Archive for October, 2007
Saturday, October 27th, 2007
The songbird will celebrate 10 years in the music industry in a concert at Kati Kati this evening. She took us through her musical journey and her future prospects….
It is two years since her last hit, Nabikoowa but when she dropped Kibaluma, it was worth the long wait. When asked how she felt about her comeback, she perfectly put it; “It was like being reborn! The fact that I had taken cover, coming back with a new album made me feel new.”
Without mincing words, Juliana Kanyomozi is back to reclaim her place as Uganda’s top female artiste, an accolade she once held. And she will be unveiling what she has been preparing for the last two years at a concert dubbed Kibaluma- Unleashed at Kati Kati Restaurant at Lugogo By-Pass.
At the concert - sponsored by Club beer and MTN- the songbird will unveil her nine-track album. Coincidentally, this concert is on, only a week to the Pearl of Africa Music (Pam) awards gala night that takes place next Saturday. She stands a chance to walk home with awards in the Best Gospel Single, Video of the Year, Best Rn’ B artiste/Group and Best Female artiste categories.
Kanyimbe, her gospel track tells a thing or two about her long kept detonations on the negative publicity she has suffered in her career. The video scores with her borrowing from her icon Whitney Houston, putting up a good stage performance with choir back up.
Kanyimbe has sunk deep down in many people’s hearts due to its lyrical content captured from daily experiences. Juliana reveals that Kanyimbe is a tell-all about some of the experiences she has gone through.
“It is about experiences I have come across. As a child, I saw people stab their own (friends) in the back. Personally I haven’t got here easily. I have had my huddles. I have experienced it all. However, I take it as an experience. Bad experiences make me strong, they keep me going,” she says.
Kanyimbe fades into Kibaluma, in which she hits at the cynics who have tried hard to bring her down. Kibaluma has become an overnight anthem on FM stations as it brings out the callous habits of people who don’t wish others well.
She resonates into Malaika Wange, a reason for lovers to pick the C.D off the shelf. It is a love ballad of assurance, which will most likely earn her airplay during the Valentine season, come next February.
The 26-year-old diva finds her roots in Enkwanzi Yange, for some footwork dance, blended with local instrumentation. Henry Kiwuwa and Romeo Akiiki did the production work to the track. Enkwanzi Yange, her pride of heritage, is a folk song from Toro.
In Mundeke, she assures us that she is no longer searching and tells of her newfound love. On the contrary, she keeps you guessing in Nkyanoonya in which she shares her mental pictures of her ideal soul mate. Other songs on the album include Tomboowa Mukwano, Wesigame Kunze and Yiga Empisa.
Juliana is also working on collaborations with the likes of Kenya’s Nameless and Tanzania’s Bushoke, which will probably guarantee her a musical entry into Kenya and Tanzania. Also on her to do list is her entry into the Ugandan movie industry.
She ends speculation by the rumourmill. She says she will be starring in scribe Henry Ssali’s forth coming film, Kiwani: The Movie, in which she’s expected to take on a major role. It is something she has wanted to do for long.
“It is more of an adventure for me. It’s something that came up abruptly. Somehow I bumped into someone who had a brilliant movie idea coming out. I have never acted before and I can’t wait to try. I have always wanted to act. If I try and I like it, I’ll continue acting,” she says.
On the other hand, the tabloids have had a field day speculating on the men in the diva’s life, particularly her affair with international boxer Kassim Ouma. It was said that she went on to change religion - becoming Jalia, a Muslim. Well, she comes clean about her private life.
“When you meet someone, it doesn’t mean you are going to suddenly change everything about you. Changing one’s religion is not a simple thing anyone can just do. It would take a lot of convincing to change my name. I am still Juliana. Even Kassim calls me Juliana,” the artiste who thinks people make something big out of something that’s meant to be personal and would prefer they kept to her career, added.
Juliana who is inspired by divas like Whitney Houston, Black Box and Madonna has big plans of staging major shows in her home area (Toro). For now she prefers to keep most her future plans under wraps. She wants it to be a surprise and is focusing all her energies on this evening’s launch.
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
Pandemonium is in the air as Oviritje artists start the countdown to one of the most prestigious events rewarding their toil and labour - the Oviritje Music Awards Namibia.
The awards, which will be held on November 3 this year, will highlight the achievements of Oviritje artists during the course of this year. The awards will also incorporate the Namibia Excellence Awards, where positive influential role-players will be awarded for their involvement in the social-economic and cultural development of the country in general. Abed Nakalenga, Promotions and Publicity Officer at the Pekepena Productions, said the idea behind the awards ceremony was to recognise the impact of the Oviritje genre on the music industry as one of the fastest growing genres.
Said Nakalenga: “Oviritje has really grown in leaps and bounds. We just thought we should recognise that kind of effort by awarding prizes to the best role-players in that genre.”
The awards ceremony will also feature performances by prominent Namibian artists, and will be attended by top sports stars, international music promoters, captains of industries and entrepreneurs amongst others.
Although the Pekepena representative could not reveal the names of the judges at this stage, he did mention that they would include music consultants and veteran musicians among others. The artists will be judged on various disciplines including overall organisation, quality of the music, arrangement of songs on the albums, and the message contained in the songs.
“We want to make sure we have the best artists emerging as winners. That is why it is important to include an array of judging criteria for judges,” said Pekepena’s Promotions and Publicity vocal person.
Awards will be accorded in 20 different categories, which include: Best Newcomer, Best Solo, Best Collaboration, Best Stage Performer/Dancer, Best Music Video, Best Spiritual Song, Best-Dressed Artist, Best Group, and Best Instrumental Player. Music promoters, and producers will also be awarded in the categories - Best Cultural Promoter, and Best Music Producer, respectively. Other categories will include Best Manager, Best Music Studio, best positive message, and best jukebox played song. Lead vocals will also be recognised for lighting up the house with their voices through the categories Best 1st, 2nd and 3rd voices respectively.
The main category will be the Artist of the Year, in which the winners will walk away with a cool N$5 000 in cash, a Brahman cow, and a holiday for two to a surprise destination. Other prizes in this category will be an Oviritje award trophy, promotion on the Oviritje website and a recording contract for a year. Other categories will receive unconfirmed amounts in cash prizes, trophies and certificates. The nominees for this year’s awards include popular music groups Ovikango nominated for their hit song “Ali”, Pouua Music group with “Delilah”, Okazera with “Skuturu”, Millennium nominated for “Tijuana”, Kakazona Kavari for “Owee Nependa”, and the Tjitjekura group nominated for “Ombunda”. New kids on the block Kappa, Katja and Mandala are competing in the Best Solo Category.
[Via New Era]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
A memorial concert in honor of fallen South Africa Music Icon was held yesterday on Broad Street, in Monrovia to pay tribute to the deceased, who was killed late last week.
Thousands of Liberians from all walks of life, jam-parked the Old Executive Mansion building down town central Monrovia to watch the live concert.
The one day concert was organized by Liberia’s Culture Ambassador, Juli Endee, the Collective Societies of Liberia, the Government of Liberia, several women organizations and the children of the late legendary Liberian Paramount Chief, Tamba Taylor, who gowned and honored the fallen Reggae icon, when he visited Liberia in 1999.
Speaking at the concert yesterday, which was characterized with the signing of Reggae songs in memory of the fallen star, Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee described the death of the fallen African Reggae star as an irreparable lost not only to Africa, but to Liberia.
Ambassador Endee called on the government of South Africa, to investigate the death of the late Luck Tamba Dube and bring those involved to justice so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
M r. Jerry Taylor, who represented the family of the late Chief Tamba Taylor and a son of the fallen Liberian paramount chief, described the death of the late Lucky Dube as a setback for world peace.
He urged Liberians to take cue form the death of the late Reggie legend and built on the peace sustaining in the country.
The late Lucky Dube got the name Lucky Tamba Dube, when he visited the country in 1999, at which time the traditional community in Liberia through the late Chief Tamba Taylor, gave him the name “Tamba” and honored him at a colorful ceremony held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Many Liberians admired his songs for the inspirational messages of peace and the need for social change.
Meanwhile, a special delegation headed by Liberia’s Culture Ambassador Juli Endee is expected to leave the country today for South Africa to attend the funeral of the late Dube. Other members of the delegation would include Mr. Jerry Taylor, the National Traditional Council of Liberia, and the Musician Union of Liberia.
[Via The Inquirer ]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
For the first in the history of Senegambia’s showbiz, Sound City , a music promotion company in The Gambia, has concluded arrangement to stage a grand acoustic gala dinner on 24 November 2007, at the Paradise Suites Hotel Senegambia, to support President Yahya Jammeh’s HIV/AIDS Trust Fund.
The unprecedented mega folklore musical concert will feature highly-acclaimed Senegambian musicians, such as Thione Balago Sack, Baba Maal, Yandeh Kodou Saine, Samba Jebreh Samba, and Ma Awa Kuyateh. The Gambia ’s Kora maestro Jaliba Kuyateh, Group Soningkara, Group Chorumbai, and Medina Sabach, also form part of the list of artists, who will perform live on the night to be coordinated, by DJ Little Sisqo from Norway .
Dr. Alhagie Yahya A.J.J Jammeh President of the Republic of The Gambia , is the Chief Guest of Honour and the Vice-President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, is the Chief Patroness. Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communications and Information Technology, is the guest speaker.
According to the organisers, the fund-raising, is being organised to support President Jammeh’s HIV/AIDS Trust Fund and other treatment programmes, including the asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Mabou Touray, Proprietor of Sound City, said this initiative was inspired by President Jammeh’s ‘Breakthrough’ in finding a therapy for one of the world’s deadliest diseases. “We believe that all hands should be on deck to support him in these processes,” Mr Touray said.
The Sound City boss, said the cultural showbiz, themed: Goundi Ndanaan (night of superstars), will serve as a unique opportunity for the Senegambian folklore music, which is at the brink of extinction. “The erosion of such a class of music in Senegambian showbiz places our cultural heritage at a disadvantaged”, he said.
Mr Touray thanked the Technical Support Taskforce of Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh’s HIV/AIDS Trust Fund, under the leadership of Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communications and Information Techonolgy, for given them the approval to stage the event in The Gambia. He, therefore, called on all Gambians and non-Gambians to support the event.
Baboucarr Jatta, Co-organiser of the event, said the programme could not have come at a better time than now, when the people of Senegambia are more than eager to see their own artists playing typical Senegambian folklore. However, he entreated government departments, parastals, private sector institutions, NGOs, businessmen and women, and well-meaning Gambians and non-Gambians alike to spare no effort in making this all-important event successful. “We welcome sponsors to come on board to make the event a great success,” he concluded.
[Via The Daily Observer]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
The singers and international groups invited by the mobile phone company Movicel for the first “Movicel Live Fest”, happening on Saturday (27th) at the Cidadela National Stadium, in Luanda, arrived this Friday in the capital city.
According to Movicel press officer, Lopes Trigo, who passed the information to ANGOP, landed in Luanda the musicians Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Alpha Blondy (Cote d’Ivoire) and the Brazilian Calypso Band.
The source added that every technical and material condition is ready for the show.
The approximately seven-hour show will also count on the presences of Angolan singers like Paulo Flores, Yuri da Cunha, Dj Tafinha and the Kuduro group Os Lambas.
The organisers expect about 30 thousand spectators, with tickets being sold from 1,500 kwanzas to 2,000 kwanzas (equivalent to 20 and 25 US dollars).
[Via Angola Press Agency ]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has organised a ‘Rock the Vote Concert,’ which has been scheduled for the Harare Gardens on Saturday.
The concert launches what the group calls the ‘Alternative Civic and Voter Education Campaign’ and is aimed at empowering the youth with voter education. They have lined up the cream of urban music talent including Roki, Sniper, Exq, Cindy, Alexio Kawara, Vimbai Zimuto and Cadet Trio. The concert will also have seasoned performers Chiwoniso Maraire and Chirikure Chirikure.
A media liaison officer in the coalition, Nixon Nyikadzino, told Newsreel the concert is the first of many that are going to be used to encourage Zimbabweans to take part in the ‘democratization of the country.’ He said they have deliberately lined up artists with a huge following among the youth, to try and tap into their interest. The concert is being run with the sub theme of ‘A better future with an inspired vote,’ and will encourage youths to take part in voting at the next elections. Admission to the concert is free.
Asked if they anticipated any disruptions from the police Nyikadzino said the possibility always remained, but they have asked the police to be part of the security at the show.
[Via SW Radio Africa ]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
Thousands crammed into the Bassline Theatre on Wednesday to bid farewell to music icon Lucky Phillip Dube who was gunned down outside his home last week.
Mr Dube was apparently shot and killed in a botched hijacking in Rosettenville, Johannesburg on Thursday.
During the memorial service many speakers said the country had lost a legend who had touched the lives of many people through his music.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Professor Keorapetse Kgosile, said Mr Dube was one of the most important and relevant reggae voices to come out of this country in the 20th Century.
“He was a global ambassador for South African musical talent and heritage, but also a world-renowned African composer, singer, band leader, cultural activist, visionary and performer,” said Professor Kgosile.
Programme director and musician Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse said Mr Dube left behind a legacy and his spirit would be kept alive.
Gallo Music Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ivor Haarburger said Mr Dube’s death was senseless and a loss to millions.
He described Mr Dube as a quiet and reserved person while his performances on stage were amazing.
“We had great visits to the world, he wanted to expose his music to the Americans and had performed in 81 concerts outside South Africa which were attended by thousands of people,” said Mr Haarburger.
Maskandi artist Bhekumuzi Luthuli could not hold back the tears as he broke down on stage while performing a song “Usizi”.
“I didn’t know what to call him, either my father or brother, as I learnt a lot from him. He was my fan and I was his.
“He used to encourage me and told me which of my songs he liked and always watched me when I performed. He would later congratulate or tell me if my performance was bad,” said Mr Luthuli fighting tears from his eyes.
SABC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dali Mpofu said: “He was a communicator and is still communicating with us even in his death.
“The question is whether we are still listening to his message. I think he is asking what has gone wrong with us.”
Paying tribute to their colleague, Mr Dube’s band members sang two of his songs and fans did what would have been expected of them if Mr Dube was still alive - they jumped and danced.
Band member Skipha Shabalala said the band had lost a prophet and great teacher who believed in reality, truth and respect.
“We are all going to die one day, but why Lucky died in such as barbaric manner? We don’t need such people in our country,” a mourning Mr Shabalala said.
Speaking on behalf of the Dube family, Job Dube said: “Lucky was a pillar of the family and we’ve lost, but God plans his things.”
Mr Dube was born on 3 August 1964 on a farm just outside the town, Ermelo. He was the third child of Sara Dube.
He was an artist that continued to break international barriers and recently signed a deal with Warner Music International securing the European release of his latest album “Respect”.
Mr Dube is survived by his mother Sara, wife Zanele and seven children, one brother and three sisters.
[Via BUANEWS]
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Saturday, October 27th, 2007
nternational friends of slain reggae icon Lucky Dube will join his family tomorrow, when he is laid to rest.
But the bad news for his fans is that the funeral, at Dube’s farm in Ngogo, KwaZulu Natal will not be open to the public, despite earlier reports that Dube had requested in his will that his funeral be open to all-comers.
The murder of Dube, which police say was the result of a botched hijack, has resonated around the world.
Family spokesperson Lenah Mochoele yesterday dismissed reports that Dube’s will had said he wanted his funeral to be open to the public.
Mochoele said the Dube family had intended to hold a funeral ceremony at the Newcastle Hall, followed by burial at the Newcastle cemetery.
However, all this changed when Dube’s lawyer, who had been out of the country, arrived home and told his family that the musician had wanted a private and dignified burial.
Mochoele said Dube’s wish to have a public funeral would have caused a major challenge in terms of logistics, due to the popularity of the late artist.
Those who would attend the funeral included family members, church representatives and many of Dube’s close friends, including several from Liberia, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Swaziland, Britain and the United States.
Mochoele said most of the foreigners were music promoters and members of the media with whom Dube had worked during his performances abroad.
KZN Premier S’bu Ndebele, Arts, Culture and Tourism MEC Weziwe Thusi and Newcastle mayor Constance Lungile Dube will also attend.
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has sent a message of condolence to Dube’s family, saying he had learnt of Dube’s death with great sadness.
British pop star Peter Gabriel, in a message read out to the mourners at a memorial held for Dube in Joburg on Wednesday, recalled the “extraordinary” talent of Dube, who sold millions of albums around the world in a career that spanned two decades.
“I am extremely upset to learn of the loss of such a wonderful artist in such an unnecessary and brutal way,” said Gabriel, who first came across Dube when they jointly campaigned against the apartheid regime.
Dube, who released 22 albums during his career, was Africa’s leading reggae artist and also had a huge international following.
He did 81 shows outside Africa, according to his recording company, Gallo.
He is the only reggae artist to have attracted a crowd nearly as big as all-time reggae legend Bob Marley when he performed in Jamaica.
In yet another tribute to Dube, the Rastafarian community in Durban was to hold a memorial service at the Durban City Hall on Saturday.
The memorial was to be open to members of the public, and the Durban mayor, Obed Mlaba, was expected to address the gathering, according to one of the organisers, Lwazi Xaba.
Since his fans could not attend his funeral, Rastafarians in Durban saw this as the only way they could pay their last respects to the man whose music had touched the hearts of many, Xaba said.
[Via IOL]
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
The 14th Annual MTN SA Music Awards will take place in May 2008 and will open for entries on 29 October 2007 and close on 30 November 2007.
With the exception of a handful of categories, product released between 1 December 2006 and 30 November 2007 will be eligible for entry into 2008’s edition of the awards. Those categories where the release date of the album is not considered are Best Selling Album, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Music Video and Record of the Year. The proprietary online entry system for record companies will once again be used for the submission of entries. Entry forms must be completed and submitted online at www.samusicawards.co.za.
Alternatively, RiSA staff have set up a helpdesk at their premises to assist anyone who cannot make use of the online entry system. RiSA’s offices are located at Unit 4, 150 Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, Randburg.
All material being submitted for consideration must reach RiSA by no later than 30 November 2007 for entries to be eligible for the Awards, which are scheduled to take place in early May 2008.
Where eligibility requirements are concerned, entry is open to any qualifying recording artist, director, producer or engineer — the qualifying factor being someone who has been a legal resident in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, or Botswana for a minimum of six (6) months on the date of entry or is a South African citizen.
For duos or groups, the rules stipulate that not less than 50 percent of the duo or group needs to fall into this citizenship requirement stated above. In addition, unless stated otherwise, collaborations/productions between qualifying artists and international artists are allowed, provided the South African qualifying artists’ participation is given star, or equal, billing.
Rules guiding entry submissions are also available for downloading from the MTN SAMA website.
This year there are 62 categories, with enhancements to existing categories and brand new categories coming from an ongoing desire to reflect the diversity, the dynamism, and the talent that exists in the South African music industry!
Of the 62 categories, ten are not open for entry from 29 October to 30 November.
These are the Record of the Year, a pubic vote category that employs radio airplay as the mechanism for determining the nominees; Best Selling Album and the newly inaugurated Best Selling DVD and Best Selling Music Download of the Year which open for entry after the close of entries in all other categories owing to their extended qualifying dates, but use a different set of criteria that involve an audit as explained in the rules covering the categories; and Lifetime Achievement Award which is bestowed on recipients nominated by the RiSA Executive Committee.
The advent of DVD and music downloads will be celebrated by introducing a vastly increased platform of recognition for DVD — the number of categories has increased at the 14th Annual MTN SA Music Awards to six from previously only having had one category at the 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards events; and the first time introduction of the awards for music download performance in Best Selling Music Download, a category that has three separate sub-categories namely: Best Selling Ring-Tune, Best Selling Full-Track and Best Selling Video.
The remaining five categories form part of the SAMA ‘Top Five’ categories that came into being at this year’s event — Best Female Album, Best Male Album, Best Album by a Duo or Group, Best Newcomer Album and Album of the Year.
For the Top Five, record companies cannot directly enter product into the Best Female Album, Best Male Album, Best Album by a Duo or Group and Best Newcomer Album categories. These four categories, with the important addition of Album of the Year, now form the SA Music Awards Top Five group. To be eligible for entry into the Big Five categories, the album would have to be nominated within its genre category.
The process enters its second year at the 14th Annual MTN SA Music. The Big Five judging system draws on the knowledge and expertise of the entire judging panel, and employs a rigorous series of judging procedures to ensure that the ultimate results for the Big Five categories represent the music industry’s finest.
[Via IAfrica ]
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
Below are some latest cds available @ CDRoots . Go check them out !
Tabu Ley Rochereau - The Voice of Lightness 1961-77 (2 CDs)
Bembeya Jazz National - The Syliphone Years (2 CDs)
Kenge Kenge - Introducing Kenge Kenge
Songs of the African Coast: Cafe Music of Liberia
African Virtuosos - The Classic Guinean Guitar Group
Rail Band - Belle Epoque Volume 1: Soundiata
Le Mandigue: Empire de la Musique - Various
The Old Highlife - Roadmaster and Agyemang
Lesotho Calling: Lesiba and Sekhankula Music - various
