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Socialite Poshy Queen on why she broke up with Harmonize

Popular Tanzanian socialite Poshy Queen has revealed the reasons behind her split from Bongo Flava star singer Harmonize, barely a year after the couple started dating. Word of their split started circulating on social media after fans noticed the couple had unfollowed each other on Instagram and even deleted each other's photos from their feeds during happier times. While Harmonize confirmed that the two are no longer together, the singer explained that he has been very cautious about commenting on why they broke up for fear that his statement could be misinterpreted. "My silence on why we broke up is based on the fact that I am worried that my remarks will be misquoted to give various misinterpretations. So I choose not to comment out of the great respect I have for her family," Harmonize stated. Posh, who is a trained masseuse, also remained tight-lipped about the reasons that led to their split. "It's a long story, but in short, our time together had come to an end and so we mutually agreed to part ways amicably. It wasn't a bad breakup, it was just two people deciding to part ways in good faith because it wasn't working for either of us anymore," Posh opened up. Although the two celebrities remain tight-lipped about the reason for their split, a close source to the ex-couple claims that insecurities on Harmonize's part contributed to the split. "Harmonize was never comfortable watching Posh interact with other people, especially influential people in the showbiz industry when the couple was invited to events. Over time, Posh got tired of Harmonize's insecurities and policing behavior to the extent that she felt it was staining her relationship with other industry players and it became a problem for both of them." The source said. Some of Tanzania's influential entertainment figures who have been close to Posh include Diamond Platnumz's manager, SK Salaam who had a nasty fallout with Harmonize when he forced his way out of Wasafi record label as well as top media personalities.

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Lupita Nyong’o dating woes continue

Award-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o. FILE PHOTO | NATION

Acclaimed Kenyan Hollywood actress and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o has broken up with her boyfriend  Joshua Jackson barely a year after the couple began dating. Her confirmation comes just days after Jackson was recently spotted out with model Nastassja Roberts. Lupita confirmed  they had parted ways in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK "If I'm ever lucky enough to be in a romantic relationship again, it will be because of him (her cat Yoyo)." The actress claims she had given up on dating but it's Yoyo who gave her a reason to never give up on being in a relationship. "I was ready to close that door and lock and bolt it. He (Yoyo) made sure my heart stayed open," she said. Lupita's comments come two weeks after Joshua sparked split speculation when he was spotted in New York City with Ms Roberts. Lupita adopted Yoyo from the Best Friends Animal Society in October 2023, the same month she and Joshua were spotted together at a Janelle Monáe concert in Los Angeles while both were dealing with simultaneous public breakups. A few months later, the couple seemingly confirmed their relationship with a PDA-packed trip to Mexico, where they were photographed holding hands and kissing while celebrating Lupita's 41st birthday. At the time, fans began celebrating Lupita and Joshua as the newest Hollywood couple on the scene. And even Joshua's ex, Jodie Turner-Smith, weighed in on the apparent relationship, giving the couple her blessing in an interview with The Cut. "Good for them. We need happiness to co-parent peacefully," Jodie told the outlet in June, referring to her and Joshua's 4-year-old daughter. "I hope they're happy and that it benefits us as a family." As for Lupita, before her romance with Joshua, she dated sports commentator Selema Masekela for about a year before announcing their breakup. "It is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly distance myself from someone I can no longer trust," she shared in an Instagram Story in October 2023. "I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love that was suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception."And while she doesn't regret sharing her feelings, Lupita now wants to move forward and keep her relationships - breakups and otherwise - out of the spotlight. "It's hard enough to go through heartbreak in private," she noted."When the world has an image of you about someone else, it prolongs the healing process because the memory is emblazoned in public."

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How ‘Momo’ hit changed the life of plus-size video vixen Janet Wambui

Janet Wambui, popularly known as Wambui Momo, was in a toxic marriage before her life changed for the better when she rose to fame through the song Momo by the late Mugithi star singer Murimi wa Kahalf. When Ms Wambui was contacted by Murimi Wa Kahalf to feature as a video vixen on the hit song released in 2011 Momo (plus-sized woman), she was unsure of what reaction she would receive from the public.  Nonetheless, she went on to feature on the song which turned out to be a hit transforming her into a celebrity. Despite the trolls and bullying she has had to endure for being a plus-size woman by the public, Wambui Momo says, the fame turned out to be a major blessing in her life that saw her secure a job at the office of the embattled deputy president Riggy G. "It's a big deal to work at the DP office. God is amazing," Wambui Momo said in a recent YouTube interview. Wambui accompanies Hon. Rigathi Gachagua a.k.a. Riggy G. as a protocol officer, where her main role is to usher in dignitaries and other VIP officials. The song exposed her, boosted her self-confidence, and not only earned her a living but also nurtured an acting career in her. "The publicity also got me a slot on Papa Shirandula's show, Hullabaloo Estate on Maisha Magic, Njoro wa Uba and Vitimbi. Comedians Eric Omondi and Desagu featured me in their YouTube videos. The song got me on a plane for the first time. We flew to Mombasa. We were also supposed to fly to the UK just before Murimi Wa  Kahalf died. My life changed because of Murimi wa Kahalf," she maintains. In the interview, Wambui narrates that when the famous Kikuyu secular musician, was planning a video shoot for the hit song, he had a big challenge in getting a vixen to play the role. He had promised his friends Sh5,000 to whoever could bring him the perfect person for the video until a friend introduced him to Janet Wambui. . Soon after the song was released, the duo became the talk of the town. It was an instant hit, earning them gigs at top events, media houses, and road shows. Despite the fame, the 41-year-old mother of two confesses that she has had to fight a lot of challenges to get to where she is. Her marriage which she describes as toxic had just collapsed when Murimi showed up. "He came at the right time because when he approached me my marriage had just ended and I was in a state of quagmire," she says. Wambui further reveals that her friendship with Riggy G started before the second in command got the top seat. "In 2013, when Uhuru Kenyatta was campaigning for the top seat in Nyahururu, Wa Kahalf, his band and I crashed the event. Fans started shouting my nickname, prompting Uhuru to invite us on stage to perform. Enthused by our performance, he gave us Sh50,000. From there, we started meeting and interacting with politicians, including Riggy G, who offered me a job 10 years later," she says. Although life is good, Wambui says she still faces drawbacks, as she continues to be a victim of curious onlookers and unfair judgments, but that hasn't deflated her or lowered her self-esteem. "I have gotten used to it. In matatus, I pay for two seats. At a dowry event, I was given a table to sit on which I happily accepted because I could have smashed the plastic seat to pieces," she chuckles.

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Rigo Diaz is the winner of the nationwide graffiti talent search

Graffiti artist Rigo Diaz is the winner of Chrome's Graffiti Talent Search. Chrome announced the winner after beating four other finalists, including first runner-up Ole Tipat, who also captivated the audience with his unique artistic flair inspired by his Maasai community as well as themes of nature and urban culture. Diaz's design, inspired by the resilience of Nairobi's streets, captured the public's imagination, garnering 6,528 votes on Facebook and Instagram. Ole Tipat received 5,878 votes. The win puts Diaz on the path to creating a design for Chrome's iconic matatus (nganyas) as part of Chrome's Honour the Streets campaign. The Honour The Streets campaign invited artists to submit their graffiti designs, along with their neighborhoods and personal stories, for a chance to see their work featured on Chrome's iconic matatus. "By involving local graffiti artists in our campaign, we are not just designing a vehicle, we are creating a canvas that celebrates the creativity and spirit of Kenyan communities," said Lilian Mbugua, Brand Manager for Chrome. Graffiti has become an important part of Kenya's street culture. When it launched the competition two months ago, Chrome said it wanted to promote local talent while celebrating the creative energy of Kenya's neighborhoods. "Street art reflects the heartbeat of urban Kenyan life and this competition highlights the importance of street culture in amplifying the voices of our youth," said Ms Mbugua. Other finalists, who impressed with their artistic designs include Wama Gafrika. Gafrika's geometric designs combined natural and urban elements, depicting the duality of Kenya's fast-paced urban life and tranquil surroundings. Blessing Eboya, who came fourth, paid tribute to Kisumu and Lake Victoria, reflecting the energy and trading history of his city. Rounding out the top five was Phunk Bantu, whose raw, gritty style told a story of survival and community in Dandora, illustrating the challenges and triumphs of his neighborhood.

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Brian Mutinda goes to High Court challenging Nonini’s Sh4 million copyright award

Content creator Brian Mutinda has appealed to the High Court against a Milimani Chief Magistrate's Court ruling last month awarding rapper Hubert Nonini' Nakitare Sh4 million in a copyright infringement case. Chief Magistrate Hosea Ngángá awarded Nonini the millions as compensation after finding Mr Mutinda and Syinix Electronics Ltd guilty of using his song 'Wee Kamu' in an online advertisement without the rapper's consent. However, in his appeal filed by his lawyers in the High Court on 3 October 2024, Mr Mutinda says he is aggrieved by the entire judgment, citing 12 grounds, including the decision to award the Sh4 million. "The learned magistrate erred in law and fact by awarding the plaintiff general damages in the sum of Ksh4,000,000 without the plaintiff (Nonini) adducing any evidence of damages as a result of the infringement."  Mr Mutinda says in court papers. Mr Ng'ang'a had initially awarded Nonini Ksh1 million in damages in a ruling on March 23, which was set aside after Mutinda appealed. Mr Mutinda persuaded the court to overturn the judgment, arguing that he had not been given a chance to present his side of the story. In his appeal, he blamed his previous lawyers for failing to present his defense. The court allowed Mr. Mutinda to re-file his defense, which was taken into account by the Chief Magistrate when he issued a new judgment awarding Nonini Sh4 million in damages, overturning the original Sh1 million. This decision is another ground on which Mr Mutinda is appealing the judgment. "The learned magistrate erred in law and fact by increasing the original amount of damages awarded by him after a formal hearing of evidence from Ksh1,000,000 to Ksh4,000,000 after an inter partes hearing without any additional evidence being adduced by the plaintiff," Mr. Mutinda argues in court papers. In reaching his decision, Chief Magistrate Nga'ng'a stated that the issues to be determined were who owns the copyright to the music that the plaintiff claimed was infringed. Second, who published the video that the plaintiff claimed infringed the copyright? And three is the question of the synchronization license and what the plaintiff's rights are. "On the first issue, I find that the plaintiff is the copyright owner of the song in question. On the second issue, the evidence showed that the video was posted by the second defendant (Syinix Electronics Ltd). The first defendant failed to produce any contract between it and the second defendant to show that it was only contracted to provide a raw video without the musical content or soundtrack," Ng'ang'a said. "Further, the first defendant has failed to produce the raw video that it provided to the second defendant as evidence that it was not privy to the allegations of infringement of the plaintiff's copyrighted song. I find that it was the first defendant who created the video and the first and second defendants who published it." Read part of the judgment.

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