Afro-Caribbean Music

Durban/Johannesburg, 30 April 2013: Fally Ipupa (@fallyipupa01) and Professor(@professorkalawa) are the latest stars to sign up for MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion, the urban music extravaganza staged by MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and KwaZulu-Natal Province in Durban. (africahit.com)

I remember a decade ago, it was virtually impossible to watch any music channel on DSTV for a whole day without seeing Kaysha’s “One Love” or “On Dit Quoi” videos. He won several awards back then, including the prestigious Kora Award for Best African Act in 2000. I became a HUGE fan of the Congolese superstar right away. Since then, he’s not exactly been able to hit those dizzy heights. (africahit.com)

Home was where the harmonies lay as the Nigerian Idol Top 6, shown on The Africa Channel (Sky 209, Virgin 828) last Sunday, took their song choices from the country’s current raft of Nigerian hits, by Nigerian artists. (africahit.com)

International artistes R Kelly, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Nigeria's D Banj , Lady Gaga and Akon are some of the musicians earmarked to perform at Zimbabwe's first cultural carnival dubbed ,"Harare International Carnival." (africahit.com)

[Zambia Reports]Suspected state agents have broken into the house of singer Pilato and made away with two laptops, a video camera and his wife's mobile phone in what sources say is an attempt to implicate him in unspecified criminal offences for releasing a hit song titled Bufi (lies) which has put President Michael Sata and his government under immense pressure. (AllAfrica)

[This Day]Skales has, despite all odds, plodded on in the talent-glutted music scene. He is young, smart, sincere, cocky but still humble and ready to hustle till he makes it to the big time. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP]Icolo E Bengo -The Agostinho Neto cultural centre, in Catete locality, Luanda's Icolo e Bengo Municipality, last Saturday organised a gospel music festival in the ambit of the celebrations of Africa's Day, to be marked on May 25. (AllAfrica)

[Premium Times]Digital music distribution company, Spinlet; and one of Nigeria's oldest record companies, Premier Music; are set to jointly release some of the finest old-school and contemporary songs to music lovers on digital platforms. (AllAfrica)

[Premium Times]Budding rapper and singer, Blackmagic, has called it quits with his record label, Syndik8 records. (AllAfrica)

[New Times]They are considered among the most promising upcoming female musicians with one taking the afrobeat scene by storm and the other venturing into the Hip-hop world mostly dominated by male rappers. (AllAfrica)

[New Times]The Friends of Jesus choir, under Kigali English SDA church in Kibagabag, will launch their seventh album tomorrow at Kigali Serena Hotel. (AllAfrica)

[Leadership]Fame has sent a number of celebrities off the deep end, and in the case of Michael Jackson, to the life of various controversies where in most cases he had to pay heavily. He was a cash cow milked by interested parties who used his 'weaknesses against him. People like controversies and Michael was the most vulnarable. OLUSOLA OLUJIDE AYODELE writes (AllAfrica)

[Observer]When exactly did music videos become the in-thing in Uganda? (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]Upcoming gospel musician Liberty Ticharwa could be the next gospel prodigy following the release of his two albums, "Maimbiro Edenga" and "Ndarota", that are currently receiving heavy rotation on radio. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]When most boys of his age were busy concentrating on school work and worrying about improving their grades, Pius Makokowe, then 15, was already crossing the length and breadth of the country, recording music and holding live shows. (AllAfrica)

[Premium Times]Multiple award winning pop sensation, Wizkid, showed he can give the big boys a run for their money when he beat Psquare, D'banj, Flavour, Davido and Iyanya to win the 'African Artiste of the Year' award at the Ghana music awards which held Saturday, May 19, 2013. (AllAfrica)

[Vanguard]In the just concluded Ghana Music Awards, Wizkid fell giants; beating super hot artists P-Square, Iyanya, Davido, Flavour and D-Banj to win the African Artist of the Year award. The awards took place at the La Palm Hotel in Accra. (AllAfrica)

[Vanguard]Mavin artiste, D'Prince has parted ways with his manager, Teebillz, who is also Tiwa Savage's manager and fiance. The two who were in the UK about two weeks ago to shoot two videos for Tiwa, reportedly ended their business relationship as soon as they returned from the UK. (AllAfrica)

[Vanguard]She ruled the airwaves in 1998 with her chart bursting motivational songs Osamudiamen, Child of God and others at the tender age of 10. She also toured a number of massive arenas which had her performing before audiences comprising several highly placed government officials; and now, Benita is staging a return to the music scene with a historic performance at this year's Nnenna and Friends Children's Day Show. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]Upcoming gospel outfit Shining Light is set to shake up the local music scene with a powerful seven-track album entitled "Accepted Time". The debut album released in April this year brings a message of hope in the lives of both believers and non- believers. (AllAfrica)

[The Star]Popular music artistes Sauti Sol, Prezzo and Eric Wainaina will now be offering their music for free on the Mdundo.com platform. Making the announcement, Mdundo.com CEO Gustav Ericsson, said that with the three adding to the growing number of Kenyan superstars giving out their music for free, Mdundo is moving closer to become Kenya's number one online music site. "Anyone in the world can access Mdundo.com to instantly receive free music from over 200 top Kenyan artists. (AllAfrica)

[Zimbabwe Standard]Alexio Kawara is anxiously looking forward to sharing the stage with South African diva Lira, who performs at 7Arts Theatre in Avondale on June 7. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP]Luanda -"Continuo ou paro" is the title of the debut album of Kuduro singer Yuri Jo?o "Chuculasdmuras" to be launched this year in Luanda. (AllAfrica)

[Times of Zambia]ONE legend, who never ceases to amaze fans that followed Zamrock during the 1970s, is Keith Mlevhu, a highly gifted and multi-talented guitarist ever to emerge on the Zambian music scene. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]AFTER more than three decades of churning out sungura tunes on a gospel tip tackling social ills in a biting and subliminal way, Hosiah Chipanga's personality has bubbled to the surface in a big way. Now a ripe 61 years old, Chipanga showcases himself as an apostle, a spirit medium, a state advisor and a politician. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP]Benguela -The Angolan singer Puto Portugu?s opened last Thursday the second edition of the Unitel Festival, which will close this Saturday, intended to enliven the visitors and exhibitors at the Third International Fair of Benguela (FIB), being in held in Ombaka stadium. (AllAfrica)

[Times of Zambia]IT was like taking the whole Zamrock music to Hollywood in the US, when Zambian legend and former Witch stuntman, Jaggari Chanda performed there before a capacity crowd last week. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]Splinter groups of the popular Mbare Chimurenga Choir have taken each other to the civil court with each claiming ownership of the name. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]HE travelled the length and breadth of Zimbabwe entertaining people. He is one of the country's celebrated composers and singers. The music history of the country cannot be complete without mention of Patrick Mkwamba. (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]New kid on the block Timothy Makuviri, known in the music circles as Timz Carter, is set to set the hip-hop scene ablaze with his eagerly anticipated new album entitled "Rap Resurrection". (AllAfrica)

[The Herald]A LOT of people appreciate the art of fashion and design. Big names like Ralph Lauren, Allergra Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Givenchy, Emperio Armani, Alexandra and McQueen are among the designers that have managed to immortalise their names in the world of fashion. (AllAfrica)