The Vumbi-Guma Guma saga: Artiste’s book to stir trouble Local afro-beat singer and songwriter Danny Vumbi says he will soon release a book about local music competition, Primus Guma-Guma Super Star. Vumbi, who came in fourth place at the sixth edition of the contest in 2016, is said to have mentioned his plans to write a book after the contest. We are also told that he informed the organisers about his plans and they gave him a go ahead. If what we are told is true, then organisers might regret that decision. Word reaching our desk is that the book will ruffle some feathers as it is said to feature manipulation and devious mannerisms allegedly taking place behind the scenes of the contest. The competition has faced praise and criticism in equal measure, with many artistes expressing disappointment in the results. For example, that same year (2016), a dissatisfied Bruce Melodie, who came in third, said the results did not reflect justice and immediately took to social media to urge his fans to stay calm “because in such competitions, there will always be kata”. Kata is a term used in the local showbiz industry to refer to “manipulation” or “scheming” to alter the results. After his attempt in 2016, Vumbi hasn’t had the chance to take part in Guma-Guma again as he failed to meet the criteria that organisers had set, but we are told that it had something to do with age. It is not clear whether all this will feature in his book, but if it does, he won’t be the first artiste to complain about the age limit in the competition. Local artiste Senderi International Hit also expressed frustration with the competition after he missed out on the competition twice. He slammed organisers for setting unrealistic standards, saying that music shouldn’t be about age, but experience and what one can deliver. We will definitely keep an ear to the ground. *************************************** Is it the end of TNP? Music group TNP currently made up of two rhythm and blues singers, Tracy and Paccy, may be splitting up, we are told. Reliable sources close to the members say that the two have been struggling for the last two years, and that this culminated into the decision to go their separate ways. It is said that both members have already started their solo projects. Paccy, real name Pascal Kizito, currently runs an entertainment show on Rwanda Television, while Tracy is still leaning towards music. We are told that Tracy is working on a music project, Mbaye Wowe, with singer Knowless Butera which is expected to materialise soon. We wish them all the best. *************************************** Tanzania actress Lulu out of jail Tanzanian actress Elizabeth Michael aka Lulu has been released from prison after serving her sentence for killing her lover. The bongo movie actress was sentenced to two years in prison in November last year for causing the death of celebrated Tanzanian actor Stephen Kanumba. Lulu was found guilty of killing Kanumba after she pushed him following an argument over a phone call she had received. Kanumba slid and fell on the floor, hitting the back of his head. He died moments later. The case dragged for five years until last year when High Court Judge Sam Rumanyika sentenced Lulu to two years in prison for manslaughter. Lulu had initially chosen not to appeal the sentence. However, her lawyers, with the permission of her family, eventually appealed the judgement and on Monday, the Dar es Salaam High Court changed the sentence and allowed Lulu to serve the remaining term outside prison as community service. *************************************** Kenzo disappointed with BET nominations Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo is a disappointed man. The singer has since yesterday been so low after realising he will not have any chances of scooping another BET award this year. Reports say that the Yasolo singer had anticipated he would appear on the list for ‘Best African Act’ after releasing a chain of songs that have done well around the continent. Kenzo has since the beginning of this year expected a BET nomination which he failed to scoop. The singer is not happy with organisers and has expressed his dissatisfaction with them in a phone call to congratulate the nominees and also inquire why he missed out. On a similar note, the singer continues to work tooth and nail to scoop another international accolade despite disappointment. *************************************** Donate your 1998 Range Rover to Hamisa Mobetto – Zari tells Kenyan musician Ringtone Apoko has made headlines in the past few days after his public romantic gesture left Kenyans baffled. Head over heels in love with Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan who was in the country for a cancer awareness campaign dubbed ‘The Colour Purple Concert,’ the gospel artiste is heartbroken. All his efforts to get her attention hit the wall after she turned down his gift. Showing that he meant business and that he has enough money to take care of the mother of five, the Tenda Wema artiste allegedly splurged millions for a Range Rover, all for Diamond’s ex. Clueless about her crush, Zari revealed during a radio interview that she had no idea who Ringtone was. Undeterred, the artiste rushed to the Kiss FM offices where she was being interviewed but he faced a major road block as he arrived after she had already left. Determined to give her the black guzzler, he told her via social media to pick the keys for the SUV from him, also offering to do anything to make her visit in Kenya worthwhile. Being the ‘boss lady’ that she is, she turned down the gift saying she’s got her own new model, and asked Ringtone to give it to Diamond’s baby momma, Hamisa Mobetto, who’s in dire need and would appreciate it. This she said in response to a fan who asked if she could take the vehicle on her behalf. Upon hearing the news that she had rejected his pricey toy, the Pamela hit maker handled it well wishing her the best.
