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Tag: Coke Studio Africa

  • Coke Studio Africa releases music video of ‘Switch It Up’ featuring Nazizi, Lioness & Boity

    Coke Studio Africa releases music video of ‘Switch It Up’ featuring Nazizi, Lioness & Boity

    Coke Studio Africa just released the music video of “Switch It Up”, performed and written by fierce fast-rising Namibian femcee Lioness, South African media personality and rapper Boity and legendary Kenyan femcee Nazizi.

    The video carries through the theme of the season finale of Coke Studio Africa, which was to blaze a new trail for women in music, and place talented females behind the scenes and in front of the cameras and mics. It’s an all female original composition produced by Kenyan producer Viola Karuri with the video directed by Thandi Lottering.

    Watch ‘Switch It Up’’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv3ZPJe2uZY

    Over the years Nazizi had to balance another kind of challenge: “I was trying to think back to my day, and if I had anybody to inspire me as an African female rapper.” Her step back in time drew zero memories of such: “I started rapping in 1998, so that’s 20 years of rap, being the only female. “ She frequently wonders, “So who am I inspiring?” She got to see on Coke Studio Africa when she met up with other Femcees. “It’s nice for me to sit back and watch and see other female MC’s coming up. You can really tell how different we are on Switch it up,” noted Nazizi.

    Nazizi is a Kenyan veteran of 20 years who added Swahili spice to her bars, Setswana flexing Boity is a South African cover girl celeb who had only been in the game for months when this song was recorded and Lioness is surely the only Doctor and MC known in hip hop. Lioness not only managed this balancing act, she flourished, making serious waves that she was invited to be on Coke Studio Africa. She says, “We can do what we want, we can choose what we want to do.” For her this made the whole experience even more dreamlike, “I had to be in studio and in the hospital, it was really hard for me to balance a lot of my life.”

    Though as Boity said of their banger, “This track is based around women and female empowerment,” Boity found it “Fantastic” that African artists now have the freedom to show off their skills regardless of their gender, “At the core we are doing this without having to be ‘female MC’s, we are just being rappers.” And every rapper wants to kill it says Nazizi, so “It’s very important to stop making that distinction, that she’s a female MC and he’s a male MC – we are rappers full stop.”

    “Switch It Up” Coke Studio performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUIvv2Gzd8I

    The music video of “Switch it up” follows the impressive run of the Coke Studio Africa 2017 original composition “Said” that featured South African award-winning rapper Nasty C and highflying Nigerian singer and producer Runtown.

    Watch “SAID” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nStTSRdaZRI

    FOR MORE: www.youtube.com/cokestudioAfrica

  • Sheebah Karungi to feature on Coke Studio Africa’s All Women Finale Episode This Weekend!

    Sheebah Karungi to feature on Coke Studio Africa’s All Women Finale Episode This Weekend!

    The 2019 season of Coke Studio Africa announces it’s upcoming all women finale episode in a powerful statement and a trail-blazing move. This will be the first time in the history of the Pan African music property to feature an all-female episode, that will include female singers, rappers, music producers, studio engineers, a full band, as well as key behind the scenes crew like, content directors, scriptwriters, editors, camera operators and floor managers amongst others.

    Over the last six seasons of Coke Studio Africa, the show continues to highlight Africa’s great talent and the opportunities for women in the arts and entertainment industry. Currently, approximately 60% of all the professionals that work on Coke Studio Africa comprise of women. Coke Studio Africa will continue to give more meaningful and competitive opportunities to women in the field of arts and music, through the platform.

    Uganda’s Sheebah Karungi has been confirmed to feature with a track of her own produced by a female producer. Other top female artists drawn from across the continent will include Nandy (Tanzania), Lourena Nhate (Mozambique), Tamy (Zimbabwe), Kenyan artists Nazizi and Nadia Mukami, Lioness (Namibia), Boity (South Africa) and music producer Viola Karuri (Kenya), among others. Top female instrumentalists from Kenya who will be part of Coke Studio Africa All Women Band in the finale episode will include Kasiva Mutua (Percussions), Wendy Kemunto (Vocals), Ivy Alexander (Guitar), Naomi Ziro (Bass Guitar) and Mutindi Tindi Muasa (Keyboard).

    Monali Shah, Head of Content Excellence, for Coca-Cola Southern and East African Business Unit says, “We are very excited to announce an all women finale episode of the 2019 edition of Coke Studio Africa. It’s the first time the production is taking such a bold move in the history of Coke Studio Africa to spotlight the amazing talent we have in entertainment. The kind of talent and artists we met and discovered during the process was mind blowing and we can’t wait till music fans of the show can watch this powerful episode that will be airing across over 40 countries starting March 29th 2019.”

  • Fik Fameica, Laylizzy compose anthem for African Youth

    Fik Fameica, Laylizzy compose anthem for African Youth

    Last week, the Coke Studio audience was treated to a unique performance from two rising stars – Fik Fameica from Uganda and Mozambique’s Laylizzy.

    The episode opens with Laylizzy doing a cover for one of Fameica’s most popular hits ‘Sconto’, which also features dancer Wembley. Fik Fameica responds by localizing Laylizzy’s‘Too Much’ with an intention of connecting with his fans in Uganda. His cover features popular Ugandan youth words and phrases.

    Later in the episode, the duo take a break from the studio and drive into the town for a bonding session as they prepare to dazzle the studio audience with a phenomenal track, an anthem for African youth. They visit a graffiti artist – a new experience for Laylizzy who shares a bit more about his upbringing, education and how he got into music.

    The two headlining artists finally bring all that inspiration back to the studio and work on a fire tract titled ‘Next’ produced by Tanzanian super producer Lizer.

    “I had worked with Lizer before but we had never met, I probably would not have had this opportunity to work with him again if it had not been for Coke Studio. I am grateful,” Fameicasays.

    The special Big Break segment of this episode brings three young talents together – an upcoming Kenyan producer Joe Mutorya joins forces with the Coke Studio Africa resident producer Young DLC and Wendy, a Coke Studio backing vocalist.

    Coke Studio Africa is a non-competitive music collaboration show, which seeks to bring together, and celebrate the diversity of African music and talent. It also gives upcoming artistes the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. It brings together artistes from different genres, eras and regions to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion.

    To keep up with all Coke Studio Africa related information including artistes, collaborations, lyrics and television airing times follow the hashtag #CokeStudioAfrica or find us online at the following pages:

    Twitter: @CocaColaAfrica

    Instagram: @CokeStudioAfrica

    Facebook: Coca-Cola –  www.facebook.com/cocacola  

    Blog: www.cokestudioafrica.com

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/cokestudioAfrica

    Hashtag: #CokeStudioAfrica

  • ‘You and Me’ hitmaker Daddy Andre tapped for Coke Studio Africa 2019

    ‘You and Me’ hitmaker Daddy Andre tapped for Coke Studio Africa 2019

    Having delivered Uganda’s biggest song of 2018, ‘’You and Me’’ with Lydia Jazmine, Daddy Andre is set to make his maiden stint on Coke Studio Africa. He is the force behind some of Uganda’s genre-defying smash hits like ‘’Weekend’’ by Sheebah featuring Runtown, Bebe Cool’s ‘’Tombawala’’, ‘’Biri Biri’’ by King Saha, ‘’Nkwatako’’ by Sheebah featuring Skales, among others.

    On the upcoming season he will work on productions for: King Saha (Uganda) and Yared Negu (Ethiopia) and Lourena Nhate (Mozambique) Abush Zeleke (Ethiopia).

    For the 2019 season of Coke Studio Africa, the Pan African music collaborative show has selected a cross-section of leading African music producers who continue to set trends and pioneer new sounds and emerging genres on the African music.

    Top Ugandan producer Daddy Andre will join the Super 8 producers tasked with engineering music fusions and collaborations from all the African stars on the show. These will include two of Nigeria’s acclaimed music producers: GospelOnDaBeatz and Krizbeatz, Tanzania’s biggest music producer Lizer, Kenyan hitmaker Majic Mike, fast rising Kenyan producer – singer Viola Karuri, renowned Ethiopian music producer, songwriter and DJ Rophnan and the high-flying young Zimbabwean music producer Young DLC as well as 22 year-old rising Kenyan producer, Mutoria.

    “It is an honor to collaborate at a Pan African level with the best of the best that Africa has to offer. I begun producing at a young age and learning from the work of successful producers and I am grateful that Coca-Cola has chosen me to represent Uganda this year,” commented Daddy Andre during his session at the studio in Nairobi.

  • Coke Studio Africa reveals music acts drawn from across the continent set to feature in the new Season hitting TV screens in 2019

    Coke Studio Africa reveals music acts drawn from across the continent set to feature in the new Season hitting TV screens in 2019

    Following a successful launch and the production of the 2019 edition of Coke Studio Africa in Nairobi – Kenya, The Coca-Cola Company unveils over 25 of Africa’s talented artists set to feature on the upcoming new season dubbed ‘Coke Studio Africa 2019’.

    Music acts and producers drawn from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria and other countries across Sub-Saharan Africa will set your mood right come next year, Feb 2019 –when the show hits TV screens across the continent. Once again, lovers of the show will experience new and exciting music fusions; from covers to throwbacks and original compositions. 

    Uganda will be represented by top award-winning diva, Sheebah, returning on the show for her second time. On the show, she will be joined by popular Ugandan music acts including Fik Fameica and King Saha. As “Vimbada” Kenyan hitmaker Moji Short Baba will be making his Coke Studio Africa debut alongside Naiboi, currently riding high on his smash hit single “2 In 1’’; Kenyan hip-hop heavyweight Khaligraph Jones, recently crowned Best rapper in Africa at 2018 AFRIMMA Awards will be making a return to the show for the second time.

    From Tanzania, BET award-winner Rayvanny and top bongo balladist Nandy will grace the show for the second time. Some exciting new comers on the show from Tanzania include Harmonize of the “Kwangaru’’ hit fame and Juma Jux, the celebrated bongo R&B sensation and Mdee Music signee Mimi Mars. A roaster of first timers on the show from Ethiopia includes celebrated songstress Mahlet, to seasoned crooners: Bisrat, Abush Zekele, Yared Negu and Rophnan Nuri.

    The West African flavor on the show this season will be injected by celebrated music producer GospelOnDeBeatz and Nigerian music stars Skales and Rudeboy (formerly of P Square) as they light up the stage with groundbreaking performances and hit records. Production of Coke Studio Africa 2019 is ongoing, with artist duos and music producers creating music that will connect people across the continent. It will include over 10 original compositions and a unique Coke Studio Africa Christmas playlist set for Dec 2018. 

    The anticipated new season will be a Celebration of different musical genres and cultures. Its coming together will be a source of celebration for African content and music, highlighting stories and reunions that you can’t miss!

  • Coke Studio Africa 2019 returns for another thrilling Season Pegged on Pride and Celebration 

    Coke Studio Africa 2019 returns for another thrilling Season Pegged on Pride and Celebration 

    • Sheebah Karungi returns for another season. ‘Fresh boy’ Fik Fameica, ‘Bili bili’ crooner King Saha and Alvin Kizz also confirmed

    The Coca-Cola Company, through their music flagship show, Coke Studio Africa have announced the return of a new season, set to air in February 2019.

    Production of Coke Studio Africa 2019 commenced at Super Sport Studios in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi in the first week of November 2018.

    Coke Studio Africa Project Manager: Andrew Endovo Alovi says, “We are excited to soon kick start the production of Coke Studio Africa 2019—expect an interesting twist of themes and musical fusions! The show has always been at the forefront of producing quality music while at the same time granting various artists across the continent mega exposure, and opportunities to collaborate among each other. They also get to work with some of the best local and international professionals in the music world.”

    Twenty-five (25) artists and producers will be featured in the new season and as always will be drawn from Sub-Saharan Africa. They include Wasafi music producer, Lizer, “2 in 1” hit maker Naiboi (Kenya), Winky D (Zimbabwe), Mahlet (Ethiopia), Messias (Mozambique) and Alvin Kizz (Uganda). Returning on the show are continental stars: hip-hop star Khaligraph Jones (Kenya), Diva Sheebah (Uganda) and BET award-winner Rayvanny (Tanzania).

    “We are very excited that the pool of young and vibrant artists across the continent has significantly grown and we now have many stars to bring together to make amazing collaborations for the world to see and hear. The artists will be paired alongside Coke Studio Africa Super producers, who will then be tasked with engineering the show’s musical fusions and collaborations,” he added.

    Monali Shah, Head of Content Excellence, for Coca-Cola Southern and East African Business Unit says, “We are very excited to have some new partners come on board to join us as we make great music from Africa to the world. Dusit D2 shall be our official hospitality partner for this new season. As a very progressive hotel that fully embraces the arts we are glad that they have come on board to join us in this journey.” She adds, “Pace Africa, who design and manufacture an array of audio devices such as PACE FOCUS and PACE MATE will power up the sound for the season providing us with headphones and earphones both for the production and for some of our lucky consumers.”

    South African production giant Mashoba Media has been given the task to put together the 2019 season working with a team of experts from around the continent. “We are very excited to be back in Nairobi for one of our most favorite and challenging projects. We will focus on delivering world class quality in sound and picture as we tell stories from Africa through music,” says Tim Horwood the Executive Creative Director.

    The official first episode of Coke Studio Africa 2019 is expected to air February 2019 but before then, the show will release exclusive and original content online and on TV themed for Christmas season.

    The selected artists will spend the forthcoming weeks at the recording studios of Coke Studio Africa in Nairobi, Kenya creating music.

    Coke Studio Africa is a music collaboration show that brings together diverse African music talent and they create Covers, Throwbacks and Original Compositions. They show also features one International musician. The last edition in 2017 featured American R&B star Trey Songz.

  • ‘Coke Studio Africa 2019’ Returns for another Thrilling Season Pegged On “Pride” And “Celebration”

    ‘Coke Studio Africa 2019’ Returns for another Thrilling Season Pegged On “Pride” And “Celebration”

    The Coca-Cola Company, through their music flagship show, Coke Studio Africa, announce the return of a new season, set to air February 2019. Production of Coke Studio Africa 2019 will commence at Super Sport Studios in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi starting first week of November 2018.

    Coke Studio Africa Project Manager: Andrew Endovo Alovi says, “We are excited to soon kick start the production of Coke Studio Africa 2019—expect an interesting twist of themes and musical fusions! The show has always been at the forefront of producing quality music while at the same time granting various artists across the continent mega exposure, and opportunities to collaborate among each other. They also get to work with some of the best local and international professionals in the music world.”

    Much as the final list of artists participating will be unveiled in a few days, we are very excited that the pool of young and vibrant artists across the continent has significantly grown. The artists will be paired alongside Coke Studio Africa Super producers, who will then be tasked with engineering the show’s musical fusions and collaborations.

    Monali Shah, Head of Content Excellence, for Coca-Cola Southern and East African Business Unit says, “We are very excited to have some new partners come on board to join us as we make great music from Africa to the world. Dusit D2 shall be our official hospitality partner for this new season. As a very progressive hotel that fully embraces the arts we are glad that they have come on board to join us in this journey.” She adds, “Pace Africa, who design and manufacture an array of audio devices such as PACE FOCUS and PACE MATE will power up the sound for the season providing us with headphones and earphones both for the production and for some of our lucky consumers.”

    Tim Horwood, returning Executive Creative Director of the show says, “We are very excited to be back in Nairobi for one of our most favorite and challenging projects. We will focus on delivering world class quality in sound and picture as we tell stories from Africa through music.”

    The official first episode of Coke Studio Africa 2019 is expected to air February 2019 but before then, the show will release exclusive and original content online and on TV themed for Christmas season.

  • Coke Studio Africa Stars: Eddy Kenzo, Alikiba, Nandy & Locko Win Big At Afrima Awards – 2017

    Coke Studio Africa Stars: Eddy Kenzo, Alikiba, Nandy & Locko Win Big At Afrima Awards – 2017

    In yet another milestone, 4 Coke Studio Africa-2017 artists make it among Africa’s top celebrated stars, feted at the just concluded annual All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held last Sunday 12th November 2017. Coke Studio Africa stars: Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Alikiba (Tanzania), Nandy (Tanzania) and Locko (Cameroon) were among winners unveiled at a night of music celebration event held at the Eko Hotel Convention Center in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Eddy Kenzo’s 2017 was marked by the success of his new album “BIOLOGY” and returning to Coke Studio for a second time, paired alongside Ghanaian artist Bisa Kdei. He had 4 AFRIMA nominations under which he clinched two of biggest awards of the night for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Male Artiste’ in East Africa. Speaking of his win, he says, “I am so happy and I feel so blessed. This is too much! Winning Album of the year and Best Artiste in East Africa is not easy since we have so a lot of talented artists in East Africa. To win such a big award is a dream come true,” sending to fellow artists: “I am just here to encourage all the youth and new artists to keep their head up, they can make it. We need to win more awards in East Africa.”

    He was nominated alongside another Coke Studio Africa star from Tanzania: Alikiba. “I also congratulate Alikiba and all artists who were nominated in my categories and all East African artists. I am so proud of each of you. May God bless Africa.”

    Bongo music royalty, Alikiba, received a nod for Best African Collaboration and Best African R&B and Soul Awards for his smash hit “Aje” that featured Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga. King Kiba also made his second return to Coke Studio was this year paired alongside Nigerian dancehall king Patoranking. Fast rising Tanzanian female singer, Nandy, known for her hit songs “One Day” and “Nagusa Gusa” who made her debut on Coke Studio Africa this year paired alongside Ethiopian songbird Betty G is already leaving a mark in her industry. She won AFRIMA award for Best Female Artiste East Africa.

    AFRIMA category of Best Male Artiste in Central Africa included Coke Studio stars: Anselmo Ralph (Angola) and Locko, with Locko receiving the award. The “Superstar” hitmaker made his debut on the show this year performing alongside Tresor from South Africa. Speaking of his win, he says, “I want to give a shout out to all my fans (Lockomotives) for giving me this award. This was the one I was expecting the least and I am now going home with it. I am really happy and I will keep working hard.”

    18 Coke Studio Africa artists were among Africa’s top celebrated stars nominated at the 2017 AFRIMA. They included Yemi Alade, Alikiba, AKA, Runtown, Nasty C, Eddy Kenzo, Locko, Anselmo Ralph, Jah Prayzah, Busiswa, Amanda Black, Kiff No Beat, Mafikizolo, Micasa, Bebe Cool, Nyashinski, Olamide and Nandy. This year’s nominee list included 33 categories, 10 regional and 23 genre-based categories, with Coke Studio stars bagging 25 nomination slots in total.

  • Coke Studio Africa 2017 Ugandan Artist Profile: Meet Ykee Benda ‘The Boy So Tender’

    Coke Studio Africa 2017 Ugandan Artist Profile: Meet Ykee Benda ‘The Boy So Tender’

    Tugume Wycliff, most commonly known as ‘Ykee Benda’ is a Ugandan musician and producer, who is signed on to Badi Music Label. Some of his popular songs include Kyenkyebula, Munakampala, Farmer and Malaika. He makes his debut on Coke Studio Africa 2017 in the Big Break Segment collaborating with Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe) and Mr Bow (Mozambique).

    His Big Break

    The multi-talented Ykee Benda started doing covers before launching his professional career in November 2015. This year, he won Breakthrough Artist and Best Collaboration of the Year in the recently concluded Zzina Awards (Uganda).

    He Does It All On His Own

    Besides recording music, Ykee writes songs for himself and other artists as well. He also produces his own tracks. His inspiration comes from listening to African contemporary music and the Afro Beat genre. He has collaborated with Coke Studio Africa 2017 diva from Uganda, Sheebah Karungi on the remix of his song Farmer – a hit song that is credited with putting him on the map. Besides music, Benda is also a representative of Reach a Hand, an initiative that supports girl education.

    Behind The Music

    Ykee Benda was born to Alex and Ruth Mpakanyi and is the seventh born in a family of eight. He grew up in Kireka, a suburb in the Ugandan capital Kampala. Benda started singing in the Sunday school choir in a small church around his home and his passion for music grew tremendously while in campus in Annaba, Algeria, where he started by doing covers of different kinds of music while learning song writing and vocal training. Ykee also loves football and is a staunch supporter of the Arsenal Football Club.

  • Bebe Cool impresses in Coke Studio Episode 2

    Bebe Cool impresses in Coke Studio Episode 2

    This week on Coke Studio Africa, Ugandan legendary artist Bebe Cool impressed viewers when he performed his version of Falz’s ‘bahd baddo baddest’ hit song, successfully adding a reggae feel to the originally hip hop song.

    Top Nigerian artist Falz also went out of his usual rap character and sang to Bebe Cool’s number 1 hit “Love you every day”. Both tracks were produced by Nigerian producer Gospelondebeatz, mainly known for producing successful songs with artists like Patoranking, Wizkid and Yemi Alade.

    Bebe Cool

    Episode 2 also saw Ghanaian hip-life phenomenon Joey B and South African Afro-pop sensation Amanda Black, work together on the Coke Studio Africa Throwback, and Ghana’s newest star, Worlasi, working with Nigerian success story Chidinma, and Kenyan supergroup Sauti Sol to perform this week’s Big Break.

    Coke Studio Africa is a non-competitive music collaboration show, which seeks to bring together, and celebrate the diversity of African music and talent. It also gives upcoming artistes the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. It brings together artistes from different genres, eras and regions to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion.

    Falz

    This season marks the first time that the beverage giant has merged Coke Studio Africa and Coke Studio South Africa into one, bigger and better show, consequently increasing the number of participating countries to 16, up from 11 in previous edition.

    To keep up with all Coke Studio Africa related information including artistes, collaborations, lyrics and television airing times follow the hashtag #CokeStudioAfrica or find us online at the following pages:

    Twitter: @CocaColaAfrica and @CocaCola_NG

    Instagram: @CokeStudioAfrica and @CocaCola_NG

    Facebook: Coca-Cola – www.facebook.com/cocacola

    Blog: www.cokestudioafrica.com

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/cokestudioAfrica

    Hashtag: #CokeStudioAfrica