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Uganda Grammy nominee, Eddy Kenzo, using music to pave way for deprived kids

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Ugandan musician and first Grammy Awards nominee from the country, Eddy Kenzo, says he is using his music and status to pave the way for deprived kids in the East African country.

Kenzo who grew up as an orphaned and homeless kid, recounted his story on Thursday, said he used to struggle to persuade DJs to play his songs, but now, is using his success to offer hopes that even the poorest person can triumph.

Kenzo, whose real name is Edrisah Musuuza, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance, said he has only one goal which is to “broadcast his culture to the world.”

“I try to use my culture and what I know to sell to the world. I sell the language that I speak, I sell the music we do here locally and I modernize it and put out the sound that comes from where I come from and it goes global,” the Grammy nominee told entertainment reporters.

Despite growing up underprivileged, Kenzo said he pursued his dreams and made a name for himself with his hit single “Stamina”, which grew to become one of the most popular songs in Africa and dominated the airwaves for months.

And despite his meteoric rise to stardom, Kenzo says he hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings and is keen to pave the way for others like him.

Through his label Big Talent Entertainment, he now mentors Kampala’s disadvantaged youth to develop their musical talent.

Thirteen years after his big break, Kenzo is en route to take home a Grammy for “Gimme Love”, his 2022 Luganda-English song where he featured US musician Matt B.

“I love who I am, I love promoting who I am. I had to let him do what he does, but I had to make sure that I bring in myself in my own way. I started doing my Luganda and I taught him some of the pass, I told him to do it.

“And then this is what we did. And the message “Gimme Love” it’s all about giving love. Nothing could be better than that,” Kenzo said.

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Egypt produces 3D animation series for kids named ‘El Mahmia’

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The United Media Services (UMS), in conjunction with the Egyptian government has produced a 3D animated series for children titled “El Mahmia” which means “The Reserve.”

“El Mahmia” is the latest animated series coming shortly after the “Yehia W Kenooz” (Yehia & Treasures) which was released last year in the North African country’s continuous efforts to develop the characters of Egyptian kids, according to UMS in a statement on Saturday.

“El Mahmia” which is the first Egyptian 3D animation series is produced by Hashtag and will be screened on Al Hayat TV channel during the month of Ramadan, the producers said.

“El Mahmia’s plot is full of suspense. It revolves around the reserve’s residents who are Farah and Hamza, the two grandsons of the reserve’s guard,” the statement reveals.

“The reserve is exposed to danger, and Farah and Hamza will manage to overcome this danger using smart and innovative ways.”

“The episodes carry many adventures inside the reserve, and will introduce the children to the world of nature reserves and their creatures, the importance of preserving the environment, and how to use technology to serve these goals.”

El Mahmia consists of 30 episodes and the duration of each episode is 15 minutes. The animation series stars Zeyad El-Gendy (Hamza), Lama Hany (Farah), Ahmed Khaled El-Sharkawy (the grandfather), Gehad Abou Elenien (the fisherman), and Galal El Hagrassy (Hakim).”

“Others are Hany Abdel Hay (Bebo), with the participation of Nevin Mahmoud, Alaa Gawish, Osama Fawzy, Eyad El-Gendy, Amr Essam, Taghreed El-Nagar, Hind Kamel and Mohamed Azizi ( Shark), and Moataz El-Shazly,” the series director, Ahmed Mahdy said at the launch in Cairo.

“The series is tailor made to raise the awareness of children about the importance of preserving natural reserves as well as preserving fish from extinction,” Mahdy said.

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Zambian model, Christina Sakala, dreams of appearing on cover of Vogue, Elle Magazines

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Zambian top fashion and runway model, Christina Sakala, says she has big dreams of appearing on the cover of international fashion magazines, Vogue and Elle, as that would be a “dream come true” for her.

The 24-year-old who has taken the south-central African country modelling industry by storm, has been the face of the Zambia Fashion Week from 2015 to date and has also participated in Swahili Fashion Week as well as other runway shows across the region.

She has also represented her country at fashion events in other parts of the world, notably her participation at Shanghai Black fashion week held in Shanghai, China, last year.

Sakala has won loads of laurels in her career, including being crowned as Top Model of the World Zambia 2015, Miss Globe Zambia 2017/18, Vodafone Jump Brand Ambassador, Mumba Children’s Project Brand
Ambassador and the Face of Lace by Mwengz.

Sakala who spoke of her dream of being one of the world’s top models on Friday with Zambian Monitor, said her road to the runway started when she was tricked into the sector by her boyfriend, but insisted she has had no regrets since then.

“I started modeling when my boyfriend at the time tricked me into auditioning,” she said.

“He said we were going on a date and I found myself at an audition. He had been trying to get me to start and I was just not interested.”

“So I guess that was his last resort. Now looking back I’m glad he did it.”

“There are so many people looking up to me, including myself and I cannot disappoint them. I know I’m a great model and one day I’ll put my country on the map.”

Thought Sakala has achieved so much in such a short period, she says her dream is to appear on the cover of the two international magazines, Vogue and Elle, as well as walk the runway at some of the biggest fashion shows in the world.

“I’m going to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine, Elle Magazine and all the big names. I’m going to walk for the biggest designers in the world and walk the biggest most glamorous shows in the world. Be the brand ambassadors for the biggest brands and names. I’m coming for it all,” she said.

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