SHOWBUZZ: Madtraxx and Mejja miss America tour

Members of Kansol group, Madtraxx and Mejja, were meant to be in the US this weekend for the annual Memorial Weekend celebrations, at least according to posters doing the rounds on social media. PHOTO| FILE

What you need to know:

  • Speaking to Showbuzz, Madtraxx blamed the organisers for their failed trip. “Organisers of the event did not keep their word and they are not as professional as we expected them to be; that’s why we are still here,” he said.

Madtraxx and Mejja miss America tour

Members of Kansol group, Madtraxx and Mejja, were meant to be in the US this weekend for the annual Memorial Weekend celebrations, at least according to posters doing the rounds on social media.

However, the two joined other artistes on Thursday night at Nairobi’s Galileo Lounge, the day they were supposed to have landed in the US.

Speaking to Showbuzz, Madtraxx blamed the organisers for their failed trip. “Organisers of the event did not keep their word and they are not as professional as we expected them to be; that’s why we are still here,” he said.

However, other artistes like Sauti Sol, Big Pin and Willy Paul, through other event organisers, managed to travel to the US last week.

 

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Duane Stephenson: I’m not coming to Kenya this week

US-based Jamaican reggae star Duane Stephenson is furious with reports that he will be performing in Nairobi this weekend. A poster has been circulating on social media saying he will be performing in Kenya alongside other reggae musicians, in an event organised by Chini Ya Mti Entertainment. According to his manager, Shawn Kong, they had no knowledge of the said May 30 event.

“We have not spoken to anyone concerning this event, so Duane’s fans should not be fooled to attend the concert,” he told Showbuzz on phone.

“All our tour dates are posted on www.duanestephensonreggae.com.” However, Duane is in talks with RAW Entertainment for another event to be held in Nairobi on August 22, the manager said.   

 

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Xtreem awards kick off talent search countrywide

Xtreem awards will be going to different counties in Kenya looking for new talent in the music industry.

Mostly targeting teenagers, the organisers will be travelling with established gospel artistes to audition up-and-coming musicians, says the awards’ boss, Peter Mulei.

“We are doing this in preparation for our annual event in December,” said Mulei. This year’s event will mark the awards’ third edition. The awards also plan to expand to South Africa and the US, for parallel events. The talent search is dubbed Xtreem Mtaa. 

 

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MAMAs to be held on Mandela’s birthday

The MTV Africa Music awards will be held at Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on Saturday July 18. This will be the fifth edition of the event which started in 2008. In 2009, Kenya had an opportunity to host the awards at Kasarani Gymnasium, Nairobi, where Nameless was voted the Best Male Artiste and Amani the Best Female Artiste.

According to Alex Okosi, the event will be recognising the late  Nelson Mandela, since it is his birth date.

“What better day could there be for staging this inspirational celebration of African achievement and creativity that showcases Africa’s best talent on the world stage?” he said.

Durban will be hosting the event for the second time, after doing the same last year. The nominees list will be announced later this month.

 

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Mr Ndilima to kick off music tour

Popular gospel musician Mr Ndilima is set to kick off a tour in the eastern part of the country. Famed  for the song Kiinze Kya Yesu, Kinyuriru and Sasa ni Official, the gospel artiste says he will be doing this event to honour his birth place, since he has not performed much in that area.

“I have been performing in different places in Kenya but it’s time to thank my home fans with this concert,” he told Showbuzz.

The tour is dubbed Kiinze Reloaded and will start next month. At the end of it, he will be launching his second album at Machakos People’s Park.