Fast rising Nigerian star Ayra has scored another win with her music is now on the Roc Nation website. This development follows Roc Nation’s recent public congratulations to the singer for securing her first BET Award, a gesture that many interpreted as a hint at an upcoming partnership. Just days ago, she also gave fans a glimpse of her next single, ‘Hot Body’, which is reportedly set to be released under Roc Nation’s management. While no formal announcement or documents have been released to confirm the deal, it appears she is still signed to Mavin Records, with Roc Nation now…
Author: Tania Omusale
A viral video circulating on social media allegedly shows Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, in an intimate embrace. The viral video captured in the “kiss cam”, as the crowd watched the big screen, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin playfully called out, “Oh, look at these two,” just as Byron, with his arms around Cabot, quickly pulled away. Cabot immediately covered her face while Byron crouched down awkwardly, attempting to duck out of view. The frontman added, “Oh, what… either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” fueling speculation and triggering a storm…
Connie Francis, pop star of the 1950s and ‘60s has died at the age of 87. According to Apnews, Radio DJ Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, a longtime friend, told The Associated Press that she died Wednesday at a hospital in Florida. Morrow did not cite a specific cause of death, but Francis had posted on social media earlier this month that she had been hospitalized with “extreme pain.” Francis had gained renewed attention in recent months after “Pretty Little Baby” became a sensation on TikTok, with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner among the many celebrities citing it. “I’m flabbergasted and…
Swahili country music star Samson Maombi [Courtesy] Swahili country music star Samson Maombi is making waves on the global stage after his breakout single “Nitauimba Wimbo” soared to the top of Spotify’s Viral 50 charts in both Norway and Sweden. The viral track, a collaboration with Norwegian producer Henrik Borg, overtook Norway’s “Lighter” by Kyle Alessandro and Sweden’s “Bullerbyn är död” by Simon Superti, an unprecedented feat for a Kenyan artist in the genre. The song, whose title translates to “I Will Sing a Song”, has captivated audiences both locally and internationally with its heartfelt lyrics, raw emotion, and a…
Barack and Michelle Obama share a moment during a past event [Courtesy] Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have taken a humorous approach to shutting down persistent divorce rumors that have followed them over the past year. The power couple made a special appearance on the latest episode of “IMO,” the sibling podcast hosted by Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson. While the episode focused on parenting and raising boys, the trio didn’t shy away from addressing the swirling gossip about their marriage. “Wait, you guys like each other?” Craig teased as Barack joined the conversation. Michelle…
Jemere Morgan [Courtesy] Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage has officially unveiled Jemere Morgan as their new lead singer, following the passing of Peetah Morgan earlier this year. The announcement was made during an emotional performance at the recently concluded Summerjam Festival in Germany, the band’s first major concert appearance since Peetah’s death in February 2024. Jemere, the son of Gramps Morgan, stepped into the spotlight and delivered his debut performance as lead singer before a tearful crowd. In a media interview, Gramps Morgan offered few details about his brother’s death, saying only, “It was a very rare ailment that…
Celerated musician BienBien-Aimé Baraza [Courtesy] A public confrontation between the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and celebrated musician Bien-Aimé Baraza has cast a spotlight on the country’s struggle to regulate the advertising of alcoholic drinks. Bien, a prominent figure in Kenya’s music industry, has criticised NACADA’s decision to prohibit celebrities from participating in alcohol advertisements. He labelled the move “hypocrisy”, arguing that it unfairly targets creatives whose livelihoods rely on endorsements and advertising. “These bans affect creatives and the advertising industry heavily,” he said in a viral post. “What’s the idea here, morality? Pretending…
Nviiri The Storyteller [Courtesy] Kenyan artist Nviiri the Storyteller has spoken out in support of NACADA’s new proposal to tighten alcohol regulations in the country, particularly those targeting youth access and celebrity endorsements. Taking to Instagram, the singer-songwriter reflected on a past experience that changed his perspective on promoting alcohol. “Siku ambayo nilifanya promo ya pombe Kayole nilihuzunika mno kujua wangependa chakula au hela na kazi, ndiposa ikawa safari yangu ya mwisho kutumika hivi,” he wrote, recounting how the promotional event left him disheartened. Recounting the incident, Nviiri said residents were more in need of food or employment, not alcohol,…
Justin Bieber shocked fans by releasing his new album Swag on July 11, his first full-length project since 2021’s Justice. The album features an unexpected collaboration with comedian and internet personality Druski, who has recently made headlines over links to a lawsuit involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. Released via Def Jam Recordings, Swag showcases a hip-hop-infused sound and includes collaborations with artists like Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, and notably, Druski, who appears on three tracks: Therapy Session, Standing on Business, and Solful. Druski’s appearance adds a comedic and confessional edge, particularly in Therapy Session, where he quips: “That’s why I…
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has sparked fresh excitement online after hinting at the possibility of bringing Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel to perform in Kenya. In a now-viral post on X, Sonko posed the question: “How many people will attend if I bring him to perform in Kenya?” The post was accompanied by a bold headline-style image that read: “Vybz Kartel says he’s ready to perform in Kenya, calls on promoters to book him: ‘Tell promoters Kartel is ready to come home.’” Sonko’s tweet not only reignited interest among Kartel’s Kenyan fanbase but also lent credibility to the artist’s…
Justin Bieber has released his new album , titled ‘’ Swag’’. The Canadian pop star took to social media to reveal his seventh album’s cover art and share images from the promotional shoot. In a major marketing push, the album’s track list is also being displayed on billboards across iconic locations such as Times Square in New York City and Los Angeles. The new record features a total of 20 songs. Themes of faith, love, introspection, and personal growth seem to echo through the names, with songs such as Devotion, Soulful, and Forgiveness reflecting Bieber’s continued embrace of his Christian…
TikToker Arnold Malcolm has introduced a new track titled “Risasi Ya Mguu” in response to the President’s controversial directive to police officers. Released on July 10, 2025, just a few hours after the President urged police to “shoot the leg ” of protesters involved in vandalism, Malcolm took to the streets responding in the most iconic Gen Z way, with sharp satire and powerful sound. In his signature move the content creator sang a snippet of the track from behind the wheel of his famous lorry transforming Ruto’s “shoot the leg” remarks into a viral hook. Chanting “Risasi ya mguu,…
TikToker Arnold Malcolm has introduced a new track titled ‘Risasi ya Mguu’ in response to the President’s controversial directive to police officers. Released on July 10, 2025, just a few hours after the President urged police to “shoot the legs” of protesters involved in vandalism, Malcolm took to the streets responding in the most iconic Gen Z way, with sharp satire and powerful sound. In his signature move the content creator sang a snippet of the track from behind the wheel of his famous lorry transforming Ruto’s “shoot the leg” remarks into a viral hook. Chanting “Risasi ya mguu, risasi…
Bien has swiftly risen to become the central force in modern East African music, acclaimed for his solo artistry, cultural impact, and digital dominance. Today, once-dominant Bongo Flava stars like Diamond Platnumz, Marioo, and Harmonize are navigating a shifting industry by collaborating with Bien seeking to tap into his momentum, reinvigorate their brands, and secure new streams of relevance. Meanwhile, artistes from other musical backgrounds, such as Somali-Kenyan star Suldaan Seeraar, have also found growth and visibility through joint tracks with him. Songs like Katam, Nairobi (Tushaoana), I Made It and Safari act as bridges to the next era anchored…
Plans to build Akon City, a futuristic metropolis envisioned by R&B star Akon on Senegal’s Atlantic coast, have been officially abandoned. According to BBC, the project was first unveiled in 2018 and pitched as a $6 billion “real-life Wakanda,” complete with futuristic skyscrapers, luxury hotels, a hospital, a university, a solar power plant, and its own cryptocurrency, Akoin. The ambitious development aimed to generate high-tech jobs and revitalize local communities in the Mbodiène region, about 100 km south of Dakar. Construction began with much fanfare in September 2020, marked by a ceremonial laying of the foundation stone by Akon himself,…
In a fiery social media outburst, rap superstar Nicki Minaj has accused hip-hop mogul Jay-Z of owing her between $100 million and $200 million (approximately Sh12.9 billion to 25.8 billion) from the 2021 sale of TIDAL, the music streaming service he co-founded. Minaj, one of 16 artists granted a 3% equity stake in TIDAL at its launch in 2015, alleges she was offered a mere $1 million for her share when the company was sold to Square (now Block, Inc.) for $302 million (approximately Ksh 38.9 billion). In a post on X on July 8, 2025, Minaj wrote, “We’ve calculated…
In the aftermath of the Saba Saba protests and a wave of looting in various parts of the country, Kenyans took to social media in a powerful display of unity, pushing back against tribal divisions. Under the trending hashtag #WeAreAllKikuyus, users on X adopted Kikuyu names, as a symbolic stand against ethnic profiling and a call for national solidarity. The digital movement saw Kenyans from all walks of life, politicians, celebrities, content creators, and everyday citizens, embrace Kikuyu names such as Kimani, Wangari, Wainaina, and Njeri as an act of resistance against tribalism and a declaration of collective identity. I…
Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo has become the first Black African artist to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The recognition is a milestone that cements her legacy in global music and African artistry. The 64-year-old Beninese icon was named among the 35 honourees for the 2026 class of the Walk of Fame, joining an elite group that includes Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Shaquille O’Neal. According to BBC, organisers of the ceremony hailed her as “Africa’s leading diva,” a title earned through decades of groundbreaking work in music and advocacy. With this honour, Kidjo…
Nigerian music legend Innocent Ujah Idibia, better known as 2Baba, is once again at the centre of controversy following his explosive claim that men are biologically incapable of sexual monogamy. The comment, made during a now-viral appearance on the 234 Mzansi Podcast, has not only triggered public backlash but also drawn emotional reactions from his current wife Natasha, and reopened old wounds with ex-wife Annie Idibia. In the interview, the African Queen hitmaker argued, “A man’s heart, respect, and love can belong to one woman, but sexually, it’s impossible for a man.” He added, “Men have many seeds and can’t just…
Once the heartbeat of East African pop culture, Bongo Flava — Tanzania’s vibrant blend of hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat, and local Tanzanian rhythms — has seen its dominance steadily decline in recent years. The genre rose to prominence in the early 2010s, overtaking the once-dominant Kenyan urban music styles of Genge and Kapuka, just as Kenya’s long-standing reign as East Africa’s entertainment hub began to wane. For years, Kenya had produced the region’s biggest artistes, with Uganda following closely behind and Tanzania largely playing catch-up through the 1990s. Then came Nigeria’s Afrobeats (and later Afro-fusion), which took center stage around 2015,…
Gloria Wanjiru, better known by her stage name Nilli, embodies a rare blend of introspective creativity and vibrant Gen Z spirit. She is a talented composer and powerful vocalist whose stage presence reflects her free-spirited nature. As she settles down for the interview, the 18-year-old is already at ease, flipping through music reels and laughing over TikTok videos. This is her nature—open, expressive, and effortlessly engaging. It’s no surprise that her stage name, Nilli, was born from a personal reinvention. “I liked how it sounded—soft but strong. It’s just me,” she says. Every lyric she writes carries a piece of her journey.…
Halle Bailey and award-winning music producer Scott Bridgeway were spotted locking lips, sparking rumours of a new relationship. (Photo: Halle Bailley/Instagram, The Shade Room) Halle Bailey has officially revealed the face of her new romantic partner, award-winning music producer Scott Bridgeway. The two were spotted enjoying a luxurious boat ride in Positano, Italy, marking her first public appearance with Bridgeway following her highly publicised breakup with rapper DDG. According to the Daily Mail, the 25-year-old Little Mermaid actress looked radiant as she cosied up with Bridgeway on a sleek yacht. The pair were seen laughing, snapping photos, and basking in…
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, has been barred from entering Australia following the release of his controversial song titled “Heil Hitler.” The Australian immigration authorities made the decision shortly after the track’s debut, which sparked international outrage for glorifying Adolf Hitler and promoting hate speech. According to BBC, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed the decision, citing serious concerns over the rapper’s support for extremism and antisemitism. “Once he released the ‘Heil Hitler’ song, he no longer had a valid visa to enter Australia,” Burke told local media. Ye, who had planned to visit the country…
Jamaican dancehall star Konshens has pulled off what many believed was impossible, toppling Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend from the No. 1 spot on the U.S. iTunes Reggae chart. His latest project, Pool Party, surged to the top just three days after release, marking a rare and historic moment in the genre’s digital landscape. The feat not only disrupts a long-standing chart tradition but positions Konshens as the first modern dancehall artist in recent memory to eclipse Marley’s 1984 compilation, which has held a near-permanent grip on reggae rankings for decades. Legend has long been considered reggae’s gold standard,…
Beyoncé’s Houston homecoming was almost derailed by a mid-air stage mishap, but in true Queen Bey fashion, she turned a technical glitch into a viral moment of grace and humour. While performing her emotional ballad 16 Carriages atop a gleaming red convertible suspended above the stage at NRG Stadium on Saturday night, the car unexpectedly tilted mid-air, causing an audible gasp from the packed stadium. Clad in a crimson suede jacket, thigh-high black boots, and a wide cowboy hat, Beyoncé looked every bit the Western glam goddess when the prop jerked sideways. The convertible, nicknamed “BNCNTRY”, suddenly slanted, interrupting the…
Rapper Juliani and his wife, Lilian Ng’ang’a, have ignited speculation over the state of their relationship after making rare joint appearances, including a heartwarming moment during her recent birthday celebration. Juliani shared brief but telling clips of Lilian dancing gleefully in a chic black outfit, surrounded by close friends and a shower of confetti. The musician captioned the post on his Instagram stories, “am elated btw kwa moyo,” hinting at a quiet but significant presence on her special day. Though lacking his usual poetic flair, the posts did not go unnoticed by fans who have closely followed the couple’s journey.…
Ruth K has broken her silence, launching a passionate online rebuke against her ex-partner, comedian Mulamwah, after he reposted photos of her and their son without her consent. Drama unfolded shortly after Ruth shared vibrant and heartfelt mother-son portraits from a themed basketball shoot, which many fans saw as her soft relaunch following their recent breakup. Ruth’s emotional post revealed the weight of pain she has silently carried. “Sometimes silence is taken for granted,” she wrote. “I’ve faced disrespect in ways you wouldn’t even imagine—publicly and even worse in private.” She detailed the emotional and financial strain of the past…
Award-winning filmmaker and creator of BET’s hit series The Oval, Tyler Perry, is facing a staggering Ksh33.6 billion ($260 million) lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon. The bombshell allegations, lodged on 13 June at the Los Angeles Superior Court, accuse Perry and Tyler Perry Studios of long-standing sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. In the 46-page complaint, Dixon, known for his role as Dale in the show, claims that Perry first approached him in 2019 with inappropriate propositions, allegedly offering acting roles in exchange for sexual favours. The lawsuit, according to Daily Beast, cites explicit messages from Perry. According to Dixon,…
Tanzanian gospel singer Christina Shusho has angered her fans after sharing a heartfelt message in support of President Samia Suluhu Hassan on her official Instagram page. The post, which featured a portrait of the Head of State, was accompanied by a caption praising President Samia’s leadership and offering a prayer for divine guidance. “Our pride @Samia Suluhu Hassan. Neema ya Mungu ikutoshe mama. Tuna mtukuza Mungu kwa ajili yako. Do the best of human ability and God will do the rest. You are indeed our pride. Amen,” Shusho wrote. While some fans viewed the message as a simple gesture of…
Kenyan content creator Kinuthia is once again making waves online, this time with a bold response to skeptics questioning his weight loss journey. Known for his vibrant personality and unapologetic self-expression, Kinuthia recently took to TikTok to reveal a striking transformation, showcasing a drop from 148kg to 133kg, all while confidently rocking the same bright yellow outfit. But in classic internet fashion, not everyone was convinced. Among the many reactions, one cheeky comment from user @iamwanjira stood out: “Sioni kama Ozempic ya Kinuthia ina fanya, ni kama wanamdunga yenye ime-expire. Kinuthia clapped back with charm and confidence. In a witty…
Racheal Otuoma, the widow of late Kenyan footballer Ezekiel Otuoma, has set social media abuzz after publicly revealing her new romantic relationship during a heartfelt TikTok livestream. Her emotional declaration of love for a man identified as Jabilo has triggered a wave of mixed reactions online, with some celebrating her courage and others questioning the timing. During the now-viral TikTok session, Racheal appeared visibly emotional as she addressed her audience with raw honesty. “Thank you for understanding. I love this man very much, and he understands that I need to heal. Jabilo, thank you for walking with me on this…
Creator Sabato Sabato [Courtesy] In an unexpected twist of irony, popular online critic Sabato, known for his no-holds-barred commentary on Kenya’s music industry and his viral catchphrase “Sauti ya ground mtu asijifanye hajui,” found himself on the receiving end of public scrutiny this week. A resurfaced video showing Sabato attempting to sing live has taken the internet by storm. The performance, widely described as off-key and cringeworthy, quickly turned into viral entertainment, with fans, critics, and some of the country’s top artists using the moment to fire back at the outspoken commentator. Leading the pack was rap heavyweight Khaligraph Jones,…
Mulamwah (L) and a photo of “Debby” shared on his social media [@mulamwah/Instagram] Kenyan comedian Mulamwah is back in the headlines after sharing a cryptic post showing a woman only identified as Debby. In a post shared on his Instagram, Mulamwah was economical with words, only captioning, “Rafiki yangu sana DEBBY” While Mulamwah has not officially confirmed the relationship, the internet quickly went berserk with speculation, prompting questions over whether Debby is just a friend or the start of another public love story. Comedian Eddie Butita humorously commented, “Ata simcard sijawahi renew haraka hivo,” poking fun at the pace of…
Kenyan Senator Karen Nyamu has once again captured public attention, but this time, from a queue at a U.S. airport. In a now-viral video, Nyamu is seen jokingly interacting with airport staff while waiting in line. With her trademark boldness and humor, she quipped, “I am a VIP in my country. A senator flying first class, why am I in this line?” Her comment, clearly made in jest, sparked laughter and quickly ignited reactions across social media. @celebrity_gossip_club Senator Karen Nyamu Jokingly Shoots Her Shot In USA ♬ original sound – Celebrity Gossip Club A young staff member, maintaining professionalism…