piece as she perfectly blends in elements of her head, chest, and mix voice that all crescendos into a very tastefully placed transposition.

WATCH “WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME” HERE

Muthaka worked with the renowned audio producer, MG of MG Studios Kenya and visuals were the done by Tony of DeGigz Films.

Muthaka notes “Working with MG has always been a joyful experience. He not only listens and understands my music, but he also surprises me with new versions and ways to make it better".

Adding "He has always appreciated my style and encouraged me to dive even further. Working with Tony and his team for the visuals was wonderful as they were able to capture all that I imagined and more."

The future is very promising for this young upcoming artist and this song sets her up as a musical force to reckon with not just as a vocalist but as a songwriter as well.

She intends to release a couple of more singles soon in the gear up towards the release of her debut album which is set to be released later in the year

American technology giant Google has announced a 10 million US dollar package to support Kenya's post Covid-19 recovery efforts.

The announcement was made Wednesday evening by the Google's Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai during a virtual meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on the sidelines of a public discussion on digital transformation in Africa organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

CCA is a Washington DC based trade association focusing on strengthening trade and commercial ties between the United States of America and African economies.

In addition to the 10 million dollar package, which includes 3 million to support small businesses, 5 million for Kenyan start ups and 2 million for charity, Mr Pichai announced several other investments lined up by his organization for Kenya.

Mr Pichai said his company will expand its Google for Startups Accelerator program this year by supporting 100,000 businesses and 15,000 developers in Kenya.

In the education sector, the American technology giant will train 29,000 students and 1,800 teachers on remote learning using its Google Classroom platform.

President Kenyatta welcomed the post Covid-19 recovery support from Google and thanked the company for working closely with the Kenyan Government in driving digital transformation across the country in the 13 years of its operations in Kenya.

"Thank you and your team for being very close collaborators with Kenya over the years. We started our journey some almost two decades ago to try and start moving into the digital world.

"You have been a good part of that journey. A journey that has enabled many Kenyans through the use of technology and digitization to access financial services, knowledge and to enhance their business capacities," the President told Mr Pichai.

He said Kenya's digital transformation supported by partners such as Google over the years has seen the country rise to become "one of the start up capitals of the African continent."

During the public discussion moderated by Kenyan international media icon and former CNN journalist Zain Verjee, the President said Kenya is aggressively expanding internet connectivity across the country and investing in skills development to enable young Kenyans to benefit from employment opportunities created by the digital revolution.

The President said his administration is rolling out the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) to give Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects the prominence needed to move Kenya from a nation reliant on agriculture to an economy powered by technology.

Moving forward, President Kenyatta said Kenya's priority is translating the expanding internet connectivity in the country into tangible economic benefits for her people.

He said the country will achieve this ambition by linking the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the high potential and expansive global markets.

"True growth in Kenya is going to be led by SMEs and we need to be able to tool them. One area I would like us to work a lot more together is in the area of supporting our SMEs," the President said.

The Head of State said his administration was keen on expanding market opportunities for Kenyan businesses through the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United States of America and other multilateral platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On his part, Mr Pichai said the Covid-19 pandemic had accelerated digital growth in Africa and assured President Kenyatta that Google will continue partnering with African Governments in the delivery of technology solutions.

ICT CS Joseph Mucheru, a former Google employee, attended the meetings alongside his Foreign Affairs counterpart Raychelle Omamo. State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, his deputy incharge of Strategy Mrs Ruth Kagia and ICT PS Jerome Ochieng were also present.

Beryl Owano is back, bigger and better.

After a one year hiatus from the music industry, working on new music and bettering herself as a musician, the sassy singer is back with new music, a new look and a new management team  - ORIGARMI BOY LTD.

Watch her brand new song titled 'Fire Emoji' here:  https://youtu.be/SAS5zxb4Fpo  

Popular Nollwood actor Ernest Asuzu is dead.

According to reports, Asuzu who grew into fame as with his several bad boy characters died on Tuesday night.

Asuzu began his acting career in the ’90s and rose to prominence after he starred in the 1997 Nollywood classic, ‘Rituals’.

He was the toast of Nollywood until his career nosedived after he came down with a stroke in 2015 and it affected his speech. He was also bedridden for three years thus keeping him out of the limelight.

Apart from acting,  Asuzu was also a musician, he launched a music album, a 7-track album titled, ‘The Truth’ in December 2020.

After a successful collabo with Diamond Platnumz (Waah), Congolese singer Koffi Olomide is back in Tanzania for another coallbo, this time with the African princess, Nandy.

Koffi arrived in Daresalaam on Monday evening to a lavish reception by Nandy and her team.

Upon arrival, Koffi presented Nandy with a personal present of perfumes.

Addressing the media at the Julius Nyerere International airport, Koffi revealed he has been attracted by Nandy's talent and voice and that he has been following her work for a very long time.

‘‘Am happy to be here we need to do a video for Africa..Nandy is special because she sings very well I appreciate quality, good music, good looks and beautiful daughters too,’’ he said.

On her part Nandy noted "Mopao is here for a video shoot, the song is ready and actually it was supposed to be the first one before the one with Diamond Platnumz (Waah) but as you know all these things need planning and logistics but I believe it's now the right time , so fans should just watch out for another hit".

In an earlier interview with this blog (Ommydalla.co.ke) Nandy revealed that she has alot of surprises for her fans which includes international collabos.

Watch out the interview below..

Former Sauti ya Pwani radio presenter Zubeda Farid has quit the media industry to join local administration.

She is now the assistant chief for Mlaleo sub- location.

Farid is among the six new administrators recently posted in Nyali sub-county.

Others are Angela Leng’rdal who is now the assistant county commissioner for Frere Town, Evans Agutu assistant chief Mwagutu sub- location, Samuel Baya Kadzenga (Mbungoni), Suleiman Hamisi Fundi (Kadzandani) and Hilaria Farrar (Frere Town, assistant chief).

On Monday the new administrators held a familiarization meeting with the area Mp Mohammed Ali.

Farid also worked for Radio Rahma and Radio Salaam.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to support the police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order saying the officers are doing a great job of keeping the country safe.

At the same time, the Head of State reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the National Police Service (NPS) is adequately resourced to effectively and efficiently discharge its solemn mandate.

“Police officers are not enemies. They are our friends. It is upon us, as citizens to obey the law and do what we are directed to do in line with the law. If we continue that way, I am confident that our nation will be safe and prosperous,” the President said.

President Kenyatta spoke Tuesday afternoon in Ngong, Kajiado County where he presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the National Police Leadership Academy.

The construction of the academy will take one year at an approximate cost of Kshs 1 billion and is being financed by the Central Bank of Kenya as part of long and broad symbiotic partnership between the NPS and financial institution.

The ultra-modern facility, to be constructed on an 18-acre parcel of public land within Embulbul township, will include accommodation facilities for 220 persons, lecture rooms, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 450 people, kitchen and dining amenities as well as sports and recreational facilities.

The President noted that the construction of the leadership academy is part of ongoing reforms in the police service to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the demands of 21st century law enforcement.

“On assumption of the leadership of our country, my Administration adopted a comprehensive reform program for the security sector which was intended to reposition it to serve Kenyans better.

“Since then, we have improved the funding of the police security sub-sector two-fold in addition to significantly promoting the welfare and capabilities of the security sector,” the President noted.

He outlined the acquisition of over 3,000 leased police vehicles, the construction and equipping of a modern forensic laboratory and recruitment of more officers as some of the milestones achieved in reforming the law enforcement agency.

The President hailed the partnership between NPS and the Central Bank of Kenya in setting up the college saying the initiative is a good example of how the whole-of-Government approach is working under his Administration

“Today’s occasion is the most recent evidence of how Government institutions can come together to build synergy and enhance service delivery,” the Head of State said.

President Kenyatta pointed out that the Government has also placed emphasis on multi-agency approaches to security management by clearing the structural bottlenecks that hampered the seamless delivery of security services in the past.

“In the recent past, I have commissioned the National Air Support Department and the National Security Telecommunications Service, which are initiatives aimed at harmonizing and enhancing efficiency of our multi-agency security operations,” the President said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, who also spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, thanked President Kenyatta for advancing a wide range of reforms that have boosted the effectiveness of the country’s security sector.

“For the last three years, Your Excellency, you have been implementing a very transformative agenda in terms of how the police are going to be managed and equipped to work and deliver results,” Dr Matiang’i said.

Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge and NPS Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai also spoke at the event attended by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku among other local leaders and senior Government officials.