Eric Wainaina "Love & Protest" cover + tracklisting

Here is the album cover for Eric Wainaina's third upcoming album "Love & Protest"



Launch dates are scheduled for 10th-11th September, keep it posted here for more info.

Video: Sauti Sol - "Sunny Days"

This is the third single from Sauti Sol's debut album "Mwanzo".



Previously: Sauti Sol -Blue Uniform

Bonus: Linda "Willing to Wait"

Chit Chat - "I La La Like It"

Check out a new single from Chit Chat. The song is produced by Tim "Ennovator"



Listen: Chit Chat - "I La La Like It"

Previously: Chit Chat "Buzzin"

Mavuno "Spread The Love" Festival

this September 12th, with Kirk Franklin in concert.


(click pic to enlarge)

Holy Dave - "Bounce Back"

The swagger continues...



Listen: Holy Dave - "Bounce Back"

Check out an interview Holy Dave did with Mwafrika here

Previously: Holy Dave & Eko Dydah -Niko Na Reason

Imagine him....

Guess who's coming to the Carnivore this September 12th?




Here's a hint...."do you think Gospel music has gone too far?"

I wish Kenya had IMAX!

So I could watch this upcoming movie Avatar in all it‘s cinematic glory! What is Avatar you may ask? Do you mean Avatar: The Last Airbender? No, The Last Airbender is a cartoon and it is also being made into a movie, and that one is being done by M.Night Shyamalan. By the way, can I just say I think M.Night is a director who has wonderful concepts for movies, but for some reason his movies fail to impress me. I liked Signs and Sixth Sense, but that’s about it. Even The Happening was disappointing. Anyway that’s vibe for some other day.

The Avatar I am referring to here is an upcoming movie directed by James Cameron. Now you know you cant go too wrong with James Cameron behind the lens. The last Hollywood movie James did was actually the Titanic. I know, that seems like eons ago. For some reason almost all my friends hated Titanic, they said it was too mushy and unrealistic. Well, I for one quite liked it..mushiness and all. Anyway, the thing with Avatar is that is supposed to be this big budget ($240mill) photo-realistic movie that will usher in a (r)evolution in filmmaking. The film uses some new kind of 3D technology and some characters in the movie have been created using motion-capture. They will appear to be very lifelike, so much so it will be almost impossible to tell the difference between them and regular actors. Do I hear a big yawn? Where have we heard such claims before countless times? So many computer generated(CG) movies have come out of Hollywood and none have really struck me as “taking it to that next level.” I must give Lord of the Rings its props though, "Gollum" so far has been the most lifelike CG creature I have seen on screen so far. I also watched this movie called Beowulf in 3D, and though the story was great, the 3D and CG characters failed to impress yet again.

Luckily for us, the people behind Gollum (LOTR), a company called WETA Digital(owned by Peter Jackson) are also the geeks behind the effects in Avatar. Another factor in Avatar’s favour is that James Cameron is the same guy who delivered to us Terminator 2 which I consider a revolutionary movie when it comes to effects. I remember being blown away when I fist saw it all those years ago in primary school. Take shortcuts, Jim does not. After all, he has been working on this film for only what 15 yrs! Well, not really but he did want to make the movie in 1994. He felt though that the technology hadn’t yet reached a point where it could visually match his vision, until now that is!

So, all you Sci-fi/CG/James Cameron fans can now count down and wait with baited breath for the December release of AVATAR. A few people saw minutes of the film at Comic Convention(Comic-Con) and most reports indicate the movie is stunning so far. Lucky for those with IMAX screens and 3D! Argh, I wish there was an IMAX screen in Kenya so that we could watch this film in all the glory and quality it was intended to be seen in. O.K I understand the digital projectors required for IMAX are very expensive, so tickets would probably be in the Ksh2-3K range, but still. This is an exciting moment in film and I’m willing to cough up the dough for it dammit! Sigh.

Oh well, I guess we’ll just have to make do with our regular silver bird(or whatever they’re called these days) screens! The movie still promises to be spectacular with regular movie screens due to the action/photo-realism in it. Yeah, of course they’d say that so we could shell out dough for the ticket. Anyway, line up to see this movie I will, IMAX or no IMAX(sigh). See you at your nearest non-IMAX Kenyan cinema come December(or whenever its released on this end)

Sauti Sol - "Nairobi Party Hard Remix"

featuring Stan & Doneao. This is fire! All I can say for other Kenyan labels and musicians, is step your game up because Penya are about to take over.



Listen: Sauti Sol - "Nairobi Party Hard Remix"

Previously: Sauti Sol - Nairobi

Update: The Imagine Co. Next Level application deadline moved to August 18th. download app. forms here

Video: P4CM "We Are Generation Ex"

by Canden Christina

Video: Theophilus ft.Noelle - "Mwili Wangu"

Previously: Video:Noelle "Msaada"

Video: Billy Frank & Mercy Wairegi - "Wanipenda"

RIP John Hughes (1950-2009)

Another genius has passed away. Yes, you could probably argue about the quality of his films, but anyone who does something so impactful that it defines a generation is a genius in my book. If you are clueless as to who John Hughes was, he was the man behind some of the Brat Pack series of teenage "coming of age" flicks. Here is some of his filmography.

Sixteen Candles (1984)


The Breakfast Club (1985)


Home Alone (1990)


Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)


Read an article on John Hughes here. Find out about more of his films here, and more about the "Brat Pack" movies here

If you like classic movies I suggest you go to your local movie store and request some John Hughes movies. If they don't have them request them to stock them. in his movies you will discover laughter, sadness, heartbreak, drama, America, youth,teenage rebellion and the 1980s generation. Have fun discovering.

Juliani - "Rauka"

Here's some new music from Juliani. The song is called "Rauka" and features vocals from upcoming artist Jaya. Enjoy!



Listen: Juliani - "Rauka"

Video: Ekko Dyda & Holy Dave "Niko Na Reason"

As I mentioned earlier, Ekko Dyda is one to watch...nice jam!

The Imagine Co. presents NEXT LEVEL

What is Next Level?

Next Level is a development program for visual and performing artists and writers. It gives artists an opportunity to experiment with, refine, and present their work to an audience, and provides arts critics a space to better their pieces. The program is unique in that four artists will have the rare opportunity to work on their pieces one-on-one with established and successful artists in their fields over a period of time. The writing portion is similarly small and focused, with space for only four people passionate about the arts. The program invites artists and writers in many fields including poetry, storytelling, music, theatre, photography and film.

Next Level is now selecting artists and writers for the program, which is free for participants. Talented writers and artists who have a story to tell and want to refine it should contact us at nextlevel@kenyaimagine.com or download an application form from www.kenyaimagine.com/nextlevel and submit it by Tuesday, August 4th.

The first ‘Next Level’ process and showcase is a project of the Imagine Company made possible through the support of Changamoto Arts Fund.

Next Level Contacts: 0733 675 028/ 0728 387 618