::Kenya Christian::

In Part 2 of this interview with Afro-Jazz artist Nita Hungu we discuss the theme of her album, Gospel musics growing popularity in Kenya, does she listen to secular music and more. Enjoy! ::KenyaChristian:: What’s the theme of the album? Nita Hungu:  As mentioned earlier my music centres around love and life. There are some love songs on the album (man-woman love) with God being the umbrella and under that I think that Christians need to write about things that affect Christians. So like if my heart got broken as a musician I need to write about it cause I think everyone goes through these things it’s just that most people are afraid to put it out there I believe God wants to give us solutions for our everyday experiences. ::KC:: Do you find that a lot of Christian artists are not real with the things they talk about and act too spiritual, and is that something you’re trying to talk about? NH: Well, no not really. I feel that everyone is different and has their own ca...

Part Two here (O.K I'm not a big fan of Jay-Z, but I have followed his music.Although he is a very talented rapper, the fact is he has been comparing himself to God for a long time now. If I listed the times he has blasphemed in his music it would be very long. I think it's about time Christians started challenging and calling out these celebs, and not be intimidated by their fame.)

Opening 28th November ‘09, Kuona Trust, 6pm—9pm 12 participants who actively attended a 14-week photography workshop at Kuona facilitated by Pro-photographer, Sylvia N. Gichia. They will be showcasing their best works from the workshop. The show aims to display the different creative artistic styles, and expertise nurtured and achieved within the 14 weeks. The workshops covered topics inclusive of abstract, street, fashion, editing and composition, journalism amongst others. The photographers showcasing their work include:  Clifford Agumbi, Chao Sio, Dorota Panczyk, Edlam Yemeru, Humphrey Kagiri, Julian Njoroge, Juan Morales, Jayne Ekema, Steve Obeto, Wangari Muikia and Wachira Mwangi. The exhibition runs until 11 December 2009.

O.K, O.K I admit it, I can't wait to watch this movie!

Here is an interview Radio France Internationale conducted with Penya Africa director Robert Wawero and producer Marko Roca . They talk about Penya artists, how Muthoni was signed, the New African Sound, who received a death threat and more! Listen: Wawero interview on RFI

“Kenya: A Nation of Bystanders" Boniface Mwangi , whose work you’ve probably seen at the “Kenya Burning” photo exhibition and book about the post-election violence, is the director of Picha Mtaani , an award-winning photo-journalist, a husband and a father. He believes Kenya is ‘a nation of by-standers’.  Previously: Blinky Bill @ Kuweni Serious

O.K, this was unexpected but it just reminds us how human we all are. Keep him in your prayers, I will say his music has really strengthened my faith ever since I started listening to it. Hip hop artist Da' T.R.U.T.H. announced on his website that he is taking a sabbatical from ministry after a "moral indiscretion" in his personal life. In the statement, Emanuel L. Lambert, Jr, - aka Da' T.R.U.T.H. - said that he has apologized to his wife and family and is working towards reconciliation with the help of his church, pastor and restoration team. In May, hip hop artist The Ambassador was released from his label after a "moral failure in his marriage." And currently in the news, BeBe Winans arrest in February on domestic assault charges against his ex-wife Debbie. Continue reading here and here

Description: The Nairobi Kinanda Arts Festival is a two day annual festival showcase of the best the world has to offer in the performing arts i.e. in music, dance, poetry and film all this happening over a single weekend in the city of Nairobi. The ethos of The Nairobi The Nairobi Kinanda Arts Festival festival is guided by our vision to be (the regional leader) and premium source of an authentic, wholesome live entertainment experience. The Nairobi The Nairobi Kinanda Arts Festival Festival is collective effort by a team of highly energized individuals driven by a passionate desire to celebrate, nourish and develop the growth of the local arts and culture industry. And yes, Freshly Ground will be performing at the same date and venue. Also performing will be Eric Wainaina, Aaron Rimbui, Kanjii Mbugua, Atemi Oyungu, Maia and others. Date: December 12th, 2009 Venue: Uhuru Gardens, off Langata Rd, Nairobi Time: 4:30 p.m - 10:30 pm   Tickets: Ksh1,500

Been tweet-bugging her to come to Kenya,lol. Oh by the way Asa may be performing in Nairobi next year. You heard it here first! Read more here Previously: Music Seen! Nneka "No Longer at Ease"

the swagger endeleaz....

beautiful.

Date: Saturday, November 14th, 2009 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Club Galileo, Musuem Hill, nairobi Tickets: Ksh500

Check out a new track from Muthoni Ndonga from her soon to be released album "The Human Condition." I'm liking this one, she flows very effortlessly on it and she's doing something different. You know I'll be reviewing the album as soon as I get it, stay tuned! Listen: Muthoni - "Mikono Kwenye Hewa"    (lyrics) Bonus: "Saidia" (snippet)      (lyrics) Plus, check out some cool artwork from her album. (click pic to enlarge)  

Nothing much to post of late. and when you have nothing much to post who do you turn to? why Santigold of course! lol...nah,if youve followed this blog for a while you'd know I'm a huge fan though. Previously: Music Seen! Santogold

Just A Band’s second album – 82 – features a song called “Usinibore”, written by Blinky Bill; a member of the band. “It’s about feeling helpless about the way things are, and wanting to do something in your capacity to change stuff. [Africans] don’t have the same opportunities as other people.”, he says. “There’s also the political angle. I think we’re all very tired of seeing politicians who’ve been there from the 60s still clinging to power and not doing anything to better our lives. That’s something that affects all of us. If the country starts to burn like it did in 2007, we all go down with it.” He sat down with us to talk about his views on “whiny” Kenyans, and how desperately we need a new breed of politicians in this country. Previously: George Gachara @ Kuweni Serious!

Description: The African Film Library is an M-Net initiative showcasing the best of the African film industry – making the movies easily accessible for movie aficionados around the world. The African film industry is one of the oldest – with its roots in Ain el Ghezel (The Girl of Carthage), which was produced in Tunisia by Chemama Chikly in 1924. M-Net has spent the last three years negotiating the rights to almost 600 works in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese and digitally remastering them. The library forms an important archive of the continent’s cultural cinematic heritage, and also, for the first time, makes the African artists’ works easily accessible by a wide viewership around the globe – creating a new audience for existing and emerging filmmakers. The library consists of award-winning works from more than 80 producers including Senegalese Ousmane Sembene and Djibril Mambety, Yousef Chahine from Egypt and Haile Gerima from Ethiopia.

"They call it a slum, we call it home." Date: November 11th to December 20th 2009 Venue: GoDown Arts Centre, Dunga Rd, off Lusaka Road Price & Time: Wednesdays- (1 ticket for 2) - 7.30pm - Sh300 adults, Sh300 students (13-18yrs) Thursdays and Fridays - 7.30pm - Sh600 adults, Sh400 students (13-18yrs) Saturdays - 2.30pm & 7.30pm - Sh800 adults, Sh400 students (13-18yrs) Sundays - 2.30pm - Sh800 adults, Sh400 students (13-18yrs) (Tickets available at Silverbird(Village Market, Junction and Westgate) and selected Uchumi outlets.)

George Gachara of Picha Mtaani gives us his views about the role of the media in Kenya, and his sober prediction about what will happen in 2012. Kuweni Serious! is a community of people who know we can do better as Kenyans. Enough is Enough.

Everyday in America 4,000 babies are aborted. The number one reason that most women cite for their decision is because the timing is off, or the baby is unwanted and inconvenient to their current lifestyle. In this video, P4CM member Catherine takes you through her abortion experience in vivid detail. She describes her thought process before making the decision to have not just one abortion, but two. She explains, using medical terms, the actual abortion procedure; the shame and feelings she experienced afterward; and the redemption and peace she received once "the gospel clicked." If you or someone you know is contemplating getting an abortion, please watch this video first then pass it on.

featuring Kerah & Allan Aaron

If you hadn't heard of Nita Hungu before she released her debut single "Rain" on radio and TV, you would probably think she was a new artist on the Kenyan rock scene.  Well, that's what KenyaChristian blog thought at first listen. But after conducting an interview with her it was clear she could not only rock hard, but also create music for those with more mature tastes. So why would an Afro-Jazz artist have a rock song as her debut single? Well that and more are some of the interesting questions we asked her in Part 1 of our interview. She also discusses her beginnings, what SOCKET is, the meaning of her album title and much mo re! ::KenyaChristian:: Hi Nita. So please tell me more about yourself, how did you get involved with music? Nita Hungu::  Well, I’ve always loved music ever since I was young and as far as college I did my first degree at Daystar in Psychology and Community Development. That was not my first choice but what my parents wanted. I told m...

So, I just came back from doing my first performance of poetry ever at Kwani? I have been attending Kwani?(and other) open mics for months now and I decided it was finally time for me to get up there and perform! If you know em I'm mostly a big procrastinator(I'm seriously working on that) and I had been putting it off for some months now, but finally decided to do it. So i gathered up the courage and printed my favorite poem I've done so far, called "Passion Juice at Java," and one by Blair Wingo called "Allow Me to Re-Introduce the Christ" which I love! Anyway, so thing is I hadn't really practiced before going there, just on the same day I rehearsed for a few hours. So I hadn't memorized the poems and was going to perform by reading off a paper. Well, anyway I get there just before it starts and was last to register, I greet some folks I know and settle down to watch the performances. Well I've never been really a public performer ...

Can't wait!...hope its not disappointing.

  With Pumzi set to be Kenya's first science fiction(sci-fi) film, Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu surely had her work cut out for her to ensure she set the standards high and didn't disappoint Kenyan audiences. Although there was controversy surrounding another Kenyan film Otto: The Bloodbath , a horror film(which I'm yet to see) it does seem Kenyan filmmakers are finally exploring other film genres. Though I'm skeptical as to the claims that Otto was Kenya's first horror film, I am pretty sure there hasn't been a Kenyan sci-fi flick before. Set 35 years after World War 3, the movie takes place in a futuristic East Africa that has been devastated by the effects of drought and global warming. Kenya is now a barren wasteland in which (as we see on a newspaper headline) people have to trek for days in search of water. Millions of people have perished and there are few places where one can escape the drought.   A Natural History Museum, which also acts as a sa...

featuring Lin . I like this... Previously: Lin "Brand New Eyes"

Man, where have I been all this time. I admit I've never really listened to Oliver Mtukudzi's music apart from the singles that may be played radio. Actually scratch that, before listening to this album the only Oliver Mtukudzi song I can remember hearing is "Todii." Which is another interesting thing about this album. The single "Todii" has become a hit in Kenya many years after this album was released (10 years ago), which is around the time I recall first hearing it. It's kind of interesting how some songs become hits years and years later. "Premier Gauo" by Magic System is another song I recall that became a Kenyan hit many years after I first heard it. Anyway heaing "Todii" in may different places again sparked my interest in discovering more of Mtukudzi's music. I checked out some websites to get a feel of what to start with in regards to his albums(and there are many of them). And after reading some favourable reviews...

Performed at the launch of their latest album "82" on October 17th.  So I'm guessing since the in-thing for Kenyan artists is add the 'Afro" tag to their style of music, does that make JAB Afro-techno/Afro-house? Also check out the review of 82 here , was I too harsh on the album, or spot on? Add your opinion!