Blog masonry

Entertainment

The Double Standards Kenyans Hold Against Artists Paid by Government Events

In Kenya, public sentiment towards the government is at an all-time low. Skyrocketing taxes, economic hardship, and frequent scandals have fueled an anti-government wave—especially among the youth. So when an artist performs at a state-sponsored event, the backlash is often swift, harsh, and deeply emotional. But this public outrage exposes a deeper contradiction in how we treat our creatives: we want them to thrive, but only on our terms. Recently, artists like Toxic Lyrikali and Dyana Cods took to the […]

todaySeptember 9, 2025 26

Entertainment

Willy Paul vs Shakib? How Boxing is Becoming Kenya’s Newest Entertainment Arena

Written by Edwin Agesa on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. Kenya's entertainment scene just got a fresh jolt of drama—this time not from a diss track or a scandalous Instagram story, but from a proposed boxing match. Controversial Kenyan singer Willy Paul has challenged Shakib, the current boyfriend of Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan, to a fight in the ring. While the callout seemed personal at first glance, it's clear that this is less about fists and more about fame—and boxing is […]

todaySeptember 9, 2025 22

Entertainment

Octopizzo Throws Jabs at Khaligraph and the State of Kenyan Rap – Is He Speaking Facts or Just Being Petty?

Written by Edwin Agesa on Sunday, 7 September 2025. Kenyan hip hop just got another dose of drama this week after Octopizzo went live on Homeboyz Radio, and let's just say – he did not come to play nice. The Namba Nane rapper took direct shots at none other than Khaligraph Jones, mocking his fashion sense and calling him out for wearing "sweatpants all year long." According to Octo, the self-proclaimed OG might have bars, but he clearly has no drip. […]

todaySeptember 7, 2025 19

What's Happnin

New School Meets Tradition: Why Artists Like Nikita Kering and Khaligraph Jones at Cultural Festivals Matter

Written by Edwin Agesa on Sunday, 7 September 2025. In a country as rich in cultural diversity as Kenya, the merging of modern artistry with traditional celebration is more than just entertainment, it's a cultural statement. Recently, renowned R&B singer Nikita Kering performed at the Korom Festival, while Khaligraph Jones, a heavyweight in Kenya's hip-hop scene, graced the Luo Festival stage. These appearances by mainstream "new school" artists at deeply rooted cultural events mark an important shift in how tradition is […]

todaySeptember 7, 2025 19

Entertainment

KAMP’s Historic Milestone: A Win for Kenya’s Creative Industry

On a cold August morning in Nairobi, a room full of musicians, producers, and industry players broke into applause. For the first time in Kenya’s history, a Collective Management Organization (CMO) had achieved something many thought impossible: distributing royalties with an efficiency ratio of 70:30 — meaning 70% of revenue went directly to right holders, and only 30% covered operational costs. That CMO was the Kamp Copyright and Related Rights Limited (KAMP), and the announcement marked a turning point not […]

todayAugust 23, 2025 27 14

Business

Sam Gold : The Visionary Powering Kenya’s Cultural and Musical Phenomenon

Nairobi, Kenya , August 19 2025 When 16,000 fans poured into Nairobi's Uhuru Gardens for the most talked-about Luo Festival 2025, they weren't just attending another event-they were witnessing the signature touch of Sam Gold, one of Kenya's most influential music executives and talent managers. As the Founder and CEO of EMC Music Group, Sam has built a reputation for transforming artists into powerhouse brands and producing events that set new industry standards. The Luo Festival, widely lauded as the cultural highlight of […]

todayAugust 19, 2025 16

Circular Economy

KCDF Awards Ksh 53 Million to Young Environmental Innovators

Nairobi, Kenya – August 14, 2025 The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has injected fresh energy into Kenya’s green transition by awarding Ksh 53 million to youth-led organizations and individuals pioneering innovative environmental solutions. The funding comes through the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), a KCDF initiative that spotlights and supports the next generation of environmental changemakers. This year, 10 organizations and 2 individuals emerged as finalists from over 400 applicants, securing grants to scale their ideas. Among the winners […]

todayAugust 19, 2025 21

Child Welfare

We Must Do More to Protect Our Children: Why Kenya Needs a National Safeguarding Framework

Written by Ezekiel Olande on Tuesday, 19 May 2025. Like many Kenyans, I was shaken after reading The Teacher and the System, the recent exposé by Africa Uncensored. It was a harrowing account of repeated abuse, institutional silence, and systemic failure at one of Kenya’s most well-known schools. But that story is not an isolated case. It reflects a larger systemic problem: the lack of a safeguarding culture in our schools. As a trustee of an international organization that works with […]

todayAugust 19, 2025 13

Electronic music

Why Toxic Lyrikali is Currently the Most Streamed Kenyan Artist on Apple Music

Written by Bloga Flani Toxic Lyrikali is no stranger to most people reading this. The boy has been on top of his game recently ever since he made headlines last year dropping bangers. Currently he is the most streamed Kenyan artist showing dust to the biggest names in the game. The rapper is leading the likes of Bien and others who are following closely behind him. When Chinje dropped last year, it became one of Toxic Lyrikali's best hit songs. […]

todayJuly 24, 2025 47

0%