After releasing their club banger ”All The Way Up” last year, Fat Joe and Remy Ma are back with their Ty Dolla Sign assisted video ‘Money Showers’. Watch the video and comment.
Monday, 16 January 2017
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
VIDEO; HAVE'NT YOU SEEN NAVYKENZO'S ALBUM???
After a longtime winding discussion, finally Navy Kenzo has made a landslide release of their new hot album ‘Above In A Minute’ (AIM). A release of such vibrant album has made Navy Kenzo end a year 2016 with a shocking hit, but also opens the New Year 2017 more exciting.
It is certainly true; AIM is the album that will ever be a reference and a wakeup call to artists in Tanzania to release albums that will sell. Despite all the misfortune caused by frequent loss in the distribution of albums before, there is a way-out that Navy Kenzo has paved in the industry.
Navy Kenzo has nailed it in time as they dared and have finally done. AIM exposes them to the bridge of success in Tanzania. With the last year Awards and the Nomination to the MTV MAMA Awards, the video of their 3 standalone songs (Game, Kamatia and Feel Good), which rocked up and ranked top in different TV channels attracted over 4.9 million viewers in Youtube, AIM as the vibrant music album now makes Navy Kenzo official as the second most successful Music group in East Africa after a thrilling Kenya’s Sauti Sol.
Before reviewing of 11 hot ever songs compiled to make the album, I testify that, AIM is the album I rejoice to listen from song one to end repeatedly, often and a lot. I have received myriad albums from American artists that for sure I ended up listening to only a few, they are not such hot, not interesting but a collection of few good and many junks, but not for AIM.
AIM is not only the album; it is a hot-all standalone collection of songs, not just a compilation of songs to make an album. Uh! AIM is terrific and the best album I have ever heard and have in many years. I am assuring you, you can’t skip any song in the album. All the songs in the album sound amusing, they are standalone hit singles in radio charts. Many songs in the album are produced by Nahreel except few, to mention are Done, Young and Feel Good Remix.
Let’s start to review song after song:
1. LINI- Navy Kenzo Feat. ALI KIBA
I salute Navy Kenzo for making LINI an opening song of this album. LINI is a sweet song, a hybrid of dancehall, R&B and Bongo Flava. Aika is a lady who first set this song on air with a forthcoming sweet verse where Nahreel rocks in well with a short dancehall flavored bridge.
The chorus featured all the big three, Nahreel in leads. Alikiba enters in the second verse to make it sound sweet and vibrant in dance to reflect Bongo Flava hot taste. Kiba on his verse displays his chameleonic ability by producing his own kind of R&B flavor.
LINI is a song that has already been hot and a day-chat mover and frequently played in different radio stations. It’s a song that will ever hit and endure referring to the enormous fan base behind Kiba -TeamKiba. Pending now is the video of this song which previously was planned and failed due to schedules overlap.
2. BHENGA
After a brief scream from Nahreel, Aika is the one who opens his voice accompanied by the sound of children and audible rustle; you can hear this in ears as you listen on earphones. Nahreel went a little further for a bridge with interesting and stringed instruments and synch which properly mastered. Nahreel enters the second verse in Swahili and Patois. In verse three, they all sound marvelous as Nahreel ending the song by repeating the word ‘Bhenga’ several times.
3. BAJAJ F/ PATORANKING
BAJAJ is one of the thrilling and hot songs featured in the album. Of course, despite the wonderful recording of a song, the presence of Patoranking is making it more hot, audible and strong in air. BAJAJ is also a dancehall and R&B hybrid song. The song begins with a piano played by Nahreel starting with a roar explaining the importance of making your girlfriend feel loved and she is the only one. His make is that, a man should rejoice with a girlfriend out for dinner, unlocking and opening door of the car for her, smiling after and before a car packing. The chorus sung by Nahreel,‘mwanamke sio bajaj ukipanda ukishuka unasahau, sio bajaj wala pikipiki.’ The Swahili verse in English mean, ‘A woman is not as Bajaj where you can land on and land off carelessly, not bajaj not motorcycle.’ So wonderful!
Pato enters the second verse with his fierce dancehall sound and patois, like a man born in Jamaica; his sound is technically vibrant. In his verse, Patoranking explains that, if you disrespect your partner imprecisely, she will tell you goodbye or will rob another man who will take her to Dubai. Am hooked with this verse, ‘better take her for vacation, before she puts you on probation.’ Aika helps Patoranking to repeat the last verse in Swahili.
In the verse, Aika explains how she loved the only man (Nahreel) who is humble and loving. Her verse is rocking far influenced by a well set hand base with a rolling beat ruling the sky.
In the verse, Aika explains how she loved the only man (Nahreel) who is humble and loving. Her verse is rocking far influenced by a well set hand base with a rolling beat ruling the sky.
4. FEEL GOOD
Feel Good is the first single from this album and its video is the only official release so far. Despite of its contagious look to the audience, to me, Feel Good technically dissolved after Bhenga. This is true because, AIM is the only album packed with only hit songs that are standalone release in music ranking. There are good songs that may seem common among others but, they are not just songs, they are hit standalone singles.
However, Feel Good as the standalone single, weak in my thoughts, still the song has been hot that could give more success to the AIM album beyond the borders from Tanzania. There is a no doubt truth, Feel Good is a song that allegedly did and still doing extremely wonderful in Israel and in the Middle East as well as North Africa. The impact of Feel Good as a standalone single did not end up ruling the sky, it also led to one of a renowned DJ and producer in Israel, Moshe Buskila to stand up asking for an official remix that also included in making the album hot. Moshe did not end with a remix; he also produced the last song of the album with a single name, Young.
5. DONE F/ MR EAZI
DONE is a break up song. The production of DONE featured Mr Eazi, an artist originally from Nigeria but having his residence in Ghana. DONE is one of my favorite songs in the album. The only weak spot in the song, on my view is about the sound mixing on the Eazi’s verse. Hope the producer of the song deliberately decided to make it awkward, still it is as vague as you hear on the earphones and listen to Eazi’s sound; it is set louder on one side, not balanced.
6. MORNING
In a countdown, MORNING is the song I like most in the AIM album. Not only because of its romantic message, but this is a song that Nahreel probably sang in a top notch and feeling higher than all the tracks compiled to make the album. Hope when he recorded the audio, Nahreel was engrossed mentally to her girlfriend Aika who romantically impressed him. Uh! am forced to laugh guys, am also hooked with this making!
MORNING has made Nahreel to prove beyond doubt that, he has a great inner potential in developing and producing attractive melody by diverting any into dancehall also R&B. The chorus is melodically sweet although it is hard to understand its verse particles until when Aika ends the verse marvelously with a repetition.
The same as Nahreel, Aika also enters with her verse sang in a more radiance romantic voice. The verse sounds sweet revealing Aika’s skills in mastering of a wide range of sound waves and melody bridges throughout. Morning is the fresh song, romantic, hooking and only the song that can be dedicated to all loved ones.
7. FEEL GOOD (REMIX)
If you thought Feel Good is a club banger, just listen to a remix produced by DJ Moshe Buskila in Israel. The remix is so vibrant, hope now and certainly this will be the darling of many entertainment DJ’s across the world. DJ Moshe has successfully produced a mixing that’s well fits both the EDM rhythm and vibrant dancehall.
8. LINI (PART 2)
If you’ve seen the back cover of AIM as an album, hope you might have been thinking about LINI PART 2 and LINI which featured Alikiba to be identical twins or the same. There is a big No, Part 2 is very different – rather it is a standalone song that deserved a different name in which no one would have come close to notice the difference. LINI Part 2 is a vibrant R & B song, the mix and instruments melody can make you feel listening R&B song of the American origin which probably you are unable to remember the artist who sang it.
9. BLESS UP F/ ROSA REE
Bless Up is a certified club banger and one of my favorite songs in the album. It is a song that makes any audience to go higher vibrant and dance. My take is open, the day they’ll come to recording a video the song will be a hit song worldwide especially in Europe and the Caribbean. Bless Up reflects some Sean Kingston’s old songs but Navy Kenzo composed it for a new dancehall generation. And if you had fear to shout that Nahreel is a number one dancehall artist, now I am sure you will not hesitate to tell the world.
The contribution of Rosa Ree in their label (The Industry), making this song kiss the moon. Rose demonstrated her ability after merging both Hip-hop and dancehall to produce sweet R & B melodies.
10. NIPENDELEE F/ R2BEES
NIPENDELEE is another beautiful romantic song, with nice chunks of beats and chorus in Swahili. The chorus sung by Nahreel covered with a background low voice by G-Nako. Nahreel begins with a stunning verse in Swahili, very vibrant with Patois. One of the stunning members of a music group known as R2Bees from Ghana also featured on the second verse quite well. Aika enters the second verse and at the bridge to make it more sweet by saying ‘treat me like a real woman, you got me feel more human.’ A featured man from R2Bees who is a hip-hop rapper is not well heard in this song – maybe he did not rap but sang.
11. YOUNG
Young is a song produced by DJ Moshe Buskila. What do you expect? It is one of the EDM lumps which take the album roar to an end.
My credit and recommendation
How many stars am I voting for this album out of 5? I am giving it 5. Ask me why? My answer is simple; the album is everything, no alternative and no one like Navy Kenzo elsewhere. If you want to prove me wrong, grab your original album copy, listen and react.
Stay tuned, hope your feedback will colour my review!
Holaaaaaaa!
Reviewed by Fredrick Bundala. English translation by John Wisse.
AFTER COLLABORATING WITH MR. EAZI BEN POL SAYED THAT HE IS AWESOME ARTIST TO WORK WITH
His collaborations with Mr Eazi on ‘Phone’ has made it a positive add on his music career. However, he may be facing criticism on the song which is claimed to be used without been verified. He had to share with Bongo5 the experience he had while working with Mr Eazi.
“It is hard to believe, Mr Eazi and I did not face any challenges while producing this song,” he says.
“Mr Eazi contacted me and told me he follows my progress as a East African artists. To add on that he said he said he loves my music and requested we work on something. Early in the morning, I would send him a couple of my lyrics and then he would give me a feedback with his freestyles. He is an awesome person and I do not regret working with him since it has already pushing us to the front.”
VIDEO: WATCH BEHIND THE SKENE OF GIVE IT TO ME BY BELLE 9 FT G NAKO
Give it to me was one of his biggest songs last year. Watch the behind scenes of this epic video.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
ITS POSSIBLE TO EXPORT BONGO FLAVA WITHOUT STYLE BITING
2016 may be gone, but most of the memories are still fresh in our heads. Ignoring the silly beefs, team them vs. team us talks and ‘kutafuta kiki’ shenanigans Bongo Flava had the best highlights compared to other entertainment industries in the country.
From enjoying good number of YouTube views, massive air plays to inter-continental show headlining, not to mention enough recognition in most of the awards both in Africa
and worldwide both in terms of nominations to those which were scooped. In a pretty biased opinion of mine, even the East African dedicated channels from MTV Base and Trace, is a result of these guys constantly flooding the market with music releases thus making more than half of the content.
and worldwide both in terms of nominations to those which were scooped. In a pretty biased opinion of mine, even the East African dedicated channels from MTV Base and Trace, is a result of these guys constantly flooding the market with music releases thus making more than half of the content.
Only slight problem however, was artists over borrowing of styles specifically Naija tunes, from melodies to adopted lingos in their song! One can only assume they did it to ride the wave ofsuccess Nigerian music has been receiving continental and worldwide.Well, we might give them a pass in the name of artistry but the truth is they over did it, to the point of fans airing them out.
Copying styles and Music fans in Tanzania is never a good mixture, it’s usually a hyped trend that people will vibe to and slowly getting tired off, I mean look at the Dansi scene and the whole Sebene movement which was heavily influenced by Bolingo from Congo, you couldn’t compare it with any type of music in the country at its peak both in terms of popularity and commercial success, but as they say every excess becomes a vice…biting style wasn’t enough to milk off, the bands started ‘importing’ stage dancers and singers straight from the source (Congo) now even the slowly fading Taarab is more relevant than Dansi/Sebene.
That being said, originality has its own taste and legacy, biting can only be overlooked when something is still finding its feet but that is stage long passed by bongo flava. It was in the late 90’s and early 20’s that bongo flava was finding itself, time when almost any song in Swahili that wasn’t taarab, gospel or dansi could be called bongo flava, so why now that its strong enough and has the potential of becoming one of the biggest genre in Africa should it be impurified?
Luckily complaints were heard, artists took a turn and went back local, choosing to embrace more of traditional tunes and flavors or just doing plain bongo flava. Reception had been overwhelming with most fans happy that artists are slowly ditching the Naija trend, besides that’s what they have been saying in the last 2-3 years.
And to top it off, a number of the hits released in the last quarter of 2016 which were heavily influenced by our local flavors did very good and still going strong, with
Diamond and Belle 9 both deciding to payhomage to one of the great in the country Saida Karoli by sampling her classic hit,Maria Salome (Chambua kama karanga).
Diamond and Belle 9 both deciding to payhomage to one of the great in the country Saida Karoli by sampling her classic hit,Maria Salome (Chambua kama karanga).
Salome by Diamond has even been named amongst the 10 biggest African tracks of 2016 by The Guardian, it’s really a sign that biting success of another style is not the only way to reach success or in this case, having a hit
So cheers to 2017, keep the good music alive and Bongo Flava on a map!
Thursday, 5 January 2017
LOVE REWIND: HARMONIZE & WOLPER
This is me not showing any pity for celebs this year. Honestly this emotion called love – I am not familiar with it, however I know love when I see and feel it! Love is blind, as I remember how much they were trying to prove to the rest how a relationship should be and shown. Despite the fact Harmonize was dating a woman way to older than him, I always felt he deserved someone better, but if he was not ready accept t was over then guess what Wolper, ‘bado hajapona’.
So let me entertain you by giving you this love rewind that has lasted for you know when and cheer as the both begin 2017 roast-fully.
1. Below is the first photo that gave us go to know the two were officially in love. This was when he was going to introduce her to his mum.
2. The Public Display of Affection (PDA) that kept us wondering was it for show or not. Kisses, hugs were passionate to prove that is not joke.
3. Spending and shopping with bae is a smart way to woman’s heart. I remember Harmonize was like whatever income he gets he gives to ‘Mama’. This picture is more of like,” Baby pick whatever you want, I got it all covered”
4. Wearing similar outfits. Aw, that was so sweet, having the same timber shoes and she was actually helping him tie them.
5. This had to be in my list. I am giggling because money is my best friend and at this time when I saw this I wanted to really Harmonize because Dollars and Rose flower make a girl like me blossom. This was on Harmonize birthday and we all know Wolper would not miss to brag on social media.
6. At the beginning of September 2016, the two love birds set of for a vacation in Serengeti. Do you see what I love (Hennessy) and a peaceful environment. Look at them chilling as if their relationship would never end and making sure we all salivate to want such a life!
7. Project to support Boss and Ex! The two featured in the most popular song – Salome. Now this was a smart way to know the year was ending and they would soon end this crap.
8. My colleague at work calls it ‘POST AND DELETE’, while I will call it the end of my love rewind. So many post on their Instagram and now its all deleted. So since it all begun in Harmonize’s Instagram page with an introduction, it ends at Wolper ending it- smart move guys on giving turns to each other. So Wolper allow me quote when you said ‘ ‘Harmonize make me happy’ and now, He has made you hate love?
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