David Muthengi, better known by his alias Holy Dave is not new to the Music industry. He is most notable as a gospel music rapper and brother to media personality Joey Muthengi.

The ‘Bambika’ show host was however not as holy before he found salvation. Holy Dave did drugs and was a petty thief who stole from his family during a rebellious phase.

His turning point came after a near-death experience in a road accident in Westlands.

This is his story.

You were once an alcoholic before getting saved. What led to this?

I had just come back from the US and my life changed drastically. I was admitted to Machakos Boys High School. I had so much freedom and I did not know what to do with it. I was also bitter that my parents had taken my sister Joey to a better school and insisted I join Machakos Boys, even after I performed so well in exams.

Yes. We were brought up in a God-fearing environment. So going into alcohol and drugs was quite a shocker for my parents.

How did this affect your lifestyle?

I had many girlfriends and my grades dropped, though I was a bright student.

How did your family feel about this?

My family was quite disappointed. I also started stealing from them. I perfected the art to a point they did not even notice.

You seem quite close to Joey, did this affect your relationship?

Not really. One day, my parents gave me money so that I could organise a birthday party for her, but I used it to hold a party for my friends in the house instead.

How was your lifestyle?

I would hold big parties with my friends who would get illegal liquor from Kibera. One day, a friend saw me hiding some money and he stole it thinking that I was too drunk to notice. The next morning, I accosted him and got my money back, but not before teaching him a lesson. It ended up being a police case as I slit his lip during the fight. My elder sister bailed me out.

Was this your wake-up call?

Well, I toned down a bit after that, but soon went back to my bad habits.

At what point did you realise your life was a mess and you needed to change?

I remember I almost died after I was involved in a road accident. I stole a car belonging to a friend of my brother and while driving around in it, I hit someone’s car. The owner of the car gave chase and in the process trying get away, I hit three other cars. When I got to Westlands, I was confronted by police, but I managed to escape. I finally stopped when I hit a pavement and the car was totally damaged.

How did your parents react to this?

My parents had given up on me, it was no longer news to them.

Did you face any disciplinary action?

No. I’m lucky that I have the most patient parents. They gave me another chance and this time, I was careful not to blow it. I went to Daystar then USIU for my masters.

What made you change?

I am thankful that I did not die in that accident. I started going to church with my parents. I also got interested in what my sister Joey was doing. I saw her poems on YouTube and started encouraging her to get into music. In fact, when she came back to Kenya, we wrote a song together.

Did you finally regain trust with your family?

My transition from a bad boy to the person I am now was received with mixed reactions. Joey especially thought that it was not going to last. But I am happy they accepted me.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Apparently, Sh20,000 is peanuts to a man of DJ Mo’s calibre. The top gospel decks master was put on the spot recently by an upcoming artiste, Nexxie, who alleged that he offered DJ Mo the said amount to get his song on air.

According to Nexxie, he approached DJ Mo through his manager to have his new song ‘Simple Man’, which features DK Kwenye Beat, put on rotation after which he paid Sh20,000 for the services.

However, according to Nexxie who says he only spoke to DJ Mo on phone, DJ Mo had a disagreement with his manager, a banker, thereby creating bad blood between the two.

In his retort, DJ Mo dismissed the allegations and blamed middle-men purporting to work for him for trying to con artists using his name.

“There are conmen who go to River Road to look for videos and dupe artistes that they are well-connected to DJs and thus if they pay certain amounts, they would have their music played. I think this could be one of those cases as neither I nor my team members transact such business,” DJ Mo explained as quoted by Pulse.

He went to point out that he is a rich man who drives a Range Rover and therefore, Sh20,000 is nothing to him.

“I can’t take a bribe from anyone to play their music. Besides, I drive a Range Rover so what is Sh20,000 to me? There are so many accusations being peddled out there that we (deejays) take money from musicians but it’s the brokers who do it and this in turn soils our name.”

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Tanzanian hitmaker Darassa has dismissed rumors suggesting that he is addicted to drugs. Speculation has been rife as a result of the ‘Muziki’ hitmaker’s conspicuous absence on social media.

Speaking to Clouds FM on Sunday, January 29, Darassa said his absence from social media and entertainment joints made people speculate that he was – in private – struggling with drug addiction.

“I have accomplished several big projects; and given the popularity of my name, some people would want to see me being active on social media; others would want to know the woman I’m dating; some would want to know where I hang out often. I don’t share that information publicly,” he explained.

“And because there’s an information vacuum about what I do in private, some people have speculated that I abuse hard drugs and substances; others claim I’m confused. No, I am doing fine.”

Darassa insinuated that his competitors are to blame for the rumours, which he termed as malicious.

“People are often scared of silence; when your competitor is silent, you don’t know what he or she is planning; and as a result, you tend to panic. That is what is happening with my competitors,” he said.

The Muziki hit-maker has not posted anything on social media since August 12, 2017.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Several weeks later, Eric Omondi’s family jewels are still bearing the brunt of all social media jokes.

The top comedian has been the talk of the town since a wardrobe malfunction that exposed his private parts. According to the comedian, the viral picture was not intentional.

“No, it was not intentional. I had innocently posted the picture and four minutes after it went online, I noticed that I was receiving a lot of comments on it. I logged in to check the Instagram users’ feedback. It is then that I realised that a part of my manhood was showing through my pair of shorts,” said Omondi.

Intentional or not, internet comedians have been having a ball with his balls, with the most recent being the multi-talented comedian, singer, actor Pascal Tokodi.

Pascal, together with George Kimani, co-founder of Vines of Africa, has created a hilarious depiction of two “slayqueens” discussing Eric Omondi’s nuts.

Word on the street has it that this is the best video on the internet. Watch below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Bossom buddies Timmy Tdat and Otile Brown have broken up. This is after the two high-flying artistes came to blows over the weekend during Vanessa Mdee’s bash in Nairobi.

As the story goes, the two singers who are riding high with their ‘Wembe’ mega-hit went for each other’s jugular on Sunday night.

The fight is said to have broken out shortly after Otile Brown stepped out to receive a phone call. He came back into the house and called Timmy T Dat aside when a heated exchange ensued.

According to sources, the heated exchange turned into blows at a parking lot before rapper Prezzo stepped in to stop the fight. He was, however, overpowered by the two forcing radio personality Shaffie Weru to also intervene.

It wasn’t immediately clear why they turned on each other but a source disclosed that; “all Otile kept saying was “Lazima watu waheshimiane.”

On Monday afternoon, it became apparent that the bromance between the two stars was over after they both shared telling posts on social media.

Timmy captioned a picture with lyrics from his latest hit – Kasayole, writing: “Kama una noma buda unaeza bring it. Si unajua place niko.”

Timmy also confirmed the fight, saying: “Eeeh ni kweli tulilimana but kenye ilihappen isha happen. Sitaki kuongelea hiyo stori. Nadrive, naeza pull over tuongee?”

While Otile Brown blurred out his newfound nemesis in a picture that was taken at Vanessa’s party. He captioned the picture: “Unfollow , wala sikosi hela .. ”

Some photos of the alleged fight.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Kenyan rapper Nyashinski has distanced himself from a Tweet that appeared to disparage Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz.

The Tweet, posted from an account under Nyashinski’s name, claimed that the Tanzanian hitmaker will soon learn how to make hits.

“Soon Diamond Platnumz will learn to make hits, but not from outside Africa. He should know!” read the Tweet that was posted on Sunday.

The post elicited reactions from Twitter users who accused Nyashinski of being jealous.

Benjah25s wrote: “Hahaha jealous is something bad.”

Kenzo_bee added: “Hahahaha diamondplatnumz has build a record label which is helping a lot in tz Music Industry try ur self to help our young artist…..in 254″

Deejay Anchor told the ‘Malaika’ singer; “Be Humble.”

While Travis Amitah challenged him to pick a fight with Octopizzo instead of Diamond. He wrote: “Jelousy….. N what hits do you make…?. bishana na octopizzo…. unatafuta kiki, well ushapata yangu.”

This prompted Nyashinksi to come out with a statement dismissing the account as fake.

“I am not associated with the account in this tweet. My official twitter account is @RealShinski,” said Nyashinski.

The ‘Hayawani’ singer also noted that he has nothing but respect for Diamond and his team.

“I have nothing but RESPECT for diamond platnumz and his team and everything they have done for East African music.”

The former Kleptomanix rapper also called on East African artistes to unite.

“East Africans we should unite and push our music forward instead of focusing on distractions like these. Build, don’t destroy.”

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Tanzanian songbird Vanessa Mdee has disclosed that she almost quit making music when she got arrested last year.

The ‘Cash Madame’ singer, who is highly revered in Kenya, has been in the country promoting her new album- Money Mondays. While the album’s launch has been a success, bringing it together was challenging for the singer.

Speaking with Kiss FM’s Adelle and Shaffie, the singer revealed that her arrest last year was one of the main challenges. She was arrested in March on suspicion of trafficking drugs as the Tanzanian government stepped up its fight against drug abuse.

Vanessa Mdee went on to spend seven days in jail, during which time she contemplated quitting music out of frustrations.

“So last year, I got into a little situation where I was remanded for an accusation. At some point I was like it’s funny when a woman is successful or is deemed an achiever, it has to be attached to something that’s negative. I don’t understand why people thought I wasn’t doing legit music or I was dealing in other things. It broke my heart a little bit. I didn’t’ go to the studio for a while after. I was like what is it for? All this hustling and then someone comes and tells you aah!! Wewe ni mkora. I was in jail for seven straight days,” she opened up.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Kenya’s top female disc jockey Pierra Makena has finally addressed the ongoing social media storm over reports that she body-shamed Mishi Dora.

This after the outspoken and controversial socialite took to social media to hurl insults at DJ Pierra for allegedly body-shaming her in a WhatsApp group.

The ‘Nairobi Diaries’ actress took to social media last week to tell off the media personality in a vile post.

It read: “B****leave my fucking life alone… Why you so bitter with me? I’m I the one that your bby daddy left you for and got married to?? Abeg if I’m sexy or not how is it your cup of tea?? Wewe nahiyo mwili yako sexy siuliachwa tu bado na mimba kama mimi?? Go fix your life before trying to fix others.”

Responding to the attack, DJ Pierra has denied making such remarks saying they were made by a pseudo account under her name.

According to Pierra, her team has done investigations and established that the number used in the said WhatsApp group belongs to one, Beverlyne Michira.

Pierra adds that she reached out to Mishi Dora to explain that it was not her but the socialite still refused to apologize for her vile attack. She, however, agreed to pulled down the post.

In her statement, Pierra stated that she does not approve of body-shaming as she is “very pro-women.”

Read her full statement below.

“I would like to address what has been going around on social media about me.
Early morning last week one of my clients alerted me that someone was claiming that I body shamed them in a WhatsApp group.
I looked it up and I met a vile Instagram post about me my child and the father of my baby. I searched for her number (I have the conversations) called her to find out what is going on. I explained to her 
1. That was not my number and neither has it ever been
2.I do not know her..never met her 
3.I am very pro women and I do not body shame.
I requested her to send me the conversations going on in the WhatsApp group and the number of the so called dj pierra.. which was very unfamiliar to me

I requested her to pull down the post and apologize which she refused but later pulled down the post but refused to apologize.. although I had made it clear that it was not me in Their WhatsApp group and she should investigate.

My team has done investigations and have found out the name of the owner of the number in their WhatsApp group who claims to be DJ pierra
I will post screenshots of the conversations..I will not post her picture and the rest of the conversations as the case is still with the police.
IF my accuser had done a little digging then she could have found out that I was not the owner of the number in their whatsapp group.This week has been interesting but I chose not to respond rudely to the vile/bodyshaming post..As a hard working mother..career woman and a
friend I do not approve of body shaming insulting and use of faul language to communicate. I have decided to clear the air.. though those who know me know that it was not me.I would like thank all my fans and friends and clients for your kind words and supportive messages.
Always remember” when people are rude to you,They reveal who they Are,not who you are.dont take it personally” cheers #BeYou.”

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Highly revered Kenyan comedian Timothy Kimani alias ‘Njugush’ has once again done what he does best; winning the internet.

The top funny man, who has mastered the art of riding the wave of every trending topic whether political or otherwise, has this time tackled Nasa’s “swearing-in” of Raila as the “People’s President” yesterday.

The event has been the subject of widespread ridicule on social platforms, with Njugush providing the icing on the cake with a hilarious oath-taking ceremony.

Typical of Njugush, he combines creativity, wit, puns, and his trademark animated delivery, in a short clip that has cracked up social media.

In the clip, posted on his Instagram account, Njugush also cracks some good ones at the expense Nasa co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka and his “watermelon” ways. He also manages to incorporate the television and radio transmission shutdown experienced yesterday.

How Njugush does it is simply unfathomable. We are a blessed country to have his incredible talent.

Watch the clip below.

Njugush kinyozi aapishwa usiku katika Mukuru kwa Ruben ,Oath administered by Kinuthia !!!!!!!!!!!!! Pupils president sababu nanyonga watoto wa primary. #punafrican #witfulthinking

A post shared by NJUGUSH (@blessednjugush) on Jan 30, 2018 at 9:42am PST

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Kenyan hitmaker Naiboi is once again disturbing the peace following another banging release.

Since re-inventing himself from Rapdamu to Naiboi, the Pacho Records co-founder has been on a consistent run of music releases that has set him up as a force to reckon with.

Doubling up as a record producer, Naiboi has worked with almost everybody including, English recording artist Fuse ODG.

This time, he has spread his wings to Nigeria and teamed up with producer Magik on a track dubbed ‘Ding Dong.’

‘Ding Dong’ audio is produced by Magik himself while its dance video has been directed by Microd.

Check it out below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz has moved to address claims that he has rekindled his love affair with model Wema Sepetu. This after a video emerged online as the former lovers reunited at a party organised by Diamond’s record label WCB last weekend.

The clip shows Diamond Platnumz hugging the model on stage before engaging in small talk, with online users speculating that Diamond whispered sweet-nothings in the renowned actress’ ears.

The clip has been the subject of malicious rumors on social media and the blogosphere, something that appears to have irked Diamond.

The hitmaker took to Instagram to say he invited Wema to his event because there was no rivalry or a secret affair between them.

“Wengi Hupenda kuona watu wakiwa wana Vita ama uhasimu usio na kichwa wala miguu… Eti utamsikia mtu anasema “Dogo Mi shabiki yako Mkubwa na nakukubali sana ila kitendo cha kumualika Wema Umeniuzi”

(Many people like it when people fight; they enjoy engaging in fights which are baseless. You’d hear someone say: ‘Diamond, I am your biggest fan, and I really appreciate the work you do. I was, however, appalled when you invited Wema to your function’.)

He went on: “kwaio we unataka mie niendelee kuwa na vita ama niwe na vita na Wema ili iweje? yani mie nikiwa na vita na Wema we unafaidika nini? na itanisaidia ama kusaidia nini kwenye Sanaa yetu? Huwezi kuwa shabiki yangu halaf unafurahia mie kuendelea kuwa na vita na mtu, tena vita ambayo imeshaisha…

(You’d want me to continue differing with Wema, but the big question is: what will we be fighting over? When Wema and I are warring, how does it benefit you? How will it contribute positively to Tanzania’s art industry? You cannot purport to be my fan yet you rejoice when I am at war with other people, a war, which ended ages ago.)

He concluded that he has a family he loves very much. He also called on fellow artists to unite and work together to grown the industry.

“Nina familia yangu Naipenda Naiheshimu na siwezi kuiacha… ila hio sio sababu ya kuwa na vita na watu…na huu ni mfano wa kwanza mwingine unafata…. Huu sio Muda wa kujenga chuki zisizo za msingi ni wakati wa wasanii kushirikiana na kwa pamoja kufanya kazi na kukuza sanaa zetu kwajili ya future ya wadogo na vizazi vyetu vijavyo… Shukran sana Mdam kwakuja usiku wa jana…Mwenyez Mungu akubariki na akujalie kila la kheri uliombalo….”

(I have a family that I love so much, I won’t leave it. This is not the time to brood enmity which is not founded on any valid justification. It is time for artists to work together toward growing the art industry for posterity purposes. Thank you very much madam (Wema) for coming through. God bless you and may He answer all your prayers.)

Wengi Hupenda kuona watu wakiwa wana Vita ama uhasimu usio na kichwa wala miguu… Eti utamsikia mtu anasema “Dogo Mi shabiki yako Mkubwa na nakukubali sana ila kitendo cha kumualika Wema Umeniuzi” kwaio we unataka mie niendelee kuwa na vita ama niwe na vita na Wema ili iweje? yani mie nikiwa na vita na Wema we unafaidika nini? na itanisaidia ama kusaidia nini kwenye Sanaa yetu? Huwezi kuwa shabiki yangu halaf unafurahia mie kuendelea kuwa na vita na mtu, tena vita ambayo imeshaisha…nina familia yangu Naipenda Naiheshimu na siwezi kuiacha… ila hio sio sababu ya kuwa na vita na watu…na huu ni mfano wa kwanza mwingine unafata…. Huu sio Muda wa kujenga chuki zisizo za msingi ni wakati wa wasanii kushirikiana na kwa pamoja kufanya kazi na kukuza sanaa zetu kwajili ya future ya wadogo na vizazi vyetu vijavyo… Shukran sana Mdam kwakuja usiku wa jana…Mwenyez Mungu akubariki na akujalie kila la kheri uliombalo….. #Watakubali by @Mbosso_ link in his and my BIO

A post shared by Chibu Dangote (@diamondplatnumz) on Jan 29, 2018 at 4:40am PST

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

If the current dance craze is anything to go by, we might soon be treated to a ‘Samantha’ dance. But my lame jokes aside…There is a new dance in town that has been inspired by everyone’s favorite breakfast delicacy; KDF.

The big mandazis have become so popular that they have been honored in song and dance by none other than ‘Odi’ dance creators Timeless Noel, Hype Ochi, and Jabidii.

According to the dancers, KDF stands for Kuna Dishie Fulani. Timeless Noel, Jabidii and Hype Ochi have used it to symbolize the need for God’s word as our daily bread. They have also spiced it up with a simple dance routine, calling it the ‘KDF Dance’.

They note that the song is inspired from MATHEW 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The video by BANTU FILMS has been directed by Kabi wa Jesus.

Watch below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Urban gospel music singer Mr Seed has made his long-anticipated comeback after a one-year hiatus.

According to the musician, going on hiatus is his biggest regret.

“As a young person, I have done a couple of mistakes, but my biggest regret is staying silent for a year. A lot of things were happening and I had to stay without releasing music for that long,” said Mr Seed.

Mr Seed’s comeback single is dubbed ‘Oyoyo,’ and its video has the singer starring as a tout, something that made fans wonder if he has worked as a ‘makanga’ before.

“Sijaikua makanga, lakini nishaidandia gari. Kuna siku nikiishi Huruma, dereva hakua na makanga akaniambia nimuingizie watu. For the first time nikaona ni interesting, lakini sijaikua makanga, ni concept tu yangu. Niliona nifanye hivyo ndio ni-relate na watu. The response has been amazing, unlike my previous songs. This one blesses me.”

He added: “I do a lot of research. Sometimes I sleep at 4 am and wake up at 8 am, working. I do research on so many different things. I don’t want people to always predict what I’m going to release next.”

Speaking about his anticipated wedding, he said: “When that time for a wedding comes, I’ll make the announcement. But right now I’m just focused on music.”

Watch ‘Oyoyo’ below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

New-found frenemies Timmy Tdat and Otile Brown have taken their beef to a new low following another round of social media barbs at each other.

The two hitmakers are currently hogging the Kenyan showbiz limelight after exchanging blows last Sunday.

Earlier this week, they made it quite apparent that they are not in good terms with telling posts on social media.

Timmy captioned a picture on Instagram with lyrics from his latest hit – Kasayole, writing: “Kama una noma buda unaeza bring it. Si unajua place niko.”

While the Mombasa-bred R&B singer blurred out Timmy Tdat in a picture taken at Vanessa’s party before the fight broke out.

In the second round of exchanges, it became apparent that the musicians, who are riding high with their ‘Wembe’ collaboration, went for each other’s jugular because of a woman.

This after Timmy Tdat fired an indirect shot at Otile suggesting his girlfriend is loose.

He wrote: “Sasa kama mtu wako yuko loose kama change,bsi umweke kwa mfuko..coins ni rahisi kulost na unacheza nazo karibu na shimo ya choo my G!Hope ume learn. “Kama ni kasupa haa..bring it!”

The attack reached Otile, who responded in kind, saying Timmy Tdat is spreading false information.

“kasabunians(Timmy Tdat’s fans) your woman representative can’t shut his big mouth, am playing it cool but he is out here giving false information and so I won’t be quiet .. Wish he could say what truly happened heheh..never underestimate a singer or the quiet ones, utapigwa ulie. Thank Shafie and Prezzo,” Otile fired.

In another post yesterday, Otile wrote: “Levels.. Hauwezi nimegea ata kwa mabavu Lol Shetani Mwongo..”

This two have officially qualified to be in ‘Nairobi Diaries.’ Huko ndio umama hupatikana!

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Adelle Onyango’s late mother, Mary Onyango, must be smiling down from heaven as her ambitious daughter continues to make her proud.

While her loss back in 2012 was undoubtedly difficult for Adelle Onyango to come to terms with, the radio personality continues to heal and keep her mother’s memories alive with almost every project she undertakes.

Most of Adelle’s women empowerment campaigns, such No Means No, ProjectShe and most recently Team Adelle, have in one way or another been inspired by her late mother who spearheaded the Breast Cancer Awareness in Kenya at a time when it was taboo to say one had cancer.

The Kiss FM presenter has now been inspired by her role model to venture into fashion with her own clothing line. Dubbed ‘The Anyango Capsule Collection’, it has been in the making for two years.

According to Adelle, it is a collection of timeless pieces that will bring attributes of her late mum to life. To achieve this, she has collaborated with four creatives to design pieces that will bring four characteristics of her late mother; strong, powerful, limitless, and pride in her journey.

“2 years ago I had the idea of designing a capsule collection in honour of my late mum, Mary Anyango Onyango. A powerful, limitless and strong woman.

A collection of timeless pieces that would bring attributes of my late mum to life. So I collaborated with 4 creatives to achieve this and over the next 4 weeks we will reveal one item and one creative per week,” Adelle Onyango revealed on social media.

You can watch Adelle explain in detail what this project means to her on AdelleTV.

2 years ago I had the idea of designing a capsule collection in honour of my late mum, Mary Anyango Onyango. A powerful, limitless and strong woman. A collection of timeless pieces that would bring attributes of my late mum to life. So I collaborated with 4 creatives to achieve this and over the next 4 weeks we will reveal one item and one creative per week. But first – whats the link between my late mum, you and myself? LINK IN BIO. #AdelleTV

A post shared by ADELLE ONYANGO (@adelleonyango) on Jan 30, 2018 at 2:51am PST

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Former Blu3 member Cindy Sanyu has unveiled her debut visual for 2018!

The sultry Ugandan ragga/dancehall songbird has dropped the video to her single ‘One by One’. It is an Afropop track seasoned with dancehall elements and features Nigerian star Skales.

Originally unveiled late last year, ‘One by One’ follows the footsteps of her previous collabos with Wahu, Psquare, Juliana Kanyomozi, Rabadaba, Fidempa, as she continues to spread her wings across the continent.

Produced by Nessin Pan Production, this track’s visuals were directed by Marvin Musoke for Swangz Avenue Film.

Watch the sizzling video below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Kenyan female rapper Noti Flow is back to making music after reportedly exiting ratchet reality television show ‘Nairobi Diaries.’

While there were reservations about her skills as a rapper, Noti Flow has been on a steady rise having dropped a string of hits over the last one year. They include ‘Kamatia’, ‘Married to the Game’, ‘Tupendane’ featuring Prezzo, and more.

Unveiling her all new installation for the year 2018, Noti Flow has simply outdone herself. Dubbed ‘100 Barz’, this explicit banger sees Noti Flow go beast mode with sharp lyricism, flexible flow, and bars on bars on bars.

Produced by DJ Greg with beats from House of Zamani, the track comes with stunning colorful visuals crafted by the talented and fast-rising Kenyan cinematographer Nezzoh Monts.

The tracks reception has been positive and Noti Flow will be pleased that some fans have started likening her to American femcee Cardi B.

Watch below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Days after Diamond Platnumz came out to blast rumor mongers for claiming that he was rekindling his old flame Wema Sepetu, the Tanzanian model has also spoken up.

The two had people talking after a video emerged online as the former lovers reunited at a party organised by Diamond’s record label WCB last weekend.

The clip shows Diamond Platnumz hugging the model on stage before engaging in small talk, with online users speculating that Diamond whispered sweet-nothings in the actress’ ears.

The clip has been the subject of malicious rumors on social media and the blogosphere, something that irked Diamond.

“Many people like it when people fight; they enjoy engaging in fights which are baseless. You’d hear someone say: ‘Diamond, I am your biggest fan, and I really appreciate the work you do. I was, however, appalled when you invited Wema to your function’,” said Diamond.

He added: “You’d want me to continue differing with Wema, but the big question is: what will we be fighting over? When Wema and I are warring, how does it benefit you? How will it contribute positively to Tanzania’s art industry? You cannot purport to be my fan yet you rejoice when I am at war with other people, a war, which ended ages ago.”

While echoing Diamond’s sentiments, Wema Sepetu said they have never had beef and that they have both moved on.

“Diamond called me and invited me to the event and I accepted the invitation.”

When asked why she decided to attend the event knowing it would raise eyebrows, she said, “I do things that please my heart and not to impress people.  My happiness is what comes first because it is my life.”

“We have never had beef, when our relationship ended, people created stories that we hated each other but we have always been on good terms.  We have moved on and we are happy. I respect his life and he does the same, which is a good thing. We have matured, people will always talk, but we are just friends.”

Supporting him is not a bad thing, I am so proud of him. He is living his dream, I saw him hustling and his dream was to be where he is now.”

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

The first lady of Kenyan hip hop Nazizi Hirji has unleashed her latest project.

Dubbed ‘Need Me’, it is Nazizi’s first solo release of 2018. ‘Need Me’ is a feel-good dancehall track produced in Uganda by Morgan Isaac of Get Real records.

The jam’s picturesque video was shot in Kilifi at the Silver Palm Spa and Resort by Mahedere Hiwot (eyeneyecaptions) and edited by Kimya. The visually attractive drone shots are by wazzasworld.

Check it out below.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire

Like most youngsters in Nairobi’s largest slum, Henry Ohanga grew up believing he would never amount to anything.

Making it big, even leaving Kibera: these weren’t things that happened to an orphan who once robbed people to buy food.

Now 29, he is Octopizzo, one of East Africa’s most recognised hip-hop stars, and is using his success to break down stigma around the slum and inspire kids in a world devoid of successful role models.

Clad in a black Adidas tracksuit, with bling in his ears, a gold-colored watch on his arm and a large dazzling pendant of Jesus around his neck, Ohanga gestures over the undulating hodge-podge of corrugated iron roofs where he grew up.

“It’s everything, everything I rap about… I feel like if I wasn’t born here I probably wouldn’t be a rapper,” he told AFP in Kibera, where most of his friends and family still live.

Kibera stretches over an area of about 2.5 square kilometres (one square mile), a poor ethnic melting pot wedged among richer areas of the Kenyan capital where its residents work, mostly as casual labourers.

The slum’s population is subject to heated debate, with the old NGO slogan of “the biggest slum in Africa” challenged in recent years by a government census and other independent studies which say between 170,000 and 250,000 people live there.

While for some a byword for misery and poverty, to Octopizzo, Kibera is the place he loves “more than anything else in the world” and it features in every one of his hits, with some of his slick, foreign-produced videos racking up more than a million views on Youtube.

In Kibera it is not the rubbish packed into dirt or debris-choked streams that strike Ohanga.

Rather he is inspired by the “uniquely beautiful vibe”, children in brightly coloured uniforms making their way to school, music blaring from speakers around every corner, the whirr of sewing machines set-up in open air, the rhythm and beat of the hustle.

“I don’t blame the people. If you look at Kibera this is the definition of a failed system,” he said.

-CHANGING THE NARRATIVE-

While he describes himself as more “socially conscious” than political, it has been hard to avoid tough topics in the slum, which is often the first place sparks fly when political tensions rise.

During Kenya’s 2007 post-election crisis, when he recalls having to walk everywhere with a machete for protection as the slum was torn apart by ethnic violence he blames on politicians, his anger spilled into his first recorded song: “Voices of Kibera”.

However his big commercial break only came in 2012, through an arts programme at the British Council, which launched other successful artists such as afro-pop band Sauti Sol.

Ohanga has moved on to rapping about things like food and fashion from Kibera, to change the negative image of the slum that has long led those who do make it out to hide their roots.

“I feel since I started rapping we have changed the narrative, it is cool now to be from Kibera.”

But politics and Kibera remain deeply intertwined, and when post-election protests broke out last year, Ohanga came to the slum to speak to both protesters and police, and criticised police violence that left scores dead in Kenya, including residents of the slum.

“I have a voice and I have to use it, whether people like it or not,” he said.

-THE FACE OF POSSIBILITY-

Ohanga had never planned to become a rapper — growing up he wanted to be a horticulturalist. “I like flowers,” he said.

But the opportunity never came his way. His father died when he was 14, his mother a year later, and he ended up living with a friend and joining a gang, robbing shops and people.

“I never regret being part of that, I never killed anybody,” said Ohanga, who has an entire song dedicated to gangsters and drug dealers — the only ones to help him when he was down and out.

Through his own foundation, and work with the UN refugee agency, he wants to help youths realise their potential through the arts.

In 2016, artists from the Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps who were trained and mentored by Ohanga released an album called “Refugeenius”.

“I want to be the face of possibility. When we grew up we didn’t know anyone who was successful. Kids are told by their teachers, their parents that they will never be anything, it is not our destiny,” said Ohanga.

One young man he has inspired is 22-year-old Daniel Owino, who Ohanga described as a “bad kid” in trouble with everyone in the neighbourhood.

“I told him: ‘Even me I used to be there, we’ve robbed guys it’s not a big deal but we change’,” said Ohanga.

Owino, now known as Futwax, turned his life around, and is working as a motorbike taxi driver as he pursues his passion for music, with 13 songs recorded so far. He was also recently crowned Mr Kibera.

“He is a role model to me. I used to go to his house here in the slum, Octopizzo was so hardworking. I felt that even I would make it one day,” Owino told AFP.

Ⓒ 2014 Nairobi Wire