After relocating from Mombasa to her new base in Voi last year, celebrated singer Nyota Ndogo is said to be resisting pressure from Taita residents who want her to go into active politics. This weekend the singer will be joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leaders among them Mwandawiro Mghanga in a meet-the-people tour alongside local singing sensation, Professor Nasha. Speaking to Pulse on Wednesday, Nyota said she appreciated and respected the opinions from her fans.

“I have never thought of joining politics. I will be joining the said SDP rallies as an artiste, not a politician. At least, that is how I am looking at this for now,” she said.

“We are willing to work with these guys as they have put the youth and musicians’ agenda first,” her friend Professor Nasha told Pulse. Artistes are warming up to the current season of political windfall.

Ray C goes gospel

Celebrated Tanzania songstress Ray C is recording a gospel song, Pulse has learned. The controversial talented beauty known for her drama and diva demands has been recording the new song in Nairobi.  

Mochama to lecture in Lisbon, Portugal

Standard writer and Pulse columnist Tony Mochama aka Smitta Smitten, has been invited as an African guest lecturer at the Dzanc Disquiet International Literary Festival, 2012 in Lisbon, Portugal. The festival starts on Monday and runs for two weeks. It will feature famous literary writers like New York’s George Saunders and Croatia’s Josip Novakovich.

X-tatic locks record deal

Fast rising Kenyan rapper X-tatic has clinched a deal with an international music company. Though the details of her signing were still scanty by the time we went to press, Pulse can confirm that the rapper’s management has been negotiating with a South African music stable. Her debut single The Pep Track is currently doing well across the continent.

Police: Musician beaten by Ex

Cindy Abila, the Pulse cover model and budding singer whom we highlighted last Friday after she was found in a pool of blood — and unconscious — in her mother’s house, might have been involved in a tussle with her ex-boyfriend before she was discovered, police reports now indicate.

The 22-year-old singer, who has been ailing at the Nairobi Hospital, was taken out of the Intensive-Care Unit (ICU) on Tuesday and can now breathe on her own.

“Her hospital bill has escalated to Sh890,000 and we are currently looking for a way of raising the money,” Dismas Adega, a family member, told Pulse on Wednesday.

Even as mystery surrounds the ruthlessness with which she was battered, police are now pursuing her ex-boyfriend whose neck chains were found at the scene.

Nina Ogot, Muthoni for US music tour  

Afro-pop singer Nina Ogot, Muthoni Ndonga aka the Drummer Queen and guitarist Katu are the three Kenyan artistes selected to represent Kenya in the inaugural One Beat Festival due to start in September, this year, in the USA. The three will be among 30 participants from Africa, who will join other global participants in the month-long festival that draws an array of singers, producers and others in the music industry for a tour across several states in the US and is sponsored by the US Embassy.

“With 96 applicants, apparently Kenya had the highest number so being among the three selected feels good”,  Nina Ogot.

Jaguar to feature Sonko in video

Jaguar’s yet to be released Matapeli video will feature controversial Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi aka Sonko. Ironically, the ‘cash-laden’ mheshimiwa will be cast in a role of a poor peasant suffering under the leadership of corrupt political leaders. The video shoot, which is being done by Ogopa Deejays, started last week and will end tomorrow.

“Sonko is a man of the people. He has said before that he would like to rap in a song and here he is, doing just that,” Jaguar told Pulse.

Rapper Rabbit denies engagement rumours

Popular rapper Rabbit has refuted rumours that he is engaged.

“I am shocked. I am hearing this for the first time,” he told Pulse on Wednesday, a day after word went round that he was looking forward to tying the knot with his girlfriend of many days.

“I haven’t visited her parents as alleged. Even then, we are cool and you will be the first to know if any new developments occur,” added the Uko Sure rapper.

It had been alleged that the girlfriend who took him to her parents and introduced him s as her fiancé, had cornered the rapper.

“I am not sure which girl you are referring to here,” he joked. Meanwhile, the big buzz about Wahu doing a collabo with Habida is just a big lie.

Bamzigi on triple treat!

Seasoned hip-hop star Bamzigi, who looks just about ready to reclaim the ‘African Supaman’ spot he left behind when he went for rehab sometime back, was overheard making revealing comments to a pal in the media eye.

Hanging up a phone angrily, Bamzi said; “I can’t stand radio deejays who hint that they want cheddar to put your songs on airplay rotation. What the f*** is wrong with these guys?”

He was also overheard saying; “Gichboy has gone under (ground) because he got hitched...

“Camp Mulla are the next big basement crew in East Africa.”

Bamzigi was in the comely company of a hyper ex-TV girl who used to present a popular showbiz programme.

Extreme gossip

Celeb says ex is a gold-digger

A popular singer who ditched his girlfriend after buying her a brand new car now says she is a gold-digger. Irked by reports that the girl, who is the mother to his one-year-old son, the popular Nairobi-based singer reportedly told his close friends that he ditched the girl due to her endless financial demands.

“All he cares about is the baby. He is now in a relationship with another girl. He said she can keep the car and the business they started together,” our sources alleged.

Meanwhile, a Nairobi lawyer recently bought his clandestine girlfriend a brand new BMW for her birthday. The two had a romantic weekend in an exotic Mombasa beach hotel before the guy, who hobnobs with the high and mighty, unleashed the goodies.