Loyiso Bala jets in town

Stevens Muendo

Mellow-voiced South African based R&B singer Loyiso Bala jets into town today. The musical genius will be on a publicity tour in anticipation of hosting shows in Kenya in the near future. "He is just coming to Nairobi to touch base and see what to do with us in the future," said David Muriithi, Bala’s Nairobi point man.

Super sexy R&B star, Loyiso Bala, has been awarded the Men’s Health Best Man Award in the Arts and Culture field.

Born in 1979 in the small town of Uitenhage, near Port Elizabeth, Bala has made a big name for himself having launched his singing career when he was barely three years old, performing alongside his two older siblings and parents.

He comes from a very talented musical family. The Bala family perform Gospel and Jazz at weddings, funerals and any other function in their community. Loyiso’s older brother is none other than Zwai of TKZee fame, who made history as the first black child ever admitted into the exclusive Drakensberg Boys Choir.

Loyiso launched himself on the SA music scene when he featured as part of the TKZee Family on their 1999 release GUZ 2001. His hits on this album included Fiasco, his version of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall, as well as his own composition Girl Without A Name.

Loyiso Bala

Loyiso then made his way to London where he set about working with the production/song writing duo of Tony Briscoe & Mohammed Habib, who were involved with the early success of UK R&B superstar Craig David. He developed his own style, fusing R&B with African lyrics and a dash of UK Garage to spice things.

Events organiser in court over Sh2 million debt

A popular events organiser and showbiz promoter found himself rubbing it the wrong side with the law after police locked him up before he was later charged over a Sh2 million debt. The promoter, a CEO of a leading events company was locked up at Kilimani police station on Thursday and taken to Kibera law courts where he took a plea. It is alleged that the young ambitious married entrepreneur borrowed the said cash from a friend to off set some bills a month a go only to fail to refund it during the stipulated time. His accuser is also partly connected to the glamour and music industry. Though his fate had not been determined by the time we went to press, word had it that the showbiz high flyer was required to deposit a Sh200,000 cash bail or an equivalent. However, he failed to raise the amount and was locked up at the Industrial Area Police Station last Friday. Keep it here and follow the drama unroll.

New miss USIU bluffs on first interview

21 -year -old Gladys Nyatichi won the coveted Miss USIU title to her great joy last Thursday night, but her not so kind response to the Press was a big let down. After enduring the heavy downpour in a soaked-up venue which went up to the early hours of the morning the new beauty queen got witty and would not answer most of the questions straight. "Did you expect to win," a journalist asked. "No…oh, yes! Because I have good looks," she bluffed. And asked by another for her mobile number, Gladys hesitated then responded: "I don’t give my number out…I mean, I don’t have a phone now." Also crowned during the annual event was Felix Kiveu, a 22-year-old first year student pursuing a degree in International Relations.

Kenyans for MAMA: Yes we can

Inspired by the extra-ordinary victory of US president-elect Barrack Obama, Kenyan artistes — who have been pitted against continental giants in the MAMA Awards nominations — are sighing with new hope that they can scoop the coveted, prestigious awards. "Barack was not the most likely aspirant to clinch a ticket to the white house. He worked against all olds, standing in hope against hope. Why can’t we beat the so called mighty Nigerians and other celebrities who have been beating us in all these music awards," wondered a MAMA’s nominee who sought enonymity. "All we need is to get our fans to vote for us. There is no other formula to winning this thing (awards). Our time to shine has come," said the nominee. Please, vote for us," pleaded the nominee. Wahu is up against Asa (Nigeria), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), Sasha (Nigeria) and Zonke (South Africa) in the Best Female category and 9ice (Nigeria), Naeto C (Nigeria) and Da L.E.S. (South Africa) in the Best New Act category. Jua Cali is pitted against 2Face (Nigeria), D’Banj (Nigeria), DJ Cleo (South Africa) and HHP (South Africa) in the Best Male category. Meanwhile, charismatic R&B star Kelly Rowland has conformed that she will be performing at the event which takes place in Abuja, Nigeria, November 22. America’s hip-hop big act The Game will be in the country this week for a concert which is part of the MAMA awards build up show.

Kenyan beauties out of Face of Africa

The two Kenyan representatives in the ongoing Face of Africa competition have been eliminated. The girls faced an early exit last week. They were among other Africa beauties who are at the boot camp in Zanzibar. This dashes all hopes for the Kenyan girls to join the final run which takes place in South Africa late this month.

Esther Arunga runs from ‘night job’

KTN news anchor Esther Arunga could not stay out long during the Miss USIU beauty pageant event held at Carnivore grounds last Thursday, as ‘she loves her sleep so much.’ The silver screen girl was among the judges for the event. But hardly had the show gone half way when Esther made her exit, due to her early morning assignments. "USIU has the most beautiful ladies and handsome men," she had joked, shortly before leaving the venue.

Madtraxx versus Styles

It was a showdown of sorts at the Carnivore restaurant when singer, producer and deejay Madtraxx abandoned the microphone on stage and took to the decks, replacing his big brother DJ Styles who was the deejay of the night. Mid his performance, the Boda Boda singer stopped rapping and yelled; "You know I am the rapper, the super producer, the super deejay." Before abandoning his counterpart Mejja on stage to replace his brother on the decks. It was the first major show for Madtraxx, who is also a member of the Code Red deejay unit to show his spinning prowess.