Doobiez Claps Back At CLD!

In the January 2007 issue of The Insyder (which will be out on December 20th this year), Doobiez is breathing mo than just fire. It seems he still a lot to get out off his chest concerning his beef with CLD. In the candid interview in Kenya's number one entertainment publication, Doobiez goes ballistic on CLD. Raising issues about the 'Mo Fire' track, Doobiez was quoted saying, "…When the track starts I mentioned all the people in the track including CLD and Hiram (The song producer), then immediately after his voice comes up. Look at this... his name is on the credits for ‘Mo Fire’ and another track we did with him called ‘Doobeez Did’ together with Kantai, Bamboo and 3^rd Eye... the song ‘Angabanga’ was produced at Duplex, after they refused to give me my tracks I went to the radio station that was already playing it and asked for it after which I mastered it and put it in my album, that did not stop me from crediting the song as being produced by Duplex?..."
Commenting on why CLD doesn't appear on the 'Mo Fire' video, Doobiez blurts, "He was scheduled to come for the shoot three times in a row and on all three times he did not show up, then he finally came and he was busted by cops, what has that got to do with me? I did not pay the cops to bust this guy coz we are going to shoot a video and I don’t want him to show up? Come on!"
Well, the saying "Where's there's smoke, there's fire" is coming to life right before our very eyes. Remember to cop the January 2007 issue of The Insyder on Christmas week!

Wachu Know 'Bout AIDS?

What's the big deal about HIV/AIDS?

It's easy to think that AIDS is something for other people to worry about - gay people, drug users, people who sleep around. This is wrong - all teens, whoever they are, wherever they live need to take the threat of HIV seriously. To be able to protect yourself, you need to know the facts, and know how to avoid becoming infected.

Isn't it only a problem for adults?

No. HIV is a big problem for young people, as well as adults. In 2005, it is estimated that there were 2.3 million people under 15 living with HIV.

Monica: "I am 15 years old and my best friend who is a male has AIDS and we were really close so one night we experimented and after the fact that we "did it" he told me that he had AIDS."

What's the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a serious condition in which the body's defences against some illnesses are broken down. This means that people with AIDS can get many different kinds of diseases which a healthy person's body would normally fight off quite easily.

How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?

The length of time between being infected with HIV and being diagnosed with AIDS depends on lots of different things. These days, there are many drugs that can be used to help people with HIV, and most doctors believe that a lot of people can be treated for a very long time. Many people do not know exactly when they were infected with HIV, and the length of time between this happening and them being diagnosed with AIDS can be very variable.

So how do you get infected?

HIV is passed on in the sexual fluids or blood of an infected person, so if infected blood or sexual fluid gets into your body, you can become infected. This usually happens by either having sexual intercourse with an infected person or by sharing needles used to inject drugs with an infected person. People can also become infected by being born to a mother who has HIV and a very small number of people become infected by having medical treatment using infected blood transfusions.

HIV can't be caught by kissing, hugging or shaking hands with an infected person, and it can't be transmitted by sneezes, door handles or dirty glasses.

What is 'safe sex'?

Safe sex means sexual activities which you can do even if one person is infected with HIV, and they definitely won't pass it on to the other person. Loads of activities are completely safe. You can kiss, cuddle, massage and rub each other's bodies. But if you have any cuts or sores on your skin, make sure they are covered with plasters (band-aids). Nothing you do on your own can cause you to get HIV - you can't infect yourself by masturbation.

What is safer sex?

Safer sex also means using a condom during sexual intercourse. Using a condom is not absolutely safe as condoms can break, but condoms can be effective if they are used correctly.

Oral sex (one person kissing, licking or sucking the sexual areas of another person) does carry some risk of infection. If a person sucks the penis of an infected man, for example, infected fluid could get into the mouth. The virus could then get into the blood if you have bleeding gums or tiny sores somewhere in the mouth. The same is true if infected sexual fluids from a woman get into the mouth of her partner. But infection from oral sex alone seems to be very rare.

Can you get infected your first time?

Yes, if your partner has HIV and you have unsafe sex, then you can become infected.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for HIV. HIV is a virus, and no cure has been found for any type of virus. Recently, doctors have been able to control the virus once a person is infected, which means that a person with HIV can stay healthy for longer, but they have not managed to get rid of the virus in the body completely.

How can I tell if someone's infected with HIV?

There is no way to tell just by looking at someone whether they are infected with HIV. Someone can be infected but have no symptoms and still look perfectly healthy. They might also feel perfectly healthy and not know themselves that they are infected. The only way to know if a person is infected or not is if they have a blood test.

How can I get tested?

You may find it helpful to talk to an adult - perhaps a parent, school nurse or teacher may be able to advise you where you can have a test. It's much better to talk to someone than to worry on your own. The clinic will suggest that you wait three - six months after your last risky sexual contact before having a test. This is because the virus is difficult to detect immediately after infection.

Will they tell my parents?

The clinics in different places have different policies. Most (but not all) clinics have a confidentiality policy, and will not tell anyone, although some places will want to bring a parent to give consent. You can phone the clinic before you go and find out.

What will they do?

Before they do anything, the doctor or nurse will ask if you're sure you want to have a test. They will usually take a sample of blood from you to examine. If you also want to be tested for STD's, they may take a urine sample, or they might ask if they can take a swab from the vagina or penis. Some places can give you the results on the same day, in other places you may have to wait for a week or more. While you wait, you shouldn't have sexual contact with anyone.

I have HIV - what should I do?

If you have found that you have HIV, you will need to tell the people who you have had sex with and anyone you have shared needles with so that they can decide if they want to have a test. This can be a very difficult thing to tell someone. If you think you can't tell them, your doctor or nurse may be able to help you. Your doctor at the clinic should also be able to give you more advice about how to stay healthy. They will also be able to tell you if you need to have any other blood tests done, and talk to you about medication.

TZ v/s Kenya: Y International Artists Going Across the Border

Nowadays, it has become customary for the rave loving concert goers to travel kilometres by road or fly to Tanzania for a concert. First it was Mya, then Akon - the dark star from Senegal. At that time EATV made sure everyone knew ‘Akoni anakuja hapa Taannzania…’ out went Akon, in came Ashanti, Ja Rule, Loon, 112 (even though they cancelled) Beyonce, Rihanna (Rumoured), Ne-Yo (another big and juicy rumour), Jay Z and this month, possibly 50 Cent and his Gorilla Unit. What may I ask is the problem with Kenya, what does TZ have that we don’t have? All Kenya does is to get the leftovers from TZ like in the case of Ja Rule and possibly 50 Cent.

So what ails Kenya’s music concert business? It’s not one reason, but a myriad of factors. Here are those that I think have played a major role in our recession:

1. Death of Entertainment Entrepreneurs: There are few or little Kenyan investors who can pride themselves in hosting a major A-Class performer. Those investors have had their fingers burnt once, due to losses made from concerts or exorbitant fees asked by the “A-Class musician” are not willing to spend huge amounts of cheddar running into millions of Kenyan shillings to host an international artist.
2. High Risk Business: Say maybe you have passed the first obstacle and the investor is willing to dish out the money to pay the international artist. The next thing is to contact the international artist. The contact process is bureaucratic and the payments are made upfront, if the investor is a sceptic, I doubt he/she will wire millions of Kenyan shillings to pay for a deposit (in dollars) to secure the deal with the international artist, months before they make an appearance. At certain times the artist might even refuse to tour Africa (travel advisories are a b***h), where does that leave the investor who has already incurred promotion costs? In the dumps of course! Remember the time 112 cancelled on TZ?
3. Why Party When You Can Drink: TZ, unlike Kenya hii, hii yetu, is a raving nation not a drinking one. Tzadians know how to have fun. They pay top Dollar for concerts, and they buy original music, unlike Kenya. As a nation, we don’t have a leisure time or ‘siesta’ culture. We simply do not rave for the sheer fun of raving. Damn, we don’t even dress up for a night out! What tickles our fancy enough to make us go out in droves are the BOGO nights offers (Buy One Get One beer free)...

To read the complete story, cop the December issue of The Insyder at a retail outlet near you....or CLICK HERE

10 Reasons Why Project Fame Isn't Famous Yet

First of all, we are very happy that Tusker (am I allowed to mention that brand here? Unajua hii ni site ya ma-under 18) was bold enough to promote the local TV industry. I would also like to laud NTV (who seem to be featuring a lot on this blog) for their continued support of our fledgling television industry. Project Fame (I have decided to omit the sponsors name coz I feel a moral and ethical conflict) is a..err…umm…project that will no doubt lay a firm foundation for creating a robust TV Production industry. That is why I feel it is of paramount importance that Project Fame succeeds as a TV property, if we are to take our Television Production industry to the next level. Whether it succeeds in selling tonnes of beer for the sponsor is a topic for another day.

So this week, I will put my career on the line, and attempt to give 10 reasons as to whether Project Fame will blow or bomb. When Tusker Project Fame premiered on TV, I spent numerous man (person)-hours before the screen watching the show; I even gave up Cuando Seas Mia in search for that elusive star. After a few evictions and house drama I appointed myself a judge and executioner of the Tusker Project Fame.

Made in Kenya

Though Project Fame isn’t a Kenyan concept, the fact that is being produced and managed by an almost all-Kenyan team is a major plus for the TV Production industry. The mere fact that this project (no pun intended) got the green light is a sign that more locally produced shows with big budgets are more likely than not, going to hit our tubes soon. What puzzles me is why Kenya’s biggest TV blockbuster, with an estimated production budget of about 80 million bob, should be of ‘Vioja Mahakamani’ quality.

Verdict: 4/10

International Specifications

When you compare Kenya’s version to the South African Project Fame it becomes a tale of two worlds. This production doesn’t have the super star pull the original one had. For a monster budget production, I’m simply searching for something to look forward to. Endemol are known for their great creativity - look at their track record; Big Brother Africa, Survivor Africa…What went wrong here? I mean this is a franchise; there are certain standards that have to be met here irrespective of which country the show is being produced. And don’t tell me that we don’t have the personnel, we’ve seen locally produced shows that are of higher standards. Why the raw deal?

Verdict: 3/10

Makeup and Appearance

I thought the principal rule of TV production is the appearance. I mean people, you’re on TV, hello? Our contestants in the house tend to look well, bland. Stars (or upcoming stars for that) are not normal people. Stars are out of this world. The students in the academy should have at least some amount of make up when they are in the house. Didge looked like an international star while on Project Fame, but when he came back he had the pararad look that mortals like you and me have. My point? Make up!

Now we move on to the clad, kwani the clad sponsors can’t hook the contestants up with more variety when they are in the house? These contestants are wearing the same clad like everyday bana!

Verdict: 4/10

Talent

This I say from the mouths of Project Fame junkies, their exact words, most of the students in the academy lack the talent. I say, they lack proper direction, and it doesn’t help that they are bombarded weekly with bad reviews, like, “If I was your grand mother I would have thrown you out with the bath water, and if I knew you had ambitions to so much as touch a musical instrument, I would have taken you to a loony bin to waste away your days.” So far, so good, the chuff has been separated form the grain, stay tuned to see what talent is all about.

Verdict: 5/10

The Judges

Every time I watch the Saturday and Sunday shows I cringe, gag and literary hunch on my fours from all the bile the judges dish out. The make-up on them is still not working the magic it should, and their petulant attitude isn’t that pretty either. Take Ian Mbugua for instance, the dude is a popular thespian we all know and respect. One look at him and what you see is a sweet teddy bear. So why does the baba play Dr. Evil? It just comes off as unnatural. Remember when Sylvester Stallone tried to get into comedy or when Mariah Carey tried acting? I guess it’s too late now, but the producers should have cast the judges’ and their personality more appropriately.

Verdict: 5/10

The Missing Host or Is It Hostess?

Ok, will someone please tell me what’s going on here? First Barbara Guantai hosts the show, then I think it was Sheila Mwanyigha or was it Nikii? Then that Ugandan dude…does the show have guest hosts or are they filling in for the cat from Kampala? It would be nice if someone told me like a week in advance that so and so will be hosting the show. Am confused, I really am…

Verdict: 4/10

The TA’s Brief

‘Who is Smarter Now’ was her forte, and guess what? It’s a reality show! Now why in Mulungu’s name would you get a personality from one reality show and bring them into another? This same rationale should also have been applied when selecting the initial host for the show. Project Fame just doesn’t do mama Reg much justice.

Helen Okoth is the only teacher who gets across her message clearly and concisely, her eyes, well…those are not contacts.

Tedd Josiah is like the cutest guy in the house with his unsmiling ways he imparts the required knowledge without even cracking a smile. But, dude, you are on camera smile and say cheers at least once.

Ian the dance instructor is hot before, during and after practice, you only get see him like once in the show and if you happen to wink you might miss him.

The Principal, Achieng Abura is aiight, coz I never see her doing much other than defending her students, if all Princys can borrow a leaf from her, life in high school would be heavenly.

Verdict: 7/10

The House Atmosphere

What people look for when they are watching reality shows is the real and natural drama. Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that you ain’t going to get none of that here. If you do, it will be Cedric refusing to wash his plate or Linda and Renee having a catfight over … I don’t really know what, ohh and a flash of Alvan’s blond goatee. Can we have reality television here? Please.

Verdict: 4/10

The Evictions

The evictions will always be a bone of contention for everyone, I personally think that Melton the UG dude, did not deserve to go, he played the piano well, strung the strings on the guitar like Jimmy Hendrix and practically did what was expected of him, so why the eviction? The TZ chic (I forget her name) has no talent at all – aende! Francis on the other hand had it coming, he is such a drama jerk… he reminds me of …oh, I don’t know… Alex Holi. What is it with Kenyans and the camera once it’s on their face? They totally and completely transform into arrogant pissants (am I allowed to use that word here?) ref: Denis Asseto our Kenya star in Survivor Africa

Verdict: 8/10

Show Characters

Finally the Project Fame favourites are Linda for her talent and Prima Donna attitude, Cedric for looking and singing like Ruben Studdard, and Nakaya for her booty. Though the TAs obviously think Paul is the best pet in the entire house, I think it would be a crime and shame if Linda doesn’t win it. She’s Kenyan (no disrespect to our brothers and sisters from UG and TZ but the sponsor is a Kenyan brand), she’s highly talented, she’s got a superstar look, she’s got sex appeal and she’s controversial like a real star.

Verdict: 6/10

Overall Score: 5/10

So there you have it, a 50% score. This means that the show can still be salvaged and in the process our TV Production industry. Why don’t the necessary people take the necessary actions?

By Toni Moraa

Toni is a regular contributor to this blog and she often writes for The Insyder magazine

Does NTV On DStv Open The Beat To Lawsuits?

We all know that when it comes to music and intellectual property, copyright laws in this country are virtually nonexistent. If these laws were indeed enforced, a lot of our musicians would be making handsome amounts of money…but we all know this is not the case. The problem is of course a government that simply cannot enforce ALL laws in the country. Perhaps because it is unwilling, incapable of organizing itself effectively, does not have the adequate resources or simply does not see the potential of the entertainment industry a potential taxation gold mine. Whatever the reasons, the laxity of the authorities to enforce copyright infringement laws, especially in the music and entertainment business, has been a boon for the illegal piracy trade.

Fortunately, this is not the case in the outside world – a world where governments are run effectively and are genuinely engaged in protecting the rights of their citizens. You see, DStv is Africa’s largest satellite pay-TV network, and beams its broadcast throughout our beautiful continent and into the Middle East and Asia. In fact, the only TV network that broadcasts live rugby and cricket matches in China is DStv!

With this in mind, it brings into question NTV broadcasting its signal on DStv. It means that NTV has exposed its content to an international audience; an audience which, by and large, have systems in their respective countries that diligently enforce copyright laws. It’s not the international programming that is of concern here, we are convinced that an organization with vast resources like the Nation Media Group goes through all the right channels to purchase shows produced outside this country. It’s the local programming that raises our eyebrows. Especially local programming that ‘borrows’ international material.

Now that the eyes of the world are on NTV, it would be prudent for the station to keenly understand and adhere to international copyright laws. And it’s not the news clips from CNN, SKY News or BBC we’re worried about (who cares about the news anyway?), it’s more important programming like the international music videos on the award-wining show ‘The Beat.’ Being a favourite with Kenya’s teeniez, it would be safe to deduce that The Beat is one of NTV’s most-viewed shows (for those still struggling to catch up with this train of thought, please note that the youth consist of over 60% of our total population). Now what has the station done to ensure that international record companies, or their authorized music video distributors, don’t start jetting into the country to demand for their dues?

We would like to assume that a major broadcast industry player like NTV has already seen this potential hurdle and put measures into place (paid the necessary royalties or fees required to air international music videos) to eschew lawsuits. But if they have not, then they’d better start calling up their 10,000 bob-an-hour lawyers to start covering their asses, coz the potential of the proverbial excrement hitting the spinning blades that produce cool breezes is quite imminent.