Antoneosoul

ANTO JOINS P-UNIT .......not

2011-10-22T04:39:00.000-07:00

It's common knowledge that Boneye of PUNIT is my big bro. Don't even ask how many times we fight. They asked me to join P UNIT, I was like no maybe a collabo (look out for that one soon)

This pic is in memory of @evalishous who is far away in the States but supports everything positive vybe that I do.

PHOTOSHOOT with MUTUA MATHEKA

2011-10-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

A while back, I had the pleasure of working with who I consider Kenya's greatest photographer Mutua Matheka and although we had lost the sunset shots we had planned for, the streets of Nairobi did not disappoint as we made our way to Wabera Street and look what creativity and skill gives birth to, classic work.

check out mutua's work here http://mutuamatheka.wordpress.com/ Have a bright weekend

ANTO AND CECILE

2011-10-22T04:14:00.001-07:00

Even as a celebrity, I have my groupie moments....

PARAGASHA at Twende Lele 2

2011-10-18T04:03:00.000-07:00

HEAL THE NATION, DOCUMENTARY LAUNCH, 23rd OCTOBER 2011

2011-10-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

I support this cause because I have a responsibility in healing this country with my music and I hope that you feel indebted to this cause as I am.

Thank you Boniface Mwangi for reigniting my passion for this amazing country.

See you on Sunday

PARAGASHA 6

2011-02-16T02:24:00.000-08:00

DO NOT MISS

Paragasha 6 is on and this month and we celebrate all that is love.

Experience the best of live love music that will transcend you back to the Garden of Eden where love was first documented with soulful authentic live music.

Performances by: Mimmo, Sara Mitaru, Afrology and Anto Paragasha

Date: February 22, 2011
Venue: Club Soundd
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: Kshs 200

PARAGASHA 5

2011-01-17T04:04:00.000-08:00

Time Tuesday, January 25 · 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Location CLUB SOUNDD
Kaunda Street, Hamilton House Nairobi

Anto presents Paragasha 5 this January with a debut of 6 new songs and performances from 3 great singers:

Edna
Joy
Patricia Kihoro

This year's Paragasha starts with a tribute to Laura Walubengo and her 10year presence in our airwaves. We honour a lady who has remained consistent and humble.

Anto Paragasha Band will present our 6 new songs that will blow you away.

Entry is 200 bob

Be a part of the culture. Be a part of the future

CURTAIN RAISING FOR FLAME

2011-01-11T02:08:00.000-08:00

Yet again, I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to perform at Flame's Concert. Flame is a Grammy Award and Dove Award nominee and recipient.

I am featured in a gospel song by Artiste/Rapper Extraordinaire, Kamlesh, who I believe will set fire in the Gospel Industry this year and for many years to come!I also cant wait for his possible collabo with Juliani.
The song is titled It's Okay and I can never forget how we recorded the song. Kamlesh and I had gone to record at HomeBoyz and although our producer Saint P was busy working on a song to be released the next day, Kamlesh was becoming a lil apprehensive and praying that we finally record and I remember telling him, "it's okay" and when he was through in the booth and I had to record, It's Okay chorus was born.

I forever remain a church person and watching as the crowd sang his rhymes and sing the chorus, I honestly let go of all my baggage out of the stage and sang for He who gave me my talents. GOD. It will always be okay.

I can't wait to shoot the video and take over Kenya.
Kamlesh is a blessing and that concert remains a blessing and eye opener.

Eko Dydda (collabo coming soon), Holy Dave and the energetic, soulful Hip Hip Star FLAME represented and set the Lord's stage on fire.

Blessings.
Let me prepare for a concert at The Tribe tomorrow!

PARAGASHA ROCKED KITALE CLUB

2011-01-07T04:27:00.000-08:00

Going back to Kitale was nostalgic because I was kinda raised in Kitale when I was a young boy!
That's my mum's birthplace and so I felt like I was going back to my roots and also where my musical journey as a child began.

Before breaking my voice and all, I was would churn out soulful gospel music as a lead soprano in the choir. those were the days!
awesome!

So, the band got to Kitale on the 30th and why lie, those guys treated us like small musical icons. 31st was even awesomer! a walk around town culminated into a bumpy tuk tuk ride and impulse buying spree! we bought stuff for such cheap prices I am convinces Kitale has VAT free imposed goods! why go to Dubai!

New Year's Eve and why lie, we rocked! from Papa Wemba's Rail On to Mbilia Bel's Naki, we showed them that Paragasha makes hearts go Paragasha!

I will never forget the feeling I got when I saw Indians, old people and such a new crowd bump their heads to Chips Funga. I realised that this has to be the 2011 song of the year why lie......

We had an awesome time! I enjoyed every moment singing for 2,000 people plus and thankful for another year with new possibilities and champion beginnings 2011.

cant wait for Paragasha 5

PARAGASHA 4 - I am thankful

2010-12-03T05:24:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for all the support that all who support me have showed towards PARAGASHA and my musical journey!

Gerriey Wainaina
Afrology
Ma3
Paragasha rocked the stage this month and I honour them so much!

I honour everybody who continues to advise me, help me in kind and also shouts about my strengths and passion.

Thank you all

DONT MISS! ANTO and PARAGASHA BAND LIVE at CLUB SOUNDD ON 31ST AUGUST, 2010 7:30pm

2010-08-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

TUONANE PARAGASHA!!!!
YOU HAD BETTER NOT MISS OUT!

ANTO and PARAGASHA BAND LIVE at CLUB SOUNDD ON 31ST AUGUST, 2010 7:30pm

2010-08-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

This has been a journey of great odds and ends. Sometimes I ask myself if I really deserve to be who I am or where I am and I realise that there is a greater force and a greater being that ensures all these is in place. God.
Secondly, I owe this show to all the people who have a genuine support for my art.

This 31st August, backed by Paragasha Band and def my manager Mikey who has done an amazing job in organizing this monthly show, we will serenade you with NeoSoul, Jazz, Afro Fusion and Reggae Sounds. Straight from the Soul.

I hope to see many of you my friends and fans and I can bet ya, you will have an amazing night of comedy thanks to C ME U, Poetry by Adelle and soul music by Fena and definitely something that I cant wait, a fusion of Genge of NeoSoul - Size 8 and yours truly will rock on stage.

Make sure to listen out for a song called "Chips Funga"

I cant wait.

I hope this show and many more to come will not only be an opportunity for me to continue reliving my passion and first love of music but also open opportunities for upcoming artistes of all genres and definitely an opportunity for all to network and grow their networks.

See you on the 31st! A new promulgation in the music industry (i had to use that word, promulgation) Ndialala.

Skola the Master of Mystery

2009-08-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

David Omwange: Skola

David Omwange was born in Kenya and raised in the United States, where he developed a passion for the dramatic arts and spoken word poetry. However, due to the nature of his mother’s work, he migrated to Pakistan, along with his family, where his zeal for performing was temporarily replaced by his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Unfortunately, the escalation of violence in Islamabad forced him to move back to Kenya, while his mother assumed a United Nations post in Sudan. It was here in Kenya where David crossed paths with art oriented individuals and once again began performing on stage and at various poetry slam events. He is currently studying Print Media and Marketing at Daystar University in Athi River. He has a passion for film, drawing, writing, drama, comic books and poetry and is currently pursuing an acting career in film in addition to his degree.

Sindi the Sexy Syndicate

2009-08-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Valerie Kimani: Sindi

Being the winner of the first ever reality show in East Africa -Tusker Project Fame, Valerie’s energy, enthusiasm and incredible voice saw her walk away with the winning title in the competition, and in turn secured her a two album record deal with top South African recording company, Gallo Record Company.

At 24 years old, the entire experience has set young Valerie into whirlwind media frenzy and seen her become a household name overnight in Kenya and East Africa.

Valerie has been involved on the acting stage, having participated in a Kenyan television series called Better Days, as well as a Kenyan movie called Behind Closed Doors whose aim was to highlight the plight of domestic violence; a cause that is very close to her heart. Currently she is working on a musical written by Eric Wainaina that focuses on the living conditions of people living in the Kenyan slums.

Her talent as well as her passion is a great fit for her involvement in the MTV Staying Alive Ignite Campaign.

Kenneth - The Suave Debonair

2009-08-21T07:18:00.001-07:00

Antony Mwangi Ndungu: Kenneth

Anto or Antoneosoul is a jack of all trades, a copywriter at Brainwave communications, an actor on one of the most critically acclaimed show in Kenya, Siri (Citizen TV), a Journalism student at University of Nairobi, a social entrepreneur, an event MC and one of the keenest Neo-Soul musicians in Kenya.

His first big theatre appearance was in a musical, In Harms Way, where his singing and acting abilities awed the crowd.

His other involvements include being the first and only male cast member in the mind boggling play Cut off My Tongue, which toured the U.K in 2009.

And he is not about to stop, Antony wants to tour the world, using drama and music with the aim of empowering the lives of women, children and poor families.

“Your background, history or what people have made you to believe that you can’t do is vague. They bring you down because they know once you take off… you aint coming down. Challenge the challenge!”

His dream is fuelled by the reality that nothing comes easy and he is ‘Living life with a tear and a dream that one day my star will shine.” Although with his fingers in so many pies at the age of 23, some would say it is already shining.

Meet Cool Calm Collected Ty

2009-08-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Pepe Haze: TY

Pepe Haze, debuted his onstage acting in middle school when he played one of Romeo’s friends in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. While Pepe has been doing spoken word performance poetry for a year now, this is his first big acting role after being selected for the role through a professional audition. Due to the messages in the series, this role is not just about entertainment, but about making a change and impacting people’s lives. After only two days on set, he knew that acting was definitely an avenue to pursue.

When he’s not acting, Pepe is a passionate activist with his overall goal being “To solve the problem of unemployment around the African continent, through art”. The founder of the Trill Click movement and co-founder of The Paramedikz, a non-profit band currently based in Athi River. Thus far he has released two underground albums with his band and is currently working on his debut solo album to be released in September 2009.

By working hard and staying focused, this ambitious actor/musician/activist hopes that one day art will solve the problem of unemployment around the African continent. His advice to fellow artists and youth is to “live life wholeheartedly and to always remember that no one can change the past, so make sure it isn’t ever something regrettable”.

Meet Eclectic Ayira

2009-08-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

Lovey Dovey

2009-08-21T05:07:00.001-07:00

While on set at Zen Garden, I coudn't help but notice that Munene and Eva (or Eva Longoria) were getting close or should I say Leo and Virginia (Their character names respectively) are getting close!

The way she was hugging her body tight to him wasn't just one of those ways to kill cold ghosts! It was more of... I dont know, probably I should ask them!

This is getting juicier and juicier!

My First Day on Set of "Sugar... or is it Sugar Baby?"

2009-08-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

Too bad I didn't get exclusive photos of what was going on behind the scenes on my first day of shoot! But a little curiosity with description will not kill you guys...

Anyway, so here I am making an entrance and ready to bring out Kennedy into the world when I realise that everyone- all cast and crew sitted by the eating area and watching as Kennedy makes his entrance- true to my character! I have to say, I am enthralled by the beauty that exudes from Sindi, Ayira (my my my her legs), Violet and Virginia! This is what I call Global Warming and although the weather at Zen Garden is so chilly, I feel a heat wave coming from the girls!
Can you imagine how hot they'll look on TV?

I say hi to my boys- Ty, Leo and my (Ken's) Best Friend for Life Scholar and we just have to start laughing noting that we are all thinking about how beautiful the girls are.

Wait a minute, there are so many media guys around! Apparently today, is also a field day for journalists and I can see Nairobi Star's Grace Kerongo and Dickson Migiro conducting interviews, Standard Newspapers Pius Cheruiyot clicking his camera away as we do interviews and bond; crew from K24 and ofcourse, from the dopest station in town, Kiss Tv crew.

It dawns on me how great an opportunity I have to be playing Kennedy and that this is just not another series because MTV is willing to make sure a lot of awareness is carried out and from my first day of shoot, this is going to be great!

Today Ken is going to be at the parking lot with Scholar and Ty who has gone to meet Ayira and might put her in trouble with these crazy rendezvous! But hey, we are the boys, trouble is our middle name! I can't believe I get to dance with no music on but I rock it like David rocked with a sling Goliath and I kill it.

Before I start sounding like Kennedy, let me compile some gossip!

AntoNeosoul

2009-08-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

For those of yall who want to know this 254 dude looks like, here's me! The African king of NeoSoul.

I have tasted the wilderness of lakes rivers and streams!
I have eaten the dryness of the Savannah
like a hollow Boabab tree, my feet are over my head
Listen to the sound of my soul,
The liberation of my mind
The quest of my spirit
Like river flowing water I quench the need to be free
The desire to accept and acknowledge artistry at its fore
I am not endangered, not scared, not limited
I am and will, shall always be Anto, the Neon within my heart
Illuminates every piece of earth that I step on
That the desire of my soul to make great music and inspire change
This is Anto... AntoNeosoul

MTV Staying Alive Ignite- The best thing in Kenya now!

2009-08-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

About Ignite

Brand new from the MTV stables is a new campaign that challenges young people to ignite a movement to change their sexual behaviour, and turn previously held norms on their heads to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS specifically in Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine. This campaign, under MTV’s award winning global HIV/AIDS campaign, Staying Alive, will address sexual networks, multiple partners, drug use and living with HIV, all in the context of national cultures and norms.

Kicking off all campaigns are explosive dramas in the three countries, all locally shot and produced, that will take a microscopic lens into the lives of young people who could be you, your best friends, your cousins or just random people you could imagine in your homes. You’ll love them, you’ll hate them, and you’ll want to see how their stories end.

But before you get to see the dramas, we’ll take you behind the scenes to watch the stories unfold. You’ll also understand why we’re shining a spotlight on the issues the dramas address through our street teams on the ground in each country. Leave your comments so we know what you think of it all. Ignite may only be in these three countries, but you’ll find you relate to the issues wherever in the world you are.

About MTV Staying Alive Ignite Kenya

Ignite Kenya is going to be our largest campaign yet! MTV has already already started the journey of creating their first drama series set entirely in Nairobi, Kenya. The drama is going to shed a new light on Kenya, a Kenya seen from the eyes of its young people. We’ll laugh with our characters, cry with them and maybe even see a little bit of ourselves in them.

We’re also going to have our personal street team trek around Kenya to give you the scoop on issues that are happening but also give you some in depth interviews and feature articles from young people and even some of the grantees that the Staying Alive Foundation supports.

This is the place to get the latest updates and scoops (read gossip) from the set and other behind the scenes tid bits.

I am acting as Kennedy - The lucky one (lucky from what? you will know with time) and I will make sure you get to know the latest scoop right from the heart of the set! Also, you get to know who Kennedy is and what impact he has in society! He might even just be someone you know or even be just like you!

Be on the look out!

Lira- An African Queen

2009-04-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

SOUTH MEETS EAST JAZZ FESTIVAL

The stage was set- I actually got to the Museum early enough to witness Lira on stage doing voice test and it hit me how much it meant for her to pull off an amazing show for her fans!

Seated at Savannah Lounge with my cousin and the usual media suspects, I could not wait to see, hear and feel the music of a lady who has also inspired my way of singing and appreciation of Afro Jazz. Constantly, a small voice in me was singing "Sukundimo Khali xhesa" I was more than eager for my date with this African queen yet I dint have the guts to say hi wheh she passed next to me ... i felt like a breezer, but I knew i was going to get another chance!

The festival was very well organised, from the entrance, lighting, sound, catering, media, and the stage... the stage looked ready to blow into action. This was going to be one mindblowig experience!

Grace Msalame(host of Art Scene) and Marcus (Classic 105fm Presenter) were hosting the show!

The performance list was just over the roof!
From new comers Sauti Sol serenading the ladies with the hit song Lazizi, which is just poetry in motion, to Muthoni Ndonga, wearing a mini African dress that also inspired her to let loose every love lyric that she had in her and she sang... as we sang along with her "Mambo bado" truly, it was just the beginning!

When Valerie Kimani got on stage, it was time to kiss a lot (Besame Mucho), and when she offered me an opportunity to be with her on stage, I dint know she had asked to dance, there I was kissing her and loving it! And we danced into the night with her chacha rhythms as she also renditioned Zilizopendwas.

Then, the pioneer of authentic Afro Kenyan music came on stage! Eric Wainaina was here to rock and why lie, he rocked the music, rocked politically, even mentioning the Maize and Oil scandals... We just wish that in the VIP section, some politician was there to plead as charged!
I am sure to attend to his shows at Club afrique every Thursday! This man ensures music lovers are filled to satisfaction, and waht makes him different from this other pop singers is that, he addresses issues in society that even heads of states shy away from.

Anyway, this night was meant for one Lira, and I (we) couldnt wait for this amazing songstress to get on stage!
When she finally got on stage in a flowing green tye/ dye and her trade mark hair look, the crowd went wild! Kenya and South Africa had come alive!
This was just the beginning as Lira simply dressed but killing the men with the exotic view of her cleavage!
Lira sang her heart out that at a point I was scared she could lose her voice but she would never disappoint- she was Queen of Africa... Correction, she took the stage like Queen of the World!

Churning song after song, I couldnt wait for "FEEL GOOD" and "IEXSHA" and when she started churning these celebrated songs, it was evident Lira was not been replaced any 100 years soon!
I sang word to word for eachsong til I could see Kenyans who knew me wondering how I was pronouncing Xhosa! But anyway, its the love and I aint giving up on her anytime soon!

She taught us the most interesting dance moves that came from South Africa and the similarity in dance motion was truly a proof that the South had met the East and not even the rain could shake the Spirit in us! The heavens had noticed the entrance and was ushering blessings. All we could do was stay put and honour her also!

She begged the heavens to stop and characteristic of a world queen, the rains stopped and the musical crossroads had to be accomplished! As she got off stage, cheers, smiles and love filled the air!
We had truly enjoyed Lira and the rest of the performers, including the hosts who did Kenya and South Africa proud!

I must admit though, the 4 anonymous ladies of Cocoa by Design, who put together the whole show did an amazing job and I applaud them for an exemplary job!

Afterwards, I met Lira and took pictures with her as she autographed her cd for me. Being in her presence, I could only feel her positive energy within me. Probably it was a sign that being so close to her, I might just reach her greatness one day, I know I will. Thanks to Lira for her encouragement!

I can only wait for next year.... No, I will go listen to her this evening!

Make a date with Lira.... Live her Music!

K'Naan- An African Success!

2009-04-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Soul Ground!
Born in Laasqoray, Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in the district of Wardhiigleey ("The Lake of Blood") during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most famous singers. K'naan's grandfather, Haji Mohamed, was a poet. K'naan is also a Muslim. His name, K'naan, means "traveller" in the Somali language.
K'naan's father, Abdi, left the country, along with many other intellectuals to settle in New York City and work as a cab driver. He mailed money home to his family. As the civil war continued and the situation in Somalia continued to deteriorate, K'naan's mother, Marian Mohamed, petitioned the United States embassy for an exit visa. In 1991, on the last day the US embassy remained open as the government of Mohamed Siad Barre collapsed their visa was approved, and they boarded the last commercial flight out of the country.
They joined relatives in Harlem, New York City, before moving to the Toronto, Ontario neighbourhood of Rexdale, where there was a large Somali Canadian community. His family still lives there. In his new country, K'naan began learning English, some through hip hop albums by artists like Nas and Rakim. Despite speaking no English, the young K'naan taught himself hip hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically. He then also began rapping. He dropped out of school in grade ten to travel for a time, rapping at open mic events, and eventually returned to Toronto.

Career
K'naan became a friend and associate of Canadian promoter, Sol Guy, who helped him secure a gig speaking before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999, where K'naan performed a spoken word piece criticizing the UN for its failed aid missions to Somalia. One of the audience members, Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, was so impressed by the young MC's performance and courage that he invited him to contribute to his 2001 album Building Bridges, a project through which K'naan was able to tour the world.
This project lead to his work at other UN events, as well as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Halifax Pop Explosion. It also helped him meet Canadian producer Jarvis Church and his Track & Field team in 2002, who produced his debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher, which was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. In 2006, it won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. It also won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music in the newcomer category for 2007.
The Dusty Foot Philosopher was re-released and re-packaged as a "Deluxe Edition" featuring new mixes and a bonus DVD in the United States (and various international territories) by the emerging media company and record label iM (Interdependent Media, Inc.) in 2008.

Since then, he has been on tour promoting his album and working on his follow-up release, "Troubadour," his debut album for new label A&M/Octone Records. He has also been working with artists like Nelly Furtado, Mos Def, The Roots, Dead Prez, and Pharoahe Monch on tours such as Live 8 and Breedlove Odyssey. He also collaborated with Damian Marley on the "Welcome to Jamrock" touring session.

In 2005, the Canadian music scene featured a low-key feud between K'naan and k-os, one of the most prominent Canadian hip-hop artists. Following the release of the music video for the song Soobax, which was shot by K'naan and a film crew in Kenya, k-os released a track B-Boy Stance attacking K'naan : "They took cameras to Africa for pictures to rhyme / Over; Oh, yes, the great pretenders [...] Religious entertainers who want to be life savers." Though the feud never became high-profile, with K'naan expressing confusion at the attack and respect for k-os, he nonetheless responded with the mixtape Revolutionary Avocado which argued "You the all-knowing with a beer bottle / Wishing you was Plato and me Aristotle? / ...Suburban negro turned hip-hop hero / Is there a reason he really hates me, though?" — a rebuttal CBC's Matthew McKinnon called "cold-cocking the champ". He recently released The Dusty Foot on the Road, a collection of recording made during his recent world tour on Wrasse Records.

His second studio album, Troubadour, was released on February 24, 2009 on A&M/Octone Records, and will be distributed through Universal Music Group worldwide. The album's first single, "ABC's", was released to radio in late 2008. K'naan has featured in several video games such as "Madden NFL 09" with his song ABC's, and "Fifa 06" with his song Soobax. The song "If Rap Gets Jealous", a rerecording of a track of the same name - with different verses - from The Dusty Foot Philosopher, features Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett. K'naan was also the first featured artist on X3, a collaborative project between CBC Radio 3, Exclaim! magazine and aux.tv to promote new Canadian music.

What the Critics Say!
Critics have said K'naan has "a sound that fuses Bob Marley, conscious American hip hop, and brilliant protest poetry."
His voice and style have been compared to Eminem, but his subject matter is very different; according to K'naan, he makes "urgent music with a message", talking about the situation in his homeland of Somalia and calling for an end to violence and bloodshed. He specifically tries to avoid gangsta rap clichés and posturing,saying:
"All Somalis know that gangsterism isn't to brag about. The kids that I was growing up with [in Rexdale] would wear baggy [track] suit pants, and a little jacket from Zellers or something, and they'd walk into school, and all the cool kids would be like, 'Ah, man, look at these Somalis. Yo, you're a punk!' And the other kid won't say nothing, but that kid, probably, has killed fifteen people.

Bottom Line!
This statement was made to explain his position on the world of difference which exists between where he grew up, and the ghettos of the first world. Nonetheless, K'naan denies that he is overtly political, instead explaining that he "[shows] the state of the world [and] if you call it like it is you're being political." His own opinion of his music is that it's a "mix of tradition and kind of articulation of my own life and my past experiences."
K'naan has said that he is influenced by Somali music and the traditional instruments of Somalia.

K'naans discography
2005: The Dusty Foot Philosopher (BMG Music)
2007: The Dusty Foot on the Road (Wrasse Records)
2009: Troubadour (A&M/OctoScope Music)

Truly, this one soulful brother, with regretable past but an amazing and soulful present and future!
I salute my look alike!

K'Naan my brother?!

2009-04-27T04:36:00.000-07:00

Some one please tell me the truth, do i look like K'Naan? If I do, I dont know where to start looking for the answers, but it sure does answer why people keep confusing me for a walalo!

But hey after you read the post on K'Naan in the next post, its actually very okay to be this celebs look alike!

Neo-Soul- my heart beat

2009-04-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

Hallo Soulful people!
Am writing this from my desk after an amazing weekend of listening to the African Queen Songstress- Lira! and it hit me, everryone who knew me, was either complaining (not about Lira) or was hopeful... about my music future!
See, ever since i started watching Channel O for free in the 90s, i developed in me a soulful sound and I have since come to find me voice- Afro Soul/ Jazz and apart from a couple of voice lessons and performances I have gotten to interact with my "fans" and lovers of neo soul alike!

So, the complaints come from people who honestly do expect me to be having an album and for the sake of that night, I should have been sharing the stage with Lira... I know, its not a long shot because all it takes is persistence and passion but hey am a do just that and once and for all, I am going to say it, "I intend to pursue my music and deliver to those who strongy feel that in one way or another, through my music, I inspire them, but most importantly, I am going to make me happy, for my music to be accepted"

Neo soul! So what is neo soul? Yeah, I know that every person who is sick and tired of listeneing to the norm, is now saying they are into neo soul and am sorry, its not about been able to pull off an African look with a tinge of soul, but its all about the music! The reason I find my strength and voice in neo soul is because it alloes me to express myself musically in a very personal way! It allows me to use my voice without adhering to certain musical rules and instead, it allows me to play with my voice, moods and emotions all this while, remaining spontaneous, real and soulful!

I think that Neo Soul is a modern form of traditional fusion! Think of a Kisii and Kikuyu fusion with a tinge of Jazz, then you slowly start to get the drift... Neo soul apart from bringing to the fore the usual suspects: Jill Scott, Maxwell, Raheem Devaughn, Erykah Badu (who has truly defined Neo Soul) has also created an era of emerging Kenyan Sol (2 Africanise!) Stars!....
I will mention those that I know or who i feel are doing a great service in revolutionasing Afro Neo Soul:
Sauti Sol
Dela
Stan
Carol Atemi
Kaz
Anto (how could i not mention myself)
Masese (yes you can curse at this point but lest me be honest, what Masese can do to a Neo Soul fusion will only help create a new genre- Folk Neo Soul)
Muthoni Ndonga
Neema Ntalel
Wendy Kimani
Lyn.... Fill in if you know someone else and I know, I wont call this an underground thing, you probably are behind (uko down) Its definitely not the music!

Let me soul off by saying that why lie, am dedicating this blog to issues of the soul, poetry, music, organizations, people and heck even animals that are soulful!

Make sure you tell me what you think Neo Soul means to you!