Tag: Phyno News

Diamond Platnumz should be very afraid of Harmonize

Posted on by David Kingsley

Diamond Platnumz has been the face of Tanzanian music for a long time and I feel that is about to change thanks to one Rajab Abdul Kahali, known to you and I as Harmonize.

Also read: Kenyan musicians have so much to learn from their Tanzanian counterparts

The two artists are cut from the same cloth and perhaps this explains why Diamond Platnumz devised all manner of tactics to frustrate Uno hitmaker’s efforts to exit WCB Records.

Harmonize enlists Morgan Heritage for 'Malaika'
Harmonize

They appeal to the same audience and it would have been much easier for Diamond Platnumz to have him under his nose where he can sort of control and monitor what he is putting out.

But now that Harmonize is a free man having paid a Tsh 600 million – approximately Ksh 26.2 million – fine that was imposed on him for exiting WCB Records, Diamond Platnumz should be very afraid.

The truth is that Harmonize is a hard worker just like Diamond Platnumz and the fact that he had been working with the latter for so many years even before we got to know about him means that he has learned the ropes.

Diamond Platnumz

He knows what it takes to be at the top and he’s going for it. This is evidenced by his recently released 18-track album titled Afro East which features the likes of; Morgan Heritage, Khaligraph Jones, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Burna Boy etc.

The album is doing very well and it’s what everyone is talking about, including Diamond Platnumz himself as he took to Instagram to congratulate Harmonize for the huge milestone.

If you ask me, this album would not have been delayed if Harmonize was still at WCB Records because you are sort of not allowed to outshine the boss.

There was a time when the likes of Mr Nice, Matonya and Ali Kiba were the faces of Tanzanian music and I feel that a similar coup is happening at the moment and before you know it, Diamond Platnumz will be long forgotten.

Harmonize

Phyno has teamed up with Flavour on new jam dubbed ‘Vibe’ and it’s really dope (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Talented Nigerian singer-cum-rapper Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, popularly known as Phyno, has released a new jam and featuring Flavour we are really feeling it.

Flavour
Flavour

The song titled Vibe, which is off the Deal With It album, epitomizes Phyno’s growth since he ventured into music 16 years ago.

The lyrics for this jam are Igbo and Pidgin and that simply means that I could not understand most of the things that they were saying but the beauty of music is being able to recognize a good song even when you don’t understand it.

This song is well arranged. The hook by Flavour really brought life into this jam. I just wanted to listen to it over and over because it’s so catchy ladies and gentlemen.

In this song, 2Baba proves that he still has it in him. Although it’s quite different from the song that most of us came to know him for i.e. African Queen, I think it’s still enjoyable.

Phyno
Phyno

The beat and instrumentation on this track is also commendable. As you listen to it, you’ll notice that it has a modern and a traditional vibe. props to the one and only Masterkraft. He really did a good job.

The video concept was also really good. One of the things that caught my eyes were the vixens who were clad in short outfits and were dancing for Phyno who was seated on his throne.

Watch Vibe below and tell us what you think.

Rayvanny wooing the West as he teams up with Nigerian rapper Phyno for new jam “Slow”

Posted on by Branny

Rayvanny seems to be on a “woeing” mission in the Western Part of Africa. This time he has teamed up with one of Nigeria’s biggest Rapper Phyno to bring you their latest jam ‘Slow’.

Also read: Rayvanny Features Mayorkun of Nigeria in new jam ‘GimmiDat” and its a banger

 

In what looks like a praise to the African woman Rayvanny has incorporated the Swahili language. To many it may seem like an urge to reach every audience in the continent but he is keen to keep his roots intact.

Phyno on his part used his baritone voice to bring out the musicality in the song.

Slow

This is a feel good love song. A son g that has man in love and only thing he can do is appreciate his  woman using his lyrics.

Rayvanny of "slow"

In the beginning  Rayvanny starts off with a description of why he loves his woman.

He says, “You got the power in the beauty Quality, unarembua au makengeza Vicheche namba nishadelete  Kibinti, fujo mi sikuziweza….’

In other words, he won’t let go of her no matter what.

Of course with incorporation of metaphors in the Swahili lyrics. That I must say is another beauty in Rayvanny’s music.

As the song goes on, he keeps telling the girl about his love and how he loves it when she dances and whines her waist thus,You kill me Slow slow slow slow down My beiby taratibu nyonga kidogo.

Later in the song, Phyno inputs his voice of course with pidgin there that we couldn’t translate either but worked for the song.

Video Production

The blend of Afro-fusion in the video is what sells this song most. Use of vixens dancing in ankara was beautifully done.The photo  studio set up was also well done.

I mean African clothing are just magical.

The song was done by the ever magical Wasafi man Lizer Classic  and S2Kizzy. The visuals done by Mr. C.

Flipside

However, for as much as Rayvanny is still on the hunt for audience in the West, this jam was way below his standards. He does much better even on rap. Well that is just what I think.

For rating I will go with  a 6/10.Tell us what you think.

Victoria Kimani Vs Stella Mwangi: Who is making Kenyans proud in the diaspora?

Posted on by David Kingsley

There are many musicians who are flying the country’s flag high in the diaspora. They are showing the world that Kenya has a lot more to offer other than athletes.  They are getting people who are outside the country to appreciate Kenyan music.

Of the many musicians in the diaspora, two really stand out because of the great feats that they have achieved and they are; Victoria Kimani and Stella Mwangi. These sultry lasses are not only representing the country well but also making us proud.

In as much as both songstresses are gifted, we still want to find out who between them has done more for the country by selling our music and sound to foreign audiences i.e. who is making Kenyans extremely proud in the diaspora between Victoria Kimani and Stella Mwangi?

Victoria Kimani

Victoria Kimani
Victoria Kimani

She is based in Nigeria. Victoria, who was previously signed to Chocolate City, became a household name after releasing the remix of Ice Prince’s mega hit Oleku in 2010.

She has worked with leading continental acts such as Diamond Platnumz, M.I, Emma Nyra, Sarkodie, Ommy Dimpoz, Phyno, Khuli Chana, Jesse Jagz, Cynthia Morgan etc.

Stella Mwangi

Stella Mwangi
Stella Mwangi

She is based in Norway. Stella became a household name when she released Taking It Back in 2007. Her songs have been played on HBO’s Insecure and BET’s Being Mary Jane. Her work has also been used in films such as American Pie and Save The Last Dance 2.

In 2018, she received a shout of from Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as The Rock, after she mentioned his name in a song. Stella has also won several accolades such as Kisima Awards, Clops Awards, Jeermaan Award and Melodi Grand Prix 2011.

According to you, who between Victoria Kimani and Stella Mwangi is making Kenyans proud in the diaspora?

Listen to their collabo dubbed Number One below.

Khaligraph’s performance fee has shot to 1 million bob per show and it’s totally okay

Posted on by David Kingsley

Gone are the days when Khaligraph had to perform at several local clubs in Eastlands before he could hold a million bob in his hands. These days, he makes that amount in one show, easily if I might add.

Khaligraph

You see, 2018 was a good year for Papa Jones. First, he dropped an album dubbed Testimony 1990 that was received well by fans. He also had some good hits including Ngori.

Secondly, he won the Best Rap Act at Annual African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) beating the likes of Phyno, Olamide, Sakordie, and Nasty C.

He was also nominated for the Best Hip Hop award at the Soundcity MVP awards but he lost to South Africa’s AKA and in the Best Male African Artist (Non Nigerian) category at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA). He lost to Sarkodie.

He was also featured on yet another season of Coke Studio.

After getting international recognition for his work, Khaligraph felt it was time to adjust his rate card. An event organizer tells me that the Omollo hitmaker asks for one million bob for a show.

“If you’ve worked together before, he can revise the fee downwards. If major brands are sponsors of the event, he will definitely ask for more money,” the event organizer told me.

Perhaps this would explain why Khaligraph is doing less shows these days. It only makes sense that he should do one show and be compensated handsomely rather than doing so many shows and getting exhausted for no apparent reason.

Khaligraph has been putting in a lot of work and it’s okay for him to ask for such an amount. It’s about time he got paid for what he is worth.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.