Bebe Cool: My life is in danger

After last weekend’s police shooting, which left Ugandan singer Bebe Cool in critical condition, the celebrated musician now claims he fears for his life.

Indeed, Bebe says last week’s shooting in Kampala — which left him with four gun wounds — could have been caused by rivalry in the music industry.

Bebe also denied police reports that he was involved in a tussle with police officers on patrol said to have shot him. He also denied coming out in support of a couple allegedly having sex in a car in public, an act that is said to have triggered the early morning drama between Bebe’s entourage and police officers.

"The policeman fired at me four times yet I had committed no crime. I have sought legal advice and the case must be investigated as I believe there are ulterior motives behind the whole saga," Bebe Cool told Pulse, on a telephone interview.

"I have been receiving messages from anonymous callers threatening to finish me and I have reported the matter to police. I believe it is all coming from my rivals in the music industry," he said.

"I informed the police of the threats long before the Saturday saga and I hope the police are not taking the matter lightly," added the singer who by the time we went to press was recuperating in hospital. Bebe was shot in the wee hours of the morning after performing at R Kelly’s Kampala concert (see main story) where wife Zuena had accompanied him. Zuena and Bebe made up late last year after months of separation. Since Zuena left Bebe, fingers have been pointed at Mowzey Radio and Weasel (Goodlyfe Crew). The duo recorded a diss song on the couple.

"We have been having issues with the two and in the night of the show we even had some verbal exchange," Bebe added.

He, however, did not name the two as the main suspects in his recent ordeal.

Nameless goes "blu"

The new Nameless song, Prisoner, that features Uganda’s award winning trio Blu 3 has become a major hit in Nairobi and Kampala barely three months after its release. The single made its debut in TV music shows last month and promises to be a major hit.

The MTV awards winner has been on the top of the game after Sunshine single which features showbiz newcomer won an MTV MAMA award. We just wonder, are collabos Nameless’ new way forward?

Is H2O the official celebrity water?

Celebrity endorsement is a great brand awareness creation tool for lifestyle brands. If you go out often, you must have noticed that most international music acts visiting the country carry along a bottle of H2O, Kenya’s fastest growing bottled water. Some of the international heavyweights we have spotted include Akon, Beenie Man, Brick N Lace, Wyclef, Isaac Blackman and Bracket.

Our sources inform us that these artistes usually prefer the brand because of its fresh taste and also it’s association with hip-hop. They insist on the water right from the time they land at the airport and throughout the itinerary. "This trend shows us that we got the product quality right as these high profile celebs are usually very particular about the standards of what they consume. For them to opt H2O confirms that they have much faith in the quality of our brand," states the H2O managing director, Alph Rabar. Kenyan artistes who have been frequently spotted with the lifestyle drink, which is packed in a unique black bottle, include Juliani, Redsan, Wyre, Daddy Owen, Colonel Mustapha, Avril, Marya and Jaguar among others. The H2O brand is also strongly associated with local sports. Just two weeks ago, the beverage company signed up the sensational Kenya Sevens Rugby coach, Benjamin Ayimba to market the drink.

Is Carol Atemi expectant?

Popular Afro-fusion singer Carol Atemi is rumoured to be pregnant. The singer who made her debut on the showbiz scene with the girl group Intu and also sung back-up for Eric Wainaina’s band is allegedly newly expectant. She currently has one album, Hatimaye, under her belt.