Tuesday, December 25, 2007
UMOJA PAMOJA
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
Political Songs Windfall
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
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