ROBA KLEPTO IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH A SONGTRESS, BECKY

Roba Klepto is one of the three founder members of the Kleptomaniax a pop group from Nairobi, Kenya that rocked Kenya a few years ago. Formed in 1999 the group that consisted of Roba (Robert Manyasa),

Roba Klepto

Collo (Collins Majale) and Nyashinski (Nyamari Ongegu) all in Nairobi School then.
 The group looked for a producer Ogopa Dj's who did their first single there style being hip hop and kapuka. Some of their songs are Maniax Anthem, Freak it, Tuendelee, Swing Swing and Pyscho among others. 
In the year 2005 the group received a MTV Europe Music Awards nomination for the Best African Act. In 2007 Kleptomaniax toured the USA and later had a break for members to try solo projects.
Roba who has been doing solo projects is now back to the studio at Music Plant where he is now teaming up with an upcoming star known as Becky. They have a hot one coming and Roba says he will leave it to the fans and sceptics to judge. ''It is time to be back on the music scene and I am unveiling Becky as the new voice in the kenyan Music industry. I believe she is one of the latest talents that may rock the industry. She is skillful, professional and swift in doing her stuff thanks to the good training she got from Sauti Acadmy" says Roba.

Becky

On her part Becky says she has been doing music but has not been keen on promotion of the same. She says she was concentrating on her training at the Sauti Academy and her University studies. "I graduated recently from a music academy and now want to entertain my fans starting now" Becky quips. Becky has been working with Carol her bosom friend and former college-mate from Sauti Academy. They have done several gigs under their banner The Band Beca and the response from fans has been so encouraging.

SWEET NEWS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS

M.i.e.n - Producer and artist. also decrying the airplay status

It is wonderful to hear news on the new law on airplay. For sure it is a very welcome idea to have Kenyan music get 60% airplay. Some of our Kenyan artists have had a rough time with our local radio and TV presenters who overlook our own music and prefer to play foreign music. They only play a few from those that part with some tokens and purport that our music is not quality. These people keep on lamenting about the quality of our local artists whereas artists from neighbouring countries come to do their recording here. Artists like Chameleon and Bebe Cool to name but a few, started from Kenyan production houses and they have been rocking Africa. Daddy Owen,Nameless and Wahu have won continental awards before with hit songs from the local studios. Let nobody lie about quality of music. In Kenya it is not about quality of music because there are many nice songs that have never come to light because the poor artists can't part with some token.

Shaddyyokko - Has two albums but airplay has been a tall order

I have said it here before that Kenyan presenters are unlike those in other countries who go searching for new vibes and bringing them to the fore. A new artist will part with money to have his/her music played on air. This will only play once or twice and then disappear as the presenter waits for the next dose of money. In this case the presenter does not upload the music in the circulation such that if fans request for the songs they can not be accessed by other presenters/Djs.

Music by artists like Abbi Nyinza, Achieng Abura, Makadem etc are respected abroad but how many times do we hear about them on local radio/TV? Some of us in Kenya don't even know about them yet they rock outside Kenya. Haven't our presenters heard about them too? Why are they not playing their music and preferring to play West African music many times a day?


 

I say Hurray......for the Kenyan creative artists who have always been sidelined by our own.

BECKY DOING BEYONCE'S COVER VERSION - DRUNK IN LOVE

Today we have Becky Sangolo doing a cover version of Beyonce's song Drunk in Love. She is gifted in this genre among others.
 
https://www.facebook.com/esther.mwanyange/videos/440698079451088/

BECKY AND CAROL GRADUATE FROM SAUTI ACADEMY WITH POMP

The two divas that formed The Band BeCa are hitting the road running after recently graduating from Sauti Academy -Penya Africa. There tantalizing performance during the graduation ceremony dubbed Sound Splash at the Alliance Francaise Auditorium at on 11th July 2015 spoke for itself. They left the audience amazed by their matured vocals courtesy of the good training at the Sauti Academy institute. Judge Ian was one of the guests who seemed to enjoy every moment of the well attended show. They did both cover songs and their own compositions that moved the excited fans. Other artists that graduated included Swiga, Raaay, Zeshari, Lexxy and the amazing Phy who was backed by Rabbit in one of her performances.

Becky and Carol have already started having shows and have various events lined up. "We are witnessing good demand from promising promoters who are keen to work with us due to our nice mastery in both our own compositions and cover songs. Most people enjoy live band music and that is what we are good at", says Becky Sangolo. "People should attend our shows and see the impact of Sauti Academy in our music, she adds.

We at the Kenyan Artist blog are eager to see what is next on their schedule and how fans will receive the new outfit. We wish them all the best in their endeavors because we believe they can fly.

Below see some of the pictures taken during the show;

Becky Sangolo on stage

Becky & Carol  of The band Beca

Carol on stage

Becky on stage

Thrilled fans

Judge Ian

Phy on stage with Rabbit

Part of the fans

Happy fans during the event

The graduands

Swiga on stage

What is your take our reader?

Becky - Alieso

Becky - Alieso

View and support this girl - Becky Sangolo - Alieso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S2_ZbsjMgk

Alieso is a song written and presented by becky Sangolo who is currently at Sauti academy finalizing her training in music performance. She is also doing a degree at Karatina University College. Becky is appealing to his fans and friends to vote for her by viewing, sharing and striking the 'like' button so that she may gather 6000 views that will enable her get a recording deal.

WHY DO OUR MEDIA HOUSES PROMOTE FOREIGN AND NOT LOCAL MUSIC?

Any one who has visited other countries in Africa must have noticed that media houses promote their local artists more than the foreign ones. Their governments have created and enforced laws that ensure their local talent is given more time on radio and TV. That is why their artists become popular at home before thriving in other countries like Kenya.

Shaddyyoko, Kenyan Artist

In Kenya things are different because the Media houses here promote foreign as the locals play second fiddle. Our presenters and Djays believe in foreign stuff hence obvious bias. The same trend was there in the early 90s until some few presenters believed in our own. Things improved to an extent that our local artists became popular in East Africa and even started doing shows abroad. We now see the tide changing as our Radio and TV stations are now leaning towards Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa among others. It is even forcing Kenyan artists to keep aping Nigeria in every new release in order to catch the Djay's ear. This is not fair to artists who would have wanted to try their creativity and do stuff that is authentically Kenyan. Instead of our DJs, VDJs and presenters researching to get the new hit songs from all over the country they have decided to use airplay as a tool of making money. You can do very quality music but when you take it to the media houses they don't play. They only play when they are given some bribe and only for a short period hence the promotion ends up not effective. They will sit on the CD or DVD so that it is not downloaded in the system for circulation. By doing so no any other presenter can access the music. They are the only ones who can play when they are given some token.

It is sad that our music industry has been negatively affected by the very people who are supposed to have promoted it to prosperity. The government has to come in and protect our artists like it is done in other countries. Some quota rules on  airplay should be implemented so that more airtime is given to local artists unlike it is today. Artists should come together and have a strong group that will lobby for local artists' rights.

Cheza by Abedi Dotkom feat. Mishka & Prince [Official HD] Album out now

                                                  The album called CHEZA is now out and this is one of the tracks on this captivating album. The artist behind this album Abedi Dotkom says the song is receiving very good response from fans who enjoy the tracks like Shake your body and Cheza. He says he has the same feeling he had when he did the once hit song Dotcom Lady about 10 years ago. He says he did this album after researching on the fans' needs in the music industry and expects things to go well for him. ''Many have been asking where I disappeared to. They have been asking for a new album and here it is'' says Abedi.                                            

Shake Your Body (Official HD) by Abedi Dotkom Feat. Prince Kadabra

The eight track album is now out. You may get it on mdundo.com and onfon.

SHADDYYOKO MSANII

Shaddyoko has a new album ''Wanifwata'' that he is promoting. His songs are so powerful and of different genres. He records at Twins studios. See his photos.

Shaddyyoko Msanii

Shaddyyoko at Radio Jambo after a live interview

Shaddyyoko Masanii recording at Twins Studio

Shaddyyoko while on a charity visit in Mathare.

MCSK MEMBER ARTISTS ARE CRYING FOUL

There has been a word going round that MCSK has been frustrating its members at the expense of benefiting a few. Many artists are lamenting that they have not been receiving any money from the society despite their music playing on radio. The MCSK collects a lot of money from public transport, restaurants, bars, clubs and media but the disbursement of the same is so wanting.

Titi Solomon, is one of the leading artists who says he has not been receiving any money yet his music still plays on radio. Many other artists have been complaining are said to be planning on how to oust the incumbent officials who they believe are not sensitive to their plight.They would prefer people who will listen to them and offer right solutions to their issues other than sheer rhetoric. ''The youthful artists should turn up in large numbers during the forthcoming elections to vote in people who can bring the change we want" says Titi.

Many artists have also complained about mistreatment by the officials during the AGMs. They say they are kept on long queues while being registered for the meetings and also when receiving the meager allowances. They are not treated the way the public would expect of them as superstars and respected people in the society.


We at the Kenyan Artist blog are watching and guessing how the events will unfold as we approach the Annual General meeting.

Send me (Official Video 2014) by Bilha juma

Shake Your Body (Official HD) by Abedi Dotkom Feat. Prince Kadabra

Cheza by Abedi Dotkom feat. Mishka & Prince [Official HD]

ABEDI OF WAYANZA MANG'ONDO (DOTCOM LADY) FAME HAS A NEW ALBUM

Abedi Dotkom the artist who brought you Dotcom Lady (Wayanza Mang'ondo) hit song has resurfaced with a new album. Some of the promising tracks on his album recorded at Twins Recordz are Cheza, Shake your body and Ringa Ringa apart from Dotcom Lady Remix. He intends to launch the album and start doing promotion during the month of December. He has urged all his fans to keep on supporting him by attanding his forthcoming shows as well as buy his music via mdundo.com, onfon and cloudsound.com downloads. Below are some of his videos for your sampling;

Abedi Dotkom - Artist

Shake your body:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwALP1X8VJU

Cheza:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVWefym8eQ

Dotcom lady:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loSkFMX7hqk

Wasema sema:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Zex5bhayw

Mama pima:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56Ps0SKa_k

In the picture: From left Abedi Dotkom, Kevoch (dancer), Spartan (dancer) and Prince Kadabra (Artist) during the video shoot of the song shake your body.

Meet Rhumba Songbird Eve Namulanda aka Principessa

Rhumba songtress Principessa with Kanda Bongoman and Friends

Principessa whose real name is Eve Namulanda is a Kenyan artist who has been doing Rhumba music for a while. She is one of the very few Kenyan female artists doing search genre especially in live band performances. She used to perform in Mombasa before relocating to Nairobi last year. In Mombasa her fans are missing her soothing voice and are still hoping that she returns there.

Principessa with a friend

Watching her do her rhumba renditions, one feels fully entertained. She does renditions of songs by Mbilia Bel, The late Miriam Makeba, Tsala Mwana, Mpongo Love among others. She has a great Band known as Keco Afro Sounds Band that entertains patrons at Egesa East Villa, Umoja and Quills Lounge in Kayole. The band boasts of very vibrant and musicians like Mandazi, guitarist Elvis among others. Mandazi does renditions of late Franco Lwambo Makiadi so perfectly.

Principessa is working on her own songs that she will be releasing soon. She promises her fans that it will not take long before they have her album.

MADJID MUSELLEM'S NEW SONG

Madjid Musellem has a new song out. The song is called Bina Party in which he has featured Mishka and Mas Melody. This is his first song after being featured in songs like This is how we do, Studio and Ghetto in which he played a role of a ''Bad Boy''. He is set to travel to Congo and Ghana before coming back to Kenya to do a video for the song.Madjid is also a dancer and model. See photos of him below;

We wishing him safe journey and hope that he won't take long before giving us a video for the captivating song Bina Party.

BRAND NEW !!! Shake Your Body (Official HD) by Abedi Dotkom Feat. Prince Kadabra

Ghetto by Sti-Key, M.i.e.n & Mishka (Official Video)