Video: Mavuno Worship Cairo Experience

Mavuno Cairo Project from KWELI Mag on Vimeo.

Mavuno Worship Project attended the Cairo Festival in November 2009

Video Hits Package 1.1.9

Mos Def with his classic "Umi Says" from his 1998 album Black On Both Sides.



"I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free.."
Previously: VHP 1.1.8- The Scorpions

Video: Gideon's Army - "Warn Dem"

featuring Daddy Owen, Dunco, Rufftone, Verbal, Mr.Lee, Harry G & Alvo

Music Seen! Ledisi - Turn Me Loose

Ledisi is an artist slowly on the rise. She seems to be a musician whose talent will force people to take notice sooner or later, and it seems the Grammy’s have taken notice before most of the public. Lost & Found was her 2007 release that sold over 200,000 copies and got two Grammy nods, and she wasted no time in releasing Turn me Loose which the Grammy family also gave two thumbs up(noms).


The intro "Runnin’" is a force of a song with Ledisi putting a lot of feeling into it, she’s talking about her struggle in just going through everyday life and not giving up, which a lot of us can identify with .The intro shoes the power Ledisi is capable of delivering vocally and emotionally. The songs eerily pitched sirens sound similar to a thriller movie and help evoke the feeling of a psychological and physical struggle. If you have any doubts about Ledisi’s talent by the end of the intro they should really be put to rest; peep the way she adlibs with “I don’t feel too good...” like she’s physically sick, brilliant. The next song “Everything Changes” has thematic similarities with the personal classic “Alright” from her previous album, and could almost be seen as a part two of the song, it is well produced track with some nice horns. On it she is frank about trying to discover self-love “there was a time I gave up on people/disappointment led me just to be alone/then one day I was told to just stand on my own/ and it’s so true."

“Higher Than This” is a song about feeling the love of The Most High and has some cool modern R&B production. Produced by legends Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis it is a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Mary Mary album. Ledisi shines on “Alone” a well-written track and honest track about relationship abandonment and loneliness, anyone who has had and lost love can definitely relate to this. “Love Never Changes” has a smooth 70’s soul feel to it, and one wouldn’t be surprised if that great decade is the core of Ledisi’s musical influence.

“Knockin’” has a really a knocking groove and is another high point of an already good album. With hard-hitting snares, blues guitar and organ you can almost feel the joy Ledisi gets in singing these types of songs. Ledisi is talking about not letting negativity and evil get a foot into the door of her life (soul) “I hear you knockin’ but you can’t come in/ hear you knockin but you ain’t gon win..”, Ledisi is clearly versatile with her sound. If you thought she was only an “old-school” artist though you’re mistaken, peep “I Need Love” a jamming song with a banging beat that you could imagine Keyshia Cole singing.

The most attractive thing in my opinion about Ledisi is her openness and honesty. She is not afraid to sing of her weaknesses and vulnerabilities in her music. With today’s mainstream music so blatantly and disgustingly plastic it’s like a bucket of ice water to listen to realness on a soul track. Ledisi is also an artist in touch with her spirituality and femininity. She shows you don’t have to be raunchy to create great music as a secular female artist. Ledisi just seems like someone you would want to know because of her spirit of beating the odds, and there is nothing more fulfilling in life than overcoming.

‘Ledisi is a diamond in the rough in the modern Soul/R&B world that has been lacking well, soul. If you like the genre, do not sleep on Ledisi.”

::KC blog:: rating 4.5/5 stars


"Higher Than This"

Video: Mr.T - "Bado Nimesimama"

featuring Kevoh Yout, MC Dice & Shem

Video: Daddy Owen - "Kupe De Kalle"(Tobina)

featuring Kerah & Dunco



I'm feeling the kapungala sound, I just hope Kenyan artists dont end up overdoing it like what happened with kapuka. Dunco really shines on this song..

Video: The Africans

Here is a clip from Prof.Ali Mazrui's classic 1986 film The Africans: A Triple Heritage I remember watching this years ago in NTV. Wouldn't mind watching it again...

Video: Sauti Za Busara Festival (clips)

Here are a couple of clips from the recently held Sauti Za Busara music festival in Stone Town, Zanzibar.*sigh...wish I was there.


Friday evening during Busara: MORE FIRE from May van Gent on Vimeo.


Tandiswa performing at Busara: SOUL POWER!! from May van Gent on Vimeo.

Check out pictures here

Video: "Soul Boy" (Inside look)

A film by Ghanaian-Kenyan Hawa Essuman

Abila (14) lives in one of the most miserable slums in Africa. His girlfriend Shiku belongs to a different tribe, as the result of which he is not really allowed to fraternise with her. And then one drunken night his father gambled away his own soul. With support from Tom Tykwer, the Kenyan film maker Hawa Essuman turned it into a sparkling film.

Read more here. Check out a review here

Video: John Githongo @ Kuweni Serious!

Pt.1

Video: Togetherness Supreme (Trailer)

I would have preferred if the film wasn't biased to one party or the other(this appears pro-ODM).Either way it looks well shot and interesting, will update you on screenings if I spot any.

From the making of the short film KIBERA KID in 2005 through the current filming of the feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME, the people of Kibera, especially the youth, have been at the center of the entire process. Kiberans have worked with Hot Sun Foundation on the feature film project (originally titled the KIBERA KID feature film project) for three years. People of Kibera want to share their stories with the world to show a new, realistic, entertaining picture of urban Africa in a feature film - an historic first in the cinematic world.

Read more here. Check out the website here and here

Video: Krystal ft.Verbal - "Whisper"

I'm liking this song, it's really grown on me. enjoy

Video: Afya Kenya Medical Camp

This is really inspiring and is the type of stuff I really hope to see more of and get involved with.I think these kinds of initiatives are what the future of Kenya is all about, not the current circuses and gossip talk thats dominating our minds and time.My advice..block out the noise, and keep your eyes focused on what's really important around you.This past weekend I was involved in some community service and it was really reaffirming to what I want to be a part of as a citizen of Kenya(and the world). The future is here, watch this space..

Afya Kenya Foundation is a registered charity trust organization based in Nairobi, Kenya that seeks to provide quality health care to the rural and urban poor through free community health outreach camps. It was set up by student doctors who saw the need for such an initiative in the course of their apprenticeship.

read more here. Visit the website here

Speaking of which Afya Kenya Foundation will be holding an Art For Afya fundraising gig on Wednesday February 24th, 2010. It will be held at Mwenda's, Utalii House(along Uhuru Highway) from 7:30pm-11:00pm. Entrance is Ksh 500 and Ksh 400 (for STA card holders) Contact: +254722118872

Bonus blog link: Someone Lied To You, Mwananchi - 3: Your Country Is NOT Going To The Dogs...!!!!! (Terms and conditions apply) by Njoki Ngumi

Video: Michael Soi @ Kuweni Serious!

“We Need To Get People Who Are Not This Greedy”

Michael Soi is a visual artist based in Kenya. He graduated from art school in 1996, and has been making visual commentary on Kenyan social and political trends. We sat down with him one rainy afternoon and discussed what he thinks Kenyans need to do in 2012.

Video: Kanjii Mbugua - "Dream Again"

Video: J.Blessing & Billy Frank - "Nijaze"

Video: "We Are The Word (For Haiti)"

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti", a re-make of the classic anthem, brings together more than 75 musicians and celebrities (including Miley, Lil' Wayne, and Wyclef) all singing to raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. Watch, sing along and donate your support."

My first eclipse...

This was the best shot I got during the solar eclipse that occurred on 15th January. I took it with a Canon Digital Camera.

I'd never viewed a solar eclipse before, so i was pretty excited about it. It was kinda weird in the morning, i was wondering why the sky was soo hazy and cloudy from real early. I'm like, has this eclipse started..nini? Well, didn't see much except grey skies until like sometime between 8 and 9 am when the sun suddenly burst through the clouds and you knew something weird was occurring. I viewed the eclipse through my camera screen(si, the harmful rays can't be reproduced digitally? hehe) Anyway, my eyes weren't damaged(I hope:) It was a wonderful experience, I even captured some of it on video camera. The weather was really cold during the eclipse, and then afterwards it was suddenly sunny and the clouds took their cue and floated off. A weird observation I made was that a couple of crows were flying around in circles screaming(crowing) and basically acting weird; I'm certain the heavenly event had something to do with their psychosis. Overall I'm glad I saw it at least once in my life, what was your experience like?

annieSoul - "Mwanamuziki"

annieSoul a producer, singer and songwriter who released her debut album Mwanamuzuki late last year. She also got accepted to the Berklee Music College where she is currently studying.

Listen: annieSoul - "Mwanamuziki"

Bonus: "Under the Rug"

Video: Eko Dydda - "Me & My House"

I've already seen like 3 other rappers trying to copy Eko Dydda's rapping style. Get your own swag guys..lol

Mad Love Lounge: Valentine's "Pendo Chizi" Edition

Date:February 14th,2010

Venue:August 7th Memorial Park

Time: 2pm to 6pm

Entrance: Ksh.100

Just A Band - "Ha-He"

This is the 2nd single from Just A Band's 82 album. Enjoy!

Listen: Just A Band - "Ha He"

DoMaJe - "Way Down In The Hole"

This is my fav version of the theme song from Season 4 of The Wire which was the best season:) short but nice..

Listen: DoMaJe - "Way Down in the Hole"

Previously: The Best TV Series Ever?

Video: Dela - "Ulivyo"

This is the first video off of Dela's debut album Paukwa. Video by the one and only Jim Chuchu. p.s check out Dela's eyelashes..verrih gud



Previously: The Kenyan "Hype?"

Maker Faire Africa 2010

The aim is to identify, spur and support local innovation. At the same time, Maker Faire Africa would seek to imbue creative types in science and technology with an appreciation of fabrication and by default manufacturing. The long-term interest here is to cultivate an endogenous manufacturing base that supplies innovative products in response to market needs.

Read more here. Visit the website 

Date: August 6-7th 2010

Venue: Sarakasi Dome, Ngara, Nairobi

Maker Faire Africa 2009: Ghana

Video: Muthoni - "Mikono Kwenye Hewa"

This is the first video off Muthoni's latest album The Human Condition, in stores now!



I like the way the video was shot in that it has a story and also some humour.It also has a message but is fun at the same time, plus Muthoni is a very talented lyricist. I'm hoping that with artists like Muthoni gaining exposure urban music with a message will get back the limelight because Kenyan radio kinda shunned akina these guys, and there's been a vacuum for a while now.So, keep the good tunes coming Muthoni, you've got a supporter here!

Previously: Muthoni interview with RNW

Lauryn Hill - "Selah"

Here's a Lauryn Hill song that you may have not heard, it was from this album. Enjoy! Lauryn Hill, please return... Incidentally she has bee appearing on tour recently in some countries *fingers crossed*

Listen: Lauryn Hill - "Selah"

Video Hits Package 1.1.8

This is still one of my all time favourite songs. I've just always loved it since I was a kid. It's from Scorpions 1990 album Crazy World.



Previously: VHP 1.1.7

Gil Scott-Heron - "On Coming From A Broken Home"

Here's some new material from legendary spoken word artist Gil Scott-Heron. His latest album in 15 years I'm New Here out soon!

 

Listen: Gil Scott-Heron - "On Coming From A Broken Home"

Muthoni Interview with Radio Netherlands

Bridges with Africa producer, Ikenna Azuike, interviewed Penya musicians Muthoni and Dela during a recent trip to Kenya.  He also spoke to the record label behind the music, Dutch founded "Penya Africa".

 Listen: Muthoni interview with Radio Netherlands

Video: Cadet - "Realise"

This is nice, definitely going into heavy rotation.

"and I slip sometimes/you'd think that I sipped on wine.."

Astar - CTA(Cleaning The Airwaves) Free Album

 

“Bringing about change requires one to be radical. Being radical has a price… but it get’s the job done! I don’t want my kids growing up in an immoral society so i need to do something about the airwaves NOW!! To all my friends/ fans… I hereby give you the permission to burn my music and pass it around to anyone and everyone you can. Let the snowball effect begin…” - Astar

1. Who Am I?

2. Turn It Up!

3. In The Name of Jesus(feat Kanjii)

4. Interlude

5.Nimechoka(feat.Chizi)

6. Jibu Kilio (feat.Juliani)

7. Close Your Eyes

8. They Say

9. Interlude

10. Angel (feat.Kiki)

11. The Light

12. I Believe In You (feat.Pete Odera & Pastor Kyula)

13. Jesus My Everything (feat.Hip Hope)

14. I Don't Anymore (feat.Kanjii & Blackman)

15. Destiny (feat.Neema)

16. Time

17.Bonus: CTA(Remix) feat.Juliani & Kanjii 

18. Bonus: Songa feat.Kerah 

19. Bonus: Rap Game feat.Pam