Pulser March Edition

issue 11 march 2020

LIVE IT UP! NOT FOR SALE

top celebritIES FEATURED

DJ Malaika, Juma Jux, Nyakim Gatwech, Michelle Ntalami , Mina Reeve...

SAUTI SOL www.pulser.co.ke

+

On new deal with Universal Records and joining elite international stars

magazine march 2020 FASHION • beauty • RIDes • food • ADVENTUREpulser • SPORTS • REVIEWS 1

CON TEN TS CELEBRITIES, MUSIC AND SHOWBIZ 8.

9.

18-21.

23.

26-29.

32-33.

Being Michelle Inside Juma’s box Women on wheels Girl power Sauti Sol to the World Queen of melanin

FOOD, HEALTH and FITNESS 12-13.

14-15.

16.

40-41.

Food Rules The Ice have it Granola Recipe Easy Does It

FASHION and BEAUTY 4.

Loose change 5.

Men and style 7.

Let’s get flirty 22-25. Chic and sweet 38.

The Glow 39.

Glam World RIDES, TOYS AND ADVENTURE 10-11. Tale of Love and Hate LIFE, TECH AND REVIEWS 6. Trends 44-45. Whip Appeal 46-47. Gaming

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THE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER orlando lyomu EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OCHIENG RAPURO Managing Editor, Daily Denis Galava MANAGING EDITOR – WEEKEND/MAGAZINES JOHN BUNDOTICH EDITOR STEVENS MUENDO REVISE EDITORS nicholas asego, LYNETTE ATIENO, linda bach, KAGURE GACHECHE, SUSAN KASERA, Ferdinand Mwongela

FROM THE DESK

It has been real

SUB-EDITOR WAIRIMU NYINGI

W

MANAGER, PRINT CREATIVE DAN WELOBA CREATIVE DESIGNER JOSECK MUTORO PHOTO EDITOR MAXWELL AGWANDA DIGITAL NJAMBI MUNGAI WAIRIMU NYINGI CONTRIBUTORS TONY MOCHAMA PERIS WAMBUGU faith the whisperer AHADI WAMBUI ESTHER MUCHENE fork n awesome BARBARA NYAMBURA Salima Muigai BONIFACE MITHIKA WINNIE MAKENA peter muiruri PHOTOGRAPHERS ELVIS OGINA FELIX KAVII

Follow us @PulserKenya

MARKETING SETH ENOS EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Switch Board Tel: 3222111/0719012111 Ext 2243 +254 721 607 555 Email: editor@pulsermagazine. com COMMERCIAL ENQUIRIES Francis Wambua +254 721804302 Rodricks Oidi +254 720745498 Mercy Mithamo +254 735175809 DISTRIBUTION Duncan Murei +254 719012111 WE STAND CORRECTED: The Pulser Magazine welcomes complaints about errors or omissions that warrant correction. Messages on our news coverage can be e-mailed to editorial@standardmedia. co.ke or via phone to 0719012111.

Comments on editorials may be e-mailed to opeds@ standardmedia.co.ke or faxed to 2213108.

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www.pulser.co.ke

e have come full circle. This month is when it all started – the month when, at a rather pomp ceremony held at The Junction Mall, fireworks lit the sky to announce the arrival of Pulser, an innovative lifestyle and entertainment idea. ‘Live It Up’ it was, and one year down the line, the dream lives on.

And what better time to reflect on what Pulser is all about than now? We are a vibrant and inspiring lifestyle and entertainment modern-day urban magazine whose main pillars are entertainment and fashion, health and fitness, travel and leisure, as well as general lifestyle. Coming into the market to fill a vacuum that existed in terms of rich content for an aspiring youthful reader, Pulser has stirred up the industry with compelling features and informative tips to boost your general wellbeing.

Championed by a team of passionate and talented writers, Pulser has opened up the world of your favourite celebrities, taken you to your dream travel destinations and opened doors to your hang-outs, eateries and party places. We have hit the gym with you, repaired cars and taken to the sports arena before basking in the world of fashion, style and everything beauty. And haven’t we toasted and dined? You have been part of this amazing adventure. Without you, we would not have a reason to be here.

We are here at a time when the media space is fast changing, when trends on how we communicate and even socialise are overlapping, when access to journalistic ideas is on speed dial in the digital space. These are amazing revolutionary times, right? Besides, they say the only thing that is constant is change and so we move with it. That explains why, besides

the free hard copy you access at several outlets, we also provide this magazine online on www.pulser.co. ke. Additionally, you can scan it and take it with you wherever you go. And because Pulser is a lifestyle, our interaction with you on our social media platforms is limitless.

The Pulser dream is bigger than a magazine, so brace yourself as the best is yet to come. We welcome your ideas for collaboration and partnerships. We are also here to help your brands shine. And as we get to the next phase of this thrilling journey, what a moment this provides for you to claim your space.

As per usual, this edition offers up another thrilling and engaging ride. Kudos to the team because even if we were doing it for the last time, we would still do it the same way.

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loose change – peris wambugu

COURTESY

Red lipstick

LET’S GO

MONO

Black fedora

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Monochrome dress

Black sling bag

Thigh-high black suede pointed toe boots

style style

– faith the whisperer

Well-tailored suit A well-tailored suit screams boyfriend (or husband) material. And if you want to leave a lasting impression, ditch the shirt for a crisp white tee.

Plain black T-shirt There’s something about a man in a plain black tee; there’s an air of mystery. Additionally, a black T-shirt is a wardrobe staple since it goes well with anything. If you want to keep things low key, but still look fashionable, this will do the trick.

Flannel shirt This a classic fashion piece. It’s charming and the details are exceptional. Additionally, it’s easy to layer a flannel shirt whether you’re going for a casual or official look. Since flannel shirts are available in many designs, you can wear one every day of the week.

A gentle mAn’s touch O

ne thing that defines a perfect gentleman is his look. Here are tips on how to step out in style, whatever the season.

Leather jacket A leather jacket is the ultimate bad boy fashion statement. Just like the flannel shirt, it never goes out of style.

As such, it is worth investing in one. Leather jackets go well with an all-black outfit. However, be careful not to look like a rock star-wannabe.

White sneakers Shoes are the first thing people notice about you.

For men, a pair of white Vans, Converse or Airforce sneakers are a must have. White sneakers stand out without seeming obnoxious. Additionally, they’re not limiting. They’re a great fit for a casual date or boys’ night. Just watch your step.

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Designer watch A good watch is an important piece to complete your look. Never cheap out and never buy a counterfeit timepiece. Fake and cheap watches wear out quickly and start to show their cracks. Invest in a designer watch that will not only impress, but also last years.

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trends — Boniface Mithika

watch the

Apple Watch Series 5 This smartwatch is not only stylish, but also has great fitness features and potentially life-saving health tools. With the ECG app, the watch checks your heart rhythm and gives a quick heart rate reading. The smartwatch also cautions you on loud sounds that can impact your hearing, and helps women track their menstrual cycle. In general, it helps you crush your fitness goals with its advanced workout metrics. It comes with GPS and water resistance to 50 metres. It’s made for all the ways you exercise, and motivates you to get moving. The Activity rings track your progress and inspire you to sit less, move more and get some form of exercise in every day.

Samsung Galaxy Watch The Samsung Galaxy timepiece allows you to focus on exercise with less planning. It measures your heart rate and tracks six activities when you exercise. It tracks and logs your health in great detail, including your heart rate and calories. This smartwatch can also help you master the art of sleep as it tracks and offers insights into your rest, while monitoring your stress levels. It’s a stylish and versatile option for anyone who’s often on the move.

Fitbit Versa 2 This beautiful sleek watch keeps tabs on your time asleep and logs how long you were restlessness for. It also tracks your heart rate 24/7, steps, distance, calories burned, hourly activity, active minutes and floors climbed.

Despite being a fitness tracker, it can receive calls, texts and smartphone app notifications if your phone is nearby. This is the perfect option for anyone kick-starting their fitness journey.

Garmin Vivosmart

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Heart There are fitness trackers and there are smartwatches, but there are only a small number of devices that attempt to be both. The Garmin Vivosmart is one such product. It’s a band that does everything you’d expect a fitness gadget to do: track your steps, calories burned, distance travelled and sleep. In a unique twist, it also has an OLED screen showing things like emails, texts, Twitter and Facebook notifications, and incoming calls. In essence, it’s a fully fledged fitness tracker that also acts like a fully fledged smartwatch.

Suunto 3 Fitness This beautifully robust fitness watch is designed for those who lead an active lifestyle and value health and well-being. The watch allows you to create a personal training plan that adapts to your fitness needs. You’ll get real-time guidance while exercising to help you reach the right intensity. It also offers 24/7 activity tracking with steps, calories and sleep, together with stress and recovery monitoring, providing a holistic view of your day and helping you maintain a healthy balance between activity and rest. Featuring a stylish design, the gadget, which is waterproof to 30 metres, allows you to swim, run and play without missing a step. No matter your fitness level, this smartwatch will adapt to you and offer new exercises that best suit your abilities.

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I

n the course of a normal day, we keep tabs on a lot of things, from our mood to how much water we drink. However, our heart rate rarely makes the short list, yet it really should. Here are a few gadgets to help you get to the heart of your wellbeing.

style

– faith the whisperer

T

here is no apology needed when a woman decides to get a little bit sassy and flirty. Here’s how to spice up your style and achieve this look.

Leather skirt If you want to channel your inner bad girl, go for a leather mini-skirt. Leather is a timeless fashion staple that adds a touch of sexiness to a basic outfit. Plus, it is effortlessly chic.

Keep your outfit simple with a plain shirt and a statement bag.

High-slit dress A thigh-high slit adds subtle detail to a long evening gown that will dazzle your date. You can rock this look for dinner or drinks with the girls.

Polka dot pencil skirt Have fun with your office look by wearing a polka dot pencil skirt. Polka dots are a timeless print and the look is both playful and bold. It’s flirty without looking too casual, making this outfit perfect for the office. You can pair it with a sleeveless blouse or long-sleeved top.

Blazer dress Blazer dresses are turning into one of the hottest trends of 2020. You can pull off the look by wearing bold colours like pink, red or neon blue. This is also another chic office look.

However, it might not work for a romantic dinner. Complete this outfit with a pair of strappy heels and a statement bag.

Slip mini dress This look means business. It oozes confidence and sex appeal. Additionally, it’s a simple look that is easy to pull off. Whether you prefer fitting or loose dresses, this outfit will look good either way. Make sure your accessories are on point to dress up the outfit, and be ready to break some necks.

Wide-legged pants Wide-legged pants, or palazzo pants, have been on trend for a hot minute. They give boss chic vibes, which is appealing. You can pair them with a matching crop shirt.

Model: Stephanie Mulinge david gichuru

get

dav

id gi

chu

ru

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hot in town — Ahadi Wambui

M

Marini’s Queen 8

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ichelle Ntalami, the CEO of Marini Naturals, Africa’s full-range hair care line for natural and Afro-textured hair, was recently featured in Kagwe’s video, Nakulike featuring Naiboi. The curvaceous entrepreneur is goals, and not just in her hair and wardrobe game. She’s won a number of accolades for her business sense, including the 2018 Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Further, she has a degree in communication and design from the University of Nairobi, and a master’s degree in brand design from the Florence Design Academy in Italy.

She’s collaborated with brands such as Vivo, Blaze by Safaricom, Glam Beauty and African Hair Summit, and been featured on a number of lifestyle magazines, including Drum and Couture Africa.

“To the young people, the best way to predict your future is to create it.

You have to fight through some of your worst days to earn some of your best days,” she says.

The lass is a true embodiment of beauty and brains, and an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere.

HOT IN TOWN — ahadi wambui

inside Juma’s box

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A

rguably the hottest R&B singer in Tanzania, Juma Jux has just released his new love track, Unaniweza, off his 2019 album – The Love Album.

The Abba produced-track is his first video release this year and comes on the backdrop of the successful album release, which garnered more than three million streams across all digital platforms.

The slow-tempo love anthem has an infectious catchy vibe and tells a story about the power of love. Shot in Bali and Serengeti, the video directors InnoStuart and BM Visuals perfectly capture the storyline.

Speaking on the new song, Jux says, “With this new jam, I wanted to take my fans on a musical adventure. Unaniweza is a dedication to all the lovers. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. We love because it’s the only true adventure.

I hope you enjoy it.”

The singer has already released three videos off the album: Sugua featuring Diamond Platnumz, In Case You Don’t Know with Nyashinski and Sumaku featuring Vanessa Mdee, his ex-girlfriend.

The 18-track project features other hit singles, including Sio Mbaya, Slowly, Kibindoni, Upofu, Yeye, Wambela featuring Ruby, Tell Me with Joh Makini and Sugarcane with G Nako and Tommy Flavour.

Born Juma Musa Mkambala in 1989, Juma Jux has had an illustrious career as a rapper and is now one of the best R&B singers in East Africa. Since his musical debut in 2005, he has managed to dominate the scene with one hit after another. Jux is consistently building his fashion and music brand, with his very first album, The Love Album, and his fashion brand, African Boy.

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motormoto

— boniface mithika – PULSER WRITER

Tale of love & hate Boys love the adrenaline rush and the power – but is this everyone’s JAM?

L

isten keenly and you’ll hear it ... wait for it ... wait for it ... and there you have it! They are everywhere, you can’t afford not to see them, better yet you can’t afford not to hear them.

Their presence is unmistakable. These little beasts start off with a loud noise followed by more noise then a big exhauster blast. And for some reason, their drivers are known for their notoriety.

They’re seen as arrogant, childish and noisy.

Some car brands just can’t catch a break, and their drivers are judged harshly. By now you know which make of car we are talking about. Yes, the Subaru. Basically, the Subaru Impreza WRX is the car of choice for many Pulsers. The Subaru Impreza’s trademark is blue. Well, there are people who assume that ‘Subaru’ is synonymous with ear-splitting, flame-throwing blue

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machines. Well, isn’t it? And probably that is why some people dig into the Subaru real good.

They talk about the extra headlights that, as they would say, rather than helping drivers see better, they become distractions for other cars. And then there is the issue of sticker showoffs. Who really understands why Subaru boys go all out with stickers; whether its actual car logos or stickers of their favourite movie character. Is this why they call the cars ‘a man’s toy’?

I’d argue, though, that Subaru owners are justified in bragging about how good the STI is and how the suspension and power make it stand out. I am thinking of the non-stop boasts; the Driver Controlled Centre Differential is just too much. But one thing is certain, the Subaru has its loyal fans who love it to the core.

“I’m personally a big Subaru fan boy. I admire their brand and vehicles. I park next to Subarus, wave at other Subaru owners, and go to Subaru meets. There's just something about the cars that appeals to me. I know some people would rather have something else, but I love Subarus,” says Ian Ojwang.

The vehicle maker has created a brand image that’s about building all-wheel-drive vehicles with a go-anywhere attitude, developed for people with active lifestyles. This has seen Subaru become very

COURTESY

popular with outdoor enthusiasts and fun lovers. They have great all-wheel drive, making them capable of taking on light off-roading, yet are a comfortable road vehicle as opposed to the rougher-driving 4x4 trucks. They are fuel-efficient and low-emission, making them a good choice for the environmentally conscious.

And they are affordable.

But this comes with its fair share of hate.

“What do these juveniles smoke that makes them think that they can race a Mercedes S-Class? Most blue Subaru owners have a deep sense of insecurity. Little wonder they are ever on a boundless mission to prove a point.

They brag about their cars on social media and in bars to anyone who would care to give them audience,” noted Nairobi writer City Girl in her column. “Why can’t all of you blue Subaru owners ape the nobility of Mercedes owners, the refinement of BMW owners, the sophistication of Range Rover owners and the chivalry of Porsche owners?”

It might have nothing to do with the creators of Subaru, maybe it is just the attitude of the Subaru drivers that make critics feel like it’s a car made for those who are ‘full of themselves’.

“The Subaru is a good car. I just feel like the guys who drive it take the whole showbiz thing a bit too far. Besides, maybe that is what it was made for. Who are we to take that away?” says

Ben Muthoka, a 31-year-old mechanic.

“Young men are about the adrenaline rush.

They are about experimenting and speed. As long as you can handle speed on the road and still respect your fellow drivers and traffic rules, I see nothing wrong with that.” With their tag line, ‘Confidence in Motion’ Subaru brags that nothing drives like a Subaru because nothing else is built like one. Each Subaru is engineered to put your mind at ease, while giving the power to deeply engage with your life.

Birth of Subaru Let’s go back in time. In the 50s, Fuji Jidosha Kogyo Co Ltd was established and only majored in bodywork for buses and developing the small P-1 concept car. In 1953, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd was established (changed to Subaru Corporation in 2017) as an aircraft manufacturing, sales, and maintenance company.

The first prototype four-passenger vehicle was completed, dubbed Subaru 1500, the following year.

This first passenger car provided excellent riding comfort and driving stability with its front-wheel wishbone-type independent suspension, with a coil spring and double-action oil damper combination, and rear-wheel rigid axle suspension with a three-leaf spring and double-action oil damper combination.

From then on, the company has stood the

test of time improving on a number of issues.

Big break Little was known about this small Japanese brand until the all-time greatest Safari Rally winner Shekhar Mehta got the franchise to distribute the vehicles in East Africa under ECTA motors. The big break came in 1989 when Subaru launched the Legacy, an all-new model that was bigger than its predecessor.

The first test was to develop the Legacy for the 1990 World Rally Championship and hired Finnish driver Markku Allen and Kenyans Ian Duncan and Patrick Njiru to drive the car during the Safari Rally stage. It so happened that the Safari Rally occurred during the Easter season and it had rained heavily. The grueling 1,200 kilometres took cars from Mombasa and back through treacherous terrain that exploited the physical limits of man and machine. Out of 70 entries, only 10 finished the rally. Seven of them being Legacy rally cars.

Adrenaline rush For adrenaline junkies on a budget, this is your car. Subarus commandeer loyalty to the extent that several motorsports clubs have been formed by young men and women to hold drag races and events celebrating the heritage of the Subaru brand. Uncountable accidents, however, have also been reported as a result of bad driving.

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FOOD — fork n awesome

Y

Dining etiquette starts before you get to the table RSVP within three days of receiving an invitation. Dress on the smart side of appropriate for the occasion – it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Be on time, but not more than five minutes early in case your hosts will still be in the middle of last-minute preparations. And don’t just put your phone on silent, turn it off and don’t have it in sight during the meal. Be fully present.

Getting started Wait until the host sits before you do. If a blessing will be said, be silent even if you are not religious. If the host offers a toast, lift your glass. However, you do not necessarily have to ‘clink’ someone else’s glass.

Napkin etiquette rules Place your napkin in your lap within one minute of sitting down. Don’t tuck it into your trouser or shirt; it’s a not a bib. Unfold it just enough to cover your lap. The main purpose of a napkin is to unobtrusively keep your mouth clean, not to catch dropped food.

Dab, don’t wipe; it’s poor dining etiquette to use your napkin as a towel.

Whenever you stand and plan to return, loosely fold your napkin and place it to the left of your plate.

Handling utensils A typical rule of thumb is to start with the utensil that is furthest from your plate and work your way toward the centre of your place setting.

When holding a fork, the continental style prevails at all meals, formal and informal. This is because it is a natural, non-disruptive way to eat. Simply hold your fork in your left hand, tines facing downward. Hold your knife in your right

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dining

ou could be the best dressed or most interesting person at the dinner table, but if your etiquette is lacking, you may just blow your chances of impressing an interviewer, your partner’s parents or a date, and leave a lasting bad impression.

The good thing is that table manners can be learnt. Here are the rules to keep in mind.

Other dos and don’ts: Never pull out someone’s chair for them. You can hold the door

open for them, but let your guests, both male and female, pull out their own chairs.

Don’t cut all your food before you begin eating. Cut one or two

bites at a time.

Bring your food to your face, not your face to your food; it’s a

plate, not a trough.

Use your utensils for eating, not gesturing.

Never blow on your food. If it is hot, wait a few minutes for it to

cool off. Scoop your soup away from you.

If you are drinking from a stemmed glass, hold it by the stem.

Break your bread into bite-sized pieces and butter only one bite

at a time You may reapply your lipstick, but don’t freshen the rest of your

make-up at the table.

Bonus tip: Who pays for dinner?

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rules

For business meals, the person who issued the invite pays.

Social events may be paid for by the host or split among guests. Always carry enough cash, just in case.

— fork n awesome

hand, an inch or two above the plate. Extend your index finger along the top of the blade.

Use your fork to spear and lift food to your mouth.

Food At a small table of two to four people, wait until everyone else has been served before starting to eat. When food is served at the table, the dishes should be passed counter-clockwise.

Never reach across the table for anything.

Instead, ask that condiments be passed from the person closest to the item. Salt and pepper should be passed together.

Always use serving utensils to lift food from the serving dish.

Don’t pick food from a common serving dish using your own cutlery. Use the acronym BMW to know which water glass is yours: it stands for bread, meal and water. Your bread-and-butter plate is on the left, the meal is in the middle, and your water glass is on the right. Also, never talk with food in your mouth. That’s just gross.

Resting utensils Assuming you are pausing to take a sip of water or talk to someone, place your knife and fork on your plate near the centre, slightly angled in an inverted V, and with the tips of the knife and fork pointing toward each other. When each course is finished, place your knife and fork in the 4:20 position.

Do not push away or stack your dishes, leave that to the wait staff.

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mixology – Boniface Mithika

T

hey say any time is tea time – but what about cocktails?

Probably the same line applies.

Whatever the case, no cocktail is complete without a list of ingredients – and right at the top is ice. It doesn’t matter if you are mixing up a drink on the rocks, firing up that blender or simply shaking a whisky – ice is a must have.

Unless we are talking about a champagne cocktail.

Without ice, you probably will not create a meaningful cocktail. It does much more than keep a drink chilled. What it comes down to is how you mix ice into your drink – it could mean the difference between a good and bad cocktail. That means you should give it the attention it requires. The basic rule is that better ice makes better cocktails. Let’s dive into a little more detail on ice, shall we?

Ice ball The cool and popular trend of carving ice balls was popularised by Japanese mixologists. Skilled mixologists curve balls by hand that are perfect for serving whisky on the rocks and lowball cocktails. In fact, the ice ball whisky is Japan’s alternative to

the whisky on the rocks. And well, it is not just another activity as serving whisky ice balls in Japan follows a sort of ritual with several stages. That said, ice balls are reliable as even on a hot day, they’ll last for hours.

Block ice Back in the day when the bar culture was in its early stages, bartenders used ice chipped off of a large block. The bartenders used their tools to create smaller chunks and shavings ideal for mixing drinks.

Ice cubes Ice cubes are used for almost all mixing requirements, from shaking, stirring and drinks on the rocks to those with juices and sodas. They don’t easily melt as they have a large surface area. The also cause less dilution of beverages. Prepare bigger cubes if you require slower dilution. While mixing cocktails, ice cubes break down significantly and will melt faster if poured into the glass. Cubes with a larger, thicker surface area melt more slowly and cause less dilution. Straining a mixed drink over fresh cubes is one way to avoid an overly diluted beverage.

Cracked ice Smaller than cubes, cracked ice – such as bagged ice from the store – melts faster, thus watering down drinks. It’s preferred when making frozen drinks as the larger ice cubes can clog blender blades and lead to inconsistent results.

Two-thirds to one cup of cracked ice is perfect for a single frozen daiquiri or margarita. You’ll also find cracked ice recommended in tropical cocktails, such as the Bahama mama, and it’s a good size for cocktail glasses.

Shaved ice Also referred to as crushed ice, shaved ice is the type produced most often by soda fountain machines. Non-alcoholic drinkers love them in slushies and frappes.

Basically, this is very fine ice that can be used in a glass to create a thick slurry of a cocktail. Some cocktails, like the mint julep, call for shaved ice, which you can make in the blender by chopping up ice cubes or blocks into pebbles. You then drain off the water produced and, using a bowl, pop the crushed ice in the freezer.

The

ice has it

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recipe — fork n awesome

Home-made

Granola Ingredients

4 cups old-fashioned oats 1 cup preferred nuts/seeds (I used sunflower

seeds, flaxseed, pepitas, which are the green pumpkin seeds, and cashews) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger A pinch sea salt 1/3 cup melted coconut oil 1/3 cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup chopped dried fruit (I used raisins) ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

1. Heat oven to 170°C. Line a large baking tray with

parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the melted coconut

oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract until combined.

3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients:

oats, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, pepitas, cashews,

cinnamon, ginger and sea salt until evenly combined.

4. Add the wet to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined.

5. Spread the granola out evenly on the lined baking tray.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

7. Remove from the oven, add ½ cup unsweetened

shredded coconut, and give the mixture a good stir. Bake

for five more minutes, until the granola is lightly toasted

and golden.

8. Remove from the oven and let cool until the granola

reaches room temperature (about an hour).

9. Stir in the raisins and chocolate chips.

Serve immediately as you would cereal.

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INSTRUCTIONS

horoscope

The Oracle speaks T his month’s readings are pretty much by the book, by which I mean I used charts and Chinese future-telling tea leaves that an Oracle pal brought me from Wuhan – just before the city’s shut down.

PISCES (February 20 – March 20) You will have a rather sluggish start to March, but start fishing for opportunities from March sixth to 10th, and your efforts will be rewarded in mid-March; but you will have to work both very hard and smart between March 11 and 15 to realise these gains. While we see romance in the air end month, you may feel a bit emotionally empty and exhausted in the March 20s.

ARIES (March 21 – April 20) Maybe it is the Ides of March, but you may make risky decisions this month that cost you either health or wealth in the long run if you make the wrong turn. Your constellation sign warns: ‘Proceed with caution.’ Use your common sense, have a ‘Live and let die’ attitude in March, and don’t feel let down if you get dissed or ‘disrespected,’ nor should you seek to retaliate.

Instead, bide your time, like Joe Biden.

TAURUS (April 21 – May 20) March is the month for Taurus to explore all available options available, both in your personal and professional life. March 1st to 10th, do the groundwork by researching or calling ahead.

Mid-March, be a creative bull and charge after the objects of your target/desire. Late March, put in a lot of effort. If you don’t, by March 31, you’ll lament lost opportunities that may not return, at least not in the year 2020.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) This is the month that Gemini learns that life is not always a gem, especially after 60 days of New Year’s resolutions. If you have been dieting or trying to exercise and it’s not working, drop it and go with the flow. We, however, recommend a visit to a good bookstore to stock up on management and motivational reading. The Astrologer is just here to predict monthly futures, not to help with breaking from your past.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) It’s a sterling month ahead of you, with the ‘soils’ rich, loose and fertile as per the stars. But tend

the seeds you sow carefully, don’t be in a rush to ‘harvest’ lest you ruin the crop that you rely on.

Carefully control impulsive urges/reactions between the sixth and 10th of March. A door may close in mid-March (Ides of March!) but you’ll bounce back quickly. Cancer should socialise and network a lot.

- The Pulser Astrologist

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 20) March will be a much more melancholic month for Capricorn, and you may come across as being a bit clingy. If you have a loved one, seek solace with them; if not, beware the affections of strangers, especially if from a lady. The famed Kenyan #TeamFisi, even if not much spoken of these days, still prowl the star savannah.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) A rare astral alignment in your planetary axis with the sun suggests not fun but family for the month of March. If ever you have wanted to partner with a family member, whether a sibling or spouse, in a venture, this is your month. Alliances with Aries are especially profitable, whether in business or romance.

AQUARIUS (January 21 – February 19) The tea leaves see things getting intense, either at work or with a friendship, relationship or ‘situationship’. Keep your sense of space and freedom, even as others try to tie you up in knots!

A Gemini, Libra, Taurus or Sagittarius will pop up some time in 2020, and your life will really change.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 23) In the past, your money decisions may have been a mess, but all that changes for you in March as you march forward. A faraway cosmic event this month, 260 light years away in the binary star system of Spica, sparks a change of fortune for Virgo this month. Carpe diem, Virgo!

LIBRA (September 24 – October 23) Okay, so I couldn’t resist a peek through the telescope for Virgo, Libra and Scorpio, and looking at Libra’s Venus planet alignment, I am afraid things will be hell for Librans in the first three weeks of the month. But from sunset March 24, everything will get better and you should end the month on a hopeful note.

SCORPIO (October 24 – November 22) Looking at the red star Antares at the heart of the Scorpio zodiac, it is clear to The Astrologer that this is the month for Scorpio to seek as much leave time from work as possible. If you can, travel, if you can’t, rest and rejuvenate; but it is critical that you take a break, rest and relax.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 – December 21) Your psychic force is especially powerful this month, and you can turn your instincts and gut into very practical ideas, especially in the first three weeks of the month. After that, take a breath, do home improvements, visit with family or seek solitude with a good book, strong beer or relaxing wine. Cheers!

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hot of the month

— BONIFACE MITHIKA & ESTHER MUCHENE

COURTESY

Thrill, adrenaline, adventure; THAT’S THE NAME OF THE GAME IN TOWN AS FEMALE bikers scorch a path in WHAT WAS A male-dominated space

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Babes on wheels

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W

hat do you think of when you hear the word ‘Bikers club’?

One image that typically appears to your mind is the stereotypical bearded biker rocking a leather jacket and riding a motorbike. However, over the years, this has changed. The phrase, ‘women can’t ride’ is a classic excuse from the patriarchy, and we ain’t rooting for it.

“I enjoy travelling and discovering new cultures and I mostly do it on my bike. Be it short distances or long distances out of Nairobi, the thrill is unexplainable and I plan to visit South Africa in the near future on my two-wheeler,” says Faith Kanja, a communications consultant and a biking enthusiast.

There’s nothing quite as sexy and empowering as women ruling biking lanes and breaking barriers.

Take the Throttle Queens, for instance. QT was founded in 2017 with the sole aim of inspiring more women to take up motorcycle riding. The all-female club encourages members to head out on roadtrips to connect with fellow bikers, and participates and volunteers in motorcycling events and social causes. To join, you must own a motorcycle and have a driver’s licence.

“Seeking to unite a sisterhood of motorcycle riders and bikers, go on rides and enjoy each other’s company. We emphasise an understanding that, in most women’s lives, family becomes a primary responsibility. We all have different backgrounds, interests, jobs and lives, but we find common ground when we cruise the counties and let go of all inhibitions,” says Ciku Mbithi, the founder.

Although united by their love for the fast lane, it is the same adventurous spirit that has brought them

heartache. They lost a member to an accident and took it upon themselves to fuel a campaign to stop road carnage. They rode across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda spreading the gospel on road safety.

Inked Sisterhood is another vocal and visible figure in the industry. Patience Mehta, a farmer and administrator, founded the club three years ago with the aim of connecting and empowering women who love motorbikes. The club is now a training school for motorcycle lovers.

Nicknamed Empress Peanut because of her small stature and leadership style, Turn to pgs 20 & 21

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gh the g u o y h in Alt ted b f rid uni ill o cles, thr torcy e mo s sam rous thi entu as adv rit h them spi ught e. bro rtach hea

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Mehta was inspired to take up riding after watching the 2010 US TV series Nikita. She says the name of the gang is more of a metaphor.

“The ink is what we use to tell our riding story, it’s not because we all have tattoos,” she says.

Social worker Amanya Kuchio says her love for riding was birthed by her hate for being stuck traffic.

“It is therapeutic and cost effective. I love zooming past vehicles stuck in traffic and feeling totally liberated,” she told the BBC. “In addition, the support and unity in the biking community is just amazing.”

Across the globe, more women have been inspired to ride out onto the open road, embracing the spirit of adventure and even crossing borders with a confident grip on the handlebars.

Hayley Bell from the United Kingdom took the trend a step further through her initiative, the Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) in August 2018.

The baton for the African leg of the relay arrived on January 2, 2020, from South Africa.

Since then, they’ve ridden through Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania. The baton was then passed on to a representative from the United Arab Emirates on January 29, 2020.

“There are several things you adhere to as a biker. Some ride on the middle of the lane, some at the edge, and the rest race up and down, pulling stunts. You need to watch your side mirrors, check indicators, brake lights and movements.

You need to have enough reaction time and distance,” says Lucy Monyenye, a member of Inked Sisterhood.

She recently rode from Kenya to Malawi and back.

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COURTESY

From pgs 18 & 19

HOT OF THE MONTH — BONIFACE MITHIKA & ESTHER MUCHENE

girl power

Currently the fastest female superbiker in Kenya, Mina Reeve speaks to Pulser on breaking barriers on her two-wheeled monster

P: What inspired you?

M: My inspiration came from a night out in Nairobi when a superbiker let me ride pillion.

P: How old are you?

M: I am 28.

P: You are a teacher and a businesswoman.

When do you find the time to ride?

M: One of my main strengths is that I am quite organised in all aspects of my life. I teach full-time and with the help of my friends, we run Nami Africa, a PR firm I founded in 2016. With planning, I am able to free up some time for riding.

P: Does this interfere with your relationship?

M: Not at all. I am glad to have a supportive family, friends and partner.

P: What bike do you currently have?

M: I currently have a Yamaha R25 2016 model - the same bike I learnt how to ride. It is versatile, lightweight and a perfect fit for me.

P: Do you ride to work?

M: I am all about keeping a fit and healthy lifestyle, I therefore opt to walk to work. Fortunately, I do not live far from my workplace.

P: Do you drive?

M: Yes, I do drive, for instance, when I have to go shopping for groceries or I have a lot of things I need to carry. Biking is a hobby and for competition, whereas driving is for commuting and everyday use.

P: Are you the fastest female biker?

M: Looking at the lap time records held at the Whistling Moran’s track in Athi River, I have the fastest lap time compared to other female racers who have competed on that track. This then makes me the fastest female on a super bike on track for the 2019 season. It also won me the Best Lady Super Bike Racer award from Motor Sports Federation of Kenya.

P: What is your worst riding experience?

M: I have had few nasty falls on the track, but the most memorable was when I fell going around one of the corners and I sort of belly flopped onto the tarmac. I had to have my gear peeled off my body, but I was attended to by the medics on site.

M: I have two main initiatives I am passionate about. I raise funds to support the elderly living with Parkinson’s disease. I also run an initiative that empowers women within their communities.

I aspire to loan a bike to one woman in one household and teach her how to ride and carry goods or passengers. We will then teach them how to manage the funds generated so that they can repay the loan and keep the bike. When a sponsor gives money to my Gogo Racing Team, a percentage goes to the two charitable initiatives.

P. Are you a solo rider or are you a member of a club?

M: I co-own Gogo Racing Team, which has about 20 team members with five super bike racers, two super kart racers and two racers who compete in the car championships. I am also part of the Superbike Association and Tachytita Racers, a group of female super bike racers on track in Eastern Africa. I have been licensed by the Motor Sport Federation of Kenya, which is affiliated with FIM-Africa (Federation Internationale Motorcyclisme), which enables me to compete in any international competition globally.

P. What is the biggest misconception people have about you as a female biker?

M: I am too cute and pretty to ride super bikes. I have been told to leave racing to the ‘big boys’.

COURTESY

P

ulser: Let’s talk your first ride.

Mina: I started learning how to ride in November 2018 on a Yamaha R25.

P: Are you involved in any charity work?

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pulser pulser magazine magazine march march 2020 2020

FASHION – Esther Muchene

COURTESY

You can’t be faulted if you find yourself in a style rut due to dull or dreary weather – it happens to all of us. But this is when colour comes out to play.

The right shade is a sure-fire way to uplift your spirits.

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Swimsuits should be about fun and games. Don’t be restricted to a particular silhouette – explore and work with your body. The right print and cut will make for a megawatt look that’s also edgy.

I

f you find yourself drawn to the

minimalist side of style, one thing is for sure, you’ll find yourself flirting with being seriously chic. But there are a multitude of styles to pick from, which makes standing a rather daunting task. However, paired and worn right, simple outfits will elevate your look and give you an iconic style that provides major inspiration.

COURTESY

A beautiful dress should always be the masterpiece.

Let it shine by keeping the accessories simple and clean.

Chic & sweet Turn to pgs 36 & 37

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FASHION

Metallics will set you on the right fashion path if careful consideration is put into how well the colours flow. Build up on the main tone without getting too excited.

Remember, it’s all about a clean and simple aesthetic.

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COURTESY

Whether you’re a huge fan of bodysuits or not there is no denying their versatility. What seemingly started as a staple to be paired with jeans has now become a secret weapon.

Join the bandwagon with the early aughts who are taking bodysuits to glorious new levels.

Mules have quickly gone from being a tricky trend to a serious obsession. Add an instant touch of cool by pairing it with a skirt. Quick tip: a thicker heel and sturdy shape will stand up to the elements better than a spindly stiletto with an exaggerated pointy toe.

Model: DJ Malaika

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BEATS & PACES – Mkala Mwangesha

S

auti Sol guys love the ladies. I can name a few: Suzanna, Awinja, Malkia, Nerea, Isabella.

And the ladies love Sauti Sol right back. Footage of female fans reaching out for just a touch of the well-oiled six-packs of the group members as they perform Nishike are legendary. The band’s members had to hit the gym to get those six-packs and the ensuing video, deemed ‘R’ for mainstream TV stations.

The love was apparent at Nairobi’s Mövenpick Hotel & Residences on February 13 as Sauti Sol headlined The Midnight Train, an evening of great live music courtesy of Trace TV. The Midnight Train is also the name of their upcoming album.

Willis Chimano asked the crowd to dance with the band, and mostly female fans thronged the small stage, moving to every beat at the live gig.

“Thank you Trace, but most of all, thank you (fans) for making time to be here with us,” Chimano said in the midst of the 50-minute performance.

Sauti Sol – the Afro-pop band comprising Chimano, Bien-Aimé Baraza, Savara Mudigi and Polycarp Otieno – is an award-winning music group with interests in fashion, pan-Africanism, culture and social consciousness.

As Taio, former Camp Mulla member and MC of the night put it, Sauti Sol “is a national treasure.”

Few could argue with this. Sauti Sol is the first Kenyan music band to get signed

by Universal Music Group (UMG) through its African subsidiary, Universal Music Africa (UMA).

UMG is the biggest music company in the world, pulling in revenues of $7.1 billion (Sh710 billion) in 2018. With music labels like Young Money, Def Jam Recordings, EMI, Island, Motown and Shady Records under its imprint, UMG boasts of having

access to a global market across different genres and countries.

“UMG’s artistes are second to none.

We invest in our artistes at every stage of their careers and strive to provide the most creative and commercial opportunities possible. We also provide UMG artistes with the latest technology to keep track of the performances of their music, both financially and from a marketing perspective,” the UMG website declares.

With an agreement with more than 400 platforms across the globe, Sauti Sol’s music will flow across all corners of the world. The band will enjoy similar systems to those at the disposal of global superstars like Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Drake, Elton John, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, U2 and dearly departed legends like Luciano Pavarotti and Marvin Gaye.

While signing the deal in South Africa, Sipho Dlamini, the managing director of UMG South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sauti Sol, one of the most innovative and creative groups to have broken through from Africa in recent years. Universal Music Africa is dedicated to helping the best African music talent reach new audiences around the world and we are excited to welcome them to our global UMG family.”

For many, the move had been many years coming as the group built a brand that award shows and music organisers could not ignore; a group that wowed different countries with exhilarating shows.

“We look forward to working together with them to ensure they are able to authentically celebrate Africa through music and to help introduce their unique blend of Afro-pop to new listeners everywhere,” Dlamini said.

A few days after the deal was Turn to pgs 28 & 29

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COURTESY

Having signed under Universal Music Group through its African subsidiary, Universal Music Africa (UMA), Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol joins the league of the world’s greats, including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Drake

Sauti to the World pulser magazine march 2020

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BEATS & PACES

From pgs 26 & 27

as w ’ e k i on h s ‘Ni nned ream ba inst ove ma , a m d TV e ban th d not ate di ticip k in an t too bu ide. str

announced, Sauti Sol dropped Suzanna, a song about a lover who has her mind on the finer things in life instead of reciprocating the love she’s being given by a man. Vintage scenes, retro fashion and African vibes, the video went viral. The band members’ clothes celebrate a time when tight trousers, unbuttoned shirts and perms were the in-thing.

Suzanna is the first song in Midnight Train, the band’s fifth album that is ready, according to Bien.

“The album is ready, and we will launch it in May,” the band’s front man said in between hit songs at Mövenpick .

And the world is waiting On February 10, Nigerian artiste and African giant Yemi Alade tweeted, “Congrats to my brothers from Kenya @SautiSol on their

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signing to UMG and the beautiful video #Suzanna…” and urged her fans to watch the video.

Who would have thought an acapella group from Nairobi’s Upper Hill High School would conquer the world 15 years later?

Though already known in Nairobi’s active art and culture circles, it was not until the release of their first single, Lazizi, that the country took notice of Sauti Sol. Shot on stage in a theatre and with outdoor scenes at the Arboretum, the artistes looking like ordinary folk. The video features notable faces like Anyiko Awoko, who would later host a social scene show on KBC and become Sauti Sol’s publicist before becoming one of the best and most professional publicists in Kenya.

The second single, Blue

COURTESY

Uniform, was a masterpiece. Sauti Sol took an issue that plagues urban youth – harassment from police – and turned it into an art form.

The video, shot in a studio with a few outdoor scenes, features the same cast from Lazizi.

The two videos were the work of Jim Chuchu, then a member of Just a Band, and were part of Mwanzo, a 14-song album released in mid-2009.

Two years later, Sauti Sol was back with Sol Filosofia. The members had acquired more swag, more style and were in total command of their musical talents. The album, a product of Penya Records, had Soma Kijana and Coming Home as its lead singles, with the latter winning the Best Music Video gong at the 2011 Kisima Awards.

The penmanship was exemplary, music arrangement impeccable and the video concepts different and well thought out.

Unlike Mwanzo, Sol Filosofia features more hits. The words to Malikia, Mbinguni, Awinja, Nambee and Row Your Boat were rolling off fans’ tongues whenever the group took to the stage, or when any of the jams played on radio. It was Sol Filosofia that earned the group the Best Fusion Artiste/Group of the Year at Kisima, which was then the best and most prestigious awards ceremony in Kenya.

Sauti Sol was a breath of fresh air and signified a change of strategy in the industry.

They oozed dedication, hard work, great artistry, consistency and were good at keeping discipline. There were no beefs, just work.

Taking into account Camp Mulla’s short-lived existence, I would say Sauti Sol is arguably the first professional outfit we have had in contemporary music.

Even getting a sound bite from one member of the group on the sidelines of a show was a difficult task if you did not involve their publicist and manager. At a time when the industry was leaking gossip and hype, what Tanzanians call ‘kiki’, there was none of that from the Sauti camp – just viral videos.

Live and Die in Afrika, their 2015 album, was the reinvention of Sauti Sol and features a fully pop sound, with songs like Sura Yako and Shake Yo Bam Bam dance hits. It also carries Nishike, a thirst-invoking number, Live and Die in Afrika, an Afro-pop jam, while Still the One reassures their female fans. The lovely Nerea, featuring Amos and Josh, and Kuliko Jana, an acapella with the Red Fourth Chorus, also features in the album.

Nishike was banned on mainstream TV, a move the band did not anticipate but took in stride. According to Savara, speaking to Morgan Greenstreet of Afropop Worldwide, Sauti Sol is all about trying out new things.

“Well, the song is pretty straightforward.

We didn’t see anything out of the norm in

Turn to pgs 30 & 31

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COURTESY

Chimano

Savara Mudigi From pgs 28 & 29

that, really, but to our people, especially our Kenyan audience ... the kind of music we did before Nishike was very, very conservative in terms of expression, in terms of expressing sexual feelings. But it came to a point whereby we needed to push people’s taste buds, we needed to do something out of the norm, and that’s why we did Nishike,” he said.

Savara added: “We understood that our kind of audience – especially in East Africa – would find it surprising, out of the norm. We always do it. We are always the guinea pigs, we push the limits for people. Then we did it and the video came out and everybody was just like, ‘Oh my God!’ But till now it is one of our most successful videos.”

The album cover was loaded with African imperialism, colour, fashion and machismo. Even a massive c**k made an appearance! The album, which was free in its first 48 hours, was said to have been downloaded more than 400,000 times, inevitably introducing fans to Sauti Sol’s

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website.

Live and Die in Afrika is also the first time Sauti Sol ventured into in-house production of its own music, collaborating with different producers but having a major say in the output. Even with that change, the heavily acoustic sound is still a trademark of Sauti Sol. “Live and Die in Afrika is Africans telling our own story, we are the drivers of our own destiny, we are the ones who are going to determine what comes out of us.

We want to show the positive aspects of Africa, that in Africa we also have good things going on.

The millennials in Africa are the ones who are going to change the perception of what Africa is,” Chimano told Afropop Worldwide.

The band then did the unthinkable – a self-sponsored five-week tour around the country for live shows, the Live and Die in Afrika Tour. The unthinkable

march 2020 pulser magazine

Bien-Aimé Baraza

of the lead songs on Afrikan Sauce.

At Mövenpick, with the exception of Crystal, the signees warmed the crowd with their own hits, songwriting and fashion sense – a mirror of those that walked before them.

a wealth of awards

Polycarp Otieno because for most artistes, funding a tour is expensive and requires the muscle of major corporates behind it. It was a total success, with venues at full capacity and the reviews positive.

The band spent millions of shillings, with a back-up of more than 100 crew members, sound systems and a branded tour bus courtesy of Modern Coast.

“It took almost a year to prepare and pull off the show. We used over Sh63 million for the tours. We are glad we had sponsors who supported us and ensured it was a success,” said Sauti Sol’s band manager at the time, Merek Fuchs.

In terms of the number of hits on radio and TV and the number of popular songs played in clubs, we can confidently say Sauti Sol was the Kenyan act of the past decade. The group redefined showbiz with colourful photo shoots, fashion boldness, concept artworks for albums, a clear strategy on release of music, and a dedication to well-balanced albums.

They performed on the streets, as well as at high-level events at State House. Sauti Sol made music for a testosterone-filled teenager to listen to seated next to their grandparents.

And not satisfied with just creating content

for the region, Sauti Sol cast its net wider to Africa and beyond.

Afrikan Sauce, released in bits throughout 2018, went for the jugular. Sauti got top continental stars to studios, and made hit after hit with C4 Pedro (Love Again), Bebe Cool (Mbozi za Malwa), Yemi Alade (Africa), Patoranking (Melanin), Tiwa Savage (Girl Next Door), 2Baba (Oya Come Make We Go) and even Kenyan stars Khaligraph (Rewind) and Nyashinski (Short and Sweet & Tujiangalie).

Afrikan Sauce was loaded with love songs, Afro-pop hits, ragga and dancehall jams, and all the videos were shot in spectacular format with emphasis on the beautiful. Again, fashion and colour are among the main themes.

The bold idea to drop a jam every month was commendable and showed the group’s commitment to trying out new things. It did not work out due to money issues, but they attempted it.

In the midst of Afrikan Sauce’s popularity, Sauti Sol launched their own production outfit, Sol Generation Records, and then released Extravaganza, a hot jam featuring the label’s signed artistes, Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Kaskazini and Crystal Asige. It was also revealed that Nviiri co-wrote Heartbreaker, one

2017: HiPiPo Music Awards (Uganda)

– Song of the Year – Kenya & Unconditionally Bae) 2016: Soundcity MVP – Best Group 2016: MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Group 2016: All Africa Muzik Magazine Awards

(AFRIMMA) – Best African Group 2016: Pulse Music Video Awards – YouTube Video of

the Year (Sura Yako) 2016: Pulse Music Video Awards – Best Collaboration

(Nerea ft Amos &Josh) 2016: Bingwa Awards – Best Male Artiste in East Africa 2015 : All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)

– Best Group & Producer of the Year 2015 : African Muzik Magazine Awards

( Best African Group) 2015 : OLX SOMA ( Instagram Personality

& YouTube Channel Award) 2015 : Best Song in East Africa (Sura Yako) at the

Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards 2015 : Most Downloaded Group (Sauti Sol)

and Most Downloaded Single (Sura Yako)

at the 2015 Mdundo Music Awards 2015: Awarded Role Models by the Riara

Group of Schools

(For their SomaSoma Initiative) 2015 : BBC’S 1Xtra – Top African Act to Watch 2014 : MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA)

– Best African Act 2014 : OLX SOMA – Best Use of Social Media

for Entertainment 2014 : Bingwa Music Awards – Best Music Video in Kenya

(Sura Yako) 2013 : Artiste of the Year at Kenya’s inaugural

Social Media Awards (SOMA) 2012 : East Africa’s Most Gifted Music Video Channel O

Music Video Awards (CHOMVA) – I Don’t Want

to be Alone (Shukuru) with AY 2012 : Chaguo La Teeniez (CHAT) Awards

– Best Collaboration in Kenya

(Gentleman ft P-Unit) 2011 : Chaguo La Teeniz (CHAT) Awards

– Best Group in Kenya 2011 : Kisima Music Award – Best

Afro-Fusion Group 2011 : Kisima Music Award – Best Music Video

Coming Home 2010: Museke Online Africa Music Award

for Best Group

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HOT IN AFRICA – Salima Muigai

C

all her the Queen of Dark, Nyakim Gatwech is the South Sudanese model who is going at it hard in the USA. She is the new girl to watch.

She has inspired so many young women all around the world to appreciate their skin colour. However, the journey has been not been all rosy for the 27-year-old. Here are some things you should know about this star.

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The queen of melanin

Nyakim Gatwech is taking the American modelling industry by storm, and redefining beauty with her stunning look

She was once a refugee At age 14, Nyakim Gatwech ran away from home to escape the civil war. With her mother and siblings, she walked from South Sudan to a refugee camp in Kenya before she finally left for the United States of America in 2007, where she managed to pursue her dream.

She is a victim of colourism Ever since she moved to America, she has brutally experienced colourism. And it still hasn’t let up. Kids made fun of her when she was in middle school because of her dark complexion. Nyakim took to social media and posted about her interaction with an Uber driver who asked her if she would change her skin for $10,000 (Sh10 million) – telling her that she would never get a man or even a job because of her complexion. Nyakim, however, laughed it off and said she would never change her skin colour for anything in the world as she considers it a blessing. However, at one point, she considered bleaching her skin until her sister talked her out of it.

COURTESY

She is a Fashion Nova ambassador The American-based retail company Fashion Nova has seen its brand worn by highly influential personalities like Kylie Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Cardi B. Nyakim has joined their ranks as a Fashion Nova ambassador, which catapulted her modelling career.

She is an aspiring elementary school teacher As much as she has her modelling career and a deal with one of the best fashion brands in America, Nyakim still aspires to be an elementary school teacher. She considers it her way of giving back to the community and a way of helping others who went through what she went through.

She learned the meaning of the word ‘model’ when she was 14 Nyakim first learned who a model is while at a grocery store. Strangers would stop her and tell her that she should consider pursuing modelling as a career. A language barrier prevented Nyakim from understanding what she was being told at that time.

Her social media status has been one of the biggest contributors to her brand Apart from her modelling career, the 27-year-old has also gained traction through social media, where she has been able to maximise on her brand. With more than 683,000 followers on Instagram, her influential personality opened doors for her. This led to a partnership with one of the biggest cosmetics company, Annabelle Cosmetics, which came across her page and reached out to work with her.

She knows the secret to a successful modelling career She knows she represents an image of beauty and inspiration for young women around the world, and the one thing she believes in is loving yourself first no matter how other people view you.

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OUT AND ABOUT

– peter muiruri

G

Plan, plan, plan Most of us keep a diary of the most important things in our lives. It should be no different with travel plans. Pencil in the dates you’d like to go on holiday and work towards that goal. Keep evaluating your travel plans and make adjustments where necessary.

Start saving We save for school fees, to buy a car or for that plot along Kangundo Road. We can also get in the culture of saving for a holiday.

Whether you intend to visit a local spot or an exotic one, drawing up a budget will help you save with a specific goal in mind.

Interestingly, most of those tourists you see trooping into our country do not have loads of cash back home. They just got into a saving culture for that holiday at the Maasai Mara.

If you believe, you can fly…

Planes were invented for people, use them. Easier said than done, you may say.

Remember, however, that airlines only exist if people want to fly. And the flying experience is largely the same, regardless of the airline. Therefore, search for cheap

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flights online – and do it every so often. In the low season, most airlines have discounted flights that they post on their online forums.

This, however, may mean that you adjust your travel plans to match the discount period. For example, such flights may mean you travel late at night, or may have a number of stopovers before they get you to your final stop. But you’ve got the time, right? After all, you’re on holiday.

Get friends to donate air miles It is not preposterous to ask your frequent flier friends to donate some of the air miles they do not intend to use. These miles have an expiry date, after all, and if they’re not used by then, they go to waste. Check which airlines allow their customers to donate miles to another person – and to which destinations.

You can then top up the difference in cash, which is a cheaper option that coughing up the entire amount.

Travel when others are back from holiday Have you ever walked along the beach in Mombasa only to bump into your workmates?

You’ve probably scheduled your break during the holiday rush. Travel and accommodation costs tend to go up during this period. Avoid

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travel like royalty on a Pauper’s budget

oing on a holiday can sound like a luxury for many people. However, taking a well-deserved break is essential for the body and mind. Granted, a lack of money is a key reason to put off that holiday – but you don’t have to be swimming in cash to travel. Here are some tips to help you get to your preferred destination – or at least close enough – on the cheap.

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sightseeing or a concert. On the other hand, do not pack so much you end up being penalised by an airline for those extra kilos in your suitcase.

the awkwardness by taking your holiday during off-seasons. Aside from paying less, you will be the centre of attention at most hospitality establishments as there will be fewer guests to cater to.

The more the merrier Ever tried group travel? Most group bookings result in discounted rates both for travel and accommodation. Travelling as a family or friends means you can share accommodation in a hotel or at an Airbnb. A word of caution though; make sure everyone in your group is reading from the same script. Nothing can ruin a holiday faster than having a bunch that makes life difficult for others on holiday.

Use your social networkss well Do you have a relative or a friend living abroad? This can get you good local hotel or hostel rates. Just don’t take advantage of their generosity – and help them out when it’s their turn to visit a holiday destination near you.

No roaming please!

We are talking of cell phones here. If you’re travelling abroad, buy a local SIM card rather than subscribe to a roaming service whose costs can get pretty high.

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Pack all that you need This sounds obvious, right? Well, not to everyone. If you are travelling on a budget, the last thing you want to do is start shopping for essential items, using up money you had saved for meals,

Volunteering helps Are you a member of a recognised charitable organisation? Do not hesitate to let airlines know when booking your ticket. Some airlines give special consideration to people who volunteer for special causes – as long they can produce a document that identifies them as such. The same concept works for students – just make sure you carry your student ID for verification.

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TRAVEL – Boniface Mithika

East Africa’s urban capital exudes history, romance and adventure, turning it into a travel haven that charms locaL and foreign tourists

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rom ultra-modern skyscrappers to giant shopping complexes, adventure hotspots, and museums and cultural centres that celebrate the continent’s rich history, Nairobi, the cosmopolitan capital of Kenya, is worth a visit.

Whether you’re a local tourist looking for an afternoon outing on a budget or a foreigner looking to explore the wonders of Africa’s capital cities, here are some ideas on how to get the most out of Nairobi’s best sites.

Kenyatta International Convention Centre A visit to Nairobi cannot be complete without the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). It is a city landmark, and an iconic international conference, meetings and exhibitions location. The 28-storey tower was constructed in the 1960s and designed by the Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik and Kenya’s David Mutiso.

KICC has distinguished itself as a premier meetings location in the region, and is adjacent to Parliament. From its rooftop, it offers one of the most picturesque views of the Nairobi skyline.

Nairobi National Park Nairobi is famed for being a city that has a

national park within its borders, and it’s accessible from the main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The park is only seven kilometes from the Central Business District (CBD) and hosts a variety of wildlife, including lions, buffalo, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and a variety of bird species.

The Nairobi Safari Walk is a popular attraction for those looking for adventure or a leisurely outdoor outing. You can expect to enjoy walking trails, close-up views of various wildlife and get in some bird spotting. There is also the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a rescue and rehabilitation centre that cares for abandoned animals, especially rhinos and elephants. And right adjacent to the Nairobi National Park is the Giraffe Centre, a non-profit centre that offers rich conservation education.

National Museums of Kenya The National Museums of Kenya is one of rich historical and cultural information banks in the city. You can spend an entire day marvelling over the displays of diverse cultural artefacts and historical collections from across the country. The museum has a rich collection on the evolution of man, complete with fossils from Lake Turkana and amazing geological collections. While here, you may also want to

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Ngong Hills Located south-west of Nairobi, the splendid Ngong Hills form the peaks in a ridge along the Great Rift Valley. The hills are a popular place to visit, especially for those who enjoy venturing into the great outdoors for activities, such as camping, hiking and viewing wildlife. Historically, many colonial settlers established their farms there. The word ‘Ngong’ is an anglicisation of a Maasai phrase, ‘enkong’u emuny’ meaning ‘rhinoceros spring’, derived from a spring located near Ngong Town. There are many walking trails that traverse the hills for adventure lovers and for those seeking romantic escapades. Ngong Hills

also has a centre at Kompas Hotel where one can enjoy activities like ziplining, bike riding, archery and picnics at affordable prices. It is an ideal place for team building and family-friendly outings. At the foot of Ngong Hills is Karen Blixen Museum, which is the home of Danish author Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa.

Uhuru Park and Uhuru Gardens Uhuru Park has hosted its fair share of protest and political revolution rallies. Today, the 12.9-hectare recreational park is more likely to host happy families and star-struck lovers out on a picnic. The park is open to the public and has an artificial lake that allows for various water activities, and a number of monuments.

It’s also popular for skateboarding, especially on weekends.

Then, there is Uhuru Gardens, Kenya’s largest memorial park, located along Langata Road. It also serves as a recreational centre.

This is where the first Kenyan flag was raised, marking the country’s independence on December 12, 1963.

Nairobi Railway Museum The Nairobi Railway Museum is right next to the Nairobi Railway Station and contains exhibits from the defunct East African Railways corporation, including three operational steam locomotives that are stored securely. Visitors must request an appointment to view them. The museum also hosts art galleries, giving visitors a chance to interact with upcoming artists and their works.

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visit the Snake Park that hosts different types of the reptile.

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the glow – PERIS WAMBUGU

world

This is the year we’re going big on colour, so it makes sense to try out bolder looks.

We are calling this the rainbow look.

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Colour your

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Trends from the 70s and 80s are making a huge comeback – including the popular red lip. This look incorporates a dark lip liner to exude both boldness and confidence.

For that funky weekend look, go for a mixture of both purple and pink to get the perfect eyeshadow shade.

Yet another simple glam look that can work for any occasion, preferably a wedding or even a date. It’s both soft and neutral and brings out natural facial features beautifully.

Muse: Marlene Nerima Kong’ani Make-up Artist: Marlene Nerima Kong’ani Instagram: @kongieliscious Products used: Mac Cosmetics

glam world – faith the whisperer

Power suit Rock that power suit like a boss. Suits have shifted from the boardroom to the streets. With a wide range of designs and colours to choose from, you can rock a suit to an event and look stylish.

Some of the people who know how to rock a power suit are Instagram personalities Maureen Waititu and Fashionable Stepmum.

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Sassy sneakers With the growing demand for comfort, athleisure has taken over the fashion world. Even the it-girls are ditching heels for sneakers. However, to be an it-girl, your sneaker game also has to be enviable. You can go for the classic yet trendy sneaker, like Air Force 1s, Fila Disruptors or Converse. Try and colour co-ordinate your sneakers and outfit to make the look pop.

Biker shorts We can all thank Kim Kardashian for this trendy comeback. Biker shorts were big in the 90s and became a major trend in 2019. Though there are mixed feelings about this trend, there’s no doubt that it’s a bold look fit for an it-girl. Biker shorts can be dressed up with a blazer and heels, or dressed down with a T-shirt and sneakers, depending on the occasion.

Become the It-Girl O

ver the years, it-girls have taken the world by storm with their enviable fashion sense.

From Marilyn Monroe to Kim Kardashian, it-girls know how to pull off a look with class and finesse. To become an it-girl, your sense of style has to have a wow factor that complements your natural looks and makes you stand out. Here are some easy it-girl looks to try out.

Pleated midi-skirt The pleated midi-skirt is the go-to look when you have a 9 to 5 job but you still want to channel your inner it-girl. It’s great for the office and after-hour plans while still winning you serious style points. Pair it with a sleeveless top and a pair of heels.

This look will make you an it-girl at your office at least.

High-waisted boyfriend jeans This classic look is so effortlessly chic and comfortable, making it perfect for a casual day out. Unlike skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans are more loose-fitting. A pair of distressed boyfriend jeans makes the outfit more edgy. It can be styled with a knitted sweater and a pair of flats. Pulling off this outfit will definitely earn you a spot on the it-girl list.

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fitness - Barbara Nyambura

it’s about Fitness and nutrition – not just body size

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ur body is a machine that moves us from one point to another through life.

If it fails early, then so do we. Therefore, we want to keep it as well-oiled and well-serviced as possible.

Know your fitness goals Fitness results are different and progress at varying rates for each individual. Everyone is different in body type, genetics, possible medical issues and even age. All these play a role in our ability to achieve health and fitness results. We should all be serious about reaching our fitness goals, such as eating right for a healthier life, rather than chasing after temporary fixes to keep our weight in check.

Keep it simple and easy Walking, running, swimming, cycling, jogging, aerobic dancing or any other of the dozens of activities available can help your heart. They all cause you to feel warm, perspire and breathe heavily without being out of breath and without feeling any burning sensation in your muscles.

Whether it is a structured exercise programme or just part of your daily routine, all exercise adds up to a healthier heart. Work out in the great outdoors as this aids your mental and spiritual health and is a proven remedy to depression.

Find an activity you like Sometimes we focus so much on our body that we fail to enjoy the process of getting fit. It is important not to stress about your training programme to a point where it feels like a burden. Fitness is a progressive journey and goals are constantly being revised according to body changes. There’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy exercising. Find an activity you like. Maybe it’s not something you do at the gym, which is even better – that’s money saved!

Eat healthy Maintaining a healthy body means fuelling it correctly. You need to consider the source of the

food, especially processed meals, and how much you are consuming. Ultimately, the body requires certain amounts of vitamins and minerals per day to function properly. Holistically, good nutrition means your body gets all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to work at its best. Plan your meals and snacks to include nutrient-dense foods that are low in calories. Nutrition is important to wellness because it allows you to perform optimally.

Good nutrition is the key to good mental and physical health.

The type and amount of food you eat affects the way you feel and how your body works. If the mix is wrong, you become sluggish, cranky and don’t sleep well. Think about how you feel the day after a booze session. If you’re looking to get in shape physically, mentally and socially, it’s recommended that you avoid fad diets.

Keep a relaxed attitude Fitness in a bottle doesn’t exist. Fit and healthy people tend to be happy, confident and are not consumed by body image. A more relaxed attitude gives them the ability to enjoy all stages of getting fit regardless of their body size. And yes, skinny people need to work out and eat right, too. Exercise should be as compulsory to the body as a healthy meal is.

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movies – BONIFACE MITHIKA

Cast: Vin Diesel, Eiza González, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell, Guy Pearce Genre: Fantasy/Drama Directed by: David SF Wilson Release date: March 13

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his superhero film features slain soldier Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) who is re-animated with superpowers by scientists. This follows after he and his wife are suddenly assassinated.

Enhanced with nanotechnology, he becomes a superhuman biotech killing machine called Bloodshot. As he trains with fellow super-soldiers, he struggles to recall anything from his previous years.

But when his memories flood back and he remembers the man that killed both him and his wife, he breaks out of the facility hell-bent on revenge, only to discover that there’s more to a government-run, deep state conspiracy than he ever bargained for.

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t o h s d o o l B

books – WAIRIMU NYINGI

ONWARD

seasoned agent.

Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfu, Octavia Spencer Genre: Drama/Fantasy Directed by: Dan Scanlon Release date: March 6

A Quiet Place: Part II

FAIRYTALE RETELLING

Cast: Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cillian Murphy, Djimon Hounsou Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror Directed by: John Krasinski Release date: March 20

The Wrath and the Dawn duology by Renée Ahdieh

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et in a fantastical suburban world, Disney and Pixar’s Onward features the voices of Marvel Cinematic Universe stars Chris Pratt and Tom Holland as two brothers on a quest. They embark on an extraordinary expedition to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.

The two receive a wizard’s staff as a pre-arranged gift from their late father, which comes with a spell that will bring him back for only 24 hours so his sons can meet him.

And they must do it before the time elapses.

My Spy Cast: Dave Bautista, Kristen Schaal, Parisa Fitz-Henley, Chloe Coleman, Ken Jeong Genre: Action comedy Directed by: Peter Segal Release date: March 13

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hardened CIA operative JJ (Dave Bautista) is demoted after his ‘shoot first’ mantra lands him in trouble. He is later sent for surveillance at a family’s home. But young Sophie (Chloe Coleman) spots the cameras and manages to follow the clues to JJ’s hideout. She makes a deal with him: she won’t blow his cover as long as he trains her on how to be a spy. What at first seemed like an easy task soon turns into a battle of wits as JJ’s life is turned upside down by the 9-year-old girl who proves you don’t need much experience to outsmart a

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ollowing the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence.

Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realise the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Mulan Cast: Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Gong Li, Jet Li Genre: Drama/Historical period drama/Adventure Directed by: Niki Caro Release date: March 27

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hen the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Chinese Army to defend the country from the Huns, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honoured warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. She is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. Disguised as a man by the name of Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into a warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.

This is a retelling of the classic One Thousand and One Nights Tale, popularly known as Arabian Nights. It follows a murderous boy-king who brings heartache to a new family with each dawn. Khalid, the 18-year-old caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When 16-year-old Shahrzad’s dearest friend falls victim, Shazi vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride.

My take: Where should I start? This deliciously angsty reimagining of the classic tale completely melted my cold, unromantic heart. The relationship between the two develops from seething hatred to reluctant companionship to something much more. The dialogue is addictive and feels natural. Shazi beguiles the caliph with tales each night, and who doesn’t love stories within stories? There’s also a wonderful cast of secondary characters that feel important to the story and not just like throwaways, as with a lot of books.

Rating: 4.5/5 M/M FANTASY ROMANCE The Captive Prince Trilogy by C. S. Pacat This is not for the soft hearted. The world is harsh, brutal, deductive, depraved and violent. It contains graphic descriptions, floggings and rape scenes; it’s dark. It leaves you wishing you could write yourself into it with a sword and carve out your vengeance.

My take: This slow burn, highly-praised character-driven M/M fantasy romance follows two princes: Damen, Prince of Akielos, is betrayed by his bastard of a brother, stripped of his identity and sold to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave. Enter Prince Laurent, heir to Vere, without a doubt the best written ‘villain’ I have ever read. He is as beautiful as he is brilliant, manipulative as he is sadistic. I hate his face, I wanna do terrible things to him, dirty, lascivious – *wanders off in search of an inappropriate meme. Good grief, I love this series!

Rating: 5/5 URBAN FANTASY Penryn and the End of Days Trilogy by Susan Ee Oh my goodness, I think this trilogy just ruined the entire urban fantasy genre for me. I mean, where can I go from here? I love this series so much that be warned, this review is going to be nothing less than gushing. The story unravels in a future world torn apart by angels, the kind that are cold, cruel, merciless and see humans as little more than ants. Heroine, 17-year-old Penryn, teams up with an unlikely hero, a wingless angel Raffe, as they struggle to survive in bleak circumstances (yeah, they eat cat food at one point), all against a backdrop of a war and all kinds of unspeakable horrors.

My take: Susan Ee’s stunning series is the perfect combination of a post-apocalyptic THE WRATH Young Adult plus cannibals plus badass AND THE DAWN angels plus kickass heroine, and it blew me “One hundred away. And as for my favourite angel, Raffe lives for the one ...who the hell thinks of writing an agnostic you took. One life angel? Brilliant! And so intriguing. The to one dawn.” dialogue between the two is witty, funny, — excerpt from Renée Ahdieh’s book and sometimes touching.

Rating: 5/5

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WHIP APPEAL —Andrew Benson/BBC

will FERRARI STOP MERCEDES?

Ferrari has launched their ambitious F1 2020 bid by unveiling their new car, but will they have enough to power past the Lewis Hamilton scare?

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he sun shone on Ferrari at the launch of their new car. Literally. It was a glorious day in Emilia Romagna, the thermometer nudging 20oC, brilliant blue skies, the snow glinting on the Apennine peaks.

As the fading light cast a golden hue on the terracotta buildings of Reggio Emilia, Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel signed autographs in front of the Teatro Romolo Valli.

A more serendipitous setting for the debut of the machine that carries the hopes of Leclerc, Vettel and an entire nation could hardly be imagined. But it will take more than fate for Ferrari to live up to their ambitions and stop Lewis Hamilton’s march to a seventh world title in 2020.

The trend in recent years has been for low-key launches – Mercedes and Red Bull, for example, are not holding events at all this year, preferring to run their cars in private at Silverstone and release their own pictures and press releases. But F1’s most famous team

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went grandiose for the car they have called the SF1000, to reflect the fact that the team will reach the landmark of their 1,000th World Championship Grand Prix this season.

They chose Reggio Emilia for its links with the origins of the Italian state, and as a representation of Ferrari’s position as a national F1 team.

The town was where the Italian tricolour was unveiled more than a century and a half ago. The lovely theatre that hosted the launch was built in 1857, and is one of the grandest examples of neo-classicist architecture.

A 20-piece orchestra and 19-strong choir introduced the event with dramatic Carmina Burana-style music. There were loose-limbed dancers in red and white, stretching the limits of physical possibility.

Mixed signals from the new car design After all that, the car on first impression appeared something of a disappointment, bearing a strong resemblance to last year’s design, found wanting in its pursuit of Mercedes.

But team principal Mattia Binotto insisted appearances can be deceiving. He acknowledged its superficial aesthetic similarity with the 2019 car but he emphasised: “We have been extreme on the concept as much as we could.”

The front wing was perhaps a surprise, in that it carries over the philosophy Ferrari

pursued last year. This is effectively the opposite approach from Mercedes in the way it directs the airflow over the rest of the car, and one known to limit absolute downforce.

The wing on the launch car is an old one, a design from last season. However, Binotto said the fundamental philosophy will remain.

“We will not change the concept whatever we test,” Binotto said. “We think it is the right concept for us. We improved the downforce a lot. If you look at the turning vanes (the aerodynamic shapers beside the cockpit) there is high complexity. The slimmer car makes the (rear) diffuser work better and the overall downforce has certainly increased.”

It was at the rear where the most obvious changes are found. Here, a lot of work has taken place to open up the airflow in the quest “for the maximum aero performance first, trying to maximise the downforce level,” Binotto said.

The rear suspension has been completely reworked, and the bodywork rear of the cockpit shrunk down as much as possible, in a style reminiscent of the Red Bull, which many felt by the end of last year was possibly the best chassis on the grid.

Will this work? Ferrari realised they had taken a mis-step last year. In the quest for an efficient car, they had compromised downforce. And as the season wore on, it became increasingly clear this was a mistake.

Ferrari were strong on tracks where straight-line speed was the overwhelmingly dominant factor, but these are few and far between, and on others, they struggled, their lack of grip in the corners not only affecting performance over one lap, but also increasing tyre wear, a particularly debilitating effect over a race distance.

Whether the changes over the winter are enough in the face of the advances Mercedes and Red Bull will inevitably make is another question.

Vettel started the year as number one, but Leclerc increasingly usurped him as the season developed, at one point out-qualifying his illustrious partner for nine consecutive races, and beating him on every possible metric.

Vettel, the proud champion, did not take kindly to this, and it led to a series of flashpoints on track, culminating in the two drivers crashing into each other at the penultimate race in Brazil. Binotto acknowledged he could

not start the season with the same approach to the drivers as he did last year, when the team continually got themselves in a tangle trying to impose team orders of one kind or another, and the drivers pushed back as hard as they dared.

“It is a year after,” he said. “Charles has got a year’s experience and while last year we said Seb would be first driver and Charles second, both have proved they can fight for the best results. So they will be on the same level. They can both fight for being ahead as much as we get ahead and that’s it. So let them race.”

Leclerc said: “We both learned a lesson of what happened in Brazil. We are free to race, but we are teammates and there are a lot of people working behind the scenes on the car.

So things like Brazil shouldn’t happen. The margins will probably be a bit bigger to be a bit more on the safe side.”

Leclerc’s biggest concern, he said, was to improve his performances in the Grands Prix themselves, where he believes he still has work to do to maximise his race pace.

The big question hangs over Vettel, though.

It is he who has most to lose, his position in the team that is in question.

Vettel did not address this issue at the launch. But in any case he has perhaps a bigger concern, which is to cut out repeated mistakes that have hampered his campaigns for the last three years.

At the launch, he chose to put a positive gloss on this: “Last year was a good year for me in the sense of learning and understanding a lot of things. There are things I can do better and I am sure I will do better this year. I am not stressed, but ambitious to prove it to myself.”

not taking any extra stress or pressure.”

With Hamilton, too, out of contract, there has been fevered speculation as to whether the Briton could swap Brackley for Maranello for the closing stages of his career.

This is not considered likely – Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said it was “the obvious pairing” for them to continue together – but it cannot be dismissed entirely. Especially not as Ferrari admitted in December Hamilton had briefly discussed his future with their president John Elkann.

But Binotto said that, for now, the team are thinking only of Vettel as Leclerc’s team-mate beyond 2020.

The Hamilton question and a vote of confidence for Vettel Leclerc has committed his future to Ferrari for five years until the end of 2024, and is clearly regarded as the future of the team; Vettel, by contrast, is out of contract at the end of the season.

He played down the significance of that.

“Two or three years ago, I didn’t have a contract until August,” he said. “I don’t think it changes much. You are focused on what’s going on in the moment, but we will have enough time to (talk about the future). I am

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gaming

March

– boniface mithika

on and cause some

chaos Doom 64 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

D

oom 64 is a first-person shooter game. Similar to earlier games in the Doom series, the player must advance through 32 levels battling demons, collecting weapons and keys, and activating switches to reach the level’s exit, while surviving deadly ambushes and traps. Changes were made to the Doom engine for use in Doom 64, and gameplay elements were altered.

Doom Eternal (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) Another sequel to 2016’s Doom reboot is happening. Not only was it a magical comeback for FPS veteran developer ID Software, but the game’s flippant approach to contemporary game design and indulgent storytelling was a breath of fresh air in a claustrophobic corridor of play-it-safe products. Doom Eternal brings the horrors of Hell to the Terra Firma itself, and Doomguy is not happy about it.

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RBI Baseball 20 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android) RBI Baseball is back with massive improvements: newly revamped batting and pitching mechanics, including an exciting new ‘broadcast-style’ centrefield camera angle, and significant visual improvements to players and ballparks. R.B.I. Baseball 20 retains its normal gameplay modes, including Franchise, Exhibition, Online Multi-player and Home Run Derby. Fans can also look forward to an all-new licensed soundtrack to go along with the baseball action.

Fairy Tail (PS4, Switch, PC) The famous fantasy anime/manga series Fairy Tail is getting a Japanese role-playing video game (JRPG) adaptation, which centres around the adventures (and misadventures) of an old magical guild called ‘Fairy Tail’. It mainly follows Natsu Dragneel, a descendant of a dragon, and Lucy Heartfilia, a mage and the newest member of the guild, as well as the rest of the guild’s eccentric members. The game reveals new characters in action, including Lamia Scale’s Sherria Blendy, Mermaid Heel’s Kagura Mikazuchi, Sabertooth’s Rogue Cheney, Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki and Sting Eucliffe.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (PC) This role-playing game (RPG) is a direct sequel to the two Trails of Cold Steel games, picking up a year and a half after events of Trails of Cold Steel II. The story is centred on the main character Rean Schwarzer, now a military professor, as well as his students, and the rest of his military school friends from prior entries, notably exploring different subjects. The game plays as a traditional JRPG, with turn-based battles. There is an emphasis on speeding up battles, making transitions into battle scenes more seamless, and being able to map out more battle commands to specific buttons rather than various menus.

Bleeding Edge (Xbox One, PC) This multi-player online combat game developed by British developer Ninja Theory offers a one-of-a-kind multi-player where there are 12 characters to choose from, all with melee attacks and some having range attacks. They are characterised in one of three classes: assassin, support or tank. There are three bars for different abilities, which go

Moons of Madness (PS4, Xbox One) Moons of Madness is a first-person, story-driven cosmic horror game where the scientific exploration of Mars meets the supernatural dread of Lovecraft. A discovery made on the Red Planet has produced unexpected complications, and you’re about to find out what it can do to humans. You suit up as Shane Newehart, a technician at the Invictus Research Station. Your goal is to keep the station running until the Cyrano transport ship arrives with new recruits. As you fulfill your duties, bad things start to happen.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) This action-adventure game developed by Omega Force is the fourth instalment in the Pirate Warriors video game series based on the One Piece franchise. It features gameplay similar to its previous instalments, but it introduces a new game mode called ‘Titan Mode’, which is more strategic, and some parts of it carry the original story. It also features four new multi-player modes Persona 5 Royal (PS4) The Phantom Thieves are coming back in full swing for another round of Persona goodness similar to an enhanced edition of Persona 5, with plenty of extra content. Royal introduces an entire new semester, a new area, characters and an additional story arc. If you held off from tucking into the excellent adventure the first time around, Royal is the perfect excuse to dive in. It’s also a good reason to have your heart stolen by the Phantom Thieves all over again.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch) The battle for justice continues, but this time the fight gets bigger and quicker in this game based on the hit anime series, My Hero One’s Justice. All the previous characters return in the 3D arena that pits heroes and villains in the ultimate test of righteousness.

They are now joined by newly added characters from the series. With 40 playable characters, build your dream team with your favorite heroes or villains. Fight to build up your Plus Ultra metre and pull off quirks in special combos.

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down when the player uses an ability connected to it. You get the chance of fusing combo mechanics with dynamic third-person action. And you team up with your partners in powerful synergised attacks to become unstoppable.

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