V Since 2000
MARCH 2020 | FREE COPY | No. 230
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DYNAMIQUES BAND PHAT!buzz™ is now in its 19th year of telling you Wazup! To advertise, call: +254 20 238 6060 or E-mail: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com or check out our Website: www.phatbuzz.com © 2020 PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited. All Rights Reserved. @PHATbuzz
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Pb: A night with The Dynamiques Band was quite the Success; tell us about it. D: Wow! A night with the Dynamiques was our brainchild, our alpha concert that took place at the Alchemist on the 11th of December 2019 and it was very successful with an overwhelming audience attendance. The show was a treat to celebrate Kenyan music and usher in the Jamhuri holiday. The artists that we worked with included Fena Gitu, Arrow Bwoy, Bensoul, Nviiri, Official Masauti ,Nadia Mukami, Chris Kaiga, Hope Irakoze from Rwanda, Hypeman Gudah, Henrique the DJ and Dj Kaffi.
DYNAMIQUES BAND Pb: Introduce yourselves D: The Dynamiques Band is a 5 piece band that consists of Joel Otieno (Drummer), Martin Thuo (First Keyboardist), Jeddy Wamz (Second keyboardist), Emery Girukwishaka (Bassist) and Serge Sepa (Lead guitarist). We are a cocktail of live musicians, a live DJ and performing artistes who work as headlining acts or an accompaniment . As an accompaniment band for artists, we work with three vocalists namely, Lena Adhiambo, Faith Chepkorir and Riki Gathariki. The band boasts of performances with Africa’s greatest talents such as Fena, Naiboi, Arrow Bwoy, Otile Brown, Nadia Mukami, Akothee, Bensoul, Nviiri, Chris Kaiga, Elani, Charisma and Official Masauti on prestigious stages such as Blankets and Wine 2019, The Big Deal Concert by Chris Martin 2019, A night with the Dynamiques, Tusker Oktober Fest 2019, Fena’s Album Launch, Arrow Bwoy’s Launch, Tomorrow Leaders Festival 2019, The Koroga Festival 2019 and Safaricom Twaweza Live 2018. Pb: Why Dynamiques Band? D: Dynamically speaking, we are not only a band committed to bringing constant change and progress but also enthusiastic and an avant-garde with our main goal being to revolutionized the African live music scene through song arrangement, performance, music production and vocal prowess.
Pb: You had such a great Night during Fena Gitu’s Album Launch, how would you describe the experience? D: It is always a good time with Fena on stage. Just being part of her sophomore album launch was an out of this world experience because of the team work and hard work we put in. Fena is such a team player and so the stage was filled with chemistry and yearn to treat the audience to good live music never experienced before, connecting with their souls. Her talent, gracefulness, and the huge audience turnout were such a motivation. We had fun on stage, let go and enjoyed the music expressing what we felt to the audience. This was a Move! never to be forgotten. Pb: Any word of Advice for Upcoming Band? D: Hardwork, consistency, discipline, prayer and team work will always win. Pb: Anything new we should look out for this year? D: Yes we have so many projects this year. We are working on releasing a Kenyan live mix arrangement soon, holding our second concert producing original content and doing song collaborations with artists. Pb: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? D: We see ourselves promoting Kenyan music worldwide in different international music tours, establishing our brand diversely not only as an entertainment one but as a business entity and revolutionizing the international live music scene. Pb: Any Last words? D: You are as good as your last dance.
Pb: How did you all meet? D: The Kenyan live music scene is a circle. It revolves around the same people and so that is how we met. We would work together at different events and built our friendships admiring each other’s prowess and decided to form a band together.
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Pb: How do you balance out work and your personal life? Deejay Caril: It’s not hard for now since I have no family to look after maybe later years to come God willing. But I have always tuned my mind that when its work time I fully concentrate on it, I really respect my work. When am not a work then am all flexible for anything and that’s when I deal with my personal life?
dj CARIL Pb: Introduce yourself. Deejay Caril: My official name is Caroline Wawira Mwaniki and My Stage name is DJ Caril, The Scratch Queen. Pb: What are your Most Defining moments as a DJ Deejay Caril: When I got my 1st gig, it was more of a DJ competition with guaranteed payments. The name of the event was Imagine Festival where I was the only female DJ out of 7 male DJs and I managed to be number 4. This is where I thought as a female I can work extra hard to beat male DJs too; and that’s when I had to train hard. The other moment is when I won the best NRG Club DJ which was sponsored by NRG Radio and Castle Lite back then 2019.
Pb: What were your biggest Challenges when starting out and what are they now? Deejay Caril: When I started, I totally didn’t have somebody to train me well. Most people were busy so no one could get that time to train you. I never went to DJ academy so this was one of my biggest challenge back then.so as time went on I had to socialize with other DJs till when I met a very humble soul by the name DJ CHERU, he has trained me to be a very good DJ till where I am today, he has been my mentor, some of other challenges is getting the gigs as a female DJ, most people think some of we female DJs they know less till when they hear you play that’s when they will give you a gig. Pb: Any words of wisdom for all looking to be a Deejay? Deejay Caril: Don’t decide to be a DJ because of others or because of fan.do it because you love it and because it’s your passion; learn fully the work of disc jockey, .but not playing music always trust the process, always stay with the right people, learn positive things from them and you will be among the best.
Pb: Away from Deejaying, what else do you do? Deejay Caril: I am a hospitality management student graduate from Amboseli Institute. Just completed my studies back 2019 and decided to do what I love fully that is disc jockey. Pb: Did your Parents support you as you started out as a DJ? Deejay Caril: When I first told them, this is what I wanted to do they were all against it but when they saw I was quite serious my dad decided to support me then later my mum had to accept it. So, I tried my best to balance schoolwork and disc jockey.
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Thandiswa Mazwai is one of the most influential musicians on the South African music scene today. She began her career in 1998 with Bongo Maffin, one of the pioneering bands of Kwaito. After 6 award winning albums with Bongo Maffin she ventured onto a solo career. Her first project ‘Zabalaza’ (2004), reached double platinum status and won numerous awards including a Kora award for Best African Female Artist and Four South African Music Awards. It was also nominated for the BBC Radio 3 Planet Awards. Her critically acclaimed second album ‘Ibokwe’ (2009) reached gold status in the first few weeks of its release and her recent live DVD ‘Dance of the Forgotten Free’ (2010) won South African Music Awards for Best Female Artist and Best Live DVD in 2011. The Guardian recently called her “South Africa’s finest female contemporary singer.” Born in the year of the Soweto Uprising (1976), she has always felt that she has the soul of a rebel. Both her parents were journalists and political activists and she was raised in a home filled with books and thick with political discussions. It was this environment that nurtured her perspective as an artist. Her work has always been inspired by the writings of people like Biko and Fanon, Achebe and Nkrumah, she says, “My work gave me an opportunity to share my thoughts and have a meaningful conversation with my generation about Blackness, Africaness, about some of the social ills that plague us, and also about freedom and joy. Music gave me an opportunity to feed my revolutionary self.” Her music travels travels through the village into the ghetto and raises the roof in the city. Her compositions today include traditional Xhosa rhythms, mbaqanga, reggae, kwaito, funk and jazz. Through this, Thandiswa straddles the urban and the rural, effortlessly melding the traditional with the modern. And it is with this spirit that Thandiswa has performed all over the world at venues including: the FIFA 2010 World Cup Opening Ceremony, The Apollo Theatre, Radio City Hall, Womex, The Cannes Film Festival, The Barbican, Africa Brazil Festival, Fespaco Film Festival, BBC World Music Awards and several Mandela 46664 concerts. She has shared the stage with Salif Keita, Skunk Anansie, Cesaria Evora, Stevie wonder, Angelique Kidjo and many others. At home, Thandiswa has collaborated with several musicians like Hugh Masekela, Stimela, the late Busi Mhlongo, and the BLK JKS. Her creativity has led to collaboration with stellar international artists too. For instance, Thandiswa collaborated on two songs with US musician Meshell N’degeoCello on her album ‘The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams’ which was nominated for a Grammy in 2007. Most recently, she featured on Paul Simon’s Graceland 25th Anniversary Tour, performing to audiences all over Europe.
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Story By: Njeri Kimani | Photo Courtesy of Thandiswa Mazwai
PLAYS & THEATRE DATE: Thursday 5th EVENT: Book Launch: South B’s Finest. VENUE: Goethe-Institut, Nairobi. DETAILS: Set in Nairobi in the 1990s, ‘South B’s Finest’ focuses on 3 families whose lives interweave as they find themselves living across from each other in an idyllic middle-class neighbourhood, Malaba Estate, South B. As the decade charges on, their lives begin to show similarities in the secrets they keep and the mistakes they make. TIME: 6:00pm til 9:00pm. ENTRY: Free.
DATE: Thursday 5th til Saturday 7th EVENT: The Mousetrap VENUE: Braeburn Theatre, Gitanga Road, Lavington DETAILS: The Mousetrap is Agatha Christie’s most beloved murder mystery. England, 1952, a winter snowstorm. News of a local murder is heard on the radio by a group of strangers stranded in a country hotel. A police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, convinced that the murderer-at-large is among the guests of Monkswell Manor. He begins an investigation into everyone there. One of them is a killer - and another one of them may be next! TIME: 7:00pm ENTRY: KES 2,000/-. Adults & KES 1,000/-. DATE: Friday 6th EVENT: International Women’s Day Celebration VENUE: Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi. DETAILS: This year’s theme is: One Africa, One People. With guest artist, Olivia Ambani accompanied by an all female orchestra from the Kenya Conservatoire of Music, performing to her song “better than just fine” and many other pieces like Umquombothi by Yvonne Chaka Chaka. TIME: 8:00pm-10:00pm ENTRY: KES 1,500/DATE: Saturday 7th EVENT: The Power of Talent. VENUE: Oshwal Junior High Auditorium, Westlands, Nairobi. DETAILS: A Kids Musical Play written & Directed by M.E KARIITHI. TIME: 2:00pm til 5:00pm. ENTRY: KES 1,000/- Adults & KES 500/- Children.
To get the 411 on interesting Art & Trade Exhibitions every Day, Dial *411*2*4*1# WANNA LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE?! E-mail information on the: Date, Title, Venue, Time, Details and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
PARTIES & CONCERTS DATE: Saturday 7th EVENT: Folk Fusion VENUE: 910 James Gichuru Road, Langata. DETAILS: Headlined by Gikuyu Afro-pop sensation Ayrosh. Vibe to your favorite mugithi classics by legends such as Joseph Kamaru, John Ndichu and Rift Valley Brothers. The urban mugithi crew will also share the stage with: LEMARTI, DJ MURA K & MIKE MUEMA TIME: 1:00pm til 12.30pm. ENTRY: KES 1,000 in Advance & KES 1,500 at the Gate. DATE: Sunday 8th. EVENT: Kaya Festival. VENUE: Ngong Race Course, Nairobi DETAILS: An all-inclusive concert that focuses on bringing people from different tribes and different communities from all around the world together through their love and appreciation for music, food, art and cultures. It will be an unforgettable experience that will leave you anticipating the next one. TIME: 1:00pm til 12:00am ENTRY: KES 1,000 in Advance & KES 1,500at the Gate DATE: Sunday 8th EVENT: The Art of Love. VENUE: Michael Joseph Centre, Westlands DETAILS: Time to experience the true Art of Love courtesy of Kwame Rígíi. TIME: 8.30pm til 12:00am. ENTRY: KES 1,800/DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th Era. Michael Joseph Centre, Westlands We kick off the decade with a celebration of a new Era by showing the journey of Music that Spellcast had been through, is going through and is planning to go through even through individual growth levels. 5:00pm til 8:00pm Saturday & 3:00pm til 6:00pm Sunday KES 1,000/- in Advance.
DATE: Saturday 14th March EVENT: Echotrance Rebirth VENUE: Blue Door, DETAILS: Come witness the upcoming one of a kind Kenya Electronic Music Scene that is to launch Ultra Worldwide Music Festival Concept in Kenya and across all boarders. Featuring World Class Deejays and best local Deejays performance. TIME: 9:00pm til 5:00am. ENTRY: KES 500/-. DATE: Saturday 21st EVENT: Fusion. VENUE: Club Crooked Q, Westlands. DETAILS: Featuring, Chucky, Foozak, Suraj, Armachedion, Xan Woods & Nox. TIME: 9:00pm til 6:00pm. ENTRY: KES 500 in Advance & KES 1,000 at the Gate To get the 411 on the hottest Festivals, Parties & Concerts every Day, Dial *411*2*3*1#
WANNA LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE?! E-mail information on the: Date, Title, Venue, Time, Details and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS DATE: Sunday 1st til Sunday 29th EVENT: Almost Vanishing Africa VENUE: One Off Contemporary, #16 Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate, off Limuru Road, Nairobi. DETAILS: Recent oil paintings by: Timothy Brooke TIME: 12:00pm til 5:00pm ENTRY: Free. DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Saturday 7th The Sister’s Market The Alchemist Bar, Parklands Road, Westlands. A day to support female run businesses and learn from other successful women who are daring to do it all. This is a market in honour of International Women’s Day Weekend! It will be an all-female vendors market only. 12:00pm-6:00pm. KES 1,000/-
DATE: Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th. EVENT: Nairobi Orchestra March Concert VENUE: Braeside Auditorium, Lavington DETAILS: A vibrant repertoire, conducted by Duncan Wambugu, with Ken Mwiti as leader. We welcome Elizabeth Knott back to Kenya for Joseph Haydn’s Oboe Concerto and the ‘Swan of Tuonela’ by Jean Sibelius, alongside a vibrant rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole and Prokofiev’s 7th Symphony TIME: 7:00pm Saturday & 3:00pm Sunday ENTRY: KES 1,000/DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Sunday 15th The Kenya Kite Festival Nairobi Polo Club. A family event that allows adults to relive their youth and kids to learn something new and exciting through kite flying at a picnic style event with live music. 11:00am til 6:00pm KES 800/- Adults & KES 500/- Kids.
DATE: Friday 12th til Sunday 15th EVENT: Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship VENUE: Karen Country Club, Nairobi DETAILS: Come and watch some of the world’s top golfers in action and cheer our local golf heroes as they battle it out for a stake of the €1.1 Million prize money. Enjoy great food, good music and loads of activities for the entire family. To get the 411 on the hottest Festivals, Parties & Concerts every Day, Dial *411*2*2*1# WANNA LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE?! E-mail information on the: Date, Title, Venue, Time, Details and Entry charges to: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com
CARNIVORE SIMBA SALOON, LANGATA, NAIROBI: Roaring BBQ Ribs on Tuesday, from 6pm. Entry: KES 990/- Adult & KES 450/- Child. Rhumba Night every 1st Friday, by DJs Wattii, Wikki & Martin; and New Jack Swing, every 3rd Friday. Entry for each: KES 300/-. Cultural Nights, every last Friday. Entry: KES 500/-. GUAVA LOUNGE, BUFFET PARK, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Reggae on Monday to Thursday, from 11.00am to 7.00pm. Comedy Night, with Freddy, on Monday. Karaoke Night on Thursday, with Erika & Soul Masters. Good looking Friday, with DJ Exotic. Supa Sato, with DJ Symo Mfalme. Free entry. K1 KLUBHOUSE, OJIJO ROAD, PARKLANDS, NAIROBI: Back to the 80S, on Monday. Jazz Nite, on Tuesday, with Mwai & The Truth Band. Wednesday Night Live, with K1 Mixxmasters. One Love Thursday, with Dohty Family. Live Band Karaoke, on Friday. Gogosimo Band, on Saturday. Sunday Soul, with The Spindoktors. Free entry. KENGELES, LAVINGTON GREEN, NAIROBI: Band Night, every last Thursday. Free entry. Networking event, every second Thursday. Free entry. Quiz Night, every 3rd Wednesday. Entry: KES 500/-. MYERS LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, NAIROBI: Karaoke, with Doryne & Elsie, on Thursday. Ladies Night, with DJ Jacky, on Friday. Steady Saturday, with DJ Ticco, DJ Ben & DJ Davince. Reggae Jamdown, with DJ Vosty & DJ Ticco, on Sunday. Free entry. RAFIKIZ, LANGATA ROAD, NAIROBI: Monday: Soft Rock. Tuesday: Karaoke, with Kendi. Wednesday: DJ Protege. Seduction Thursday: Punch & Cocktails. Friday: Old Skul. Easy Saturday: DJ Mixes. Free entry. SAILORS’ BAR & LOUNGE, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday & Tuesday: Slow Jams. Wednesday: Rhumba Nite. Thursday: Kizomba. Friday & Saturday: Club Nites, with DJ Sting. Sunday: Salsa Nite. Free entry. 7 DEGREES BAR & LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, DAGORETTI CORNER, NAIROBI: Happy Hour (Beers at KES 180/-), from 5.00pm to 8.00pm, every Tuesday to Thursday. Karaoke every Thursday, hosted by Didi and DJ Kuch. Friday Mix, with DJ Seph. Saturday Mix, with DJ Kuch. Free entry. SIPPERS BAR & RESTAURANT, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday to Thursday: Rhumba and Blues, with DJ Selector. Friday & Saturday: Hutu Band, with Awilo Jamnazi. Sunday: Jazz, with Wakurugenzi Band. Free entry. 24/7, VIEW PARK TOWERS, NAIROBI: Beers at reduced Prices, on Tuesday & Wednesday. Red Carpet Affair, on Thursday. Ace Cards, on Friday. Reggae Nite, by Livity Sounds, on Sunday. Free entry.
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