Original Programming!

Swahili for “music is…,” Muziki Ni is a music video series featuring prominent and up-and-coming artists of all genres and from across the continent who serve as hosts for their own music videos.

Muziki Ni: Radio & Weasel (Uganda)

Profiles Ugandan hip hop duo, Radio and Weasel, through their music and videos.

Muziki Ni: Reggie Rockstone (Ghana)

Award-winning Ghanaian rapper, Reggie Rockstone, gives us a glimpse into his life, his music, and the art form he helped to pioneer known as hip-life.

Muziki Ni: Cherine (Jamaica)

Jamaica’s sultry singer transitioned from acting in film opposite Idris Elba and Ky-Mani Marley to a career as an R&B, soul & hip hop artist opening for John Mayer and Wyclef Jean and collaborating with Madonna, Britney Spears and Sir Paul McCartney.

Muziki Ni: Toniks (Uganda)

“Listeners Choice Award” winner at the 1st MTV Africa Music Awards, the Ugandan Afro Pop/R&B artist has performed with Nigeria’s P-Square and Jamaica’s Beanie Man and Sean Kingston and enjoys a growing following throughout Africa.

Muziki Ni: Vampino (Uganda)

Vampino kicks off The Africa Channel’s new Music Video series, Muziki Ni. With the given name Elvis Kirya, and two musician-brothers, Maurice and Saba Saba, Vampino was destined for a career in music. The Ugandan native displays his talent and his moves while describing the arc his life has taken, from performing as a duo with Ugandan music producer Benon, to his current solo career.

Muziki Ni: Gazza (Namibia)

Nicknamed Gazza after English soccer player Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne, the Namibian musician was attracted to the Johannesburg-inspired Kwaito music, described by American producer Diplo as “slowed-down garage music.” Incorporating his version of hip hop with a house style melody, Gazza presents a unique brand of African music in his songs and videos.

Muziki Ni: Rocky Dawuni (Ghana)

Ghanaian artist Rocky Dawuni displays his Global Roots style through his music and music videos. This champion of social causes has released five albums, delighting fans with his dance-inducing grooves and fusions of reggae, soul and traditional African rhythms.

Muziki Ni: Cindy (Uganda)

Ugandan singer Cinderella (Cindy) Sanyu says she would be a dancer if her career as a singer hadn’t taken off. One of seven siblings, the singer writes and co-produces her own music, and in this episode Cindy shares her music videos and the inspiration behind them.

Muziki Ni: Navio (Uganda)

After earning a degree in communications at Monash University in South Africa, Ugandan hip hop heavyweight Navio blasted his way into the music scene, earning top honors at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards for Best Hip Hop Artist, and nominations for Best Male Artist and Best Music Video at Kenya’s Kisima Awards. Navio shares the stories behind his music and music videos.

Muziki Ni: Ce’Cile (Jamaica)

Self proclaimed Caribbean Queen Ce’Cile has taken traditional reggae in a new direction, fusing it with her own dance hall style of music. Lyrical vocals complemented by sexy moves make her music videos hard to take your eyes off. In addition to being a favored artist across the West Indies, Ce’Cile enjoys a strong following in Germany and Japan since the release of her first album, Bad Gyal.

Muziki Ni: Freddie McGregor (Jamaica)

Self-proclaimed Big Ship Captain, Jamaican Reggae artist Freddie McGregor invites us into his Kingston hilltop home and shares the inspiration for his music and music videos. The Grammy-nominated Rastafarian performer describes the evolution of his music, from ska and rocksteady to the popular roots reggae and lover’s rock made famous in such songs as “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely.”

Muziki Ni: Kanja Muchoki (Kenya)

Kenyan artist Kanja Muchoki was “discovered” at the University of Hampton in the UK while performing at the campus’s popular Freestyle Fridays. Management from a US-based entertainment network liked his unique style infused with lyrics written in Kikuyu, a native language of Kenya, and signed him to appear on their television show. Kanja describes this as his breakthrough moment. The Performing Arts graduate shares the hip hop and R&B styles that shape his music and music videos.

Muziki Ni: Jay Ghartey

Growing up in the US and Ghana, Jay Ghartey describes his style of music as Urban poplife. The Ghanaian American studied music with his grandmother in Ghana and developed a unique blend of R&B, hip hop and highlife. Ghartey’s first single, “My Lady,” won Best Male Video at the 2010 Ghana Music Video Awards. He shares his early successes and latest work in this episode of Muziki Ni.

Muziki Ni: Keko (Uganda)

Ugandan rapper Keko became an overnight success in East Africa after the release of her single “How We Do It.” The Ugandan chart topper talks about her success, her music videos and why she loves Africa.

Muziki Ni: Jackie Chandiru (Uganda)

Ugandan R&B singer Jackie Chandiru is considered one of Uganda’s leading female vocalists. Her music career soared after emerging as one of the winners of the Coca-Cola Popstars competition. She helped form Africa girl band Blu 3 before going solo. Jackie talks about her life, her videos and her career as a solo artist.

Muziki Ni: Lira (South Africa)

South African artist Lira is a multi-platinum and award-winning Afro-Soul vocalist. Her music is a combination of soul and funk, with elements of jazz and African. She has performed at major events, including Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday celebration, FIFA’s World Cup Kick Off Concert, and Italy’s Taormina Film Festival, where she became the first African performer to grace the Teatro Del Greco stage since Miriam Makeba in the 60s. The beautiful performer talks about her award-winning music and how her sound is now capturing American audiences.

Muziki Ni: EL (Ghana)

Ghanaian urban hip-hop artist EL is an award-winning record producer, rapper and sound engineer.  Though he says he produces music for his fans, not awards, EL won the Africa Movie Academy’s award for Best Soundtrack for A Sting in a Tale, the feature film presented here on The Africa Channel.  EL has also produced hit songs for hip-hop, hip life and R&B performers Sarkodie, DBLACK and Reggie Rockstone.

Muziki Ni: Kae Sun (Ghana)

Ghanaian singer-songwriter Kae Sun talks about his videos and his unique style of music known as “urban folk.”  A graduate of Accra’s prestigious Achimota School, where Kwame Nkrumah was educated, Kae resides in Canada, producing a variety of music videos featuring soul, folk and hip hop.

Muziki Ni: 4X4 (Ghana)

Never afraid to strut their stuff, Ghanaian hip-life trio 4X4 show off their most elaborate music videos to date, blending hip hop and dancehall for a sound and look all their own.  Pronounced “4-ex-4,” the group is known for enthusing pride in their country and serving as inspiration to the youth of Ghana.

Muziki Ni: Alison Hinds (Barbados)

Bajan, the term used for a person from Barbados, and “Queen of SOCA” singer Alison Hinds talks about her passion for music, her videos and visiting L.A.  Her collaboration (and friendship) with Jamaican musician Shaggy results in a surprise appearance!

Muziki Ni: Rafiya (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Her Congolese parents and diplomat father traveled throughout Africa, raising Rafiya in countries where she would soak up the variety of music each had to offer, enriching her own sound.  Today, the Afro-Soul singer and songwriter writes and performs in English and French, and her positive perspective on life shines through in her music videos and performances.

Muziki Ni: M.anifest (Ghana)

The music of Ghanaian indie rapper M.anifest is fierce and unapologetic hip hop rooted in Afrobeat and Highlife music.  M.anifest shares intimate moments of his life and new album, Immigrant Chronicles.

Muziki Ni: DBLACK

Hip hop artist DBLACK talks about growing up in Ghana in difficult circumstances and motivating himself to make great music.  Introducing his edgy videos, the African talent’s goal is to put Ghanaian hip hop music on the international platform.