Give it to them for 2014

VERA SIDIKA

From a simple video vixen to the most searched personality in Kenya in 2014, Vera Sidika is probably the only socialite worthy of the name, at least by Kenyan standards.

She started off her career as the main attraction in P Unit’s “You Guy” video and her reputation quickly escalated with semi-nude photos on social media. Her constant fights with peer Huddah Monroe over trivial material possessions on Instagram ensured that she was talked about every other day.

She, however, pulled a fast one on everybody and came under fire when she bleached her skin in a procedure that allegedly cost her Sh50 million. Normally, not all celebrities who bleach themselves admit it but Vera did so on national television and was unperturbed by the negative comments that came with her confession. Known for her curvy trademark body, which she says is her business, Vera admitted she altered her appearance because Nicki Minaj and Rihanna did it too. It is clearly working out for her because she is now even more famous.

SAUTI SOL

They are by far Kenya’s and East Africa’s most celebrated afro-pop boy band. Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Delvin Mudigi and Polycarp Otieno have revolutionised the sound and face of music in Kenya since they released their first hit single "Lazizi".

Their first two albums "Mwanzo" and "Sol Filosofia" were well received and earned them shows in Europe and USA. But 2014 has been their biggest year yet with the release of hit singles like "Nishike" and "Sura Yako" off their third album "Live and die in Afrika".

Their music video "Nishike" was labelled too hot for television and banned on some stations. But thanks to social media, Kenyans flocked to YouTube, making the video the most watched in Kenya 2014.

It was also nominated as East Africa’s Most Gifted Music Video at the 2014 Channel O Music Awards. Their biggest honour was at the MTV Europe Music Awards where they scooped the Best African Act award, beating heavyweights Davido, Toofan, Goldfish and Diamond. Back home, they won the OLX SOMA Awards in the best use of social media for entertainment category.

BLAQY

Anyone who has ever watched Blaqy’s videos knows that those are a few minutes of their life they will absolutely never get back. Only Blaqy would come up with these lame sentences “Show me what your mama gave you, I want to see what she gave you / I cannot see what she gave you, so show me what she gave you,” and a beat and call it a song.

"The Show Me" and "Money Maker" dancehall artiste, if anything is a very brave man. Musically speaking, his songs were an epic fail but judging by the YouTube views they got, it was a win, for him.

Blaqy certainly pushed boundaries and threw the rule book out of the window; his songwriting skills clearly show he does not follow the rules at all. Although his music kept him in the limelight for a little while, his shenanigans with the voluptuous Risper Faith kept the blogs abuzz as well.

After enlisting the help of Risper Faith for his "Money Maker" video, things began going south after he not so subtly said Risper needed to lose weight. Risper on the other hand allegedly conned Blaqy of Sh20,000 in which he sought legal counsel from lawyer Paul Muite.

All this shenanigans coming from a person who wants the President to be on his next song, here is to hoping that he is not holding his breath.

JAGUAR
No matter how many times people hate, criticise and make fun of Jaguar’s songs, they always end up becoming hits and to the chagrin of many, those songs get stuck on replay in one’s head. With hits like "Kigeugeu", "Kipepeo", and his latest release one "Centimeter", Jaguar has carved out a niche for himself with fans who appreciate his repetitive and catchy style of music.

Jaguar has always endeared himself to his fans through helping needy youths as a way of giving back to the society. His friendship with Mike Sonko and the president has raised his celebrity status.

LARRY MADOWO
From KTN to NTV to CNBC Africa and finally back to NTV, Larry Madowo has grown from a business reporter to a seasoned news anchor right before Kenya’s eyes. He has been picked apart by Kenyans on Twitter and hilarious memes posted on social media but that has never been something he loses sleep over.

Madowo, who sometimes comes off as cocky and a know-it-all is as bold as he is outspoken. His show “The Trend” has become something to look forward to every Friday night. Although he is a serious reporter, he does not take himself too seriously on his show, he is spontaneous, is not afraid to be goofy and sometimes is actually quite funny.

OCTOPIZZO

The "Namba Nane" rapper has rightfully earned his spot as one of Kenya’s best rappers. His music, shaped by his life in Kibera slum, is characterised by powerful punch lines and flowing rhymes.

Early on he was accused of imitating rapper T.I’s fashion and Eminem’s track Blackstar which also features T.I, although to be fair he sampled it, which happens a lot in the music industry. Ignoring the naysayers, Octopizzo has gone on to release "Halla", "Salute me", "Something for You" and in 2015 he is set to release the track "Could Be Us" with American recording artiste August Alsina, which unfortunately was leaked.

DAVID THE STUDENT

The Churchill Show has seen many comedians come and go, and those who have won fans’ hearts have been major fixtures on the show. David the student is one of those comedians. Originally, he wanted to be a news anchor and while those dreams did not pan out, he has had and still has quite a remarkable run on the Churchill Show.

He has come of age and has hosted high profile gigs and unlike many comedians, he did not take long in finding his footing as a serious funny man.

RABBIT

Rabbit has come a long ways since looking for Betty in his song "Dodoma" featuring Harry Kimani. Rabbit, one of the best Hip hop artistes in Kenya used to be a hype man for underground rapper Chiwawa.

But he has since come into his own dropping hits like "Swahili Shakespeare", "Jam Nakam", "Nakuchukia", "Mtu hivi hivi", "Adisia", "Ligi soo" and "Uko Tu Sawa" and is now sitting pretty at the top. One of his biggest highlights this year was taking part in Coke studio where he worked with trumpeter Owuor Arunga and singer Marlene from Mozambique.

Time and again Rabbit continues to deliver lyrics that tell stories and are filled with poetry and witty punch lines.

CAROLINE MUTOKO

With a career in radio for over a decade, Caroline Mutoko is no doubt a legendary radio queen in Kenya. The no nonsense straight shooting radio host, however, called it a day after years of hosting The Big Breakfast on Kiss FM. She has inspired and motivated and started conversations.

Now Radio Africa’s chief marketing officer, she is setting her sights higher in an even bigger platform to launch Radio Africa 3.0.

PASTOR KANYARI

Pastor “Doctor” Kanyari was definitely not an entertainer but after the expose run by investigative journalists Mohammed Ali and John Allan Namu aired, he definitely had people laughing and in stitches.

He annoyed, disgusted and even amazed Kenyans but he certainly entertained and impressed them with his “Chemistry” tricks which were bared live on TV by a former associate. Not only did the expose put some people off but it also left some in awe of the Form Two dropout, touting him as a marketing genius.

With the little chemistry he learnt in his two years in high school, Kanyari performed “miracles” on his congregation.

One can only imagine what Kanyari would have been able to do had he completed his education. He might even have become a real doctor, who knows? But that would require honesty and real hard work.