Kelly Rowland Joins list of performers for MAMA
Things are heating up ahead of the first-ever MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) as more artists sign onto the bill of performers. Charismatic R&B star Kelly Rowland will be jetting into Abuja, Nigeria on 22 November to perform on stage at The Velodrome, Abuja alongside South African rockers, Cassette, and Nigerian soul diva, Asa. » Read more…
Kenya Premiere Of Music Video For ‘Little Things You Do’
Thursday 30 Oct 2008 was the Kenya premier of ‘Little Things You Do,’ a first ever music and video collaboration between Kenya’s sexy-sweet Wahu and Uganda’s sizzling, Bobbi Wine. Created by a team of four energetic young video practitioners mentored by US director, Melina Matsoukis, the smoking hot video is the latest output from the ‘MTV Making the Video Challenge with Shell‘.
The Arrival of Kweku T?
Move over Naeto C! There’s a not so new kid on the block. If you watched Big Brother Africa season 2 then you would remember that Ghana’s rep, Kweku Tutu a.k.a. Kweku T was an aspiring rapper. And if you live in Ghana then you would know that Kweku T has been a struggling musician for an even longer period. Although spotting some success on the ‘underground’ his musical career never quite took off.
Anyway all that is about to change as the man who popularized Ghana’s ‘charle’ jargon all over Africa readies his debut LP, ‘Higher Life‘. The first single off the album, ‘Move’, featuring D-Black, is already enjoying some heavy rotations in Ghana. Kweku T has also started promoting the song in South Africa and would soon move to Nigeria, Kenya and the rest of Africa. So is this the time for Kweku T? Well he has certainly arrived and when he blows in your face, remember you heard it from me first!!
Eric Sell a.k.a EeS – Judge For Yourself!
Namibian born and raised Eric Sell’s African roots are unquestionable. Because of his race and his choosen music genre, he always manages to cause a stir with people questioning his ability as an artist. I must admit when I first saw him I thought to myself, “Okay, another hip-hop artist,” so I was startled my reaction would be to discover that this white boy was also a house and kwaito artist.
Nonini- The God Father Of Genge Music!
We talked about Nonini and his incredible talent in an earlier article so it was very exciting to finally be able to catch up with him on his hectic schedule, and learn what it is that makes him tick.
The Game to headline the MAMAs
Its official! Multi-platinum US rapper, The Game is to headline the debut edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA) on 22 November 2008. The West Coast rapper, who is also nominated in the Best Hip Hop category at the awards, will perform live in Nigeria for the first time, joining Nigeria’s D’Banj, Tanzanian hip hop sensation Professor Jay, and Ghanaian hip life star, Kwaw Kese, on stage at The Velodrome, Abuja for Africa’s most spectacular celebration of contemporary music.
Born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, The Game is one of hip hop’s most successful artists with two #1 US albums under his belt including 2005 debut major-label album The Documentary. Featuring a star-studded lineup including Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kanye West, the album received instant critical acclaim, and attracted a Grammy nomination for The Game for smash hit single release Hate It or Love It. » Read more…
Road to the MAMAs
With four weeks to go until the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) with Zain, MTV is kick-starting the celebrations with THE ROAD TO MAMA – an out-of-this-world, all-star concert tour visiting the DRC, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria in the run-up to the Awards.
Spotlighting artists nominated in the inaugural MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain on 22 November 2008, the Road to MAMA concerts will boast a lineup of the hottest African and international musicians, with all four concerts fronted by Best Hip Hop nominee and US rap legend, The Game. » Read more…
P-Sqaure – The Unstoppable Duo!
It’s no secret that one of the biggest influential artists in the Naija entertainment industry right now is the electrifying duo, P-Square. Recently they have scooped numerous awards at the Channel O Spirit Of Africa Music Awards and been nominated for the best African act at the MOBO awards.
This shows that P-Square is making its mark in the industry with their fun and club-banging sounds. Although there has been an argument about whether they are a good representation of African music or just American-wannabes, I think we need to give props where they are due. » Read more…
9ice wins MOBO Award
Nigeria’s Yoruba R&B sensation, Abolore Akande popularly known as 9ice was declared as the ‘Best African Act’ at this year’s Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. His music is mostly a blend of R&B and Afro-hip hop mixed with the local Yoruba language. According to him, his aim is to become a reference point for Nigerian artists everywhere.
The coveted award ceremony is held annually in the United Kingdom to recognize artists of all race and nationality performing the music of black origin. Kanya King, founder of a former dancer award established the MOBO award in 1995. » Read more…
Nonini – Arguably ” The King Of Genge Music”
This is one man who needs no introduction in the Kenyan music industry. Nonini is dubbed “The African King of Genge music” ( ‘Genge’ a Swahili word meaning ‘masses’). First I must admit that because of my below average Swahili , it took me some time to fully tap into his music and allow my musical self to indulge in a Nonini musical experience but as soon as I successfully got through the first track from his latest album “Hanyaring Game“, I was hooked. “Hanyaring Game” is a a love experience from the first meeting of his Nairobi girl, through the courting stages, to him realizing that she might just be the potential life partner. But before taking the ultimate step they endure hardships that unexpectedly reveal an interesting ending to their union.
It is always exciting to witness a hardcore artist like Nonini letting loose and letting society know that even guys like him go through love and that its okay to get “whipped” at times. The rest of the songs in his 14-track album are dedicated to paying tribute to those who have passed, including his brother, and musical legends who have passed on. The last track on the album is a celebration of his journey in the industry from his starting point to his achievements. » Read more…
MTV unites Africa with Making the Video
Kwaw Kesse ruled Ghana’s hip-hop scene in the past year and he hopes to extend his reign to the rest of Africa. Well, with the assistance of MTV Base, his dream may soon become a reality as he just got the chance to collaborate with Tanzania’s hip-hop superstar, Professor J.
The MTV ‘Making the Video Challenge’ with Shell team is currently in Accra to shoot a video for the remix to Kwaw Kesse’s ‘Who Be You’ featuring Professor J. The video will be shot by a team of Ghanaian directors under the mentorship of veteran director, Anthony Mandler. Mandler has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Omarion, Rihanna, and One Republic. The music video will be premiered on Saturday, September 27, at the Aphrodisiac Nite Club in Ghana and, subsequently, on MTV Base and its affiliate TV stations across Africa. » Read more…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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July 14 - 17, 2010
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March 11 -15, 2010
Sixth Annual New African Films Festival
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April 10, 2010
RUNWAY LIBERIA: Silver Spring,MD
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