Tag: grandpa records

TBT! Was Refigah, owner of Grandpa Records, the first ever artist to join YouTube in Kenya?

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

The other day I was minding my business on Instagram when I stumbled on a clip of American rapper 50 cent talking about how fellow rapper Soulja Boy pushed him into joining YouTube and starting a blog.

TBT

Soulja Boy had gone on an epic rant then of how he has influenced many rappers but still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Soulja Boy was actually the first rapper to join YouTube. In 2006.

This got me asking..who was the first guy to do it in Kenya?

Well, it seems like Grandpa Records’ CEO and founder Yusuf Noah was the first ever artist to join YouTube.

Back when he was an artist going by the name Refigah, he joined YouTube just six months after Soulja Boy while other guys were still trying to push their music on Myspace.

Noah posted his first song called “Kadumala” way back before he ditched his cornrows and jeans and replaced them with a clean-shave and a suit. Way back when he was just another skinny guy trying to make a name in the industry.

 

 

Photos: Grandpa Records launches its new offices after re-branding

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Popular record label Grandpa Records has officially resumed operation.

The record label which is known for its mega hits while working with artists such as DNA, Kenrezy, Visita, opened it’s doors on Saturday as Grandpa Dynamics. It’s new offices are now located at Ngumo and not in Kibera.

The founder and CEO of the label, Yusuf Noah, popularly known as Refigah posted the announcement on social media sharing that his business has grown from just a record label to a visual production, marketing and PR firm too.

Comeback

Songwriter singer and producer Visita, rappers Kenrazy, Sosuun, Dufla, DNA, and Gin Ideal have all left the label in the last two years but while announcing his comeback this year, Refigah promised that Grandpa Dynamics will look for more younger and better talented after starting operation.

Back to the slums? Once popular singer Majirani now wallowing in poverty(photos)

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Former Grandpa Records artist Majirani hit the stardom in 2014 with an emotional rags to riches story. The singer, who is known for hits like “Hivo ndo Kunaendanga,” and “Tukumbukeko” had a tough life after dropping out of school and had to find away to feed himself.

Majirani, who comes from Eldoret, rose from just another hawker after that to a top musician while working with Grandpa Records.

Well, it seems things are not going really well for the singer after staying almost four years without dropping a hit.

Ksh 1 million

Majirani was recently spotted looking washed up and really struggling. Remember this is a guy who won Ksh 1 million after beating almost 300 other artists at Maasai Mara Mic Battle Talent Search in 2014.

In an interview after that, he confessed that he bought a plot and used the remaining cash to fund his music career.

 “I used the money to facilitate the production of my music. I was able to comfortably produce my audios and videos at Grandpa Records. I invested the rest of the money in a prime plot in Eldoret,” he said then. 

Here are the photos:

 

Unlike many other singers, Mistony has shown the true art of re-investing in her music career 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

If there’s one thing Kenyan entertainers mightily struggle with is the art of reinvesting in their careers.

From disheartening stories of musicians not seeing the value of having a manager to countless cases of comedians dismissing the need invest in their looks, entertainers in Kenya have struggled majorly because of this.

Singer Mistony, however, is bringing a new flavour in the business and showing that reinvesting your earnings, no matter how small they might be, eventually pays of in the long run.

Real name, Jane Ikasi, an United Kingdom-based Kenyan Afrobeat and pop vocalist, is among a special breed of young Kenyan artists dedicated to pushing their careers to extraordinary levels.

Tours

In the past two months, the singer, who is working Grandpa Record stable, has done a one-of-a-kind, never-done-before aggressive tour that has seen her visit several parts of Kenya and East Africa in general.

She was in Kigali almost two weeks ago, as part of her East African tour to promote her music in the region. Before that, she visited Uganda three weeks ago, returned to Kenya for another series of tours and expected to conclude the tour this week in Tanzania.

Very few artists in Kenya have ever thought of doing that. Campaigns are mostly done on social media and kaput. Chapter closed.  It’s one of the reasons why artists’ brands fail to grown past +254, or Nairobi to be specific.

For the five years she’s been in the music business since releasing her debut “Baby” while in still living London, Mistony has managed to rise from a mere singer/dancer to working with Nigerian singer Inyanya, and establish her name as a core top-rated East African artist.

According to sources close to her operations, the singer doesn’t re-wear her cloths once she has hit stage. She actually donates them. Talk of investing in fashion also.

Again, she’s always ready to spend on anything that will bring growth in her career a reason why several months ago she forked a clean Sh0.5 million for a new dance challenge for her video “Shaku Shaku”.

So far she has 17 songs under her name as she looks to launch her first album. Some of her popular songs include Kiss My, Dizzy Love, CocaCola Body and Want It All, among others.

Mistony has also travelled and performed in major concerts, festivals, corporate events, Soirées such as The Queen Elizabeth hall, London Indigo O2, G8 Cornwall, Coronet Theatre, Stratford Rex, Royal regency banqueting suite and many more.

 

Are these the explicit cloths that saw singer Misstony chased away from TV interview

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Singer Misstony was allegedly in hot soup on Friday after going for an interview in a pair of clothes that were too explicit for the media house.

According to the Granpa Records signee, she was denied entry at KBC due to her “explicit” dress code. Security guards ordered her to wear a leso so that she could go for the TV interview but Misstony decided to just cancel the interview.

Well, was she really overboard with her dressing? Probably not. Images have now surfaced that show she was just in a normal top and a tight.

Other interviews

The singer shared in an interview that the guards told her to wear a leso before entering or leave the premises. Angered by the remarks of the Security officer, she decided to ditch the interview in protest.

She said that other stations had allowed her into their stations and couldn’t understand why KBC had to freeze her.

“I was well dressed, and I think it is time we start embracing modern culture. Above all, I am an artist; and media houses know that better. I felt humiliated,” she narrated.

Here are the photos.

 

Politicians, Sponsors all want a piece of me- Gin Ideal 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Former Grandpa Records signee Virginia Maina aka Gin ideal recently shared that she’s not interested in a relationship, or any favors that might come from a sponsor.

Speaking in an interview, the singer confessed that after her break up, a lot of men have been on her inbox and phone trying to make her theirs but she’s not really into that.

“Men hit on me; of course… this beautiful girl is lovable. From politicians to sponsors and beautiful people. These calls keep on coming like it was traffic on a free highway,” she said. 

Politicians

Regarding the politicians who have been hitting on her, the singer didn’t want more drama by revealing their names. She advised ladies to keep away from sponsors anyway because it never has a happy ending.

“That I can’t reveal. However, having a sponsor is a very bad idea and I would ask girls to keep off. You can see how many cases of girls dying mysteriously we have right now. I always shy off those calls by strangers and stalkers telling you how they can buy you cars and houses. Hard work pays,” she said. 

 

 

 

Grandpa records singer Mistony chased away like a stray dog at KBC for being skimpily dressed

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Ex-UK singer now signed to Grandpa Records, Mistony, recently had to cancel her interview at KBC after security guards denied her entry for being skimpily dressed.

The singer shared in an interview that the guards told her to wear a leso before entering or leave the premises. Angered by the remarks of the Security officer, the artist decided to ditch the interview in protest.

She said that other stations had allowed her into their stations and couldn’t understand why KBC had to freeze her.

“I was well dressed, and I think it is time we start embracing modern culture. Above all, I am an artist; and media houses know that better. I felt humiliated,” she narrated.

Dress code

The Afro-pop musician has termed the incident as awful and humiliating while Grandpa Records CEO Refigah wondered why the station had a dress code in the first place.

“It felt extremely awful to be turned away by that TV station, yet other media houses received me well in those clothes. I respect my body. So, I wouldn’t expose it with an ulterior motive. I was well dressed, and I think it is time we start embracing modern culture. Above all, I am an artiste; and media houses should know better. I felt humiliated,” Mistony told Hot 96 FM.

Refigah said:

“There was a time we were at the TV station for an interview, and they did not mention anything to do with attire. So, why introduce a dress-code now?” poses Refigah.

 

Grandpa Records robbed, 1.5 million worth of equipment stolen

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Grandpa Records CEO Refigah is counting huge losses after thugs broke into his studio situated in Olympic estate, Kibra on Tuesday night and stole all the equipment. The break in, which happened dead at night, saw the thugs walk away with recording equipment that has taken the label years to acquire.

Taking to social media, Refigah assured fans and clients that he’s working with police to track the equipment and might take a few days before the record label can resume normal operations.

“To all our esteemed clients and partners, we are very sorry to announce that we woke up today to a great shock, our office at olympic estate
has been broken into and we have lost all the production equipments, Since morning, we have been cooperating with the police carrying out the investigations and so far we have a suspect, for now, we are letting the police do their work and for the law to take its course.” said Refigah. 

Millions lost

In an interview, he said that the thieves walked away with mixer, sound card, compressor, three set of recording microphones, sound systems and two monitors. He was alerted by his music producer. He believes this was an inside job.

““We suspect this could be an inside job because this has never happened since we moved here. They stole all equipment, from the mixer, sound card, compressor, three set of recording microphones, sound systems and two monitors. We are talking of a loss of about Sh1.5 million shillings,” Refigah said.

The music industry is in confusion because they are unable to replace me- Grandpa Records CEO says before announcing comeback  

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

As Kenyan artists and journalists are busy pointing fingers to each other on who is killing the Kenyan industry, a man who arguably transformed and pushed Kenyan music scene beyond boarders has made an announcement that will sure bring mixed emotion.

Grandpa Records CEO Refigah aka Yusuf Noah has announced that he is back in business after 22 months of hiatus.

In a presser held at Steadmark Gardens in Karen today, the CEO announced his comeback and also addressed the current state of the industry which has been chaotic lately after artists attacked producers for killing the music industry by not playing their music.

Irreplaceable

According to Refigah, one of the reason why there’s so much confusion and Diamond Platnumz’ Wasafi Records are taking over Kenyan industry is because no one has been able to replace Grandpa Records.

“Wasafi Records are taking over after we left. Just take a look, they have been there for three years now but why are they taken over the two years Grandpa has been away? It’s because the industry has been an able to replace us. What Diamond did to Kenya recently, his three shows, we also did that kind of stuff in Tanzania. We are the only Kenyan record label which has managed to top Tanzanian charts and do successful shows there.” 

Grandpa Records boss: I’m not broke, that was fake news 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Grandpa Records CEO Refigah has come out to deny that he’s broke. Refigah, in the recent past has been facing rumors that he’s crumbling financially after exodus of some of the talents he had signed in his label such as Kenrazy, Sosuun, Kidis, DNA and Dufla Diligon.

Speaking to People Daily, the popular CEO, who started off as an artist, was forced to address the rumours that he’s been forced to other ventures due to desperation after closing down his label.

“Broke? I’m doing just fine,” said Refigah who was recently in the news after opening new apartments called Grandpa Suites.

Fake news

He then went on to attack journalists who ran the story without contacting him first, calling it unprofessional.

 This is unprofessional journalism. They should have called me instead of publishing such crap,” he said. 

“The likes of Sean Diddy Combs, own businesses. Closer home, Jose Chameleone is also a heavy investor. What is the problem when I do the same? And again, those saying I changed the studio to furnished apartments are lying,” an incensed Refigah told People Daily.

GrandPa Records is dead, Refigah switches to real estate 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

After sinking of his record label, GrandPa Records boss, Refigah, has now switched to real estate. On Instagram, the record label’s account posted the new houses they are now renting.

It’s not yet clear whether the house are purely Refigah’s or it’s a partnership whereby they are using his name. Refigah hasn’t offered much about his new investment either.

“From the multiple Award winning Record label ‘GrandPa Records’ Here comes the new baby in town ‘GrandPa Suites’ Furnished apartments just 3 kms from jomo kenyatta international airport. 
Just 7minutes drive.

“Its a state of the art modern furnished apartment for both short and long stay. Has free WiFi and 24/7 driver on standby.
Has social amenities just in the vicinity …ranging from a supermarket, barber shop, grocery shop and butchery,” said the Record Label’s account on Instagram.

 

Grandpa boss throws lavish birthday party for his new wife after divorcing his first one (photos) 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Grandpa Records boss Refigah recently left social media in awe after throwing a wild birthday party for his wife Yasmin.

Refigah, whose name has subsequently vanished in the music industry after his record label sunk, threw his beautiful wife a grand surprise birthday party at the the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi.

Second wife

Yasim is Refigah’s second wife after he secretly divorced his first wife and married Yasmin in a low key wedding. Only close friends and relatives were invited.

Here are the photos of how the birthday went down.

Dufla: I don’t have a sugar mummy and i’m not broke

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Grandpa Records, a once very popular record label has gotten the final nail in the coffin after popular dance hall singer, Duffla, who was the only remaining artist in the label, has also called it quits.

Rumours of the singer ditching the Refigah-owned label started circulating early this year. The singer has confirmed that he will depart soon, joining Kenrazy, DNA, Visita and Sossun who also left the label after misunderstandings with Refigah.

duffla

 “No, however, my contract is now over and I do not plan to renew it. That aside, I am grateful to the label, as they are a big part of the reason my music career took off. I feel it is time to take it to an even higher level with something different,” Duffla said after being asked whether he has left Grandpa. 

Not broke

In the interview which appeared on Mediamax’s website, the singer also shared that he has teamed up with Visita for his new song Katapila.

“This was not the first time Visita and I have worked together, nor will it be the last.  He understand my kind of music. He gets my beat and need for originality, especially when it comes to dancehall music,” he said.

Finally, Duffla addressed a rumor that he’s being funded by a sugar mummy after he’s bank account allegedly went nil.

“People talk — these are petty lies certain blogs brought up.  I am financially stable and have a printing company, which is doing great. It’s riduculous, really,” he said. 

 

Sad! Singer DNA loses 9-year-old son after drowning in school’s swimming pool

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Singer DNA has lost his son Jamal Waweru after he drowned in a swimming pool accident.

Jamal was only nine years old.

According to different sources, Jamal, on Wednesday, was rushed to Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Lang’ata after the fateful incident where he was pronounced dead.

Jamaal was a class three student at Kitengela International.

DNA

Grandpa Record’s boss loses close family member, posts sad photos on social media

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Grandpa Records CEO Yussuf Noah, known by many as Refigah, has lost his father-in-law.

Refigah, who has been married to Yasmin Yussuf for less than six months after divorcing his first wife, took to Facebook to morn the death of Dr Yussuf Mohammed saying that he lost “the best father-in-law any man could ever dream of having.”

Silent wedding

Refigah silently married Yasmin late last year after marriage to first wife Mahadia failed. Refigah had one kid, a boy, with his ex-wife.

In his latest wedding, only family and friends were invited as it was kept on the low.