Safaricom Unveils New Releases by Kenya Live Artistes

Nairobi, December 9, 2010..........Kenya's leading telecoms operator Safaricom has unveiled a collection of new releases by musicians under its KENYA LIVE music property.

The 8 songs, representing various genres, were introduced to the Kenyan market for the first time during an exclusive listening party held at the Sarit Centre on Thursday evening to an audience consisting of key decision makers in Kenya's music industry and the entertainment media. The function was held as part of the ongoing Kenya Music Week.

Among the musicians whose new, hot-off-the studio songs and other content premiered at the event were Jua Cali (featuring Double L), MOG, Redsan, Wyre, Eko Dydda, Allan Aaron and Wyre and JB Maina.

"We are glad to issue the first batch of good, quality music and other content produced under the KENYA LIVE banner. This is in line with our stated intention of supporting Kenyan music by providing our artists with a platform to create, perform, and market their productions," said Safaricom Head of Strategy and New Business Nzioka Waita.

KENYA LIVE, he added, was an integral part of Safaricom's strategy to drive Internet usage by populating it with more Kenyan content. The music and other collaterals produced under the property, which is a partnership with respected production house Homeboyz, will be marketed and sold under the firm's existing platforms and outlets, giving the musicians access to an enviable 17-million strong subscriber (audience) base.

These include web properties like the KENYA LIVE portal, SafaricomLIVE, Safaricom Shops, social media sites, Radio and TV, among others. The content will be available as MP3s; customized ringtones; customized SMS, Facebook, Twitter and E-mail alerts; Wall-papers and music videos.

Added Mr Waita: "I am glad that we are on track with the production schedules we drew up together with the artists and the fact that they have undertaken to go back to studio to produce more content is exciting. I congratulate the artists and Homeboyz for a job well done. I ask Kenyans to look out for more exciting productions.

Safaricom is in this for the long term."

The eagerly-awaited release marks the next phase in KENYA LIVE, a long-term partnership between Safaricom and Kenyan musicians launched in October this year whose end-game is to make the local music industry more professional and better paying for Kenyan musicians.

Apart from production of new songs, KENYA LIVE also includes two other key components: sizzling live concerts being held in major Kenyan towns and a music academy meant to grow the artists professionally and empower them to handle the challenges that come with their vocation.

Already, two such concerts have been successfully held in Bungoma (Western) and Mombasa (Coast), preceded by training of musicians in the popular KENYA LIVE academies. Budding musicians from these two regions have also had a chance to hone their skills, learn from their peers and established stars and perform on the big stage.

Nairobi, December 9, 2010..........Kenya's leading telecoms operator Safaricom has unveiled a collection of new releases by musicians under its KENYA LIVE music property.

The 8 songs, representing various genres, were introduced to the Kenyan market for the first time during an exclusive listening party held at the Sarit Centre on Thursday evening to an audience consisting of key decision makers in Kenya's music industry and the entertainment media. The function was held as part of the ongoing Kenya Music Week.

Among the musicians whose new, hot-off-the studio songs and other content premiered at the event were Jua Cali (featuring Double L), MOG, Redsan, Wyre, Eko Dydda, Allan Aaron and Wyre and JB Maina.

"We are glad to issue the first batch of good, quality music and other content produced under the KENYA LIVE banner. This is in line with our stated intention of supporting Kenyan music by providing our artists with a platform to create, perform, and market their productions," said Safaricom Head of Strategy and New Business Nzioka Waita.

KENYA LIVE, he added, was an integral part of Safaricom's strategy to drive Internet usage by populating it with more Kenyan content. The music and other collaterals produced under the property, which is a partnership with respected production house Homeboyz, will be marketed and sold under the firm's existing platforms and outlets, giving the musicians access to an enviable 17-million strong subscriber (audience) base.

These include web properties like the KENYA LIVE portal, SafaricomLIVE, Safaricom Shops, social media sites, Radio and TV, among others. The content will be available as MP3s; customized ringtones; customized SMS, Facebook, Twitter and E-mail alerts; Wall-papers and music videos.

Added Mr Waita: "I am glad that we are on track with the production schedules we drew up together with the artists and the fact that they have undertaken to go back to studio to produce more content is exciting. I congratulate the artists and Homeboyz for a job well done. I ask Kenyans to look out for more exciting productions.

Safaricom is in this for the long term."

The eagerly-awaited release marks the next phase in KENYA LIVE, a long-term partnership between Safaricom and Kenyan musicians launched in October this year whose end-game is to make the local music industry more professional and better paying for Kenyan musicians.

Apart from production of new songs, KENYA LIVE also includes two other key components: sizzling live concerts being held in major Kenyan towns and a music academy meant to grow the artists professionally and empower them to handle the challenges that come with their vocation.

Already, two such concerts have been successfully held in Bungoma (Western) and Mombasa (Coast), preceded by training of musicians in the popular KENYA LIVE academies. Budding musicians from these two regions have also had a chance to hone their skills, learn from their peers and established stars and perform on the big stage.