HIP-HOP HEADS NOMINATED ON A PRESTIGIOUS COASTAL AWARDS

After years of complaining for being secluded, hip-hop artists have a reason to smile again. For the pasts few months, event organizers have been including hip-hop artist in their events and gigs, starting with the Stylus Dj Awards which took place at Whitesands, to the most recent Miss Pwani at Sheba Lounge, all of them having hip-hop heads on the headlines. And it doesn't stop there. Hiphop artists appear on the limelight again, this time battling for the prestigious Male Artist of the year in the Pwani Celebrity Award event. The Voting is on going on the events Page and the awards will take place on 8th.
Some of the Hip-hop artist who have been nominated include, Kaa La Moto, Ohms Law Montana and Benso. They are going up against Dahzla and Dogo Richie. Currently Benso is leading with over 430 votes, followed by Ohms Law who has around 300 votes. As the days keep closing in, artists are busy asking for votes, some do not seem to bother about it. But am sure we are all waiting to see who will scoop the award.

COAST TO COAST HEAVYWEIGHT COLLABORATION

This is one thing I didn't see coming. Honestly it caught me by surprise. As soon as I saw it on Facebook I called Odinareh and told him to email me the track Asap. And I wasn't disappointed at all  So Odinareh Bingwa has this major collabo with Poppa Don. Titled Tunazidi Kua. Download it HERE

Odinareh and Poppa Don

Musically speaking, I've always told people Odinareh is a strategist. And his plans always work. If you look at this critically,  it's not just a normal collabo. Poppa Don is the fastest growing hip hop artist in Nairobi right now. And Odinareh has caught Mombasa's attention pretty nice. So this move exposes the both to new crowds. People in Nairobi will get to hear and appreciate OB, the same thing will happen to Poppa Don in coast. Thus accelerating their rank a bit high.

Odinareh is currently in Nairobi doing rounds on radio stations from Citizen to Homeboyz all showing love to the new jam. Am expecting after they are done they'll make their way to Mombasa for more promotion on coastal airwaves.
More to that,  the track is pretty catchy. It's multilingual with some vernacular rap in it.OB raps in Kikuyu and Poppa Don does his thing in Luo. The lyricism of both artists do not disappoint either. And news just got in that there's a video on the way. This guys mean serious business!

Odinareh and Willy M. Tuva

Odinareh and Dj Finalkut

OHMS LAW MONTANA GETS GOOD RECEPTION IN NAIROBI

Over the week, Coast superstar, Ohms Law Montana was in Nairobi and from the look of things, he has been getting really good media reception over there. On Tuesday, he had an interview with Willy M. Tuva of Mambo Mseto, on Citizen Radio during the hip-hop Tuesday show. On Wednesday he was on air again, this time on Capital Fm lyrical Wednesday show. (PAUSE THERE. For those who don't know, Lyrical Wednesday is like the Ultimate Hiphop show on radio, that every hip-hop artist covets.) Thursday again, he was on air, this time on KU Fm


While in Nairobi, he has released a brand new track Wasela Wangu under Stantmastaz Record Label based in Mombasa. The track is available for download, CLICK HERE.
With the reception that he has received, this may be the breakthrough moment that he has been waiting for. While other artists are still struggling to get airplay in coast radios, this guy amevuka boarder. 

HIP-HOP AND FASHION. MISS MOMBASA CONTEST: HOW IT WENT DOWN.

On Wednesday 8th October, those of you who attended the Miss Mombasa beauty contest have to agree with me that it was more than awesome. The turn out was superb considering it was on a Wednesday, and people were dressed to kill, after all, it was a fashion even. But that's not what took me there, on the performing list, there was, Odinareh Bingwa and Cypreezy. After making all that noise and bringing up controversial topics, finally, event organizers have heard our cry. Soon hip-hop artist will be earning lots of money from these events.
Spincycle DJ Bonnez was able to keep the crowd on their feet from the beginning of the event to the very end. The models did not disappoint either, though I did not stay long to see who was crowned, that's not what took me there, I managed to get some cool photos (yes I am a paparazzi too)

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THE MOST AWAITED HIP-HOP EVENT IN MOMBASA

31st of October we will witness history in the making as Fikrah Teule launches his Album Falsafa Za Mwenda Pole at Alliance Francaise de Mombasa. Why am I saying "History in the making"? Simple. Over the past two years (that's the period I have been in Mombasa) have you guys witnessed any Hip-hop artist do a launch for his Album?  Earlier this year Dizasta pulled that stant at Yellow Ribbon Club when he was launching his mixtape Black City. Other than that nothing yet.
The other hip-hop artist who has an Album is Odinareh Bingwa, but he opted to sell it via digital platforms instead. Mshamba Mjini, a mixtape by Frankwest Mshamba is the most recent hip-hop mixtape from Mombasa. Again, it has not been launched formely. So this makes Fikrah Teule's event one of a kind in Mombasa.

Advance tickets are going for 200 bob, gate charges 250. With the hype that is on right now we are almost sure it will be an awesome event. Everyone around Mombasa mark your calendars. 31st October we launch Falsafa Za Mwenda Pole.

JUUKUA BAND SET NEW STANDARDS IN THE COASTAL SHOWBIZ *PHOTOS INCLUDED*

Yesterday we (those who attended the concert) witnessed history in the making. Juukua band single handedly pulled a stunt that most of these coast event organizers wouldn't do. With limited funds and resources, the crew used basic materials to decorate their concert making it the best I have attended ever since I came to Mombasa. Now next time I wanna have a launch of anything I know who I will be contacting. The Band has just proved that we do not need Safaricom and Tusker to sponsor us so that an event can be successful. No, sir. We just need to make good use of the available material. 
What I liked most is the turn out of coast Hip-hop artists who were there to support the crew. I spotted Ohms Law, Fikra Teule, Miss Dimplez, Anonymous Vedette, Vasatyle man, Johny Skani, who was there with the Pwani TV crew. Nyota Ndogo, humbly "opened the concert" (okay I have a feeling that is grammatically wrong, that's why it is in quotes) I said humbly because, she is the bigger star (lol, Nyota Ndogo, is big star, get it?) but she curtained raised for the band. I am yet to see anything like that in hip-hop. Come to think of it, this is not the first time she has performed with the band, it's like she's nurturing them, giving them direction. Who does that in hip-hop? All I see is beefs and unhealthy competition to see who is the "best".

Well I am not much of a photographer, but I managed to capture some photos.

THE GOSPEL OF FIKRAH TEULE: FALSAFA ZA MWENDA POLE *NEW ALBUM*

If you are a frequent listener of conscious hip-hop and you haven't bumped into Fikrah Teule then maybe your are not much of a fan as you thought. From Mombasa, this young artist has been able to keep it conscious for so long, and now he wants to take it to another level. How? You may ask. Well, we caught up with him a few days ago for an interview. This is what we got:

UHE: There was a time you announced that you had quit music, months later you are launching an album. Is it safe to say you were working on this album during that period?

FIKRA: Yes, you see sometimes things get a little bit rough but we learn from experience to never quit and victory never comes easy, so I had to do some soul searching and rediscover the power within, get the courage to summon it and bounce back to the scene. I've always wanted to contribute to Kenyan music,  something tangible that can be felt not only here but across borders, East African an worldwide man. So Quitting has never been an option but you can always take a sabbatical n use it as a strategy to weigh the situation and the direction you are about to take.

UHE: Who produced and mastered the album? And what was the experience working with them?
FIKRA: The album has productions by Tedd Josiah, Mg Hiphophead, N.j.e  and Petrooz...so be ready for some serious music here.

UHE: Why choose the title "Falsafa za Mwenda Pole" what does it mean?

FIKRA: It has taken me almost a decade coming no favors or anything but sweat and hard work, I want to seize the moment for real, it's worth it!  I've been patient, resilient, courageous, a believer and above all hopeful that I'll do it big one day no matter what.

UHE: Some of the artists featured in the track?

FIKRA: Hustlajay, Kwame, Petrooz, Iddi, Achycho, Nafsi Huru amongst others. No big names as expected but good artists who are finding their way.

UHE: Should we expect anything different from this?

FIKRA: Yes one big video to drop soon..

UHE: Any message to the fan out there?

 FIKRA: We all need support at any level, no one is ever big for support from the people you can count on. Peace and respect to y'all. God BLESS YOU!!!

The album launch will be at Alliance Francaise de Mombasa, on 31st October. We will be there to cover the event.