Clash of the stars

This edition of Big Brother Africa brings your star power, but will Kenya’s CMB Prezzo alongside two other representatives survive the long haul or feel the wrath of audience in a few short weeks, writes STEVENS MUENDO

As he strutted into the Big Brother StarGame House in Joburg last Sunday evening, Kenya’s ‘bad boy’ of rap, Jackson Makini aka CMB Prezzo posed and offered a swaggerific wave to the elated crowd.

He then faced the world of millions of viewers across Africa — of the reality TV show — with poise and took the microphone saying: “I have come to bring you action,” he announced.

As the crowd cheered on his grand entrance, he posed again oozing attitude and warned other contestants in his big baritone voice that he was cut out for the big showdown.

In fact, Prezzo’s words were cut from his debut hit single, Naleta Action and was symbolic of his return to the showbiz helm.

Away from Prezzo, adrenaline was high inside the celebrities Upville house. Award-winning songstress Lady May from Namibia, and bold yet dramatic pop musician Goldie from Nigeria had already made their grand entrances. The glamorous show was spiced up with the entry of the controversial Zambian diva Mampi followed by socialite and model Barbz. The green-eyed beauty from South Africa was pulling no stops.

To complete the seven stars was unpredictable soulful singing star Roki from Zimbabwe and DKB, a stand-up comedian from Ghana.

Knowing very well that all these guys were big showbiz personalities across the continent and potential threat to his coronation on the big stage, the king of bling, Prezzo, pulled the first stunt. He fooled the housemates that he had told Big Brother what colour of bed sheets he wanted on his bed.

On Monday, his wit continued to rule the house and at some point he even fooled the housemates after his diary session calling for a meeting then dispersing them saying he was just playing mind games.

It is no doubt Big Brother is a make or break for Prezzo as his showbiz career has been on a lowdown. Only a few months after making a comeback with his 4 Show 4 Shizzo hit released last year.

Africa now awaits to see how the self-styled king of bling will wade through enormous challenges infront media glare. Other housemates have already noticed through his antics that he is a force to reckon with.

“What does that shit do to you,” Prezzo asked Roki on Monday when the Zimbabwean confessed over a light conversation that he puffs weed.

That same night, Malonza, one of the other two Kenyan brothers in the Downville house, became the first victim of wicked romance. He and a girl were drunk inside the Jacuzzi. The girl grabbed and kissed him and declared him her husband. The two are now ‘married’ and have been sharing a bed since.

Being the seventh edition of the continental reality TV show, this year’s show is called Big Brother StarGame due to the fact that seven of the Housemates are celebrities, and the other 28 (who are paired in couples) are aspiring celebrities.

The celebrities are living in Upville and the wannabes in Downville. Upville is a little more comfy.

The aim of the game is for the housemates of Downville to do all they can to be accepted into Upville. Once accepted, the successful housemate will also be considered a celebrity and join the others.