Tanzania’s dynamic duo, Navy Kenzo, is in Kenya and ready to make their joint debut on Coke Studio Africa season 4 this year. Comprising Aika and Nahreel, the “Kamatia Chini” and “Game” hit makers will be collaborating with Mozambican queen of hip hop Dama Do Bling, returning to show for a second time this year. The pairing will be produced by Nigerian producer Chopstix, who will be fusing their best versions of Southern and East African music sounds.
Speaking exclusively in Nairobi during the show’s recording – Nahreel, also a renowned music producer and head honcho at Tanzanian label: The Industry, said, “It is a great experience to work with Dama Do Bling. She is such a unique artiste and believes in her ideas! In line with Coke Studio Africa 4 theme, Discover, Nahreel he asserted, “We have exchanged different perspectives with Dama as we will be performing dancehall and hip hop genres and both are not far off from each other,” adding, “Our fans should expect a very creative and different sound.”
Navy Kenzo will be taking over the Coca-Cola Facebook Page Live tomorrow Thursday (29th Sept) from 6 p.m. Don’t miss to catch the live broadcast! They will also respond to your questions on their musical journey. Tweet @CocaColaAfrica your questions using the hashtags: #NavyKenzo #CokeStudioAfrica.
On Coke Studio Africa 3, Dama Do Bling collaborated with Nigerian rapper Ice Prince on mash ups produced by Chopstix. Dama revealed on what her fans should expect when the show launches October 9th 2016: “This being my second time on the show and a new year – fans will be surprised as we are creating a unique sound from scratch.”
Grammy award-winning American R&B/hip hop singer and songwriter Trey Songz is currently in Kenya to feature as a guest star on the upcoming fourth season of Coke Studio Africa themed Discover. He was unveiled in front of hundreds of top media from East Africa on Wednesday 21st September 2016 at a Coke Studio Africa Nairobi press conference, held at one of Coke Studio Africa Season 4 recording studios at Film Studios.
Trey Songz unveiling at today’s Press Conference; photo by Anyiko PR CSA Presser Picture
Trey Songz was joined by a cross section of the African artistes set to collaborate with him. They included Nyashinski (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Lij Michael (Ethiopia), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Neyma (Mozambique), Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast), Rema Namakula (Uganda), Emtee (South Africa) and the South African celebrity producer Maphorisa of the Soweto Baby hit fame.
Speaking exclusively on his Coke Studio Africa stint and his first time in Kenya at a press conference, Trey Songz said, “I am very happy to be in Kenya and to be working with a stage full of very talented artistes. The beauty and part I love about Coke Studio Africa is to work with artistes like myself who represent where they are from to the fullest. We have already started working on a great record and I am excited about the music that we have coming.”
While Maphorisa will be producing all the music collaborations between Trey Songz and all his collaborators, all the artistes on Coke Studio Africa will record, and perform alongside a highly talented house band on the show that launches across the continent – October 9th 2016. On the music collaborations and show’s production, Trey Songz noted: “The songs we will produce will give us an opportunity to embrace and uplift the sound of one another. Even with all our different sounds we will have one united sound.”
It is confirmed that the American R&B singer Trey Songz is this year’s Coke Studio Africa international superstar! The Grammy-award winning recording artiste and actor is set to feature in the fourth season of Coca-Cola’s flagship African music show, launching this October.
He is expected to jet into Nairobi this September. Ahead of his anticipated participation in the show and collaboration with select African Stars, Trey Songz states, “I have always been committed to spending time on the continent of Africa yearly. My fans show me so much love when I’m there. I can’t wait to visit Kenya and partner with the Coca Cola company on this initiative. I am fortunate to be working with some of Africa’s biggest stars. I look forward to learning from them, making a lot of new friends as I discover what they have to offer.”
Coke Studio Africa is a non-competitive music show that brings together diverse African music talent for world-class showcases, while giving upcoming artistes the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent.
Last year on Coke Studio Africa season 3, NE-YO performed alongside Maurice Kirya (Uganda), Wangechi (Kenya), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), Ice Prince (Nigeria) and Alikiba (Tanzania).
On the new season themed Discover, guest star Trey Songz will record a song and live music performances with selected Coke Studio Africa season 4 artistes: Rema Namakula (Uganda), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Neyma (Mozambique), Serge Beynaud (French West Africa), Lij Michael (Ethiopia), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Nyashinski (Kenya) and Emtee (South Africa).
The South African producer Maphorisa of the Soweto Baby hit fame will produce music collaborations between Trey Songz and the African stars. He says, “I have had the opportunity to work with many great artists from all over the world and am very excited to be collaborating with such a talented artist. I believe that we will be making something truly special together and am happy that we are able to share our amazing African sounds with the world in this way.”
Madtraxx (Kenya), Bushingtone (Uganda), Masterkraft (Nigeria), Chopstix (Nigeria), France-based producer DSK (originally from Ivory Coast) and Maphorisa (South Africa) are among top African producers tasked to engineer music fusions from Coke Studio Africa 4 artistes this season. All the artistes will record, and perform alongside a highly talented house band.
A total of 38 artists will feature in the new season of Coke Studio Africa. The artistes are from Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana and French West African countries – Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, increasing the number of participating countries to 11 up from last season’s 5.
Rema Namakula is on the list of Coke Studio season 4
This diverse line-up will include breakthrough performances from fresh talent such as Lydia Jasmine from Uganda, Kenya’s Dela Maranga whose rendition of hit song Hello by British singer Adelle went viral and Simi from Nigeria. Feli Nuna from Ghana, Tanzanian Ruby and Sosey from French West Africa will also be part of the glittering array of talent on offer.
“The music industry is constantly evolving and this season we will take African viewers on a journey of discovery of talent. These new talents are the ones to watch out for and we are glad to have them on Coke Studio to present new African sounds,” said Mr. Ahmed Rady, General Manager, Coca-Cola East Africa Franchise.
Speaking about Coke Studio Africa Season 4, Mr. Rady explained this season’s theme; discover. “During the season, all the artistes will get a chance to discover each other’s music, discover new rhythm, try out new music genres, immerse themselves in other cultures and embrace diversity by performing each other’s songs,” he explained. “They will get a chance to discover what they are made of as they try out new singing styles and genres away from their comfort zones,” he said.
Jaguar is also on the list
Jaguar, Sauti Sol, The Kansoul and Bahati from Kenya, Stonebwoy, Efya and El from Ghana are some of the big names also engaged for season 4. From Mozambique, Neyma, Lizha James and Yuri da Cunha will entertain their African fans. Nigeria will be represented by Patoranking, Cynthia Morgan, Waje, Kiss Daniel and 2 Face Idibia (also known as 2baba). Tanzanian heavy weights Yamoto Band, Navy Kenzo, Vanessa Mdee and Joh Makini will also grace the Coke Studio stage while Uganda will be represented by Chameleone, Rema Namakula, Radio and Weasel and Eddy Kenzo. Toofan from Togo will represent his area code.
“This season we will dig deep into each of the artists’ psyche. The audience will discover who they really are by finding out their motivation behind their biggest songs and behind the scene videos of a day in their lives,” said Tim Horwood, the Creative Director of Coke Studio Africa Season 4.
The musicians along with the highly talented Coke Studio Africa band will entertain viewers each week with tracks produced by both local and international producers. The broadcast will also be done in 5 languages to accommodate the new markets; Amharic, French, English, Kiswahili and Portuguese.
Sauti Sol
Partnering for the second year with Coca-Cola, national carrier Kenya Airways will fly in the Coke Studio Africa artistes and producers. “The airline connects over 40 African cities through our hub in Nairobi and earlier this year we improved connectivity in Africa by 30 per cent. These connections are not only catalysts of intra-African trade but also cultural exchange where artists from different cultures, speaking diverse languages, with different musical sounds come together on one platform to share their talent with the whole of Africa,” said Kenya Airways Head of Marketing: Africa Jacquie Muhati. “We are excited to partner with Coke Studio Africa for a second year as we discover Africa’s rich musical talent,” she said.
Jose Chameleone
For the first time in partnership Chevrolet will be providing artist transport throughout the production phase. The Sarova Stanley will provide food and accommodation for the artists and Samsung will be the communication partner.
Multi-talented Ugandan singer Jose Chameleone of the “Wale Wale” hit fame returns to the new season of Coke Studio Africa this year! On the fourth season, he will be working on song collaborations with Mozambican Marrabenta singer Neyma. Speaking exclusively in Nairobi upon his arrival to start recording, Chameleone said, “The new season of Coke Studio Africa is the best you will ever experience – it’s the best! The new format is so exciting and challenging to the artiste you will see the best of Chameleone.”
Jose Chameleone
Chameleone and Neyma have been paired with Nigerian producer Masterkraft. The two have already started working on new music that fans will get to experience on the new Discovery season. While in Nairobi, Chameleone said that he is glad to work with Neyma as her music fuses well with his. He said, “I am open to collaborating with other artistes but I am very choosy when it comes to who I actually work with. If you follow keenly you will notice that there is something about all Chameleone collaborations,” adding, “It’s also great to discover Neyma’s culture and work with Mastekraft.”
Neyma
On the third season of Coke Studio Africa, Neyma collaborated with Nigerian rapper Olamide and produced by Kenyan producer Musyoka. This season fans from Uganda and Mozambique are set to witness Mozambican sounds clash with the authentic sounds of Ugandan music to make an exciting collaboration. Neyma asserts: “It will be memorable!”
Catch Chameleone and Neyma live on Facebook and Twitter today (Thursday 4th Aug) as they answer all your questions! See below hashtags and details:
#AskChameleone
#AskNeyma
#CokeStudioAfrica
Coke Studio Africa is a non-competitive show seeking to bring together, and showcase the diversity of African musical 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.
Jose Chameleone, born Joseph Mayanja, is best known for his hit song Wale Wale. Chameleone is one of Africa’s most respected artistes. His musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and reggae. Breaking the record for the largest audience of any East African performer in 2014 where he drew an estimated 40,000 fans to his Tubonge Live concert, Chameleone’s biggest hits include Jamila, Mama Rhoda, Shida za Dunia, Kipepeo, Bei Kali, Fitina Yako, Haraka Haraka, Mambo Bado and Ndivyo Sivyo feat. Professor Jay.
Neyma is considered as Mozambique’s Beyonce. She has a powerful voice and big presence on stage. The singer is born an entertainer and her cheerful personality makes for the fact that she is an adorable figure in her country. Her preference for her country’s music style Marrabenta has gained her national acceptance. Neyma’s music career spans over a record sixteen years filled with great achievements and international appearances in various countries such as South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Portugal, Reunion Island, China, Cape Verde, Holland, Germany, Brazil and North America.
East Africa’s most dynamic music group: Radio & Weasel formerly the Good Lyfe Crew have arrived in Kenya and want to chat with you this week! When you hear Radio & Weasel tracks on radio, you always sing along and dance to the beat. Why? They have the vocals, the melodies, the rhythm and energy. Plus their chemistry is undeniable! That is what always keeps us wanting to listen for more!
But just how well do you know them? If you were to meet Radio & Weasel today, what would you ask them? Coke Studio Africa is giving you that chance on Thursday this week! Between 8pm – 9pm meet the duo online – ask them questions as they chat live with you. How cool is that?
The duo will take over the Coke Studio Africa Twitter and Facebook pages for an uninterrupted session with their fans where they answer all questions asked.
There you go, be online, let’s interact and discover a lot more than you know about the Ugandan sensational artistes.
All you have to do is follow the Coke Studio Africa pages and have a chat:
