Showbiz wise, Africa is becoming one small village where young stars are now cutting across regional borders to attain continental fame with ease. From Kenya to Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, STEVENS MUENDO and DAVID ODONGO unveil the new kids that Africa is watching
Three weeks ago, Chidinma, the latest Nigerian sensation of Kedike fame, flew into the country to record a new collabo with Kenya’s leading rapper Madtraxx.
The brand-new single Bless Me, was produced by Sylvastone and features another West African star IIIBliss.
A week prior to this unusual continental showbiz shift, Madtraxx had hosted Uganda’s emerging hip-hop force Keko, in yet another regional musical merger giving birth to the Make you Dance video, now receiving favourable media reviews across the continent.
Just like Camp Mulla, Wizkid, Ice Prince Aslay, Jackie Chandiru and Octopizzo, these three music stars are now in a set of a new breed of musicians whose music is driving the continent — having mastered most music charts across the continent and far beyond.
Just like the Ghanaian azonto dance, which has now gone worldwide, this new breed of music stars now has its presence felt in every corner of the continent and critics have it that they are the generation that will help sprout the African showbiz scene into the world stage.
A month ago, Camp Mulla — comprising of talented youngsters Karun, Yung Kass, Taio Tripper and K’Cous — was nominated for the prestigious BET Awards alongside Nigerian counterparts Wizkid and Ice Prince as well as the up-coming Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie.
Wizkid has already been signed by Akon’s Konvict Music record label and word on the street has it that Camp Mulla is now within the crosshairs of another international music label Universal Records.
Camp Mulla
The prolific hip-hop Kenyan group recently got back from Johannesburg where they rendered a stirring performance for Africa at the Big Brother StarGame eviction party. During this year’s Chaguo La Teeniez awards, the group won the awards for Teeniez’ Group or Collabo and Teeniez’ Nu Artiste categories. They also became the first Kenyan group to be nominated for a BET Award. Since they made their entry into the music scene two years ago with their debut single Party don’t Stop followed by Feel no Pain, Fresh all Day and Hold it Down, the group has not looked back. Their songs are club-bangers in many dance floors across the continent.
Chidinma
This new Nigerian flame has been christened the ‘small girl with a big voice’ since she burst into the limelight early this year. Well, the Kedike hit maker was the first ever-female winner of the MTN Project Fame West Africa reality TV show. That was late last year. She then released Jankoliko, a track featuring Sound Sultan, before rising into continental stardom with her Kedike song. Her latest release is the Madtraxx collabo Bless Me, whose video was shot by Clarence Peters — the same producer responsible for Camp Mulla’s latest releases.
