Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Najib Balala, has defended the decision to name British model and actress, Naomi Campbell, as the country’s international tourism ambassador, saying actress Lupita Nyong’o had been unreachable for the last five years.

Nyong’o, a Kenyan and Hollywood actress, in a reaction posted a photo of herself laughing on Twitter with the message: “Me when I hear the Kenya Ministry of Tourism has been looking for me for five years.”

The post was accompanied by hashtags with the phrases: “I am right here baby” and “alternative facts”.

Last week, Balala had named Campbell has Kenya’s international tourism ambassador. The announcement did not go down well with many Kenyans who questioned the minister’s decision to snub Nyong’o for the role.

In defending the decision, Balala said the Kenyan Oscar-winning actress had been unreachable for the last five years.

Balala said Campbell had taken up the role pro bono and that the government was working on the details on how to use her influence to promote tourism.

Ghanaian rap icon Sarkodie has bagged a nomination for the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA).

The super talented rapper was nominated in the Listeners’ Choice Award category.
Sarkodie will at the virtual show on February 20 in Kampala, Uganda. face competition from nineteen (19) other talents from eighteen (18) countries across the continent.

Other nominees include Anna Joyce (Angola), AsaphAfrika (Zimbabwe), Dagi D (Ethiopia), DBNGOGO & DJ Dinho (South Africa), Didi B (Cote D’Ivoire), Drizilik (Sierra Leone), Focalistic (South Africa), Khaligraph Jones (Kenya), Locko (Cameroon).

The rest are Malome Vector (Lesotho), Meddy (Rwanda), Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt), Ngaaka Blindé (Senegal), Pallaso, (Uganda), Rayvanny (Tanzania), Shirazee (Benin), DJ Slick Stuart, DjRoja_ (Uganda), Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria) and Tiwa Savage (Nigeria).

The MAMA Awards is an award that celebrates local African and international talent and achievement. MAMA 2021, in partnership with Uganda, The Pearl of Africa, recognizes and rewards musicians, trailblazers and those who are shining a light on the continent’s diverse talent and creativity by instilling positive impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The awards ceremony will feature vibrant performances from leading African and international artists and will also showcase some of the biggest cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.

This year’s award will celebrate African talent across 20 award categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Song, and Best Collaboration. The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognized in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. Additional new categories included are the MAMA Generation Change Award, Best Fan Base, Alone Together Best Lock-down Performance and Personality of the Year. These new categories seek to demonstrate MTV Base’s commitment to supporting the youth of Africa.

The MAMA Generation Change Award will recognize the inspiring, young change makers of the continent who are tackling some of the world’s most challenging social problems. The Alone Together Best Lock-down Performance recognizes outstanding performances that took place virtually by celebrating artists who took to streaming services to share their music and unite society during the unprecedented 2020 Lockdown.

Mavin Records, also known as the Supreme Mavin Dynasty, founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy has welcomed a new addition to the label. This new addition is an eighteen year old female called, Ayra Starr.

Don Jazzy made the announcement of the new addition with a captivating introductory video of the young lady, Ayra Starr singing.
This is the third female artiste signed the label after Tiwa Savage and D’ija
Ayra Starr’s future in the music industry looks promising just by being signed under one of Nigeria’s top music label, Mavin Records.

The record label boss, Don Jazzy, made the announcement via his Instagram handle on January 21, 2020 where he shared a rather intriguing introductory video of the 18-year-old talent.
Don Jazzy in the post described her as an all-round superstar whose soulful voice has made him able to see the world from a teenager’s perspective.

In his words:
“Last year I met the most incredible 18 year old girl, her name is @AyraStarr. Through her lyrics guided by her soulful voice I am able to see the world from a teenagers point of view. Ayra is not just an amazing artist, she is an all round superstar. It’s been a fantastic experience working behind the scene for over a year and we at Mavin Global are super proud to present to the world today #AyraStarr.”

A visit to the singer’s Instagram page shows beautiful photos and six videos of her singing – two of which are original songs written by her.
Mavin Records is home to recording artists such as Korede Bello, Dr SID, D’Prince, Di’Ja, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, DNA Twins, Rema and Crayon. It also houses producers such as Jazzy himself, Altims and Baby Fresh. In 2014, DJ Big N became the label’s official disc jockey. Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Reekado Banks and Iyanya were all formerly signed to the label.

One of the achievements of the Record label is Rema, who at the age of 19, On 19 October 2019, Rema won Next Rated and was nominated for Viewer’s Choice at the 13th edition of The Headies. On 12 January 2020, he received the Soundcity MVP for best new artist. On 15 June 2020, Rema was nominated as Best Viewers Choice: International Act on the 2020 BET Awards. He was nominated on the awards alongside Burna Boy and Wizkid, they were the only Nigerian Artistes nominated for the awards edition of 2020