It’s a wrap: 2012 as it was

It’s a wrap: 2012 as it was

As the 2012 count down enters the final stretch SHEILA KIMANI looks at how the Pulsers are living up ‘DecemBAR’ while recapping the showbiz milestones

Celebville has been on a roll this year as Pulsers were treated to great concerts and events. This year saw glitz rise to an all time high with big shows from international acts Johny Gill, Erykah Badu and Taurus Riley among others. But there were also poor concerts not worth the penny.

The worst 2012 event

This has to be Akon’s live concert whose attendance saw half the crowd getting free tickets. The low turn out made Jimmy Gait’s Make It Or Make It show in Thika look like a crowd puller.

Though Akon did perform well, poor organisation by promoters messed it up. Akon’s failure to honour three previous shows also made fans stay away.

Some local events got worse with a drunken emcee calling out wrong categories during the recently held movie awards, and not forgetting the teen awards marred by social media outcry.

The best 2012 event

The best of 2012 has to be The Groove Awards 2012 and Kisima Awards whose organisation was impressive. They delivered to their fans.

The best 2012 collaboration

Despite the issues and sagas that come with collaborations, new duos definitely set the bars high. Case in point would be the recent Prezzo featuring Cannibal hit My City My Town.

The gospel industry also outdid itself with Willy Paul and Gloria Muliro’s Sitolia hit, which came with its share of controversy. Then there is DK featuring Anto-Neo Soul in Sari Sari.

But the year belonged to Daddy Owen who featured Denno in the gem, Mbona. The collabo ultimately ranks top of the pile. Its humanitarian aspect coupled by Denno’s great vocals ultimately steered this music to the top of the charts.

Showbiz Personality 2012

Although celebrities make statements in the showbiz industry with rides and impeccable appearances, 2012 saw DJ Crème de la Crème and DJ Joe Mfalme rock Channel O; Miss Kenya got to the Miss World finals and Camp Mulla got BET nominations.

But it was CMB Prezzo who ruled the crest. At the beginning of the year, the King of Bling was dismissed as a broke braggart. But he defied odds and became the most recognisable Big Brother Star Game housemate putting Kenya firmly on the African map.

Most embarrassing stunt 2012

But while some left great marks in the showbiz scene, others were busy looking bad. Besides Collo’s drunken moment as Kalasha Awards host, it was Shaffie Weru’S moment of madness in Nakuru that tops the list.

The celebrated radio presenter and MC shouted himself hoarse during the Nakuru Ten-Aside rugby tournament. As if getting loud and disorderly was not enough, he went ahead to disrupt the presentation of awards forcing security to kick him out of the stadium.

Worst 2012 flop

While some artistes’ musical careers came crumbling down like a house of cards, others fell flat. Ray C’s saga could not go unnoticed. She claimed that some Kenyan organiser had tried to take advantage of her.

Then stepped in Flame Entertainment who bailed her out and even recorded the chartbusting Moto Moto hit with French Boy before Ray C’s life took a downward spiral.

She lost the plot and took to drugs, changing from sexy siren to messed-up diva. Ray C definitely went off the script, even drawing the attention of her President who came to see her in rehab. Besides being sorry, we wish Ray C drugs a free 2013!

Best 2012 group

They might have been dismissed as punks but Camp Mulla’s sophisticated style endeared them to the Kenyan market and specifically high society.

They got a nod for the Safaricom Live Tour as their music topped the charts internationally. They also landed nominations in categories with the finest of African artistes and shared platforms with international artistes like DJ Cleo and Khuli Chana. Way to go Camp Mulla!

Worst group of 2012

While some groups put their A-game this year and even delivered what they had promised to their fans, others disappointed.

Let’s just say that there is a season for everything. Tattuu promised to get back together but all that went with the wind.

Comeback of 2012

Talking of forced but failing comebacks, let’s call him ‘prodigal son’ He left our industry in search of greener pastures, only to realise it was cold and hard world out there.

Unfortunately upon coming back, the script had changed and his rhymes were old lingo.

All in all, welcome back Bamboo, but we hope you learnt never to bite the hand that feeds you. We expect bigger and better things from you albeit with all the ‘compe’ you have to face from the ‘newbies’.

Showbiz couple of 2012

Besides a lavish ‘invites only’ wedding that lasted shorter than the twilight saga, break-ups that got mended (well done DJ Creme) and engagement proposals that left us impressed at how well secrets can be kept.

Not because they are the most admirable, but because they tried hard to keep their ‘affairs’ under wraps;Love is blind and we can only wait to see how far Juliani and Brenda get hypnotised by Cupid.

Movie of 2012

For once, the acting industry seemed to have gotten their acts together and going by the impressive productions seen in 2012, we are going places. Actors and actresses shall soon be the showbiz icons to look out for and yes, we shall wait.

Shuga 2 Love Sex, and Money was a definite showstopper with its all-star crew and a mega impressive launch that brought the entertainment big shots together. But it is Nairobi Half Life that left the crowd streaming into theatres for a view of this movie that was fast getting international acclamation.

Besides introducing new stars into the scene, Nairobi Half Life had an impressive storyline thus becoming the best 2012 movie.

Story of the year 2012

Even amidst fake and baseless rumours Octopizzo should have not photoshopped his IVO IVO designs on Jay Z’s T-shirts.

Caroline Mutoko’s dismissal of ‘idle Kenyan youths’ definitely got her a bashing on social media.

But Campus Divas For Rich Men definitely got everyone’s attention. Pulse first unveiled what some campus girls do apart from studying and got social media, radio, print, television and even the streets talking.