SHOW BUZZ: Lit 360 helps Jimmy Gait release powerful video

Lit Music, a record label by the Nation Media Group, released their first song with gospel superstar Jimmy Gait.

The song “Pokea Sifa” pays tribute to the trials and tribulations that Jimmy experienced during his cyberbullying episode.

The audio was produced by Vicky Pon Dis, who also produces for Groove Awards Artiste of the Year winner Guardian Angel, while the video was directed by Hanscana, who also directs a lot of Diamond Platnumz’s videos.

Jimmy Gait’s dedication to the Almighty remains as steadfast to his passion for Gospel music and he is extremely grateful for everything that he has achieved. One of his verses says “Ukiona umefika mwisho, Mungu huwa ana anzia, Don’t you give up, One step at a time, your better days are ahead of you”.

Jimmy Gait’s songs had come under a lot of scrutiny some time back, with people saying he had lost the message of the gospel. It seemed like he was riding on trending issues and trying to relate that somehow with God.

He caught a lot of flak for it to the extent that he became the victim of cyber bullies, and he said on air that this led to depression.

His new song shows a different Jimmy Gait. The song is highly moving and inspirational. Due to the depth of the message he wanted to put across, the song is more reflective and mature compared to his up-tempo songs.

“Pokea Sifa” is available now on YouTube, where it has received overwhelmingly positive responses, and on Skiza Tunes.

Lit Music signed Jimmy Gait because of his talent, hard work and star power; he is one of the biggest names of the label’s 15 artistes. Besides managing and nurturing artistes, the record label works on brand building, exposure, marketing, distribution and event organisation.

My house is super expensive

Gospel musician Kevin Bahati has bragged about his newly built and well-furnished house, claiming it cost him at least Sh10 million.

The singer, who has been a darling to most corporate entities, signing performance deals for their events, surprised his wife Diana Marua with the fully furnished house a few weeks ago in a bid to make up for their little disagreement which made her pack her bags and leave their rented residence.

The singer treated Diana to dinner then blind-folded her and gave her the surprise of the fully furnished home he built for her.

In a recent radio interview, the singer said the house cost him an arm and a leg.

“Yeah that house has some features that generate things such as cool air weather. That house isn’t less than Sh10 million,” Bahati claimed when he was probed by the presenter.

Betty Bayo willing to get married again

Gospel musician Betty Bayo is willing to get married again -- when she finds the right person.

Bayo and controversial preacher Victor Kanyari split three years ago following an exposé that uncovered the preacher conducting fake miracles after urging his congregation to send Sh310 “seed money”.

“It has been three years since I left him and when the time comes I will get married to a good person, because I don’t want to find myself in a similar situation,” Betty said in a recent radio interview.

At the time of their separation, the two already had two children. Betty said Kanyari doesn’t support them.

“I don’t think he is the man you wake up and ask anything from. He is a stingy man who provides little to his children,” she added.

Event organisers form association

Cases of Kenyan promoters and event organisers declining to live up to their end of deals signed between them and artistes could soon end.

They launched the Events Organizers Association of Kenya (EOAK) this week at a colourful event at the Marula Manor in Karen, Nairobi.

The association, which will be the trade body representing companies that are in the events-related business, boasts more than 200 members.

The main task of EOAK will be to hold its members accountable in service delivery by ensuring the code of conduct is adhered to and all complaints emanating from within and outside the association are addressed.

“The events industry has been quite unregulated when it comes to service delivery. With the formation of EOAK…we seek to end that by providing membership that will be held accountable in the running of their events-related business both between them and other event suppliers, and also clients,” Chairman Peter Mundati said.

A few weeks ago, visiting Nigerian star Tiwa Savage was left stranded in her hotel over unpaid bills after performing at Redsan’s fifth album launch.

According to her, promoters and organisers went missing after her performance, leaving her to sort out herself. Such cases have been rampant in Kenya’s events industry.

Battle of the DJs with Smirnoff begins

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has launched a new Disk jockey (DJ) competition – the Smirnoff Battle of the Beats.
Battle of the Beats, reminiscent of Pilsner Mfalme competition, will run for 12 weeks and targets youth between 18 and 20 years.

The competition will see up-and-coming deejays all over the country battle it out on the decks each week to find the next big Kenyan entertainer.

The winner of the competition will be rewarded with a one-year contract to be the main deejay of all KBL gigs and events.

The competition is open to all genders. Female deejays who have lived in the shadows of their male counterparts have been challenged to come out in large numbers.

“Through our Smirnoff Battle of the Beats competition we hope to further shine a spotlight on the next generation of deejays in this country,” said Ann Joy, KBL’s Head of Mainstream Spirits.

The auditions started in Kisumu City yesterday and end today, then move to Mombasa on October 19 and 20, with the last one conducted in Nairobi on October 26 and 27.