APRIL 2019 FREE COPY No. 219

Since December 2000

www.phatbuzz.com

PHAT!buzz™ is distributed FREE to cafes, cinemas, clubs & pubs in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru. PHAT!buzz™ is now in its 18th year of telling you Wazup! To advertise, call: +254 20 238 6060 or E-mail: [email protected] or check out our Website: www.phatbuzz.com © 2019 PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited. All Rights Reserved. @Soulmate Music @Soulmatemuzik SOULMATE @soulmatemusic

This month we speak to Grace Atieno Otieno (Nigress) and Moses Munuve Elijah (Elijah Moz) also known as, Soulmate.

Pb: What is the meaning of, Soulmate? Pb: Which Famous Musicians Do You Admire? Why? SM: Our music could be compared to a Soulmate. It has a SM: Jay-Z and Beyonce. They’re quite the package, a complete deep connection with our fans (we call them family).It is like package. Their music is dope, they have sucsessful careers that one person you have with a kindred spirit, one who is and they have a functional family at least, for celebrities. That’s there for you through good and badtimes, music that you can what we hope to achieve. relate to. That’s Soulmate Music. We’re also a couple, been together for Eight years now, Soulmate is a name that Pb: What Is Your Favourite Part about this Line of Work? represents us as a couple too. SM: Knowing that our music has served its purpose in someone else’s life. That feeling you get when you know that the music Pb: How Did You Meet? has given that person that satisfaction, fulfilment or feeling that SM: We met at a mutual friend’s house in Mathare North. Our they so desired to get out of our music. The networking part friend, was in the same class with Nigress at KCA University is also a favourite. Meeting new and old faces, growing our and I (Elijah) had known him for a long time. I walked into the network. Finally, we love it when we get paid, making money room and I fell in love instantly. off our music is one of the best parts of this job.

Pb: Who are your Biggest Influences? Pb: Have You Ever Dealt with Performance Anxiety? SM: No one in particular, mostly underground Hip Hop Artists SM: Yeah, we have. We still do but nowadays we just wait who create their art first for the love and advancement of the patiently for our name to be called to the stage, we just can’t hip hop culture as well as conscious roots reggae artists both wait. local and international. Pb: Anything New We Should Expect From You? Pb: When And Why Did You Each Get Into Music? SM: First, we have our Compilation CD out Nigress: I first got into the scene when I featured on(WOTC), #SoulmateNdaniYaNyumba, 15 tracks going for KES 300/-. Who Owns The Crown Cyphers, by Queen Nefertiti Global We’re working on our EP and Album to be released later this Management in 2015, but the real “calling” came when I was year. More information will be coming your way but we won’t about three months pregnant. disappoint you, keep watching this space.

I often had an urge to go and record and that is when we did, Pb: Any Last Words? 'Ndoto za Mkwanja' in 2016 April, when Soulmate was formed. SM: Word to our family (fans) we really, really, really love, All through the pregnancy I was so into it, like a craving, you appreciate and treasure you guys. You are the reason we do can also notice from the WOTC cyphers and music videos that what we do and, the reason we are where we are. We still need I was heavily pregnant. that support and love to grow more and we hope to grow with you. Keep introducing more people to the Soulmate Movement Elijah: I have been rapping ever since I can remember, from #TeamKubwa and make them believers. primary school, to high school through college til now. I have been on and off the game a few times. I started performing in Pb: What Advice Would You Have For Someone Wanting 2008 and I got back in the game seriously and professionally To Follow In Your Footsteps? in 2015 when we quit our jobs and decided to do music. Why? SM: Just do you. People will love the real you because it’s that It’s what I was born to do. It’s all I have. It’s the only thing I do unique aspect aboutyou that they dig. well in. It’s my nature to rap.

Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photos courtesy of Soulmate Music. DVJ Nicky Shredder @dvj_nickyshredder

D N S

MY REAL NAME IS: Nicholus Muli Mutuku

I GOT MY STAGE NAME FROM: my friends

I STUDIED AT: Murang'a Road Secondary School

I USUALLY PLAY: at a joint called Mama Africa in Mathare North Area every Saturday and Sunday.

I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: when I was still in High School

IT’S BEEN: 7 years and Counting

MY MAJOR CHALLENGE WHEN STARTING OUT: was to have my own equipment but had to do some side jobs til I could buy it.

MY MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: was when I was hired by Safaricom for a Road Show.

IF I WASN’T A DEEJAY I’D BE: a footballer.

Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of Dvj Nicky Shredder CARNIVORE SIMBA SALOON, LANGATA, NAIROBI: Roaring BBQ Ribs on Tuesday, from 6pm. Entry: KES 990/- Adult & KES 450/- Child. Rhumba Night every 1st Friday, by DJs Wattii, Wikki & Martin; and New Jack Swing, every 3rd Friday. Entry for each: KES 300/-. Cultural Nights, every last Friday. Entry: KES 500/-.

GUAVA LOUNGE, BUFFET PARK, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Reggae on Monday to Thursday, from 11.00am to 7.00pm. Comedy Night, with Freddy, on Monday. Karaoke Night on Thursday, with Erika & Soul Masters. Good looking Friday, with DJ Exotic. Supa Sato, with DJ Symo Mfalme. Free entry.

K1 KLUBHOUSE, OJIJO ROAD, PARKLANDS, NAIROBI: Back to the 80S, on Monday. Jazz Nite, on Tuesday, with Mwai & The Truth Band. Wednesday Night Live, with K1 Mixxmasters. One Love Thursday, with Dohty Family. Live Band Karaoke, on Friday. Gogosimo Band, on Saturday. Sunday Soul, with The Spindoktors. Free entry.

KENGELES, LAVINGTON GREEN, NAIROBI: Band Night, every last Thursday. Free entry. Networking event, every second Thursday. Free entry. Quiz Night, every 3rd Wednesday. Entry: KES 500/-.

MYERS LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, NAIROBI: Karaoke, with Doryne & Elsie, on Thursday. Ladies Night, with DJ Jacky, on Friday. Steady Saturday, with DJ Ticco, DJ Ben & DJ Davince. Reggae Jamdown, with DJ Vosty & DJ Ticco, on Sunday. Free entry.

RAFIKIZ, LANGATA ROAD, NAIROBI: Monday: Soft Rock. Tuesday: Karaoke, with Kendi. Wednesday: DJ Protege. Seduction Thursday: Punch & Cocktails. Friday: Old Skul. Easy Saturday: DJ Mixes. Free entry.

SAILORS’ BAR & LOUNGE, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday & Tuesday: Slow Jams. Wednesday: Rhumba Nite. Thursday: Kizomba. Friday & Saturday: Club Nites, with DJ Sting. Sunday: Salsa Nite. Free entry.

7 DEGREES BAR & LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, DAGORETTI CORNER, NAIROBI: Happy Hour (Beers at KES 180/-), from 5.00pm to 8.00pm, every Tuesday to Thursday. Karaoke every Thursday, hosted by Didi and DJ Kuch. Friday Mix, with DJ Seph. Saturday Mix, with DJ Kuch. Free entry.

SIPPERS BAR & RESTAURANT, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday to Thursday: Rhumba and Blues, with DJ Selector. Friday & Saturday: Hutu Band, with Awilo Jamnazi. Sunday: Jazz, with Wakurugenzi Band. Free entry.

24/7, VIEW PARK TOWERS, NAIROBI: Beers at reduced Prices, on Tuesday & Wednesday. Red Carpet Affair, on Thursday. Ace Cards, on Friday. Reggae Nite, by Livity Sounds, on Sunday. Free entry. Franck Biy- ong

Growing up in Gabon, Nigeria and Ivory Coast before settling in the UK at age 14, Franck Biyong lived in households filled with good music. little wonder why at 45 the towering Cameroonian artist is a composer, arranger, lyricist, guitar player, singer, band leader, sound engineer and producer.

This Master of Musical interpretation recalls African- American Jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery’s “Canadian Sunset” as the song that set him down his musical path as a pre-teen.

Franck went on to cultivate a personal and passionate relationship with music, recognizing it as “spiritual food for the soul”. Receiving musical instruction and training at the National Institute of Arts in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), he scorched a brilliant path with his electric guitar and became a reporter of human emotions and feelings.

Franck translated these experiences into several Afro Beat Perhaps this is what will herald crossover exposure and success on and Afro Jazz albums that made people move, laugh, the international scene. And, what may finally alter the perception dance, cry and meditate. of African Music and its musicians at large. Fran gave an out of He has played at countless spots around the globe this world performance at the Africa Nouveau , which was held including SOB's in New York and the Jazz Café in London. on the 8 th -10 th of March, 2019. Franck has also enjoyed European tours with music legends such as Nigerian master drummer, Tony Allen and Ghanaian Highlife guitarist, Ebo Taylor. franckbiyongmusic Franck has also worked with Wyclef Jean as well as Salif Keita, King Sunny Ade, Culture Musical Club, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Waje, Phyno, Efya, Diamond @franckbiyong1 Platnumz and Omawumi during his time as Music Director on Coke Studio Africa Season 1 & 2.

But Franck Biyong, a consummate performer and creator, Afrolectric has reinvented himself. In 2016, Franck shared his vision for Alternative Afro-Electro-Rock and Crossover Music with the recording of the MOONWATCHING albums and @franckbiyong the LIYOMBA CHURCH single.

These exciting single mines the link between rock and electro with dazzlingly good results. Clever use of Swahili lyrics makes it immediately familiar with fans in East Africa and the rest of the continent for whom this Bantu language Brought to you by resonates with many of their own. www.afrima.org

Story by Njeri Kimani • Photo Courtesy of Franck Biyong

ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS PARTIES & CONCERTS PLAYS & THEATRE DATE: Thursday 7th til 28th. DATE: Saturday 9th. DATE: Friday 8th. EVENT: Photoshop with Mwema. EVENT: International Women's Day Concert. EVENT: Brave Girl Rising. VENUE: The Alchemist Bar, Parklands Road, Westlands. VENUE: Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi. VENUE: The Alchemist Bar, Parklands Road, Westlands, Nairobi. DETAILS: Photoshop Manipulation class with Mwema Nzomo. DETAILS: The concert features an all-female orchestra and DETAILS: A new short film by Girl Rising, in collaboration with the TIME: 6.00pm. several solo performances, which will display the International Rescue Committee, Citi, and HP. The film, ENTRY: KES 1,000/-. dynamic nature of their instruments with a mixture of which illuminates the plight facing millions of refugee both classical and African music. girls striving for an education, follows a young refugee DATE: Saturday 9th til April 16th. TIME: 7.00pm to 9.00pm. woman who views education as her lifeline, yet every EVENT: Unfading Times. ENTRY: Free. day faces formidable challenges in accessing this VENUE: British Institute in Eastern Africa, Kileleshwa, Nairobi. fundamental right. DETAILS: An Exhibition by Jimmy Kitheka. DATE: Saturday 9th. TIME: 6.00pm to 8.00pm. TIME: 10.00am to 6.00pm EVENT: AfroSocial Vol 1. ENTRY: Free. ENTRY: Free. VENUE: The Alchemist Bar, Parklands Road. Westlands, Nairobi. DATE: Friday 8th. DATE: Friday 15th til Sunday 17th. DETAILS: Curated by Jack Rooster to feature the eclectic Afro EVENT: Un-Defining. EVENT: Nairobi Vegan Farmer's Market by Healthy U. House sounds. VENUE: Diamond Plaza II Cinema, Parklands, Nairobi. VENUE: The Sarit Centre, Westlands. TIME: 9.00pm to 5.00pm. DETAILS: What it means to be a Woman in adventure. Plus, an DETAILS: With an amazing vegan items from skin care products, ENTRY: Free. unforgettable panel of badass local women to talk to baked goods, to nut butters, to ice cream and about their inspirations, struggles, and how to get crackers and so much more! DATE: Thursday 14th. more women/girls outside. We are honored to host Alia TIME: 9.00am to 6.00pm. EVENT: Thursday Nite Live. Datoo and Alya al-Harazi, founders of Women who Hike ENTRY: Free. VENUE: J's Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, - Kenya; Liz Ndindi, founder of Climbing Life Kenya; Nairobi. Stellah Wanjohi, Kenya Wildlife Service Honorary DATE: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th. DETAILS: A Performance by Silayio and her powerhouse all Warden on Mt. Kenya; and Susie Weeks, CEO of Mount EVENT: Johnson's Healthy Baby Festival. female Band, The Queens of Nubia. Kenya Trust. VENUE: Sarit Centre Expo Hall, Westlands, Nairobi. TIME: 8.00pm to 11.00pm. TIME: 7.00pm to 10.30pm. DETAILS: For Pregnant Mums & Parents of 0-3 year olds. ENTRY: Free. ENTRY: Free. TIME: 8.30am to 5.30pm. ENTRY: Free. DATE: Thursday 21st. DATE: Friday 8th to Sunday 10th. EVENT: Thursday Nite Live. EVENT: Honest Liar. DATE: Friday 1st til Sunday 24th. VENUE: J's Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, VENUE: Swahili Pot Hub, Mombasa. EVENT: Remnants of an Experience. Nairobi. DETAILS: The Play by Jukwaa Arts, When the Stranger is familiar. VENUE: One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, 16 Rosslyn Tree DETAILS: A Performance by Wambura Mitaru who will be TIME: 6.30pm Friday & Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday. Estate, Nairobi. bringing her Afro Soul and R&B flavor to our stage. ENTRY: KES 500/- in Advance & KES 700/- at the Gate. DETAILS: Florence Wangui attempts to express the TIME: 8.00pm to 11.00pm. state in which revisiting an experience ENTRY: Free. DATE: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th. consciously and or sub-consciously, impacts EVENT: Outside The Box. on my thought and decision-making processes. DATE: Thursday 28th. VENUE: Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi. TIME: 12.00pm to 5.00pm. EVENT: Thursday Nite Live. DETAILS: A hilarious comedy play Hosted by, Kingship Theatre ENTRY: Free. VENUE: J's Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands. and Arts. DETAILS: A Performance by Makadem who will be bringing his TIME: 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Benga beat fire. ENTRY: KES 500/- in Advance & KES 750/- at the Gate. TIME: 8.00pm to 11.00pm. ENTRY: Free. DATE: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. EVENT: Don Quixote. VENUE: Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi. DETAILS: Hosted by, The Academy of Dance and Art. TIME: 6.00pm Saturday & 3.00pm Sunday. ENTRY: KES 1,500/- Adults & KES 1,000/- Child.

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