Kama wewe ni mtumiaji au mtembeleaji wa mitandao ya kijamii [na sijui nani hatumii hii mitandao siku hizi kwa njia moja au nyingine] bila shaka leo umeona habari inayozunguka kuashiria kwamba jikoni inapikwa collabo kati ya msanii wa Tanzania Ali Kiba na yule wa Marekani, Chris Brown.

Nilipoziona habari hizi, binafsi nilifurahi kwani naamini kwenye mafanikio ya sanaa na wasanii wa kitanzania katika kufika mbali zaidi kwa minajili ya kuitangaza Tanzania, utamaduni wake [ikiwemo muziki,sanaa nk] na hata kuwatangaza watu wake. Kila mtu mwenye akili timamu bila shaka anawaombea na kuwatakia kila la kheri wasanii wetu waendelee kutaka kutimiza ndoto zao za kufika mbele zaidi. Isitoshe Ali Kiba aliwahi kufika anga za mbali kiasi cha kushirikiana na artists wengine wakubwa barani Afrika na hata Marekani. Bila shaka unakumbuka project ya One8 iliyomkutanisha Ali na mkongwe wa R&B R.Kelly.

Lakini wakati naendelea kuisoma habari yenyewe, ghafla tabasamu langu likaanza kupungua kabla halijapotea kabisa. BBC Swahili? Mbona kwenye tovuti yao rasmi ya BBCSwahili.com habari hii siioni?  Tangu lini BBC Swahili wakatumia “blog”? Na mbona mengi yanayoelezewa hayaendani na kile ninachokifahamu? Tangu lini Ali Kiba yupo chini ya Samsung? Mbona VIP Beats ni wauzaji wa beats na sio watu wa habari? Kweli BBC wawe na site ambayo ina posts 2 tu? Mmmh

Nikaona nijiridhishe kwa kuwasiliana na uongozi au management ya Ali Kiba. Ndipo nilipoupata UKWELI kwamba habari hiyo haina ukweli hata kidogo na kwamba hakuna kitu kama hicho kwa hivi sasa. Naam. Tuendelee. Hili si la kweli! [Ila kama nilivyosema hapo juu, lingekuwa la kweli…sote tungelifurahia au sio?]

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Love is something as old as the universe. If you believe in the “word”, you are also aware or would agree with whoever said, love rules our world. You are love and I am love.We are love. Everything that is done well, is done with love.

Along love, there are secrets. I love you and therefore I am ready and willing to keep all your secrets to myself. I hope you do the same. Out of those parameters, it is hate and war. How dare you! In love, jealous is your close cousin.

Love,fortunately or unfortunately, is sweeter when it is shared. That’s when you hear about two people in love and nothing can separate them. When you perfectly fall in love as one TV personality likes to say, you will feel it. No guess works with proper love. That is when you start swinging the arms even more while walking. You start dancing even when there is no music. Your homebase becomes Cloud Nine. You could lose yourself in a crowd of two. Untouchable.

Love is also a commitment between two people. When there is a third or fourth person it turns out to be either “an affair” or thoughts filled with self-loathing kicks in. It is said nations have gone into war because of love that went wrong. Remember jealous? Yeah…that cousin.

In this song/video [for the sake of some of ya’ll who don’t understand or speaks Swahili], Barnaba who is one of my all time favourite singers, tries to convince Vanessa Mdee[Vee Money] to have an affair. They will keep it as a secret, he laments. No one will know.Mmm, Vee doesn’t buy it. Someone will always find out. Danger.

I loved this video. It shows the authentic Africa [Tanzania in this case]. Under that tree, I could see a man having a siesta and young beautiful girls coming back from fetching water giggling at the his direction. The choreography was perfect too. Simple yet detailed.I could feel the beautiful sunshine of the continent accompanied by a breeze from the Indian Ocean. Enough words…here is the video.

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Fridays have traditionally been hot, warm or even cold depending on where you are and how the week behaved. You could be eagerly waiting for the last train home after a great night out or you could be cuddling with your sleepwear contemplating if what just happened is a nightmare or it’s real. Of course, if you are on #Team payrolls you may be hoping the wind and the rain would take away the brooding pain.

This Friday [I mean tomorrow], however, and for only one simple reason; lots of folks’ palms will be sweaty. Hands will be trembling. People will be gossiping with others, sharing excitement and giggling. No one will easily manage to think or taIk about anything else. I know I am going to be covering my face and then peek while crossing and uncrossing my legs. We will all be in same state of mind.Anticipation.

The above follows the building excitement. Folks are energized. Some are already singing, humming and chanting. They are moving about, being unable to stay still. It’s like they have been assured of the promise of unspoiled paradise. It sends shockwaves of an intense desire to share the feeling with others.

Ali Kiba is the one who is about to make Friday 27^th 2015 an extraordinary one. Ya’ll gonna be feeling aggressive and alive. Love will be on the air. There will be a rapid increase in heartbeat and rate of respiration. The way ladies will be moving on the floors whether at home, street pavement or night clubs will never be the same. They will be Chekecha Cheketua. That is Ali Kiba’s new single to be released tomorrow. Stay tuned and focused. Most importantly, stay calm. The King.

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If music could be compared with boxing, Ali Kiba’s new single Chekecha Cheketua would be an appropriate reminder (and literal comparison) of the December 8^th, 2012 boxing match between rival boxers Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez that was later named Fight Of The Year and Knockout Of The Year by Ring Magazine.

With just one second remaining into the sixth round, Márquez threw a punch that not only gave him a much-needed victory but also a knockout that almost ended Manny Pacquiao’s career. It was a punch of a lifetime. Márquez was determined right there to win it all. He did. There was no need for a count or throwing in a towel. It was a clear and jubilant win for the Mexican and an embarrassing loss for a Filipino.

From the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada to the shores of Africa, you could see how Pacquiao’s fans were looking for places to hide their faces. They were glancing about for help, an exit, or escape. His wife was hysterical. His Mother was praying for his life. Everyone was. His fans couldn’t believe what had just happened! There was plenty of head shaking voicing denial. They all felt a sudden coldness that hits at the core. The s*%t was real.

We can argue that music is no boxing. Of course. But with Chekecha Cheketua, without any doubt, Ali Kiba has thrown a “Márquez”. The only difference in his killer punch is that, it is expected from an artist like Kiba. The King. He proved he is worthy every inch of attention when Mwana came out. He is now on it again to protect his supremacy.

One thing that seems to be clear to me as I finished listening to Chekecha Cheketua for 10^th time [that is my rule when I want to review a new song-listen to it 10 times] is that Ali Kiba isn’t competing with anyone. I know there is or have been suggestions that he is competing with other artists. He ain’t, in my opinion. There is an incredible energy behind his skills. With songs like Mwana,Chekecha Cheketua and his other classics like Dushelele, Mapenzi Yana Run Dunia, Cinderella etc, he is now on his own league, revolution and mission.

Here is Chekecha Cheketua. Download It. Ask Your Friends To Do The Same. It was produced at Cheidaz Records by Aby Daddy. Guitar by Loso.

Join the online conversation using these hashtags #ChekechaCheketua # ChekechaChekeTOUR

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Somewhere up the hill you probably saw this coming. However, to put records straight, earlier today he made it official. He will be running for office to represent the people of Mikumi-Morogoro as their next Member of Parliament. He will run under Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo [CHADEMA] flagship. He will run to oust incumbent MP, Abdulsalaam Suleiman Ameir [CCM]

I have known Professor Jay [real name Joseph Haule] for years. We grew up together. I have therefore known all along that a shot at public office was never a matter of if but when. If all goes well for him, he will join artists who switched tables to become politicians. One good example is Joseph Mbilinyi [Mr. II] who is currently representing people of Mbeya at the Legislature. He will also be running again.

Joseph Haule has wit, directness and intelligence. Throughout his career as an artist, he has carried a common man’s message. He has carried their struggles with him through his music. He never changed his mind. It was natural for him to join the “opposition” sometimes last year. As an obsessively devoted individual, he just couldn’t join the same system he has literally being singing against for years.

Professor is a well-respected artist among his peers and across streets and hoods. He is daring and innovative and a toasty-warm human being. He is now taking that stance to Mikumi-his hometown. I personally wish him all the best.

You can Read Some of My Interviews With Him Here.

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Here is a story of two talented artists; Linex and Diamond. Their lives’ crossroads meets when one goes to school with a beautiful young lady. He falls in love but like the best striker who fails to score, his team comes short. She moves on. Life can take anyone anywhere.

Years later as he can’t get over her, he go into a mission searching for her. He is doing better with his life in the city. His money [though not much] is his weapon. He also hopes to cultivate from the little moments he spent with her around books and pens. As they say, you can put anything into a salad.

He is late. The lady is now married. He is in shock and disappointment. She is still as beautiful as she was. He sings about her [Salima]

A great song…from Linex Feat. Diamond Platinumz. Here are audio and video.

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DJ Choka is a DJ than an artist. However, art is something inside every mind that excels or can excel in anything that requires creativity. Therefore, his piece of being an “artist” pushes him into the booth once in a while. Lucky for him, his experience on the microphone hyping crowds and fans, always comes handy when he jumps into the closed doors with only see through mirrors.

He is back on it again and this time he says “Nitalala Uzeeni”. He is given company by Young Lunya, Country Boy, Deddy, Climax Bibo & Bgway. The young don’t need to sleep. They need to hustle, hustle hard. Their time to sleep will come. Here is Nitalala Uzeeni.

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When Afande Sele went on stage on this particular day, he probably didn’t have much to loose. All he wanted was to entertain and rock his fans. He was after all the reigning “Mfalme Wa Rhymes”. He was on top of his game. He probably had the confidence level of a lion.

I doubt whether it crossed his mind that one day he would want to be a musician turned into a politician. Those days are long gone. The “iconic” photo is now haunting him and his career. That day, on that stage, has ended up being a no trip to Harvard.

No matter what Afande Sele puts on today, to lots of people they still see him with his pants on his ankles, one of his hand holding his private areas and another hand holding a microphone, bare chested. It’s a ghost. It’s a haunting feeling that even a PR machinery of Olivia Pope [main character on TV series-Scandal] would have a hard time managing.

The photo you see above, got its groove back this week when, Afande Sele, alongside MP Zitto Kabwe announced before flashing cameras and microphones that he had joined ACT-Wazalendo from CHADEMA. Unlike Zitto, he decided to join ACT on his own accord. He wasn’t pushed aside. This time, however, it wasn’t CCM’s supporters and cadres that were throwing the jabs. It was people from CHADEMA. They wished him well…”Go…we didn’t like you anyway”

Whenever I look at the above photo or whenever I see comments and jokes made about it, I remember what I hear Mwalimu Julius Nyerere told a group of Canadians/Tanzanians in Ottawa when they asked him about dual citizenship. It was then a topic just as it is today. That was a couple of years before he passed away.

With his witty looks and smile, he told them, “no problem, go ahead…as long as you are not planning to run for office when you return to Tanzania. That will come up.” Nyerere knew what Afande Sele had no clue about when he allowed his emotions to take full control of him on that stage. Politics is a dirty game. It gets dirtier once you get in to “dance”.

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If at times you fail to understand or follow what exactly does Jokate do, you probably not alone. She is one of those multi-talented people that can literally dare touch even the devil and have him just smile.

Whether it’s just a God-given gift or it’s something she pursue with purpose and intent, you can’t easily tell. All you can appreciate is that she gives it all.

To mark her birthday[ about 4 days ago], she released a single titled Leo Leo Feat. Nigerian star Ice Prince. It’s Aloname and Tudd Thomas production. Listen And Download it below.

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Here is one thing I probably have never said before. When I heard that Vanessa Mdee was taking a leap of faith to jump from being a VJ and stuff like that to a full-swing artist, I had doubts. Even when I interviewed her, something on my mind was telling me otherwise. By then, if I am not mistaken, I had heard only few of her songs and they all sounded to be “made from machines” than from a natural talented singer. I didn’t want to air my opinion and sound like I am teaching one’s grandmother to suck eggs. I kept quiet.

I gotta admit; I was wrong. I think I had allowed myself to be naïve towards the direction the music world was/is taking. In almost the twinkling of an eye, she had turned out to be The Artist to watch, listen and admire. Her career has evolved and now all I can do is to wonder how far can she go. She has close to perfect strategies for an artist’s career.

Latest from her is this collaboration with South African artist K.O. The name of the song is Nobody But Me [NBM] produced jointly by Tanzanian Nahreel and South African producer, Lunatic who also produced KO’s song Cara Cara. Another popular producer, Master A, added flavor to this tune.

Listen and download here and then watch the video below.

The Video

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One challenge that every artist faces day in and day out is to remain an artist. To circumvent that trap, creativity must be at high gear-Always. It’s hard out there. Diamond Platinumz, seems to understand that challenge perfectly. He is prepared to even tap into often forgotten fan base.

I found myself rhyming with thoughts and vibes after watching Diamond’s new song collaborating with one and only Khadija Omar Kopa. This genre or type of music was first known as Taarab before getting so many other names including “Mipasho”. The genre is famous among the people living on the coasts of East African cities. It’s a tell-it-like it is. You are mean; I am going to tell you exactly that. Of course the “at your face” confrontational jabs will not be delivered at your doorsteps but through music.

Nasema Nawe is a reminder of an artist who stays on top through innovation…at least in the way he builds new audience. Here is the video.

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Here is a new video from Linah collaborating with Christian Bella who is without a doubt one of the best vocalists in Tanzania.

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Here is the new video for the song Nashindwa from Christian Bella. You can download the song by following this link

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Here is a new one from Dayna Nyange Feat Nay Wa Mitego. The song is titled Nitulize (literal translation “cool me down”). I somehow expected more. I got less. But it’s show biz and the buzz is alright. The song comes around during the heated controversy surrounding Nay Wa Mitego. He could be on the Maury Show for DNA. Same time he is rumored to be in love with an actress(someone’s ex). It’s 360 degree drama.  Listen and download

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The world has changed. It’s no longer what grandpa used to know. The argument of course is whether it has changed for better or worse. That debate will never end. Cool.

However, we can all agree that the visual world of today demands more than just a talent. We are all swimming against the biggest sharks and powerful currents. The ocean is deep. There’s no substitute for a competitive edge.

When you are an artist or just a trendsetter, you need a marathon of ideas and innovation techniques. You must be aggressive. Your life walks with the practiced eye of a man who makes a living on quick estimates. There is no sleep. Time for dreaming is gone. It’s doing time. You have to be ready to do the unthinkable. You have to invite everyone in your “living room” even when your dirty laundry is on the floor. It’s a show biz.

Diamond and Zari seems to be mastering the art of show biz. It’s a dangerous kind of art though. They understand that the traditional public relations oriented approach won’t work today. That explains, perhaps, why creating storms online seems to be a new approach. After all, folks are now addicted to phones and tablets than ever before. For whatever reasons we likes storms as long as they aren’t hitting our own backyards. They remind me a boy in my school who never threw a single punch on anyone but made everyone else fight. Smart eenh. Like a big fights promoters.

After making folks go stag last week with “wedding” buzz that ended up being just another photo-shoot, they’re back. It’s loading, they say. That makes you think, right? Wtf is loading? Relax. Do the maths and you will get through. Ciroc? No? But hey…they did create the buzz, right? Did they break the Internet? I doubt. But it was a good attempt. Applause please!

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Through music we talk. Through music we express ourselves. The rhythm gets all of us moving. It can uplift anyone from the ground up. Remember what Bob Marley said about music? He said, “Good thing about music is that it makes you feel a’iight”. He was right. Music can also give you confidence. All over sudden you have a strong posture; shoulders back,chest out, chin high. Your walk changes. You’re now walking with those wide steps wearing on your face a smile with a playful grin. You can now approach people with ease…feel me?

Unfortunately, I listened to the new single from Lady Jay Dee [relax you are also about to hear it below] when the situation wasn’t the best. You know one of those times when you feel like your brain will explode and you hold your forehead to resist? Regardless, I could feel the love. It didn’t take long before I could feel my heart racing faster. Eyes were open with that sparkle and gleam.  Music can do wonders. You get lots of love out of music.

This is a brand new single from Lady Jaydee called “Give Me Love” featuring South Africa’s Mazet and the Infamous Uhuru. Give me love, which is a follow up to her riddim driven smash hit ‘Forever”, is produced by Dj Maphorisa Uhuru. Here we go; the video will come sometimes soon. BC will keep you posted as usual.

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Here is another collaboration between Diamond Platinumz and his buddy Nay Wa Mitego. You may remember them arguing about Bongo Fleva Vs Hip Hop. They have now shifted gears and it’s Money Vs Love (Mapenzi Dhidi Ya Pesa). Here we go;

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According to the Comprehensive Swahili-English Dictionary by Mohamed A. Mohamed that I recently received, the word Malele means; orchella weed: lichens growing on trees in mangrove formations and coastal vegetation, used as a dye.Rochella tinctoria.

You probably have an idea why I have started the above paragraph with the definition. For once, I heard the song, liked it but didn’t know what it means. That is strange since I am more than fluent in Swahili. Should that mean Malele is a new word in town? May be. Also I am mindful of the way languages develop. One word could have several meanings. Anyway…

Back to the video; it’s good but one could argue it’s too simple and probably didn’t cost much. Simple is good though and that’s where my “good” comes from. No one can deny the new power Shilole (also known as Shishi Baby) brings to the game. I have written about this before. She carries the same torch ahead like a brave soldier approaching the enemy line. She is brave.

Here is Malele, the video. If you don’t mind and aren’t in hurry to catch up with evening news, please let me know what you think about the video. Cheers!

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Diamond Platinumz needs no fancy introduction among today’s music fans across Africa. He is a superstar. His name is a household name. His music is on replay somewhere as I am writing this post.

With his latest song, Diamond didn’t go far to come up with these lyrics. His life story is a testimony. He came from extreme poverty and hustle to be where he is today. It is therefore easy for him to relax at his self-built home and ask himself, what if all this comes to an end? Will the fans still cheer him up? Or nature will take its course and sideline him for someone else? What if….

Scene from Diamond Platinumz’s new song, Utanipenda

Although Diamond Platinumz isn’t the first artist or human being to ask himself such questions, they are as applicable and classic like holy books. They’re legit and important questions. If anything, they allow and force us to remain humble. All of us, regardless to special status anyone may have, at some point our lives will change. You pray that any changes would be for better. But worse is usually an uninvited guest in many occasions too.

When you are gone, how will you be remembered? But most important, when you are still alive and all of sudden you loose everything you have ever had, how many people will still be there? Will the silence…well..

Here is Diamond Platinumz asking Utanipenda (Will You Still Love Me?)

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Siku zote nimekuwa nikiamini kwamba Amini ni miongoni mwa wasanii wenye kipaji cha hali ya juu katika kuimba. Wakati mwingine huwa nafikia hata “kukufuru” kwamba huenda hana bahati kama waliyonayo wasanii wengine. Katika dunia ya leo, kipaji lazima kiende na bahati.

Hata hivyo, Amini si haba. Ni miongoni mwa wanamuziki wa muziki wa kizazi kipya ambao wanafanya vizuri. Naamini tu kwamba angeweza kuvuka mipaka zaidi. Pengine uongozi wake ungeanza kuangalia soko la nje. Kipaji anacho. Na bila shaka hivi sasa anajiamini vizuri zaidi hususani baada ya kupata uzoefu wa muda wote huu. Amini ni miongoni mwa matunda bora ya kituo cha kuibua na kunoa vipaji cha Tanzania House Of Talent(THT). Sikisikii sana siku hizi ila naamini bado kipo hai na kinaendelea kuibua wasanii wengine.

Hii hapa ni video ya wimbo Hawajui kutoka kwa Amini.

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