Tdat video to be released despite protest from dad

Newsmaking rapper Timmy Tdat seemingly has fallen out on his compensation-demand to a Member of Parliament from Central whose daughter has been featured in his soon-to-be-released music video and has said he will go ahead with his plan.

The legislator is said to have ordered Timmy to re-edit the song’s video after finding out his daughter is the video vixen, and is busy dancing dirty.

However when the anonymous MP reached out to Timmy, the rapper is said to have demanded compensation for the time and money he spent on doing the video (double the amount).

The rapper went on to say editing out the MP’s daughter will disrupt the whole concept of the video since she features prominently.

He went on to add that it wasn’t his fault as he had contracted a modelling agency that provided the services of the girl. Timmy was willing to redo the video but things might have changed, leading him to say he would not redo it.

“I paid the director and cameraman. And how was I to know she was an MP’s daughter? Again what business do I have to ask a lady who her father is?” the rapper is quoted. He plans to release the song anytime.

Grandpa Records stable loses another big act

Fast-rising musician Virginia Maina, popularly known as Gin Ideal, is set to join Lady Jay Dee at Taurus Music label after becoming the latest artiste to ditch the once renowned music stable Grand Pa Records, which seems to be in trouble after losing several top acts.

The petite musician who burst into limelight with “Rede” two years ago produced under Grand Pa, confirmed ditching the label just months after another star, dancehall musician, Dufla Dilligon, walked out.

Speaking to Showbuzz, the singer couldn’t reveal the exact reasons she left the Kibera-based label owned by former-rapper-turned-producer Reffigah, only hinting that she had signed with a new management but wouldn’t name the stable.

“I can’t tell you the exact reason I left Grand Pa but what you need to know is around June I will be making announcements of the new team I will be working with,” Gin Ideal said.

However, sources have indicated that she has joined Taurus Music that manages several stars including Tanzanian veteran Lady Jay Dee, afro fusion sensation Dela Maranga, Kagwe Mungai, Alicious Theluji among others.

With Gin Ideal departure word has it that Grand Pa Records has been left with no other signed artiste under it. The stable is credited with release of several club bangers including ‘Dawa  ya Moto’, ‘Tempo’, ‘Dumbala’, ‘Mbilikimo mkora’ among others.

MCSK stopped from collecting royalties

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has banned MCSK (Music Copyright Society of Kenya) from collecting music royalties on behalf of local artistes.

In a statement, KECOBO said it has only licensed three Collective Management Organisations (CMOs): Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE), Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) and Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK). However, the licensing of the three bodies is on condition that they do a joint license.

Only the three CMOs are now allowed to collect and distribute music royalties from businesses and individuals using music in public places and for commercial purposes. The move by KECOBO to cut out MCSK comes at a time when there has been wide outcry from local artistes who complained against the latter embezzling royalties collected on their behalf. In 2016, music band Elani made a furious attack on MCSK over unpaid royalties. In May 2015, gospel singer Pitson revealed that he had only received Sh4,000 as royalties for his hit song ‘Lingala ya Yesu’.

In November 2014, highly-discussed gospel musician Ringtone together with other artistes staged a protest against gross misappropriation of artistes’ royalties by MCSK during the third annual MCSK award ceremony at the Carnivore grounds. KECOBO has therefore notified members of the public to be aware that MCSK is not licensed to collect any royalties.

Jolie barred from taking kids

Celebrated Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is reportedly furious after she was barred by authorities from taking her children out of the United States. This is because of the custody battle going on between her and estranged husband, fellow renowned actor Brad Pitt.

The 42-year-old mother of six, was planning to fly with all of her kids to London while she films Maleficent 2. The children she has with the 54-year-old star are Maddox, 16; Pax, 15; Zahara, 13; Shiloh, 11; and 9-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox.

However, she was notified by authorities that it wasn’t possible to get them out of the country until she and Brad have sorted their divorce fully.

“They are figuring out how it would work, but she is not happy. She wants to take the kids to London with her while she’s shooting — and she’s frustrated with the process,” a source close to Jolie was quoted by Page Six.

Angelina and Brad who met on the set of their movie Mr and Mrs Smith in 2004, have been locked in a bitter divorce battle, including who will get custody of their children, since they called time on their marriage in 2016.

ZEE brings to homes bigger Bollywood stars

Bollywood films are set to take the Kenyan market by storm courtesy of Zee Entertainment that has lined up several Indian programmes to be aired in the country this year.

Zee entertainment, which has a favourable audience in Kenya, will be showcasing exciting series, shows and movies planned for Bollywood lovers across its major channels namely the popular Zee World, Zee Bollymovies, Zee Bollynova, Zee TV and Zee Cinema

Speaking at a content upfront in Nairobi, Harish Goyal, CEO, Zee Africa, said, “We are really excited about the wide acceptance and appreciation of our programmes here in Kenya and we are constantly  improving our content to keep our viewers happy.”

Bollywood boasts of several movie stars also said to be among the best paid actors in the world, such as Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, ‘Quantico’ series star Priyanka Chopra.

Nazizi, NHP in Seattle festival

Veteran dancehall and reggae artiste Nazizi Harji alongside jazz band, Nairobi Horns, will represent Kenya at Upstream Music Fest & Summit in Seattle, USA, on June 1 and 2 as the festival showcases African acts for the first time.

Nazizi and Nairobi Horns left the country a couple of days ago alongside a strong Kenyan delegation of local artistes and will participate in music and video production at the legendary Robert Lang Studios with two-time Grammy winning producer – Maurice Jones Jr.

The initiative, supported by What’s Good Studios in partnership with One Vibe Africa, saw the Kenyan acts perform on Friday at the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park for One Vibe Africa’s first International African Stage.

Other African countries that sent representatives include Ghana who will be represented by Samini, Aramide represents Nigeria, while Amen Vienna represents Togo. Mr. Reed will represent New York, and Caleb Cunningham & PLH represent the rich musical heritage of Seattle. The partnership will culminate into Kenya’s debut Madaraka Festival slated for December 2018.