Celebraring 10 years of CCK(Communications Commission of Kenya) non achievement

As I was in a matatu headed to the office today morning, I couldn't help but overhear King'ang'i and Marcus on Classsic 105 reminiscing on the gone days when one only had to rely on letters to keep in touch. This was in line with their joint promotion with CCK in celebrating 10 years since Communications Commission of Kenya(CCK) was formed.
The same has been in the dailies and it got me thinking of what Chris Rock says in one of his comedies(watched it for the uptenth time over the weekend thanks to a friend who was visiting) I think its in 'Bring back the pain'
"Niggaz like being complimented about some ish that they are supposed to do like they'll say  I take care of my kids - damn thats your role, you fathered them". or " I aint never been to no jail" - that is not an accomplishment, you should never go to jail.
Am sure by now you are wondering, what does C.R have to do with CCK

CCK is bragging about its achievements and spending tax payers money on adverts, things that they should have done within 2 years or 5 maximum, yet it has taken them 10 years.

Do you know how long 10 years is in IT?
lets see
-  Microsoft has launched 4 client OSs(Win 98, XP, Vista and now Windows 7)and countless other products.
- Something called flash disks were invented starting with a capacity of 128MB, now they even have those with 32GB capacity
-There no DVDs and CDs had just replaced tapes in music distribution. Now, we even have blu-ray.
- DVDs replaced those big ugly black cassette (can't even remember their correct name) and now, DVDs come with USB ports.
- Google become a company exactly 10 years ago, it is now synonymous with the internet
- In 10 years, Africa Online moved from being the only ISP to being a non entity in the provision of internet in Kenya getting replaced by the likes of Access Kenya

I have several things to be celebrate with CCK for non-achievement
- Internet is still damn expensive despite there being like 16 or more ISPs
- There's still not a single radio station I can listen to throughout(simply because most are full of crap)
- Radio presenters can say anything they want on radio with no consideration to who might be listening
- No matter how many F words or B words or A^^%H$@ a song has, it will be played at any time
- TV is not any better and I have resorted to just watching my own videos.
- Images however lewd will be shown on TV under the guise of Music videos(and you wonder why kids are getting molested and raped )or imorality has become the favourite past time.

-Media houses can be openly biased even become a tool for inciting the masses on a particular agenda(we all know what happened during post election violence)
-Why are all ISPs operating only in the major towns? Why can't those seeking licences only be given license to operate by province with only two per province.
- Registering a .co.ke domain is still ridiculously expensive(to hell with patriotism) half of the .co.ke sites are not even hosted locally so whats the point.
- What is the toll free CCK tel no. which I can call when Safcom deducts my credit for undelievered or delayed smses(which get to the recepient after I have already called. Shouldn't telecom providers sign SLAs(Service Level Agreements)
- Which CS (Customeer Service)office/line do I get intouch with when I know the number I have called yet it goes to some guy yet I was calling a lady.(I am not nuts, I know what number I dialed, its in my phonebook on speed dial)
- How come even 6 year olds can surf porn, shouldn't CCK be regulating what content ISPs relay to their customers?
-Why is reaching CCK like going to see Kibaki, isn't it there to serve its citizens? Am yet to see their Customer Service centers in the CBD.
- How in heaven's name did they allow this Ujanja service?  shouldn't someone have a police abstract to retrieve data from someone else's phone/pc/notebook?
-Who should be educating Kenyans about Fiber? shouldn't it be CCK making Kenyans aware of what services they should expect and at what cost?(so that we know when ISPs are reaping us off)

There are many others I can't think of right now!
Bottomline is, I feel that CCK has taken 10 years to do what they could have done in 5 or even 2 years and thanks to them, we still have unemployed, I.T illiterate Kenyans who have no idea what a blog is or fiber (hiyo fiber ni ire banana fiber?.
Sorry to those who were hoping that this post had some Art angle to it, we will resume normal broadcasting after this message from our sponsors(eheeeeeh)

Rapcha the Sayantist Raw & Unkut Re-run; Alliance Francaise, 11th Aug 7-8pm(Back by Popular demand)

After what was definitely a new dawn for stand up comedy in Kenya, Rapcha the Sayantist is back by popular demand.

His inaugural show was not well publicized(I don't listen to Ghetto Radio - the even sponsors- that much). Save for the e-newsletter that A.F sent to their mailing list, there were no other publicity materials,not even a poster outside Alliance.
But not to worry for those who missed! it seems that his performance did impress many(myself included, I wrote a lengthy review after the show, here)
He will be staging the same show at the same venue (Alliance Francaise) on 11th Aug '09. For those of you who that that I gave too many props to Rapcha, I dare you to attend the show for Ksh.300 and give your critique on it.

A word of advice to the organisers- a good event is determined by good marketing and publicity.

For more info:

Phone: 722443886732443886
Email: mwafrikas@gmail.com


 I leave you with a short clip from his debut show.

Mstari wa NNe on Capital FM's Soul Inc with Joey on11th July from 6pm

On 6th June, Mike Kwambo and Grand Master Masese of Mstari Wa Nne were hosted by Joey of Capital FM in the show Soul Inc. I gave a lengthy post on this here.
The rest of the group however, could not grace the show on 13th June as posted but!

Its now confirmed! The rest of Mstari wa Nne crew - Leon Kiptum(The Chairman),Denis Inkwa and Yours Truly- N.W will be with Joey this Saturday 11th July for some great  poetry and music.

Tune in to 98.4 Capital FM and send in your comments/criticism/ etc.

PS.  Capital FM does live streaming of their radio so no need to worry if you're not in Kenya

Poetry at Discovery, July 11th from 5pm

Event: Poetry at Discovery
What: Poetry performances & Open mic session.
Host: Sitawa
Start Time: Saturday, July 11 at 5:00pm
End Time: Saturday, July 11 at 8:00pm
Where: Discovery Restaurant, Koinange st.

Elani - Kenyan Afrosoul Band at Sarakasi Dome, Ngara on July 11th from 7.30pm

Elani a Kenyan Afrosoul trio brings you 'Life, Love and Music' on Saturday, July 11 at 7:30pm.
The group has performed at Rhythm & Spoken several times
Event: Life, Love and Music
What: Concert
Host: Elani
Start Time: Saturday, July 11 at 7:30pm
End Time: Saturday, July 11 at 11:30pm
Where: Sawa Sawa Lounge (at the Sarakasi Dome, Ngara)

Tickets are available at the Alliance Française,room 301(3rd floor),at Wasanii Restaurant (at the Kenya National Theatre), Sarakasi Dome in Ngara, from me personally if u inbox me, or from any member of Elani.


Advance tickets are Ksh. 200 and  Ksh.300 at the gate.

The Legendary Masters of Rumba- Les Mangelepa live at Alliance Francais, Friday 3rd July from 7pm

Play: The Dying Need No Shoes written by Fred Mbogo at Kenya National Theatre from 3rd - 5th July

They brought you "Thieves as Human" and now they are back with "The dying need no shoes".

They will be staging it at the Kenya National Theatre on 3rd to 5th July (Friday-Sunday) with shows starting at 6pm on Friday and from 3pm on Saturday and Sunday
Entrance is Ksh. 300
Call 0720 868368, 020 24 46 858 to book/buy tickets.

Synopsis
Purity is a twenty-one-year old University student whose last day is spent trapped in a room with her father, Professor Jairus Munanda, a 56 year old conservative man. Memories, stress, and fear spike a bitter exchange. The confrontation turns ugly as the innermost troubling bits of their emotional, mental and physical relationship are revealed. They must dig deep into their past which takes them back to a small village in Gilgil. Has Nairobi become so big that their dark secrets can be buried and lost forever? What do they learn when they exhume the remains of Mrs Munanda, Purity’s mother and the Profs Wife?
The play is written by Fred Mbogo and features Esther Nekesa as Purity and Oyatsi Simon as Prof Jairus Munanda.
Esther Nekesa has just completed a degree programme in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Eldoret’s Moi University. She has participated in numerous student productions at the University.
Oyatsi Simon is an accomplished actor. He is the Rift Valley Coordinator of The Theatre Company. Although based in Eldoret he has toured with many productions in towns and cities across Kenya.
Fred Mbogo is a playwright and performer based in Eldoret. He teaches Theatre and Film Studies at Moi University. He is a 2008 winner of the Fire By Ten Playwriting Contest.

Mstari Wa Nne at Alliance Française, Tuesday 30th june 2009

You are invited to come watch Mstari  do their thing on Tuesday, June 30 (3:30pm - 6:00pm) at Faceoff, dubbed as an intense afternoon of back-to-back performances alongside TheBandits, SautiSol, Outsyderz, Dela, MarcusOlang’, Juliani, JoanMatata, Elani, Aziza, Alpha and the AllianceFrançaiseBand. You are all welcome to attend and don't forget to invite your friends.

Tickets will cost Kshs. 200 in advance and Kshs. 250 at the gate. Advance tickets are available at the Alliance Française de Nairobi Salle de Détente (3rd floor).

For more information search for the event on facebook (Faceoff), call 0736479517/0711720438 or follow the link below.

Invitation to exhibitions opening on wednesday 24th june 6pm at RaMoMa

You are cordially invited to the following exhibitions opening
on Wednesday 24th June from 6pm at the RaMoMa Gallery in Parklands 2nd Avenue.

ValDor Gallery - SPIRIT. An ongoing exploration by Kamal Shah
Kamal Shah, a stalwart of the Kenyan arts scene, exhibits his recent mixed media artworks and paintings. These recent “explorations” take on a more transpersonal and universally spiritual tone. Works that try to create a healing path with the power to uplift, inspire and project an ideal of what we and our wounded world could become.

Rahimtulla Gallery - Naftal Momanyi Mageto
Momanyi’s sculptures are about introspection; examining one’s own thoughts and feelings, assessing situations in a move to restore confidence. He draws inspiration from the contemporary political climate and political turmoil. He contrasts this with ancient people, strong in faith, intact memories, patience and endurance. His works are designed to generate thought and it is important that the viewer spares and shares a moment in an attempt to restore peace and tranquility amongst global inhabitants.

Dodhia Gallery - Kaafiri Kariuki
The name of Kaafiri Kariuki is synonymous with the intricate and time-consuming technique he calls ‘dancing pen’. He uses this to critique the status of society, something that he refers to as an “ironic existence”. The village, the slum and the “big” city are symbols that he’s always using to base his critical outline with nostalgic references to “naive” Africa. All these are mixed with personal experiences and an attachment to music, which he plays.

Ford Room - Art for Peace and Prosperity by Watoto wa Kwetu
The works by children under the umbrella of Watoto wa Kwetu Trust, an organisation founded by Jacob Njoroge, an artist, depict scenes of aspirations and struggles, achievements and expectations of people in and around Mathare as seen by the young artists. Themes that seesaw between the extremes of social experience are painted with acrylics on large canvases on which they work in groups. An exploration of every canvas takes on a journey that is quite diverse and illustrative of a very Kenyan narrative

Photographers Gallery - Africa Awakes by Manuel Scrima
The objective of Africa Awakes is to enable people to experience the magic and culture of Africa and Kenya. It brings together the power and sheer scale of this continent, combining the energy and fire of the ancient and the new. The exhibition portrays the profound distortions that exist today in Africa, illustrating the reality of life as seen through the eyes of the people, through their customs. It is raw and compelling, highlighting the challenges and contradictions facing Africa today as well as the confrontation between traditional and contemporary ways of life.

South African Gospel Singer, Deborah Fraser to perform in Kenya on 27th & 28th

Deborah Fraser, a Soulful South African Singer will be in Kenya from 27th to the 28th of June for two shows.

On 27th June, she will be performing at a Dinner concert @ Safari Park Hotel along Thika Road. Charges are Ksh.1,500 without dinner and Ksh.3,000 (inclusive of dinner)

On 28th June, she will be at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Valley Road as the guest artist and will be performing with various other Kenyan Gospel artists. The show starts at 3pm – 6pm. Charges are 500
One can book tickets or RSVP to 0721 649084, 0722 203 351.

Most people confuse Deborah Fraser with Rebecca Malope, also a South African Gospel artist who is more known outside of SA. Their music is of he same genre and sometimes it hard to tell their voices apart.
There is something about South African Gospel music and even South African music in general that makes one want to cry/become very emotional. I guess its because it has alot of that in  itself- soulfulness and whole hearted singing.

I came to know Deborah about 4 years ago and this particular song, Abanye Bayombona which also happens to be the title for her 2nd album. Her first Album is called Udlalile Ngabantu.

Deborah  started out working with composer, singer and gospel producer Mthunzi Namba who also hails from her province,KwaMashu. She rose to prominence after announcing that she is the voice being used in many songs that were only credited to the late Brenda Fassie.

Staged Reading of Shailja Patel's BWAGAMOYO (The Father): Part II Of Migritute, July 9th Kenya National Theatre

PEN International Kenya Chapter and Wasanii Literary Nights Present:

SHAILJA PATEL
Award-winning poet, playwright, theatre artist, and activist in a staged reading of:

BWAGAMOYO (The Father) : Part II of MIGRITUDE

What do Samuel Kivuitu's neck, Ngugi wa Thiong'o's ribcage, William Ruto's abdomen, and the hands of a Nairobi "grease monkey" all have in common?
Shailja Patel takes us on a poetic journey, from colonial Zanzibar to Kenya's post-election violence, by way of the male body.
A powerful, heartbreaking, hilarious exploration of how patriots become patriarchs, muscles queered break down masculinities, and daughters confront fathers.
An anthemic call for a new generation of Kenyans to reconnect gut to heart to voice.
To challenge icons and claim our own power.
To sing ourselves back from our violent histories to new ways of knowing and living the truth.

This reading is dedicated to Bantu Mwaura (1969 - 2009). Brother, friend, truth teller. Missed and deeply mourned.

"Shailja Patel brings out what it means to be a woman in an empire"
—San Francisco Chronicle

"one-woman poetic explosion"
—SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation)

"sets her audience on a collision course with what they know and how they learned it. Stunning and politically charged theatre that will leave you moved, awakened, angry...inspired."
—Daily Nation, Kenya

DATE: Thursday, July 9th
VENUE: Wasanii Restaurant, Kenya National Theatre
TIME: 7 PM
Followed by Discussion With Audience

Event is FREE, with voluntary contributions requested to Kenya PEN.
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN

Finally, A real Kenyan Stand-up Comedian- Rapcha, The Sayantist

My long search for a  real Kenyan standup Comedian came to an end yesterday.  I met Rapcha, The Sayantist also known as Francis Kibe. That was at Alliance Francais yesterday for his first ever public performance as a standup comedian.
As I had mentioned on twitter prior to attending the show (see my twitter updates), I was rather skeptical of the  show because most such Kenyan acts claim to be Stand-up comedy yet they are not.

I have nothing against Dan Dambuki aka Churchill, I am a great fan , but for heavens sake, he is not, and has never been, a standup comedian.

Actually, Kenya has never had a standup comedian.

Having watched the whole Def Comedy Jam series, The Kings of Comedy, all Chris Rock comedy shows, Dave Chapelle and Nigeria's own Basket Mouth just to mention a few. I would say,  I have a pretty good idea of what is and what is not Stand-up comedy. I have also watched the J Leno show which most Kenyans consider to be stand up comedy.

(image courtesy of Ghetto Radio)
This is the critic like mind that I went with for Rapcha's show.

The event which was set to start at 6pm started barely  a few minutes to 7pm, something that I felt was quite uncalled for. However, Kenyans being their typical self started streaming in at 6.30, something that the Ghetto Radio crew knew I guess.
The host for the evening was Mwafrika who is nowadays spotting dreadlocks(looks good- moving away from the geeky look he had with the specs........no pun intended ) Mwaf as he is better known,  is one of the few serious Underground MCs that I know who live, breath and speak true Hip Hop. sorry I am digressing.

He introduced the act for the evening and since I dont' know Rapcha, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, knowing that Ghetto FM is all about 'Maisha Ya Ghetto' and I also knew that the show would be in Sheng, I was ready for anything. Then this tall light skinned slender guy clad in a navy blue suit and white shirt complete with a Tie walks on stage.
At first I couldn't get why everyone was laughing. It turns out, they have never seen him in a suit and he was also not used to the feeling of being in one and also being seen in it. And that is where he drew his first them for the evening.
His comedy is purely in sheng and one will need to be well versed with the latest sheng/slang,  to know what he meant by terms like Ketepa, and many others I can't recall now. Some might think that this was/and might be a hindrance to his reach, however, I did not see that happen. The audience was in stitches, some even stood clapping and cheering on numerous occasions.

What  I loved about his style was that, he was not straining for punchlines in a haphazad way. Instead, his was a story narrated. A story that happened to have very man funny moments. He talked about his life in the Ghetto(he hails from Mathare)incidents with landlords, hardships of dating Ghetto women, drug abuse, politics, women, transport(Matatus), crime the Kenya Police among others.

What cracked me up is when he was talking about the types of living standards in Kenya:- "Those below the poverty line, those in the actual poverty, those above it, politicians then Indians"

His style and choice of language might not appeal to those who can't understand sheng (also known as "ma-barbie") but it is the language that the ghetto understands and uses thus one can relate more when its relayed the way it actually is.
I need to get myself a sheng dictionary or keep listening to Ghetto Radio's show 'Up with your slang'

This prompted me to delve into what exactly Stand-up Comedy is
Wiki explains it this way : Stand-up comedy is a style of comedy where the performer speaks directly to the audience, with the absence of the theatrical "fourth wall". A person who performs stand-up comedy is known as a stand-up comic, stand-up comedian (comedienne if female) or more informally a stand-up. It is usually performed by a single comedian, with the aid of a hand-held microphone. The comedian usually recites a fast-paced succession of humorous stories, short jokes (called "bits"), and one-liners, which comprise what is typically called a monologue, routine or act.
Maybe we need to get a few basics on what exactly Stand-up comedy is
- The only props used in stand-up comedy are a microphone and the comedian
- stand-up comedians do not use any props(funny dress code, other paraphernalia, other invited guests etc)
- A stand-up comedian does not fully talk, act or look like the person they are aping(popular with redykullas) they might give snippets of this but not a full show of it.

Here's a list of known Standup Comedians.

I honestly hope that Rapcha will be one of those who will get to grace our TVs following the stand-up comedian search done by Churchill and NTV.

Culture Speak; Pecha Kucha Night Volume 3 @ RaMoMa, 19th June 09 from 8pm

Come be a part of the innovation exchange. Join in Nairobi's creative culture to see artists, architects, and designers exhibit on Brazilian martial arts, recycled metal works, fashion creations and more. Each presenter shows 20 images and speaks about each one for 20 seconds, for a quick and exciting 6 minute 40 second presentation.

When: TOMORROW! Friday June 19, 2009 from 8pm
Where: At the RaMoMA on 2nd Parklands Ave
How Much: Sh400, Sh 200 for students
Tickets: Buy them at the RaMoMA or book with Kez, kez@kenyabuzz.com or
0733 585 322

Here's the line-up:
Master of Ceremonies – The Charming Mumo Musuva from Planning Systems
• El Tayib Daw El Beat – Textile designer and visual artist, Kiko Romeo
• Esther Mukuhi – Self-taught visual artist
• Kristina Okello – Lampshade maker, Poles Apart
• Davide Signa – International photographer
• Adam Withey – Recycled metal works
• Rehal – Architect, Studio Infinity Architects
• Rachael Mutindi – Fashion designer, founder of Ki2 Fashion

BEER BREAK: Mix, chit-chat, nosh on delicious bitings from Bella Luna
Bakery, and sip drinks from the Iceman bar.

• Deepa Dosaja – Fashion Designer, Deepa Dosaja: Kenyan Couture
• Movin Were – Comic and graphic artist
• Stacy Brown – Matatu route mapper
• N’gendo Mukii – Animator
• Uhuru Brown – Designer, graffiti artist, and illustrator
• Brian Kassim Owango – Capoeira Instructor

Performance: Ayaan Renee at Tapas in Village Market on 20th June, 8pm

Singer/songwriter Ayaan Renée who was born and raised in Kenya, will be performing at the Tapas in Village Market on 20th June from 8pm.
Ayaan heavily credits her background and budding music experience to her creativity as a female and as an inspiring musician, she learnt earlier on the value of developing a hardcore work ethic. She turned to music as an outlet, learning to play the guitar and piano, and listened to a mix of Afro- fusion, mainstream R&B, Hip-hop and Reggae.
Read more here

ANECDOTES from Michella Wrong's 'ITS OUR TURN TO EAT' readings by Khainga Okwemba

I was not able to make it for the book reading of Michella Wrong's 'Its our turn to eat' at the Kenya National Theatre due to some hitches.
I have however gotten a review of the even from Khainga Okwemba, a fellow poet and an official of PEN International Kenya.


On Sunday June 14, 2009 Kenyans came in their numbers to read and discuss Michela Wrong's book ITS OUR TURN TO EAT.

The Main Hall of the Kenya National Theatre was packed to the full. The balcony up the top was full to the brim. And we were obliged to pleaded with the surging crowd to bare with us, if only they could follow the preceedings from wherever and take part via the mics.
The days leading to this event had been marked with anxiety.
Still, a group of Kenyan writers under the auspices of International PEN Kenya Chapter braved ahead to make it happen. And when we first put up the posters we were not sure if we would wake the following day and find them all pulled down.
But we are just writers who thought it necessary to make this book available to the deprived members of society.
Until three months ago, nobody was willing to talk about ITS OUR TURN TO EAT. And when they did, it was hushed. But when Philo first brought the idea to PEN(K) we embraced it and put the wind in the sails.

What happened yesterday is a somewhat quite revolution. Make no mistakes. This book was unofficially burned in Kenya. I remember Oketch Kendo, a senior editor with The Standard newspapers writing of the same while visiting South Africa early in the year to cover that country's election.
So, are booksellers now ready and willing to sell the book? Writers as the conscience of society have done their bit by empowering them with information.
The Kenyan liberation struggle was fought on all fronts; intellectual, political and military. This repertoire of resilience, energy and enterprise cannot be depleted by a wishful government that is doubtful of its legitimacy.

Brief Anecdotes of the Day:
John Kiarie the MC of the day was the darling of the crowd and he was able to engage well with the massive crowd
Sheila Mwanyigha, the nightingale of the day was dressed in spotless red. This i thought for love. But also the colour of blood. And her music was amazing.
Philo Ikonya, carried a pot. The idea was to break it in a symbolic gesture to depart from the past and remould a new Kenya, what Omtatah called a new republic. But we did not have clay for that symbolic moulding and breaking would as well be equated by some as being destructive and that PEN(K) would be viewed as an anarchical movement.
Kingwa Kamencu, was dressed in a mournful black, this, i thought was poetical. The one name that was mentioned alongside that of John Githongo (living) was that of David Munyakei (dead).
Then Tony Mochama did a careful selection of the sections he would read, the way of poets, excerpts intended to prick the conscience of the public.
There was the photojournalist, Boniface Mwangi, novelist Moraa Gitaa, budding writer Renee Mboya all readers.

Whats more, i was apparelled in the militant dark T-S, the Kenyan garment of consciousness and resistance. I was the unlucky first to read, and i chose the part when John Githongo, the exile, unexpectedly knocks on the FLAT of the author Michela Wrong in London and announces he's fled.

There was Rasna Warah and there was Kepta Ombati. There was Esther Passaris and there was Mwaura the activist and Albino. Look, i have an account of several Kenyans students and university lecturers and friends from foreign missions with whom we had discussion but who wish to remain the unsung heroes, the unafraid who joined us to make it happen. Not to mention representatives from Bunge la Mwananchi.

True, the Kenyan people share in resilience. And this is what is going to liberate us from the shackles of decades of bad leadership.

Posting Courtesy of Khainga Okwemba - Thanks

Rapcha The Scientist with Standup Comedy in Sheng @ Alliance Francaise on 17th June

RAPCHA THE SCIENTIST
Standup comedy in Sheng
Wednesday 17 June, 6pm
Alliance Française auditorium
Entrance free

Nairobi based comedian, Rapcha is popular for his roles in the ‘Vitimbi’ and ‘Vioja Mhakamani’ TV shows. A presenter with Ghetto Radio, this is Rapcha’s first standup comedy show in Sheng bringing alive fast-paced succession of urban social issues.

Slam Africa Hosted by Pepe Haze on 19th June @ Dass

SLAM AFRICA is back this friday 19th June, this time Hosted By lyrical talent Pepe Haze. The show starts from 8pm till 11pm at the same venue, Dass Restaurant.
I have not been to slam in a while and this  Friday might prove to be tricky as there will also be another event at the Alliance.

Chokoraa-Dustbin Celebrities, A Kenyan Musical @ Goethe Institute, 16th & 17th June

Spotlight on Kenyan Music 09 featuring Abbi & Makadem, 19th June @ Alliance

Emcee Africa Battle did not live upto expectations with Point Blank taking the Kenyan Title

Was at MC Africa for less than 20 minutes within which time, I realized that my Camera was low on charge thus could not take enough photos.I also got extremely bored as I found the battle in its early stages.

Unlike at WAPI where there was freedom of expression, club clique only cliqued with silence. They had even appointed a prefect, Lorna Irungu who kept hashing everyone even when a good emcee was on stage. Ah! kwani am in 4th form(I got suspended for 2 weeks in high school coz of noise making) so I decided to wait for someone else's review.

This is from a great fan of KP and fellow Poet.
"Was at MC Africa, Point Blank won..but a young cat called Caligraph ..only 17 years old in form four gave him the fight of his life.They tried to force Kimya to the final but the crowd prevailed.
My honest assessment, it was the officials choice to have either Kimya or Point Blank to win...they did not contend with Caligraph...
He outdid Point Blank..Point Blank actually choked but won coz of Caligraph's age...
He has a tough task ahead at the EmCee Africa finals if his performance sato nite is anything to go by...
As for the judges...Nazizi should not have been among the judges...forget gender balance or anything...
I think a DJ ..a hip hop cat like DJ Adrian would be better laced...honestly..there is no link between NAZIZI and hip hop...she cuts a confused figure..somewhere between a dancehall artist, kapukist and rapper...
Abbas...his ties with Kimya..too close for comfort...maybe some old hip hop head like Kama
Just my thoughts on EmCee Africa..." Thanks M.K for this review.
African Hip Hop also covered the event with the subject EMCEE AFRIKA KENYA..WAS WEAK!!

If you were there, pls send your comments and they will be added to this post.

New Poetry Performance Spot @ Discovery; Show on 13th June from 5pm

There is a new Poetry Spot in town where you can Discover.......Poetry, poets and all things poetic.

Come discover some great talent and a muse to write(the street below- K Street is famous for alot of bodily inspiration and oldest known trade)

Poetry Evening: Rhythm & Spoken, 12th June featuring Afrosoul Band Elani

Rhythm and Spoken is back  this Friday June 12th at Dass Ethiopian Restaurant. They will be featuring the harmonised vocals of Afrosoul band Elani.
Come share some poetry or sit back and enjoy some Ethiopian cuisine and inspiring performances from local poets and the band.
To book a slot or reserve a table call 0728293632.
The event starts at 8:30pm weith performances from 9pm. See you there.
Rhythm & Spoken is organised and hosted by Project Heshima

Book Reading: 'It's Our Turn to Eat' By Michella Wrong- Discussions by PEN Kenya, 14th June @ Kenya National Theatre

PEN Kenya invites you to an afternoon of readings and discussion of Michella Wrong's 'It's our Turn to Eat'.

DATE: SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2009
TIME: 2-5 PM
VENUE: KENYA NATIONAL THEATRE (Main Hall)

Previous libel suits against local booksellers have led to fear and intimidation and the book is currently unavailable in stores. It contains crucial issues for the country, for which reason PEN Kenya endeavors to make it available to the wider public. The books will be sold at a reasonable price of ksh. 900.

Subsequent readings, discussions and book sales will be held around the country. We hope that with more people accessing such information we can take the chance to further reflect on who we are as a country and as a people- our values, practices, institutions and lives- which will be vital in the movement towards sustainable and lasting change.

PEN- In defense of freedom of expression and promotion of literature

Mstari Wa Nne at Capital FM's Soul Inc with Joey on 6th & 13th June from 5pm

It has been Confirmed!

Mstari Wa Nne will be with Joey on Soul Inc.on 6th June and on 13th June for a 2 hour show of Neo Soul Music, Underground Hip Hop and Poetry - 'Soul with Swag'.

Mstari Wa Nne which comprises of Mike Kwambo, Grand Master Masese(of the Obokano), Dennis Inkwa, Leon Kiptum and Yours truly is a poetry group that we formed last year inorder  seeing that we all had a common interest in poetry.
Mstari Wa Nne is on a mission. Every piece we do exhibits our passion for poetry, the spoken word and performance; we also feel that it is time for performance poetry to grab its rightful place in the spotlight that it thoroughly deserves.

Mike Kwambo, a poet, singer, Sports blogger and Rugy player together with Grand Master Masese who is just back from a tour of the UK for a poetry show dubbed 'Cut off my tongue. Masese is also an artist and is known alot for his trademark- The Obokano.
The two will be on the show on the 6th with the rest to appear on the show on 13th June.The show- Soul Inc- which started not so many months ago came as a replacement of a Syndicate Neo soul show by Terry Bellow which I guess is no longer running(Kept hearing a repeat of the same shows on Capital FM).
 It is a 2 hr show that is on every Saturday from 5pm till 7pm hosted by a fresh face and voice to the media fraternity, Joey. Her face can be seen in an ongoing dance competition show that is airing in one of the local TV stations.

Soul Inc is a blend of Soulful music, hip hop music that would be termed as underground, spoken word and poetry. The show is prooving to be a favourite  poetry lovers and neo soul lovers alike. This can be attested by the participation of the listerners in the session that allows then to send in their short poetry/spokenword pieces either via email or sms.
Other poets who have been hosted on the show before are Blackskillz and Sitawa.Thanks Joey for the good work you are doing in giving Kenyan Poets a bigger platform to speak their mind.

 Listen out to the rest of Mstari Wa Nne on 13th June. Those who have attended poetry events where Dennis Inkwa has performed will agree with me that the show will rock. Leon(Chairman) is the sentimetal, mellow flowing poet that cools the stage after the other poets have set it ablaze.

Festival: Sigana International Storytelling Festival 3rd - 5th July '09

From the 3rd, 4th and 5th July 2009, Zamaleo Arts & Culture Trust (Zamaleo ACT) will host the very 1st Sigana International Storytelling Festival at Alliance Francaise, off Loita Street Nairobi-Kenya.

Eight world-renowned professional Storytellers coming from the regions of Eastern Africa, Europe and the Americas shall present memorable performances using words, visual touch, music and movement. Through these presentations, we will experience the special richness of storytelling through a journey of different cultures, traditions and artistic styles. The highly skilled group of international Storytellers shall share with the Kenyan audiences the theme of “Our Words Our Lives”.
Sigana International Storytelling Festival is set to happen every year within Eastern Africa and is making its beginnings in Kenya this July 2009. We invite you be part of its great beginning. Please plan now to be there to witness, reflect and celebrate the new Sigana way of contemporary storytelling performance.

VENUE: Alliance Francaise , Loita Street Nairobi City-Kenya
DATES: Friday July 03, Saturday July 04 and Sunday July 05
TIME: Friday July 03 – 11am, 3pm, 6.00pm
Saturday July 04 – 11am, 3pm & 6pm
Sunday July 05 – 3pm & 6pm
CHARGES: Advance: Adults Ksh300; Children 150

At the Door: Adults Ksh 400, Children Ksh 200

CONTACTS:
Aghan Odero Agan tel. 0722739894
Alumbe Hellen Namai 0721764622
Githanda Githae Tel.: 0722815361
Grace Wangari Tel.: 0724884327
Email: zama_leo@yahoo.co.uk

Sade to Launch new Album on November 24th after a 9 year break

Helen Folsade Adu, born in January 16, 1959 in ADO-EKITI Nigeria is better known to her fans as Sade(pronounced as shah day).

I believe that followers of this blog definitely know her and her music. With hits like 'King of sorrow', ' Lovers Rock', 'No Ordinary Love', 'Smooth Operator' and mostly notably 'Sweetest Taboo' the list is endless.

I remember the first time I saw her video on the newly launched station, KTN. The show was Jam a delic I think(wa! reminds me of Jimmy Gathu - didn't I used to envy him then, I think that is one guy who has thoroughly enjoyed his career) but i digress.

The video was 'No Ordinary Love' off the album Love Deluxe, where she is deep in the see, dressed like a mermaid. She then swims out and  runs across the streets, bare feet dressed in a white wedding dress. wa! I could not understand that strange feeling as I was still too young. I  later came to know that its called Love. ehhehehe call me whatever u want to call me, I knew love before I felt it(does that make sense)
I rate that is one of my best videos. I could literary touch her feelings.

Sade has so far released 5 albums, all of which were critically acclaimed because of their blend of soulful yet still jazzy fuse of style not to mention her voice which has been described as honeyed.

In the year 2000 after the release of her last album release, 'Lovers Rock' which sold 3,881,000 copies in the U.S only, Sade decided to go on a long break for almost a decade, something that Maxwell, a Neo soul singer did also.

She will be releasing a new album in November later this year, one that the production company,Sony is not willing to divulge more details on.

The official SadeUSA.com website has been updated.[8] The new website allows fans to interact. It has forums and a link to play all Sade's music. The Sade websites have never included these features before.

The group is in the studio through June and Sony hopes to put the record out by the end of 2009 though, despite rumors, there is no set release date on the calendar.

"She is in the studio and the album will come when it is ready," a source at Sony told Billboard.

"You don't wait for years for one and then rush it."Sade's longtime bandmate Stuart Matthewman, a.k.a. Cottonbelly, also confirmed that new material is in progress, though he said the project is still in its "early days" and won't be close to finished until "later in the year."

Maxwell, a fellow Sony recording artist and longtime friend and collaborator with Matthewman says "Trust me, it's so monolithic it'll shake you in your shoes!" he wrote.
Well, I will be wearing well tied boots come November ready to have my boots shaken off(no pun intended)

Enjoy the video

WAPI 'All Stars' at Sarakasi Dome 30th May '09

BRITISH COUNCIL

PRESENTS

ALL STARS

MC: POINT BLANK

Performances by

Wafalme, Doobiz, Moroko, Octoppizzo, Fujo, Wakamba Wawili, Didge, Long John, Kalamashaka, DJ Joey and much more

LIVE @ Sarakasi Dome, Ngara Road, Nairobi

Saturday, May 30th, 2009, 10am-5pm

GRAFFITI BY UHURU, ESSEN, ABU, SHAN, SMOKILLAH, JEDI, BANKSLAVE & SWIFT

OPEN MIC: 1pm

LADIES & GENTS- Free Entry

HIP-HOP-POETRY- SPOKEN WORD -- B-BOYING - GRAFFITI - ILLASSTRATION - CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP - SELF ELEVATION- STREET LINGUISTICS- FASHION- BUSINESS NETWORKING

NEXT WAPI: SATURDAY JULY 25th 2009: COMING OF AGE

AT BRITISH COUNCIL, UPPER HILL, NAIROBI

Slide Show :WAPI 23rd Rocked, the Internet Tools Workshop was all about blogging

Yes we did it!

And she rocked!

We blogged, we twittered, we youtubed and guys were amazed at how simple it was. For all those who missed the Internet workshop at WAPI, below is a slideshow.
The theme for the May WAPI was 'She Rocks' and the Shes did Rock, from the Mic to the workshop rooms!

A big thanks to all who attended, am sure many are now itching to start their own blogs, upload their videos on Youtube or upload their audio tracks on Myspace.

Art Exhibition: Art Fundraising 3 day Fair @ RAMoMa, 22nd - 24th May

Fund Raising

Fair & Fun for 3 days

at

RaMoMA(Museum of Modern Art)

2nd Parklands Avenue

22nd 23rd 24th May

10am to 4pm

The Little and Large Exhibition

Little canvases will hang alongside large canvases

by the best artists in Kenya

Your chance to buy “Big name”

artist’s works for as little as Kshs 8 000

Art Jamming

Live Music

Quick Portraits by Tim Brooke

Raffle

Kids Corner

Beautiful Jewelry

Light Snacks

Dorman’s Coffee

Bring the whole family for a fun filled different experience

Entrance Kshs 100/- each – Free for registered artists

Emcee Africa 2 Kenyan Battle Postphoned to June 6th @ Club Clique

Not sure why this was changed, but it won't be happening this Saturday (23rd May) as earlier advertised, instead it will be on June 6th. The venue has also changed from the WAPI grounds to Club Clique(someone tell me where this is as I have no clue), formerly K2 Club House(now owned by The Home Boyz)
So for all you who felt like they were not yet ready with their freestyles, well, you now have two more weeks to get your act together especially for those used to using Swa and Sheng. Last time, it was just too hillarious, most talented MCs missed it because ' Kuspit kwa Kizungu ilikuwa Ngumu sana'. It might sound unfair but artists need to be diverse.