::Kenya Christian::

WAKENYA PAMOJA interview on U.S Radio Remember the Wakenya Pamoja video?(check it out here ) Well, American Public Radio in February did story on Wakenya Pamoja on their nationally syndicated radio show, The Story with Dick Gordon . The radio hosts talked to Moses "QquQqu" Odhiambo (of NIX Dancers ) and Tony Gakuo , who is a musician and was involved in the project. Tony and Moses join Dick to talk about how they and other Kenyans hope to move past the tribal divisions and resurrect their friendships. In January 2008, dozens of Kenyan artistes came together to record a song appealing for peace and reconciliation in Kenya after post-election violence erupted. Listen to the interview here To download the video as well as the audio, click here . The interview is available online on thestory.org

Milele perform " Turn it Around " Watch Gospel group Milele perform their hit song "Turn It Around" from their album Level-Up here . Purchase the album here .

Artist spolight: Rose Muhando In todays artist spotlight we will be checking out the wonderful music of Tanzanian Gospel singer Rose Muhando . She is an artist that hails from Dodoma,Tanzania and has become popular over the last few years throughout East Africa. Her debut album titled " Uwe Macho" (Beware) " released inMay 2004 was a coast to coast best selling phenomenon. (Her debut album,Uwe Macho) A former staunch Muslim and mother of three, Rose Muhando who was born in Morogoro, professed to have seen an apparition of "Jesus Christ" while ailing on her sick bed many years ago, after which, she converted to Christianity. She was groomed musically by the Moshi-based, Mamajusi Anglican Choir where she developed to become a strong lead singer whose vocals spawned successful hits such as "Hey-Hallelujah" and "Homa ya Dunia!" (World’s Fever) shortly before shifting to Dodoma and joining St. Mary’s choir. In her testimony, Rose said her past...

Fresh Music Vidz! Check out Anberlins new music video "Unwinding cable car." The Unwinding Cable Car

Movie Seen! September Dawn Hi people, so I promised y’all I would get back to doing reviews on the blog. And what better way to start than a movie I recently saw called September Dawn . This 2007 movie revolves around the fictional love story between Emily Hudson ( Tamara Hope ), the daughter of the wagon train's pastor, and Jonathan Samuelson ( Trent Ford ), the son of the local Mormon bishop but is really about the tragic Mountain Meadows massacre of 1857 when a wagon train of emigrants was attacked by a small group of Mormon militiamen and members of the Paiute tribe; more than 120 men, women, and children were killed. The movie also stars Jon Voight as Jacob Samuelson, as Brigham Young , and Jon Griws as John D.Lee . The Mountain Meadows massacre has been a subject that has not been effectively investigated and highlighted in the history of the U.S. This movie attempts to revive and shine new light on the tragic events that occurred in Utah, where a rich wagon of emigrants wh...

Producer Rockwilder Interview. As previously reported Grammy Award winning hip-hop producer Rockwilder has left secular music and is now involved in Gospel hip-hop. Here is an interview where he and Whuteva talk at length more about that change in direction he has made. Click here for the audio (Thanks to Wade for the link, visit his myspace.com/wadeoradio

Announcement: Email and Title change This is just to inform y'all that there has been a change of email address for Kenya Christian blog. If you look to your right you will see that the new address is kenyachristian@live.com So update your address books:) and thanks for visiting the blog! --------------- TITLE CHANGE! As you can see at the top, there has also been a header change. From Wake Up Christians , the blog is now simply titled Kenya Christian . Other than that the blog remains the same, stays rocking for Christ, and waking up Christians everywhere to be complacent no more! God bless you all.

Attacks on Christianity now common at Easter. Over the past almost two decades there has been an increasingly audacious and relentless attack on Christianity and its tenets by skeptics. These attacks are usually timed to occur around this time of Easter so as to inflict the maximum damage and gain attention. Two years there was the whole Da Vinci Code controversy, and last year there was the claim of a “lost tomb of Jesus” being discovered. This year has seen Bill Maher and Hollywood director Larry Charles release their anti-Christian documentary called “ Religulous ” (derived from joining the words “religion” with “ridiculous.”) These attacks are cause for some concern. This is not because their claims have any credibility, since they have been rejected by all but a tiny minority of scholars. But it’s because the majority of Christians are totally unprepared to counter these assaults against the cornerstone of Christianity. Many people love the Lord with all th...

Calling all Graphic Designers. O.K I'm looking for a Graphic Designer who is willing to design a banner for the top part of this blog. I will be unable to pay you for the banner so the work will be done purely out of appreciation for the blog. However I will post up your name for credit and any links to websites or contact information you provide if I select your design. Details for the banner design: - It should say " Wake Up Christians " prominently, but not too large. -Should not have too many colors, 3-5 at most. Preferably use blue, red,white,green and black.(however black should no be the main color) - Can creatively include some images of people, crosses...(mainly images that relate to the contents of the blog e.g Christianity,music,people) So send them in to kubambakrew@hotmail.com and I will select the best one. Good luck.

Fresh Muzic Vidz! Today we'll first check out Tracey Edmond with his new song " Never Give Up ." This song is really growing on me and I think the video is good too. What do you think? Next up Nicole C. Mullen is back after a year with the new video for her wonderful song " One Touch ." Switchfoot with their latest video for " Awakening " switchfoot awakening music video Re-Up -Okay I know have already posted on this song, but I never put up the video to it on the blog. This song is now getting a bit of a buzz. It's J.R's - Not A Slave..enjoy! Watch J.R explain the meaning behind the song J.R. Interview

Mavuno Worship Team DVD video. Check out Kanjii & The Mavuno Worship Team performing " Your Love Has Set Me Free" which is their 2nd single release off East Africa's First ever Live DVD/CD Recording - The Mavuno Worship Project The worship team performing " Under The Rock " Visit the official Milele website @ http://www.milele.org

Kenya's unprofessional radio stations. Collins Mbalo over at A Nairobian's Perspective blog expresses what I have been thinking for a long time. Many of Kenya's radio stations just do not have any respectable standards in what they present us with. I have personally had a problem with KISS 100's content for a long time now, and the tabloid nonsense they love to indulge in. Especially those morning shows of theirs. He makes sure to point out though that not all of them are guilty, but there are some bad apples. Should Kenyans wake up and turn off this junk? Read more here

Is Kenya's Christianity a facade? That is the interesting question asked by jamaapoa blog. Read here . Judging by the recent horrific post-election violence and misery can we still consider Kenya a majority Christian county? Would a God-fearing nation spiral into those levels of sadistic acts like burning of churches with infants inside? What do you think has the Kenyan Church failed in guiding its flock us, or have we as Kenyans failed the Church?

Ennovator launches KINANDA album. The following is an Ennovator press release dated March 18th 2008 : After a year and a half of hard work Kenya’s premiere Afro fusion/ Jazz compilation album " Kinanda ” is completed and ready for the world music market. The album Kinanda takes it name from a Swahili word that is used to refer to a small transitor radio and African equivalent of the xylophone. It a universal word that invokes music and it’s creation. Kinanda is a brain child of Tim Rimbui (Ennovator), one of Africa’s Top music producers, with an impressive music track record, most notably as the only African music producer to have produced and co-written three consecutive Kora Award hits. Kinanda thus combines his song writing and production prowess with the talent of Kenya’s critically acclaimed top musicians i.e. Eric Wainaina , smooth jazz pianist Aaron “Krucio” Rimbui , stunning singer and performer Kanjii Mbugua , Kora award winner, Neema and soulful singer Atemi a...

April "Live at the Village" event. Live At The Village will be hosting a night of great music and entertainment with Kanjii . Featuring guest artist Aaron "Krucial" Rimbui and " Sarah Mitaru ". Date - 3rd April 2008 TIme - 8pm Venue - Simba Saloon (Carnivore) Charges - Ksh 300 (For Advanced tickets - 0728-595-022 )

The Last Supper in pictures Believers who grew up hearing the stories of Holy Week find that its familiarity can rob it of its force. At our worst, we treat the events in Jesus' last week as mere chapters in a book we've grown to consider a comfort rather than a disturbance. One way Christians make afresh the events of Holy Week is through art. Visuals of Jesus washing Peter's feet, or of Judas walking away from the Last Supper, money bag in hand, remind us of all the complex experiences and motives real people have. They also allow us to experience the heightened emotions of such events, as we imagine, for example, the shock of Jesus' announcement that his followers would desert him in his final hours. The following images, a collection of art spanning time, geography, and culture, allow viewers to have a seat around the table in the Upper Room, listening and watching as Jesus reveals what's to come in the hours leading up to his death. Click here to see a Christi...

Ennovator remixes Angelique Kidjo Check out a nice remix Kenyan Kora-winning producer Tim"Ennovator" Rimbui did for Angelique Kidjo's song " Salala." Ennovator is known for his work with artists such as Neema, and does both Gospel & secular music. Tim explains the song. "for this remix, i wanted to recreate a sound similar to angeliques\'s songs on her previous album Black Ivory Soul. i.e a fusion of funk guitar riff and some hard hitting drums. This remix only utiilizes Angelique Kidjo's and Peter Gabriel Vocal parts, as the rest of the music tracks were in a different time signature." Visit Ennovators website here .

Charles Colson on his new book The Faith. In their powerful new book The Faith, Charles Colson and Harold Fickett identify the unshakable tenets of the faith that Christians have believed through the centuries—truths that offer a ground for faith in uncertain times, hope and joy for those who despair, and reconciliation for a world at war with God and itself. Watch the promo video Read or browse the book and listen to a clip here .

Human Rights Watch report on electoral violence. Published below is the latest Human Rights Watch 's report into the conduct of the election, and subsequent violence, titled Ballots to Bullets; Organized Political Violence and Kenya's Crisis of Governance. Read this doc on Scribd: Ballots to Bullets

Interview with artist Neema. Wow, first of all let me say Gospel artist Neema is one of my favorite Kenyan artists. Check out this interview Mwafrika.com did with the KORA winner recently. In it she talks about how she came to Christ, the turmoil surrounding her pregnancy and much more! Read Part 1 here Read Part 2 here . Download out her great song "Jiwe" here .

How to make a Kenyan hit. Want to know what goes into making a Kenyan hit song? Well then, let your favorite Kenyan artist tell it. Check out how Gospel artist AStar breaks it down; he also want you the fan to assist him! "A lot of people make songs in different ways... changing the style of how you make your song, diversifying of styles brings about longevity of an artist. So this is me asking you.. the listener for assistance. Be the "producer"... my song making process is as follows... i get an idea... e.g. a story i wanna tell... then i think of the mood.. instrumental hear-a-like... e.g. for this song i constructed it to Runaway Love By Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige. The lyrics are from me... as in my experiences... wanted to tell the story of how we all have different gift but how our "old school" elders believe that jobs like rapping, Dj-ing are NOT REAL JOBS!! I think the Ludacris song is wonderful... but the message... runaway... nahh...

Video Hits Package 1.1 O.K let's get into this 2nd edition of VHP ( Video Hits Package.) As I previously mentioned VHP is a new session where we get to look at my favorite Christian music videos' from the past. Today we will be checking out Sounds of Blackness with their great song " Optimistic ." This is from their 1991 debut album " The Evolution of Gospel ." They are arguably one of the acts that ushered in the contemporary Gospel scene even before Kirk Franklin arrived. Although the song doesn't make clear reference to God it is an inspiring song, and when they sing" as long as you keep head to the sky .." you get an idea of whom they are speaking of. Next let's will check out hard-rockers Skillet with their jam " Alien Youth " from their 2001 album of the same name. I admit at the time I didn't get this song at the time...but it grew on me after a while. Being born-again is not easy especially for young people...

MWAPI now on Facebook Entertainment house MWAPI (Music With A Positive Influence) now has a group on Facebook . You can sign in and join the group here In the group you can interact with other members, get the latest MWAPI news, and also find some exclusive tracks there. MWAPI describe themselves as a place " For the very best in QUALITY positive Kenyan/ East African Music!! R&B, Hip Hop, Afro-Fusion, worship, Jazz, Hip Hope, Techno, and so much more... The entertainment house features Gospel artists such as Kanjii ( of Milele ) , AStar, Rigga and many more. Also download the song called " Maasai Warrior " by Kanjii here . Written by Kora winner Neema, off Milele's album Monday .

MSAFARA , giving hope to Kenyans. The Kenyan Church has recently launched an initiative " Msafara Wheels of Hope " to bring healing and hope to Kenyans affected by the recent post-election violence. The initiative brings together hundreds of pastors and dozens of Kenyan churches including the PCEA, CPK, NPCs, Nairobi Baptist, ICC, Nairobi Chapel among others. A secretariat of eight pastors, led by Nairobi Chapel's Oscra Muriu are coordinating logistics, mobilizing resources and building teams to travel to Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kisumu. Msafara is conducting pastors' workshops, distributing humanitarian aid and providing counsel to traumatized internally displaced people in each area. So far they have visited Mombasa and Nairobi. You can see pictures of the prayer service held at KICC, Nairobi here . Visit their informative website www.msafara.co.ke to find out more about this initiative. They also have a blog which has regular updates and can be seen here . ...

Jemimah Thiong'o - Mwenye Baraka video. I don't think I've yet posted this classic song by Jemimah Thion'go that was a huge hit across Kenya. It is a very powerful song, well written song about how God blesses us. If I'm not mistaken it was produced by the ever talented Robert "RKay" Kamanzi . Enjoy.

Live at The Village recap.... March 6th @ The Carnivore's Simba Saloon Live at the Village is back! And this time it’s here to stay!Welcome words for connoisseurs of an authentic Afro-fusion style who’s increasing popularity is undoubtedly growing. This event had become a staple in 2006, but merely teased in 2007. Now it’s back, and every first Thursday of the month, the Carnivore’s Simba Saloon will be the place to be. Kijiji front-man Kanjii Mbugua hosted this time around, and as always was a great delight. Conspicuously absent was the Villagers band; this time Kanjii spotted a brand new band. Led by Livingstone Katingima, vocals were helmed by Jack Gaitara and VUC’s Lily Karanja . As always, Kanjii was highly energetic and performed songs Set Me Free, The One, What If, Salvation and others. Great inventiveness was shown on songs such as Honk the Horn, a song that takes a dig at, amongst others, people who relieve themselves on the side of the road. Others were a creat...

Video Hits Package O.K you " remember that " lovers! From now on when I post a video from the past that I like or just want to enjoy again the title of the post will be Video Hits Package . So whenever you see that title just know that these are Gospel music video''s I have enjoyed from the past and am sharing with y'all to enjoy too! Today will we start with Waking Ashland's song " I Am for You (Don't Give up)" from their 2004 EP I Am For You . You have to love the beginning chords of this track. Next up we have Subseven with their absoulutely rocking jam " Emotion " from their 2004 self-titled EP. I remember rocking to this jam for about a month...it's just so unrelenting. Hope you enjoy the rocking hits! Next time w'ell get into some Skillet and Out of Eden .

New Maximum Melodies video. Check out Maximum Melodies latest song and video " Come to Jesus." This song is dedicated to all you couples out there!

More Soulja.....err, Washington Projects. Check out this beautiful fan-made video of the song " True Love Waits " from the album The Fault Is History from when the WP's were still The Souljahz . Also peep this song " Alpha " which I guess was a bonus or unreleased single from The Souljahz.

Free Washington Projects song! Download the Washington Projects song " Get Y'all Back Home " here . It is currently available for download at their website http://www.washingtonprojects.com/ The song is written and dedicated to U.S troops at war. Also watch them performing the song at the 2006 USO tour in Iraq in this video. Also my review of their latest album " Commanders of the Resistance " to come soon! Look out for that.

New Atheists Are Not Great Check out this Christianity Today article in which Tony Snow reviews Dinesh D'Souza 's latest book " What's So Great About Christianity. " Dinesh argues that atheism ultimately cannot answer life's bigger questions. Read it here . Tony Snow,is a former press secretary for President George W. Bush.

Sisters With "blessed" Voices. I admit I have not followed The Clark Sisters before but after I heard the great song "Blessed & Highly Favored" last year I just had to be drawn in to these beautiful ladies with incredible voices. It is from their 2007 album Live: One Last Time . Listen to this beautiful here and tell me what you think. Clark Sisters "Blessed and Highly Favored" Add to My Profile More Videos

Israel & New Breed live forever. O.K. people I just had to post this up. This is like one of my favorite songs as of right now. It is Israel and New breed's " With Long Life." It is from their 2007 album A Deeper Level . I really dig this track..it reminds me of the best days of Sounds of Blackness , remember those? Yeah. It is a really infectious song, well written, uplifting joyous and also includes a touch of hip by infusing a reggaeton backing track. Israel & New Breed are quickly becoming on of the top Gospel acts out there, if they aren't already. Download the song here and enjoy. In Christ we have a looong life!

New P.O.D single and album cover! Christian ska-metal band Payable On Death popularly known as P.O.D have released their new single Addicted . Check out the single here . It is a good first single with a driving guitar and sees P.O.D back in hardcore form, after their more radio friendly(but excellent) single Goodbye for Now off 2006's Testify . What do you think of the track? Also check out the cover to their forthcoming album When Angels and Serpents Dance below (spooky). The album is to be released on April 8th, 2008 . You know P.O.D always bring it and their music has a message, so be checking out for this release.

Caroline Mbithi is Gospel Music Channels Artist of the Week ! Boston,USA based, Kenyan-born Gospel artist Caroline Mbithi has been selected as Gospel Music Channel's artist of the week. Gospel Music Channel is the first 24hour Gospel music channel, and is watched by millions in the U.S. Caroline released her debut CD "Destined" in September 2007. She also shot a video with Maximum Melodies for the song Refuge that is currently airing on NTV's The Stomp. You can download her free single "I Surrender" here , or better yet get her album from CD Baby

Actor Kirk Cameron speaks on his life.