October 2019 Free Copy No. 225 Since December 2000
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WANAVOKALI Pb: Introduce yourselves W: Wanavokali is a group of six young Kenyan musicians: Chep, Lenah, Mellah, Riki, RuĂŹ and Ythera. We share a passion for expressing ourselves through music and seeing the Kenyan music industry thrive and become better. Pb: How did you guys meet and end up as Wanavokali? W: We met in 2018, during the Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour as Background Vocalists, performing live music on stages across Kenya with some of the best musicians, producers and dancers that the country has to offer. Pb: From Background Vocalists to Wanavokali, how did you end up making this Decision? W: Throughout the tour, we got to experience music, and especially Kenyan music in a different and unique light. While still actively pursuing our solo careers in the music industry, our experiences as Background Vocalists prompted us to get together as Wanavokali . Pb: What are your future plans? W: We plan on growing the Wanavokali as a brand by writing
and releasing original music. We also hope to collaborate with some of the big names we worked with during Safaricom Twaweza Live, and with other artists Regionally and Internationally. Pb: You have been doing covers, any original stuff we should expect? W: Yes. Definitely. We started out with covers because they were familiar to us, as Background Vocalists to some of the country’s biggest local artist, we already had the ready repertoire. We have recently been writing original music with the hopes of releasing it with the New Year. Pb: As individual artists, how is it working as a group now? W: Group dynamics are challenging but we have a firm foundation as friends and a healthy respect for each other. We also have an understanding that we shall continue to pursue our solo careers. Pb: Where do you see yourselves in 5 Years? W: We hope to see Wanavokali go international as a Kenyan brand. We believe that Kenyan music is beautiful and deserves a wider audience
@wanavokali
@wanavokali
@wanavokali
Wanavokali
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of Wanavokali
A L P H A
B L O N D Y
Seydou Koné better Knows as Alpha Blondy was born on 1 January 1953 in Dimbokro, Ivory Coast. He is the First Son of a family of 8 children and was raised by his grandmother.
In 1974, Seydou moved to New York where he majored in English at Hunter College because he wanted to be a teacher. In New York he met Rastafarians for the first time, and was also able to see concerts by Jamaican artists such as Burning Spear.
Seydou was involved in multiple altercations in New York and returned to the Ivory Coast, where he got into even more trouble until he met up with one of his childhood friends, Fulgence Kassi, who had become a noted television producer. This was the beginning of his real career as a musician, and he began to use the name “Alpha Blondy”.
After various TV shows for Kassi, Blondy recorded his first solo album in 1982, entitled Jah Glory. This album was to have enormous success and would become later a symbol of resistance because of the song “Brigadier Sabari,” which documents his experience of being arrested in Abidjan in the 1980s and his subsequent mistreatment by the police.
Soon, the fame spread to Europe. Following the success of an EP entitled Rasta Poué, he went to Paris in 1984 to make his second album, Cocody Rock, with the label Pathe Marconi. The “Bob Marley of Africa” travelled to the island of Jamaica and recorded the title track of this album with Marley’s backing group, The Wailers.
Back home in 1985, Blondy went into the studio to record “Apartheid is Nazism”, a call for the end of apartheid. In 1986, he
recorded “Jerusalem” at Tuff Gong studios in Jamaica, again with The Wailers featuring legendary Aston “Family Man” Barrett. Blondy tried to promote unity between the religion of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
That same year, he sang in Hebrew during a concert in Morocco. At this point, he was continuously touring. His new album:
Revolution; had a lighter, gentler sound; this album featured veteran Ivory Coast singer: Aicha Kone. The album also included Jah Houphouët parle, a long speech by Ivory Coast president Félix Houphouët-Boigny with only the most minimal beat behind it.
In 1998, with a new album: The Prophet; Convinced his label was too focused on the international market, he decided to create his own label. Since then he has recorded albums and singles, such as Yitzhak Rabin, in memory of the Israeli prime minister who was assassinated in 1995, the single Journaliste en Danger from his 2000 album: Elohim.
Alpha Blondy celebrated 20 years as a recording artist with the 2002 release of CD MERCI, featuring Ophelie Winter and Saian Supa Crew, which earned him a 2003 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Reggae Album”.
Alpha Blondy was the headlining act at the 27th edition of Koroga Festival, on Sunday, September 22, 2019, at Two Rivers Mall Grounds, Nairobi; and gave a spectacular performance.
@ALPHABLONDY
@Alphablondy
@alphablondy.official
Alpha Blondy
DJ MANTIXX MY REAL NAME IS: Barnabas Otieno Okello I GOT MY STAGE NAME FROM: From Dj Mantell I STUDIED AT: Heritage Entertainment I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: 12 years ago IT’S BEEN : A sledded journey I USUALLY PLAY: Kenyan (local), Raggea, Ragga, Rnb, African, Dance & House MY MAJOR CHALLENGE WHEN STARTING OUT: Was that my parents didn’t like anything about music IF I WASN’T A DEEJAY I’D BE: A soldier
Deejay Mantixx
@deejaymantixx1
@DjMantixx
deejay Mantixx TV
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of DJ Mantixx
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.
ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY: DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY: DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS:
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Friday 4th til Sunday 6th. Baby Banda Pregnancy & Baby Fair. Sarit Centre Expo Hall, Nairobi. A meeting and learning space for mommies and mums-to-be with fun events, health experts, and your favourite baby brands under one roof. 8:00am to 5.00pm. Free Saturday 5th. Karen Flea Market. Tamambo Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, Karen Road. Bringing together SME’S who are focused on made in Kenya in order to maximize their reach and sales to consumers. 10:00am to 5:00pm. Free
PARTIES & CONCERTS DATE: EVENT: VENUE: DETAILS: TIME: ENTRY:
Wednesday 9th. Wadada Wednesday Moi Day Special. Muze, Bishan Plaza, Mpaka Road, Westlands,. Umojah is back with an all-nighter celebrating Moi day 7:00pm til Dawn. Free
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Thursday 24th. Thursday Nite Live. J’s Fresh Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands. Featuring the pop power trio of: ELANI 8:00pm til 11:00pm. Free
Friday 18th til Monday 21st. Horse Of The The Year Show 2019. ASK Showground, Jamhuri Park, Ngong Road, Nairobi. The Horse Of The Year Show or HOTYS in short is the HAK’s yearly Championship show where riders both from Kenya and neighbouring countries compete in Dressage, Show jumping and Showing to decide who is the best combination in each discipline for 2019. 9:00am to 6:00pm. Free
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Saturday 12th. Comedy Show Concert. TradeMark Hotel, Village Market, Gigiri, Nairobi. With, NOTINN R MIRANNI; with Proceeds going into building 50 Classroms for Vocational training Centre, M.A Math Trust. 6:00pm & 8:30pm KES 7,000/- V.V.I.P, KES 5,000/- V.I.P & KES 3,000/- Regular
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Friday 4th til Sunday 6th Cat and Mouse. Nairobi Cinema. A wild funny comedy play by: Heart Strings Entertainment. 7:00pm Friday, 3.30pm & 7:00pm Saturday and 3:30pm + 7:00pm Sunday. KES 699/-.
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Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th. All I Ever Wanted. Braeburn Theatre, Gitanga Road, Lavinton. A socio-political satire by: Walter Sitati. It is easy for a judge to rule on a case until it is one that involves the closest of people. In such, skeletons leave the closet and integrity is put to test. 5:00pm Saturday & 4:00pm Sunday. KES 1,000 in Advance and KES KES 1,200 at the Gate
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Sunday 20th. Nairobi Black Food Festival. J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands. The Black Food Festival was born out of curiosity for international cuisines and the experimental nature of culinary minds across the globe. To pay homage to those who prefer to take the road less traveled: the risk takers, the innovators, the trailblazers, there will be a panel of gastronomy professionals on the look out for the most creative and finest products. 11:00am til 9:00pm. KES 500/Thursday 24th til Saturday 26th. East Africa Chef Expo. Sarit Centre Expo Hall, Westlands. A great celebration of the remarkable contribution chefs have made to the hospitality industry. It is also an opportunity for suppliers of food ingredients and kitchen equipment to meet chefs, network, sign business deals and synergise in the hospitality industry. 9:00am til 5.30pm. Free
To get the 411 on interesting Art & Trade Exhibitions every Day, Dial *411*2*4*1#
PLAYS & THEATRE
To get the 411 on the hottest Festivals, Parties & Concerts every Day, Dial *411*2*3*1#
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Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th. Too Early For Birds. Visa Oshwal Community Center Auditorium, Westalands. A series of storytelling shows that has been retelling Kenyan History in a fresh, funky style. Since 2017, we have narrated the stories of Wangari Maathai, The Nyayo House Survivors, Zarina Patel, Timothy Njoya, Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima, Otenyo Nyamatere, Syokimau, Paul Ngei, William McMillan, the resistance at Lumboka and Chetambe, amongst many others. And now, One of Kenya’s most mind-boggling mysteries can be distilled into one question: who killed Tom Mboya? And why? Okay, those are two questions. Both necessary. 2:00pm & 7: 00pm Saturday & 11:00am, 3:00pm & 8:00pm. Sunday. KES 1,000 Early Bird, 1,500 in Advance and KES 2,000 at the Gate
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Thursday 24th til Sunday 27th. Sarafina. Nakuru Players Theatre. A Play by Nairobi Performing Arts Studio with: NICE GITHINJI. 7.00pm Thursday, 3:00pm + 7.00pm Friday & Saturday and 5:00pm Sunday. KES 1,000 in Advance, 1,500 at the Gate & KES 6,000 for a Group of 7
To get the 411 on the most captivating Theatre, Comedy, Poetry, Literature & Dance every Day, Dial *411*2*2*1#
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