Coke Studio to air on NTV

Tanzanian singer Nandy (yellow dress) of the hit song "Ni Nogeshe" performs at the Coke Studio. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Now on its sixth year, Coke Studio Africa viewers will enjoy, for once, more than 25 talented stars from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Viewers will also experience new and exciting music fusions; from covers to throwbacks and original compositions.

This year’s Coke Studio show, which premiered last week, will air on major television channels across the country. The non-competitive music-collaboration show, which seeks to bring together and celebrate the diversity of African music and talent, will also air on NTV.

Now on its sixth year, Coke Studio Africa viewers will enjoy, for once, more than 25 talented stars from across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Kenyan artistes set to feature on this year’s show include “Vimbada” hit maker Moji Short Baba, who will be making his debut alongside Naiboi — the “2 In 1’’ hit maker.

First lady of hip hop, Nazizi, music sensations Ethic (of the “Lamba Lolo” fame), fast-rising star Nadia Mukami. Kenyan hip-hop heavyweight Khaligraph Jones, who was recently crowned Best rapper in Africa at 2018 AFRIMMA Awards, will be making a return to the show for the second time.

Viewers will also experience new and exciting music fusions; from covers to throwbacks and original compositions. The music acts and producers will be drawn from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria and other countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Other East African artistes set to feature on the show include Rayvanny, Harmonize, Nandy, Jux and Mimi Mars from Tanzania; from Uganda, we have Sheebah, Fik Fameica, King Saha and Alvin Kizz; Ethiopia will be represented by Rophnan, Abush Zeleke, Mahlet, Bisrat and Yared Negu. The show also features one international musician. The last edition in 2017 featured American pop star Jason Derulo.

The show gives up and coming artistes the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. The artistes are drawn from different genres, eras and regions, and put in pairs to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion. As the artistes interact and produce music documented by the show’s producers, they also get to learn about each other’s music and styles while exchanging cultural ideas.

The show takes the viewers inside the recording studio to watch a diverse range of artistes. Official partners of Coke Studio Africa 2019 include: Sankara Hotel, PACE Africa, Yallo and Home 254.

Content excellence head Monali Shah said, “We are very excited to have some new partners come on board to join us as we make great music from Africa to the world."

South African production giant Mashoba Media has been given the task to put together the 2019 season, working with a team of experts from around the continent.