BBC Africa Beats: Zulu pop princess Toya Delazy
SOUTH AFRICAN SOUL SENSATION ZAHARA SINGS 'LENGOMA'
This is the 7th track from her Album Loliwe, Enjoy!
MULTI-PLATINUM AWARD WINNING SOUTH AFRICAN SUPERSTAR LIRA PREPARES RELEASE OF DEBUT NORTH AMERICAN ALBUM RISE AGAIN
Letta Mbulu, releasing four platinum albums and a triple platinum Live in Concert DVD making her the highest selling musical artist in South Africa today - the Afro-Soul vocalist makes her entrance into America and Canada with her 14-track LP Rise Again featuring the hit single "Feel Good".LIRA is already a beloved superstar in her homeland, where her first five albums and her first live DVD have achieved platinum and multi-platinum status. Now, with the North American release of her new album Rise Again, the charismatic songbird is ready to introduce new ears to her elegantly yet earthy Afro-soul fusion. LIRA is excited by the prospect of conquering America. "Within South Africa, I almost feel like I've done everything, I need to spread my wings and fly. I'm thirsty for it. I'm enthusiastic about it. I almost feel like I needed to take this long to get ready, to grow as a musician and a performer. Now I feel like I have something to offer." In recent months, American media outlets have been taking notice, with Essence magazine naming LIRA one of "Five Unique A
Reared on a steady diet of American soul luminaries LIRA’s music is a glowing testament to her immense growth, eschewing poignancy and despair for lyrics replete with hope, love, and a
Rise Again—whose songs are drawn from LIRA's massively popular South African releases—

As part of a new cadre of African artists making waves stateside such as K’Naan, Nneka, and Ayo, LIRA sees herself as an ambassador of the new Africa: a land where, despite a recent history filled with obstacles, a future brimming with infinite possibilities lies. LIRA feels that this pressure to thrive outside of convention has bred a unique brand of ingenuity that will propel her and her fellow artists to the world stage.
“We're proud of being African, but there’s also a desire to be a part of the world. Part of the way we can raise the consciousness back home is when people see us rise on the world stage. We don’t do it for the individual, we do it for the entire group.”
LIRA has yet to take her eyes off one of the main objectives of her plan: to conquer the world with Afro-soul.
AFRICAN YOUTH HOOK UP WITH HUGH MASEKELA ON MTV BASE MEETS…WITH MTN
The latest edition of MTV Base Meets…with MTN (MTV Base, Monday 22 August, 20:30 CAT) sees young African creatives in conversation with legendary musician Hugh Masekela.
Many albums, hits and live performances all over the world later, at 72, Masekela still has an extremely active music career and is in touch with the latest music trends (he’s worked with Black Coffee, Lira, Zwai Bala, Thandiswa Mazwai). He had plenty to say about politics, music and African heritage in his chat at Johannesburg’s scenic Moyo restaurant at Zoo Lake.
Bra Hugh, as he is affectionately known, picked up his first trumpet at 14 and was part of the legendary Sophiatown era in South Africa, before going into exile in America; living in West Africa; touring the world and releasing countless international hits including his Grammy
nominated 1968 US number 1 Grazin In The Grass. Hugh’s voice and music were instrumental in the struggle against Apartheid, and he returned from exile after Nelson Mandela’s 90s release from jail. In 2003 he released his best-selling autobiography Still Grazing: The Musical
Journey of Hugh Masekela, which covered his loves, including ex wife Miriam Makeba, his drug and alcohol addiction and being a musician.
Engaging with Masekela on MTV Base Meets…with MTN are Zimbabwean rapper Zubz, South African blogger, columnist and fashion store owner Milisuthando Bongela, Nigerian musician Adey Omotade, South African stand up comedian and student Mojak Lehoko and Congolese stylist and journalism student Patricia Muauka Muembo.
In each episode of MTV Base Meets…with MTN, African youth get to meet face to face with the influencers and leaders of Africa and ask them probing and provocative questions. It’s a no-holds-barred interview with politicians and prominent figures such as UK businessman Richard Branson, Nigerian media mogul Ben Murray Bruce, South African politician Julius Malema, Liberian President Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
MTV Base Meets Hugh Masekela with MTN will be shown on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Monday 22 August @ 20:30 CAT, Wednesday 24 August @ 22:15 CAT, Thursday 25 August @ 18:30, Sunday 28 August @ 15:00 and Monday 29 August @ 16:00 CAT.
Further influencers still to come in the MTV Base Meets…with MTN are Nigerian entrepreneur Aliko Dangote (29 August) and R&B diva Alicia Keys (5 September).
For more information on MTV Base Meets…with MTN, go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets@MTVbaseAfrica.
Prinston - What they like
aking his music to new heights with a constant grind from producing ninety percent of his album to writing, rapping and singing his own hooks. He first created some noise back home with his street single "Let's glay" which was a huge hit in the clubs in Durban. He's built up his own image and is constantly branding himself wherever he goes. Jimmy Dludlu Joins Line Up for Lagos Jazz Series


Nigerian/South African HipHop Collab - Fecko & Naycha
Banky W, Teargas, Fally Ipupa & Daddy Owen rock MAMA

BANKY W, TEARGAS, FALLY IPUPA, & DADDY OWEN TO ROCK
THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS WITH ZAIN IN LAGOS
Change is in the air as MTV and Zain lock down Banky W, Fally Ipupa, Teargas and Daddy Owen to deliver a series of spine-tingling live performances at the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). The four artists are the first performers to be announced for the 2010 edition of the Awards, which take place on Saturday 11 December 2010 at the Eko EXPO Hall, Lagos, Nigeria.
Smooth R&B artist Banky W is the first Nigerian artist booked
to perform at this year’s show, while South African outfit Teargas will be representing the best of South African Hip Hop on their MAMA debut. Kenya’s Daddy Owen will make his mark as the first ever Gospel singer to perform at the MAMA Awards, showcasing the unique Gospel vibe that’s successfully made the cross-over into the mainstream music consciousness. Congolese star Fally Ipupa makes his second appearance at MAMA, after his exciting collaboration with Mozambique’s Lizha James and Uganda’s Blu3 at MAMA 2009 in Kenya.
Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, “Banky W, Teargas, Fally Ipupa and Daddy Owen are all thrilling performers that epitomize the awesome spirit and passion of contemporary African musicians. Their involvement in this year’s awards is sure to guarantee that 2010 will be the most creatively inspiring and exciting MAMA event so far.”
Commented Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, “Music in all its genres or origins strikes a chord with our continent as it provides a platform to express ourselves at each turn in our daily lives. The choice of the performers at the 2010 edition shows an excellent choice of musicians with a wide appeal in the continent."
The “crown prince” of African R&B, Banky W is the stage name of Olubankole Wellington, whose ultra-smooth voice, writing and production skills and uncanny showmanship and dance
skills have catapulted him into the contemporary music spotlight. Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, Banky moved to Nigeria, West Africa at the tender age of 5, getting access for the first time to the traditional African music and rhythms that are deeply rooted in his sound and which form the basis of huge hits such as Lagos Party and Strong Ting. Using his everyday struggles as a source of inspiration for his music, Banky has gained an army of followers around the world thanks to his heartfelt lyrics, larger-than-life presence and mesmerising live show, and has won numerous awards including the Urban Independent Music Award for R&B/Soul, The Nigerian Entertainment Award, and the highly coveted songwriting award from the John Lennon Foundation.
Charismatic South African Hip Hop trio Teargas is made up of Ntokozo “K.O.” Mdluli and two brothers: Ezee “Ma-E” Hanabe and Bantu “Ntukza” Hanabe. Five years after their critically-acclaimed debut album “K’shubile K’bovu”, Teargas is riding high on the success of their third album “Dark Or Blue”, which was released at the end of 2009, spawning a host of hit singles including “Go Away”, “Party 101” and “Mhlobo Wami” and winning them Best Rap Album at the 2010 South African Music Awards.
Bringing his uplifting, Gospel-fusion sound to MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, Daddy Owen is the self-appointed creator of “Kapungala“ - a jubilant mash-up of Gospel with Kenyan genres Kapuka and Lingala. Daddy Owen has already enjoyed an amazing 2010, receiving massive radio airplay for hit tracks Tobina and Kiriro, and sweeping the boards at the 2010 Groove Awards, East Africa’s annual
celebration of Gospel music, where he took home gongs for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year (“System ya Kapungala”), Video of the Year (“Kiriro”), Central Song of the Year and Collabo of the Year (“Kiriro” – Daddy Owen ft Allan Aaron & Kerah).
Fally Ipupa, nicknamed “Dicap La Merveille” (DiCaprio the marvellous) by his Congolese fans, is riding high as one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most successful music exports. A silky-smooth voice, skilful songwriting skills and a larger–than-life personality that have made Ipupa a hit in Africa and on the international music scene, reaching the hearts of many with his infectious blend of soukous, ndombolo, pop and R&B.
Teargas said, “We are truly honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to perform at one of Africa’s biggest ceremonies and to reach our fans in the rest of Africa, and the world. We’d be lying if we weren’t a little nervous about being told that more than one billion people might be watching! We’re interested to see which other great African artists we’ll be collaborating with.”
Known for its awe-inspiring staging, exhilarating music and gripping musical collaborations, the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain was created in 2008 to recognise and reward Africa’s finest contemporary musicians. Past winners have included Amani (BEST FEMALE 2009), Nameless (BEST MALE/LISTENER’S CHOICE 2009), Samini (BEST PERFORMER 2009), P Square (BEST GROUP 2009), Zebra & Giraffe (BEST ALTERNATIVE ACT 2009), M.I. (BEST HIP HOP/BEST NEW ACT 2009), 2FACE (BEST R&B), D’BANJ (ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2008/2009), HHP (BEST VIDEO 2009) and LUCKY DUBE (MAMA LEGEND 2009).
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Following Bharti Airtel’s acquisitions of Zain’s operations across Africa, plans are underway to rebrand Zain to Airtel. This is a huge exercise that will positively impact ongoing partnerships such as MTV Africa Music awards with Zain. The expected change in brand will be communicated appropriately. As such, the Zain identity and brand will continue to be used for an interim period.
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is open to all soloists or groups who have received airplay on MTV base or MTV during the qualifying period (30 June 2009 to 31 August 2010) including artists from: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Comores, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The nominations for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be revealed in November 2010.
For further information please contact:
MTV Networks Africa
Alison Reid Nike Fagbule
Communications Director BHM Ltd
Alison.reid@mtvne.com nike@
+33 385 596771 +234 808 247 7059
Zain Africa Zain Nigeria
Michael Okwiri Emeka Oparah
Head of Corporate Communications Head of Corporate Communications
Airtel Africa Zain Nigeria
Michael.Okwiri@africaairtel.
+254 734 111379 +234 802 222 1120
About MTV Networks Africa
MTV Networks Africa is Africa’s leading provider of multi-platform music, youth and kids’ entertainment, reaching in excess of 90 million viewers via a combination of pay-TV, terrestrial and CATV distributors, including DStv, Daarsat, STV, DBN, TBC1, WBS and Clouds TV. MTV Networks Africa comprises four TV channels and two websites, representing MTV base, MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon across sub-Saharan Africa. MTV Networks Africa is part of MTVNI’s Emerging Markets Group, one of the fastest growing regions in the company’s portfolio of multi-platform businesses. The Emerging Markets Group manages 29 television channels, 30 websites, one video portal and four mobile TV channels encompassing the MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, VIVA and Comedy Central and COLORS brands in Central & Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and India. Additionally, the Emerging Markets portfolio includes MTVNHD, MTVNI’s first international high definition channel dedicated to music and kids which is operated by the Emerging Markets Group of behalf of MTVNI. MTVNI is owned by Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
About da L.E.S.
Leslie (aka Les) J. Mampe Jnr., also known as the Da L.E.S (i.e. Leslie Equals Success) to his many fans, was born in the US in Washington DC, lived in Texas, but the person who he has become was carved in the Motherland by way of South Africa. Da L.E.S is by no means a new entrant to the entertainment scene, in fact his first claim to fame came courtesy of his dancing abilities where he featured on shows like Sasco Sam and KTV.Da L.E.S’s music exploits came into fruition when he hooked up with long time friend and Brother from another mother Bongani Fassie. Bongani and Da L.E.S’s first musical endeavor came in the form of collaboration with Shimane, titled Runnin Bizz in 2004. Fast forward to 2007 and Les became a household name due to his participation with Jozi.
Les forms one third of ultra super hip hop crew Jozi, of the Muthaland Crunk fame. This release went on to be nominated for a SAMA award, 4 Metro FM awards and a Channel O spirit of Africa award, in categories such as best group and best Hip Hop. The group was also afforded the opportunity to perform at the most recent 46664 concert held in December 2007.In doing so the album launched the careers of three individuals with distinct personas who contributed different musical elements, which were infused to create the Muthaland Crunk sound. Da L.E.S through Jozi has become recognized as one of the best emcee’s in the country. As Da L.E.S explains, “rapping is something that lives within me continuously, let me just hear a beat and I automatically want to just start rhyming.” With that in mind Da L.E.S solo offering came off the back of him being in studio, with his producer/ band mate and long time friend Bongani Fassie. “What was meant to be a lyrical exercise, ended up becoming a 13 track feature album called, Fresh to Def”, as Leslie emphasises. This project essentially opened up the opportunity for Da L.E.S to create set of songs that showcase his lyrical versatility and his eclectic sound, which best represents his own personality and influences that
in turn define his rapping style. Fresh to Def is woven out of a lyrical introspection of Les’s desire to continually enhance and refine his ability as an emcee. As Les explains, “my personal style from rapping, to dressing has to be FRESH!” .He is definitely a swagger boy as the ladies would attest. This album is not Les breaking away from Jozi but represents Les’s mission to deliver good music and explore his own capabilities as an artist to ensure growth. For Les this album is directed at the youth, as he feels he is a proud ambassador and role model of the youth. This is also seen by his venture into TV where he is a presenter on Craz-e’s hip hop show Shiz Niz. So ladies and gentleman a man, who needs no introduction, present you, Fresh to Def














