VOTING RIGHTS FOR THE DIASPORA

Straight to the point; let East Africans in the diaspora vote as well!!

Secondly, why does it seem like nobody is actually singing anymore? It has become too casual. Is that a good thing? I would love to see more singing - performances that stay imprinted in your brain. I would love to see performances that resemble live performances by big names such as Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Miriam Makeba, Jeffrey Osborne, Oliver N'goma... I hope you get my drift here.

All in all, the season is going okay. Though I have mixed feelings about it. It is exciting but not as exciting.

TPF 6 MEDIA IGNITION…

By EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO for TPF 5 BLOG.

T

his past weekend ; TPF 6 –Take The Stage went on air. The show had highlights of past ignitions/ auditions and what went on even as we gear up to usher in the new contestants.

But last week on Friday; the Safari Park Hotel played a host to the media ignition. The 2 day event was aimed at immersing Kenyan media in the vocal and performance coaching that contestants undergo in Tusker Project Fame.

17 representatives of various media houses gathered at the Safari Park Hotel on Friday to be coached by Natalie Lukkenaer- a vocal coaching expert who trains Kenya's star crooners Sauti Sol. It was all laughter and cheers as contestants finally battled it out before 150 invited guests on Saturday evening.

This is the first time media personalities were being allowed to compete and be on the spot; be judged and have a feeling of what it means to be a contestant.

They had voice training from Natalie Lukkenaer of the Sauti Academy and the judges for the night were Ian and Kavutha. Hosted by the sassy Joey Muthengi; the event saw 17 contestants who were later reduced to 5; then the last 3 and finally one- for the ultimate price of KSH 100,000.

Speaking before the contestants took to the stage; Tusker Brand managers introduced new changes to the over 4 million dollar plus music contest. For the first time; there will be groups allowed to participate.

Also; the media will be allowed to access the contestants directly after a new media center was set up beside the academy with free internet and space to compile stories.

Also; although the cat was not let out of the bag yet; but there will be a new host and a new principal. My guess are that the new host will be Joey Muthengi and we may be seeing the surprise entry of Natalie Lukkenaer as the principal…just guessing!

Getting back to the music; the night belonged to the ladies’ man Chris Okinda.  Chris Okinda, a radio show host at Hot 96 FM emerged victorious, winning Ksh 100,000 and a night for 2 courtesy of Safari Park Hotel. He was followed closely by Kiss 100 Radio personality Lynda Nyangweso who impressed the crowd with her sultry numbers.

The event was attended by a couple of former TPF stars like Wendy Kimani; who gave an electric performance; backed by her high voltage band; Nganga’lito and the singing queen Ruth Matete.

Redsan got the house on its feet when he did his recent chart-hit “ Badder then Most” the event saw the media fraternity bond over cocktails; nyama choma; beers and a great sumptuous dinner.

The 17 contestants were also treated to Friday night at the 5 Star Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club.

To the 15 contestants in TPF 6 this year; the ball is in your court- make your move and take the stage.

-photos from the internet and Tusker Lager Facebook page.

“HOUSE OF LUNGULA”SOUNDTRACK REUNITES FORMER T.P.F STARS

The soundtrack for the highly anticipated film “House of Lungula” is finally out; writes Shirley Genga of The Nairobian. The music video is currently available on YouTube and contains never before seen footage of the actual movie.

But one interesting angle to this blog is that the song “House Of Lungula” (give it to me) is indeed written and performed by Ni Sisi Band. Okay, I know you are asking where the hook is.

The hook is that the band; which is made up of 7 members; has some well-known faces such as Dan (tpf 4). Doreen (tpf 5) and Juveh (tpf 4).

John Wambugu of Native Productions and Alexandros Konstantaras of Historia Films shot the music video. The two also partnered to bring “House of Lungula” to life on the big screens.

The film stars big names such as : Lizz Njagah; Ian Mbugua; Sarah Hassan; Gerald Langiri; Nice Githinji; Lenana Kariba; Sheila Kwamboka; Gitau Ngogoyo; Lydia Gitachu; Helena Waithera; Diana Nekoye and Chura Konstantaras.

The film; which is a light comment on the sexual lives of modern Kenyans will be out before the end of the year and is rated 18 and over!

here are some behind the scenes juice-

the soundtrack from youtube:

BACKSTAGE PASS: ZAHARA-KENYA IS HOME…AFRICA IS MY HOMELAND

Zahara with a fan.

Last month; June 2^nd multi-award winning artist; Zahara; performed at the Blankets and Wine. She was joined on stage by Kenyan singers; Dela and Prisca; alongside Sudanese-born singer; Alsarah.  

A self confessed African lover; Zahara reckons that she enjoys performing for her African audience; because she feels at home. And her Kenyan audiences loved her at the event- her debut Kenyan performance at the Carnivore Grounds.

Back in 2011; Zahara’s debut album “Loliwe” went platinum; just 13 days after it release.

This propelled the 23 year old singer to stardom in South Africa.

But it was “Ndiza”; that a lot of her Kenyan fans first fell in love with. Despite being in native language; it went ahead to prove that “music is indeed a universal force and language.”

Many fell in love with it and related to it. A song that talks about Zahara leaving her home town; going to a far place that she doesn’t know; but that one day; she will eventually return. That’s “Ndiza”.

In her own words; all the songs she writes; relates to her life and everything she has gone through.

In Arabic; her name means shining; bright and brilliant- a replica of her current status in South Africa. Having so far bagged 11 south African music awards and the 2012 Channel O Best Gifted Female Video Award; music truly transformed Zahara’s life; moving from a deprived town ship in Eastern Cape to become one of Africa’s biggest stars.

Her passport has several stamps as she has been to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique among other African nations to perform.

Despite having her usual set of which fans receive well; she also puts a twist in her shows by performing some legendary songs like “Africa” by Saif Kater; Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie.

Her closing parting shot to the struggling musicians out there- “never give up and never stop dreaming. Also; be patient. That is what I did, and it worked out for best.”

-additional info from Nairobi’s UP magazine; @UPNairobi.

-photos courtesy of Ntv AM Live show page ON facebook.com.

KENYA BUZZ : Press Release- RAHA APP

Press Release

New phone app set to change the social scene at Universities in Kenya

Kenya’s biggest events and lifestyle media, Kenyabuzz, has released a new phone application that is targeted towards students who want to know about and actively participate in the rapidly growing social scene on campus and around town.

Aptly named, ‘Kenyabuzz Raha’ with the slogan ‘fun at your fingertips’, the app gives its users the ability to:

·         Search events by city and area, date, or type of event including- art exhibitions, festivals/craft fairs, films, kids events, live music events, nightlife, photography, fashion, sports, theater, dance, yoga/meditation, campus events and much more.

·         Check the movie listings by movie or theater for all movie theaters throughout Kenya.

·         Search for restaurants by city, area, or cuisine.

·         Find other fun including bars and nightclubs, sightseeing spots, spas, casinos, recreation activities and other fun and interesting places in Kenya.

 

There are a lot of events that happen around the country that are free and open to the public.   The app can help students to identify these events and enjoy them.

Students can also contribute to the content on the app by sending their favorite restaurants, hangout spots or events to editor@kenyabuzz.com if they are not already on the app.  

“This is just the first version of the app”, says the director of Kenyabuzz Alix Grubel, “it simply gives the user information.  But the next version of the app will be interactive in the sense that it will allow people to check into the places, find their friends, make comments, review places, upload pictures and earn badges”.

The app, which can be downloaded free of charge by anyone with an android phone, is set to have a positive impact on the Kenyan social scene in universities where previously it was difficult to get accurate and up-to-date information on the go.

Kenyabuzz Raha is available for download from www.kenyabuzz.com/raha or from the Google play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kenyabuzz&feature=search_result

 

About Kenyabuzz- http://www.kenyabuzz.com/about-us/about-kenyabuzz

KenyaBuzz is the leading provider of event and lifestyle information in Kenya.

Through our various media- website, newspaper and e-newsletters, we provide the most comprehensive and accurate information about what’s happening around the country in sports, nightlife, music, theatre, movies, the arts, kids events and more.

We also provide business listings, movie reviews and updates, buy and sell information and a wide range of lifestyle information.

For more information,

Please contact:

Damaris@kenyabuzz.com

 

THE T.P.F 6 I WOULD LOVE TO SEE

THE T.P.F 6 I WOULD LOVE TO SEE

FOR TPF 5BLOGSPOT.COM

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO

My boss penned a piece a couple of weeks back urging our dear readers to send in suggestions on what they think needs to be improved when T.P.F 6 hits the screens (http://tpf5.blogspot.com/2013/01/suggestions-for-tpf-6.html).

Well for me; this is my wish list:

v  Maintain the digital space. T.P.F 5 saw Samsung transform it to a paperless reality TV production. The age we are in right now, no one can rule out the importance of the digital space and the impact of social media.

v  Dedicate s channel solely for the show. Big Brother Africa and any other reality show enjoy continental following because they are real. Over the past years we have been watching edited snippets of what happens in the house during the day and that kills the essence of a show being a reality show. Picture BBA without Africa seeing what happens in the house in real time? It will cease to be a continental banger.

v  Increase competition by making the show continental. Let us have contestants from other African countries. This will boost the shows stats and even encourage tourism.

v  During airing of T.P.F 4, I stand corrected if I am wrong; the contestants had an opportunity to share the same stage with their dream artists- models they look up to in life. I think that should be encouraged since it boosts the contestants psyche and morale to achieve even more.

v  We are used to the same panel of judges and the same face as hosts. This makes a show monotonous. It is time to experiment with new and fresh talent.

v  The contestants need to be taught how to manage the fame and cash once outside the house to avoid the sudden death and disappearing of potential talent.

v  There is the credibility issue that mere T.P.F 5 where fans of Doreen complained that Ruth was a favorite to judge Mtawali having being acquitted earlier in Daystar University. This went on to be reported by a certain local daily and in essence challenged the credibility of the show. That needs to be dealt with to avoid any future judgments.

v  Finally; this is a personal plea shared by many and a personal request. Kindly bring us all the contestants from the beginning of the show to a one big reunion like concert or even show. That would be amazing!

So; I continue to be a critic; but one whose loyalties keep on changing. As long as you keep dishing out marvelous world class shows like T.P.F 5, you have got yourself a keeper. Congratulations! I can’t wait for t.pf 6.

-LET US CONNECT MORE @ FACEBOOK.COM/EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.

VALENTINE MOVIES OF ALL TIME

image courtesy of google image

Love! Love! Love! Love is in the air again as we approach that season again. I have asked many Kenyans to give me a list of the kind of movie that starts up the waterworks and makes them believe again. Just like true love, the perfect romance movie is hard to find.

Of course we have high standards- we want palpable chemistry between the stars, enormous odds for our lovers to overcome…and a devastating death scene never hurts.

From rom-coms to epic tearjerkers and everything in between. Here is a list of movies chosen by Kenyans that make them fall in love all over again. Do you agree? Send us your list to bukhungubukhanga@gmail.com and we will definitely give you a shout.

1.       Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

2.    The notebook (2004)

3.      Jerry McGuire (1996)

4.       An officer and a gentleman (1982)

5.    Gone with the wind (1939)

6    Titanic (1997)

7.       Casablanca (1942)

8.       Pretty woman (1990)

9.       Dirty dancing (1987)

10.   Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

11.The proposal (2009)

In Bollywood, the list goes something like this:

1)      Kal Ho Na Ho

2)     Mughal-E- Azam

3)      Hum Aapke Hain Kaun

4)      Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

5)      Dil

6)      Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

7)      Andaz

8)      Bobby

9)      Jaante Tu Ya- Jaane Na

10)   Awara

11)   Maine Yaar Kiya

TUSKER PROJECT FAME CATCHES UP WITH TECHNOLOGY:

For the first time in history, this year’s Tusker Project Fame 5 saw a sponsorship deal signed between EABL and Samsung Electronics East Africa that propelled TPF 5 to a digital space.

The multi million collaboration saw Samsung transform TPF 5 to a paperless reality TV production with a custom- made Samsung application (the TPF app) for both the production teams and the viewers.

This sponsorship saw full digital interaction using solutions such as Samsung Galaxy Tablets and Smart TVs with touch screen capabilities.

As part of the show’s interactive feature, TPF 5 faculty, students and judges were all awarded with Galaxy Tabs, Galaxy Pocket phones, allowing them to communicate, tweet, Facebook, receive instructions and share response real tome, minimizing the use of paper scripts.

During this year’s TPF 5, the Faculty team shared and delivered their class assignments and related instructions via Galaxy Tabs. The judges too delivered their verdicts via Galaxy Tablets, apparently for an easy audit framework.

The production team was not left behind too, as they also communicated and updated the presenter scripts real time through the presenters’ Galaxy Tabs. Talk about technology catching up with East Africa’s biggest show!