NEW CD COMING

Yvonne Achieng of www.haiya.co.uk writes
Mombasa-Coastal songbird Nyota Ndogo (Mwanaaisha Abdala Mohamed) is set to release a new and fourth album next month.
Speaking in Mombasa over the weekend, the songstress said she is still working on the new album that will share name with her most current song, Mama Wa Kambo.
The 27-year-old mother of one is back in the country from Zanzibar where she had gone to stage some performances.
In relation to that, the song writer cum singer has refuted claims by some local media that she might be relocating to Zanzibar.
“I have no plans of moving to Zanzibar, I only went there to work. Last time when I had lots of work in Nairobi, rumour started going round that I was relocating to Nairobi yet I wasn’t”, she clarified.
Nyota whose hobbies include cooking, chatting and listening to music has revealed that she is managing a two month old music band of five people most of whom are youths poached from other bands.
According to her, the band has staged performances five times in Mombasa and Nairobi.
“I no longer need to hire a band whenever I am asked to stage a show that requires one”, she said.
She also disclosed plans to visit Mji Wa Salama Childrens Home In Mombasa and deliver some of the basic requirements to the children as soon as she acquires enough funds for that.
Her last charity event was in 2006 when she invited\several local artists to the same home.
The artist who has been in the music industry for more than four years is a holder of two Kisima Awards; Best Taarab singer in 2003 and Best female singer in 2005.
She has also featured in three international compilations; World 2003, The Rough Guide to Kenya and Off The Beaten Track.

Nyota Ndogo's You Tube Top Ten

Well some of them have been up for over a year now but are still receiving daily hits.The top two videos are both collabs,Nibebe with Nonini and Mpenzi with Mr Blue, will be putting up links to all the clips as soon as possible.
1. NIBEBE 41,326 hits
2. MPENZI 27,576 hits
4. WATU NA VIATU 22,343 hits
5. NALIA 16,032 hits
6. SIRI 10,367 hits

' The innocent people are hurting, not the comfortable politicians. Our two leaders can sit down and make things work for all of us. People are suffering and children die every day. This year, Kenya should be safer than the way it has been. Everyone is in danger and thieves are taking advantage of the situation'

NYOTA NDOGO sings for Musalia Mudavadi

Well you will read elsewhere on this site what Nyota has to say about singing for politicians and if you go to http://www.chaguamusalia.com/ you will find a song in support of Musalia Mudavadi ........' Listen and download patriotic music that fosters our national endeavors towards the Orange Democratic Movement and Musalia's leadership for development.' Its a free download so give it a listen see what you think.

UMOJA PAMOJA

Music is ideal for establishing deep emotional connections with an audience; no other media can give you the kind of sensory or emotional attachment that music delivers. It is for this reason that it will be our main vehicle in promoting the Umoja Pamoja message to the youth of our nation. A song and music video featuring select non-partisan artists was premiered at a Campaign Launch on October 9th, 2007. Since then, a series of advertisements has been regularly on all mainstream television and radio stations as well as on print media. The advertisements feature prominent Kenyans declaring that this year they are Getting In Line to educate themselves and vote based on issues during this year's elections. On November 24th, to culminate the media campaign, a "Holding of Hands" will be hosted around the Parliament Building where citizens will literally "get in line" as a unifying gesture. Eachindividual will receive a T- shirt bearing the Umoja Pamoja campaign logo. Following the Parliament event, a concert featuring the Umoja Pamoja artists will be hosted at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. This project is sponsored by Rainmaker Ltd and Coca-Cola, in addition to support from USAID.
The Initiative:This initiative will use music to present a unified patriotism and provide the opportunity for the youth to take charge of their decisions in this year's election. In order for this to happen the youth need to be reminded of the power of their vote and encouraged to make valid choices. We hope to restore a sense of lost patriotism among the youth and remind them that going to the ballot is not an opportunity to just vote in leaders but to vote out the individuals in leadership who are not performing.
Audience Aim:Our target group would be rural and urban youth aged 18-35yrs, from all backgrounds. Reason being, the majority of Kenya's population falls in this demographic. Additionally, over sixty percent of the country's population lives below the poverty line and for this reason they are more vulnerable to be manipulated by politicians to engage in violence.
Objectives:
The ultimate vision of this project: To have a more educated youth peacefully exercise their democratic rights based on issues.
Umoja Pamoja key issues that will be discussed by the artists:
Eric Wainaina- Transparency and Accountability
Suzanna Owiyo- Gender Violence in Social and Political Arenas
Carol Atemi- Ending Tribalism
Sara Mitaru- Informed Voting on Issues
Chizi- Peaceful Elections
Kaz- Education and Enlightenment
Zion Wochman- Better Living Standards
Nyota Ndogo- Better Healthcare
Eric Wainaina: Kora and Kisima Award winner and MOBO nominee singer/ songwriter has gained international acclaim for his entertaining and informative music. His popular songs include: " Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo, Kenya Only and Twende Twende, which features Oliver Mtukudzi.
Suzanna Owiyo: The Songstress from Nyanza province has recorded songs with famous African artists and is synonymous with the track Kisumu 100. She has a large following at home and abroad and has performed severally all over Europe.
Sara Mitaru: Kenya- UK based afro fusion singer/songwriter, well known for her song Woman from Africa. Her Music builds around life love and a need for change in our society today.
Kaz: She is known to millions of television viewers across Africa for the hit TV reality show 'Project Fame'. She recently launched her debut album 'Somin' which was a culmination of years of recording and hard work.
Chizi: Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Architect and business man, Dan 'Chizi' Aceda is undoubtedly on of Kenya's fastest growing Afro Fusion artists. This man of many masks has released his first album 'Suluwe' and is currently working on his second.
Atemi Oyungu: She has been likened to international artists such as Angie Stone and Angelique Kidjo for her powerful and unique vocals, her remarkable song writing skills as well as her stunning stage presence. Her song 'Happy' has received massive airplay since its debut in 2006.
Nyota Ndogo: Our little Star from the Coast Province has moved many with her sweet voice and her coastal ballads. Her popular song "Watu na Viatu" is very well known in Nairobi and Mombasa as well as in other regions.
Zion Wochman: this budding young musician is making his debut on to the music scene with Umoja Pamoja. He is well known as Jah Spokesman from the musical Lwanda- A Ghetto Story.
Neema: She got in to the music industry with a bang when she managed to win a Kora award in 2005. Neema is a beautiful individual with a voice to match. Her gospel ballad ' Jiwe ' has been a source of inspiration for many. She is currently on tour across America.

this is taken from http://www.rainmaker.co.ke/ check it out for latest news about Eric Wainaina and related projects

December 2006 huku Bongo

Kampuni ya sigara tcc kupitia fegi yake ya embasi wakishirikiana na clouds fm usiku wa kuamkia leo wamefanya bonge moja la pati pale ubungo plaza ambapo wasanii wa kike mahili wa East Afrika Mashariki walitumbuiza, na watu wengi walihudhuria na kuburudika na dina kali na muziki all pix copyright issa michuzi checkout http://www.jambonetwork.com/ The photographer Issa Michuzi with NYOTA and RAY C

Political Songs Windfall

Dj John from Homeboyz even anounced it live on BBC.co.uk/ 1 Extra recently Kenyan artists are reaping a windfall recording political song for thursdays Kenyan Elections .
Nyota had this to say in Pulse
"An artiste is a public figure and you can’t underrate the message sent when they sing in favour of particular candidates. Politicians come and go. We should promote unity among Kenyans," says Nyota Ndogo.
check the whole article www.eastandard.net/mag/

INTERNET GOSSIP

Nyota Ndogo To Relocate to Nairobi
Mombasa based Kisima Award winner Nyota Ndogo has refuted wide spread rumours that she is relocating to Nairobi.The celebrated songstress whose new hit song 'Natafuta wa Kunipenda' has been ruling the airwaves claims that her enemies have been spreading propaganda that she has lost touch with Mombasa and that she is relocating to Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam,where most of her celebrity friends live."The fact that I have been spending a lot of time out of Mombasa as I do shows in Dar and Nai hasn't changed my life.I am not leaving Mombasa.I am in Mtopanga to stay.Let my haters know so,"she said."There is a group of people who view me as a threat to them in Mombasa.They are the same ones trying to create war between me and my sister who is an upcoming artiste.But I forgive them.I am not the kind of person who likes picking wars with others,"she concluded
taken from http://www.umojaentertainmant.com/ check the site out they seem to have their finger on the pulse.

A SNIPPET OF NYOTA SINGING MPENZI IN KOLN

Just a little snippet from the Koln show of Nyota singing Mpenzi

NYOTA and JUA KALI some pictures from the Germany trip to Koln for Kenyatta Day October 2007

NYOTA NDOGO na KURT NILSEN FEB 2004 PINGILIKANI KILIFI KENYA

Mkumbusho kweli kweli,this was broadcast live in 2004 for Norwegian tv's TV2.It was a fundraising program for PLAN Kenya. It was like midnight ,the stage was under this huge old mango

Kurt Nilsen had just won World Idol 2004 earlier in the yearFrode Alnaes on guitar na Shutu on percussion.The song as Kurt had wrote it was originaly about the dispair he felt on seeing a third world country for the first time 'slums as soon as you leave the airport' but in the rehersals Nyota turns the song around 'pole pole utafika'.It was amazing to be there on the hills outside Kilifi satalite dish beaming the show live round the world,Nyota also sang a song with the Norwegian jazz singer Silji.Anyway found the video on You Tube and got an excuse to post some pixs from that day.

The photos are all a bit mixed up my favourite is of Mbarak Nyota's child who was only a few months old but already a hit with the girls

UFISADI - SIMAMA

Group Sings to Tame the Gorgon of Corruption

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The Nation (Nairobi)
29 September 2007

Fred Orido

Although the Government claims it is committed to the fight against corruption, the vice continues, especially in the private sector. A recent Transparency International report shows that little has changed since Narc came to power in 2003.
According to the survey released last month, the average number of bribes doubled to 2.5 from 1.5 per person, while the average size of bribes declined from Sh1,700 to Sh1,236, showing an increase in soliciting smaller amounts.
The survey indicates that police topped the list among public institutions, and that the level of graft experienced by Kenyans has remained largely unchanged with respondents encountering bribes in 54 per cent of their interactions, as opposed to 47 per cent the previous year.
However, the vice's negative effects continue, as does sentisisation. And artistes have not been left behind in the crusade. With the help of the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee, nine musicians have come up with a theme song with an anti-graft message, that the committee is currently using in the campaign.
The song, Simama (Stand up) by Mr Lenny, Wyre, Carol Atemi, Nyota Ndogo, Nameless, Suzanna Owiyo, Jimwat, Wahu and Jua Cali is an appeal to all Kenyans to come together and say enough is enough. It enumerates scenarios in which corruption denies Kenyans the services they pay taxes for. Produced by Homeboyz Entertainment, it comprises nine subtitles from each artiste and done in a language easy to understand.
In Amani's subtitle, Ongea, the singer sends a passionate appeal to Kenyans to be honest and speak out against corruption. According to the song, corruption will be eradicated only when all Kenyans play their part. In Umechoka, Wyre highlights the youth's struggles in their daily lives, and advises them on how to overcome graft by not giving in to it. He tells the story of a university graduate who struggles to find a job, but in vain. He then gets disillusioned with life and its challenges.
In Eish Bwana, Mr Lenny sings about a pregnant woman who goes to hospital to deliver, but faces so many corruption-related difficulties that she has a still-birth and dies. It is a sad song that depicts what women in the rural areas go through.
Coast-based Nyota Ndogo weighs in with Ufisadi (graft) and shows it can stagnate individuals, families and even nations, while Nameless has the Dream of seeing all Kenyans rejecting bribes.
The song paints a beautiful picture of a better tomorrow for the nation. He poses: "For how long will we be a Third World country yet we have all resources to be a First World?"
Afro-fusionist Owiyo sings Kom (Dholuo for chair), and compares the piece of furniture to leadership and power - looks attractive but is not easy to handle.
Power is one of the main causes of corruption as most leaders, once they ascend to power, forget to serve the electorate that placed them there, Owiyo croons. She advises Kenyans to wake up and vote wisely and drop corrupt leaders. Most of the lyrics are in Kiswahili and are very appropriate in this electioneering period. In Sitoi, Jimwat comically highlights graft among police. His message is tacit: bribery should not be a way of life, but Kenyans will do without it only if they know their rights as citizens.
Wahu wants to be shown a better way of doing things in Better Way. She challenges parents, guardians and leaders generally to show the youth the right way to conduct themselves, and wonders why Kenyans condemn corruption when they indulge in it.
Relevant Links
East Africa Arts, Culture and Entertainment Crime and Corruption Kenya
Jua Cali sings Karatasi (paper), a song that comically traces the many ways money can be used to change circumstances to suit the bribe giver.
The artistes are currently holding countrywide shows. The music will be on sale in CDs and cassettes at selected venues countrywide.
According NACCSC director Polycarp Omollo, the commitee believes that creatively composed music that draws from Kenya's cultural values and ethos, has the capacity to deal corruption a body blow.