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April 28, 2009.
Destra Garcia, "The Queen of Soca", launches New Album in New York City
By: Shellena Lee, King Leo Promotions.
HOTT is the one word to describe Destra’s album release party at SOB in NYC. Shellena Lee,
VP of Marketing for King Leo Promotions was there to cover it all. SOB’s was full to maximum capacity on what I would say
was the first beautiful spring evening of 2009. From the time the soca diva hit the stage the entire audience got totally out
of control with excitement and appreciation for Ms. Garcia. Always thinking of her fans Destra performed all her hits like
Carnival, Trample It and I Dare You..
Destra Garcia 
In a previous interview with RHONA FOX INC, Destra stated “I’m really excited about the launch of my sixth album, HOTT in
New York. I haven’t been there in a while and I feel a bit out of touch with my fans there, I am therefore totally ecstatic about
seeing and performing for them.” In a back stage interview with the soca diva, she stated that “This was my best New York
performance ever, I loved it”. There were over 300 fans outside of SOB’s that were unable to make it into the show. Destra,
being an artist who believes in fan appreciation artist also had a statement for her disappointed fans “I apologize to my fans
that were unable to make it into the show due to the total number of pre-sale tickets being sold out for the performance.
Destra fans, make sure you purchase your tickets in advance for her next performance on May 22, 2009 at Club Tobago, in
Queens, NY, or you can catch her at Best of the Best in Miami on May 24th. The most humble artist also wanted to thank,
Upscale Crowd, RHONA FOX INC, Caribbean Fuse, Trace TV, her body guards, her dancers and of course her fan for all the
support on this new album.
When asked what was the best part of the performance her answer was “When one of my fans got
on stage and sang to me, to show how much he loved the show”. There is no doubt about it Destra loves NY and NY loves
her right back.
Destra Garcia Website
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April 28, 2009.
"Agenze" single by Bebe Cool causing controversy?
By: Cindy Tshola
When Mick Jagger sang about sex, drugs and rock and roll, nobody doubted his credibility.
When Johnny Cash sang “Walk The Line,” people knew he’d had trouble walkin’ one. And when Emmylou Harris sang
about heartbreak, audiences felt her ache. Authentic artists share a gift for communicating truth; truth mined from their
own life experiences and expertly spun into three-minute, melodic vignettes (Source: http://www.myspace.com/joeyandrory).
 Bebe Cool
When Bebe Cool sang “Agenze”, a song about his marital troubles when Zuena left him, some artists whose names I
hesitate to mention attacked him for putting his “private matters” in music. If it was someone else who sung about their
life that would be intrusion but if the man decided to grab his guitar and records a song which in my opinion is a hit, I
guess we leave it to him and his estranged wife. Let’s face it, there are so many artists who sing about real life experiences
but what makes Bebe Cool and Zuena unique is that the "Bafudde" superstar boasts so much about his “beautiful” wife
and his affairs are
more or less public domain. I doubt there are many people out there that know Bebe Cool but have not heard about,
let alone know Zuena. Take an example of the highly dramatized R Kelly’s “In The Closet” which is based on a theme
millions of people experience at least once in a life time (cheating or being cheated on); Over 4 million views on
youtube, 20,000 ratings and over 10,000 comments! The bottom line is that the best way to get into people’s hearts
is singing about life experiences they can relate to. Bebe Cool took a bold step and put his real life experience in this
song “Agenze”.
Lots of time we flock the movie theaters because the movie is based on a true
story. True story: because it happened to someone in real life. In addition, these days reality shows are commonplace.
In my opinion, this song “Agenze” is a virgin manifestation of the man’s state of the heart affairs. After all even Zuena
knew very well that the man is an artist. I hope the critics realize that as an artist, he decided to deal with the situation
that way and I bet this song
might become the standard for lots of men out there who lose their loved ones due rumors surrounding their
relationships! From a stand-point of a listener, I watch out for a few of these things in a song:
Is the song meaningful?
Does it have a good melody?
Would I listen to it again and again or is it disposable?
I think the song passes these simple tests and is likely to be here for a long time!
Finally, I am not personally a big fan of Bebe Cool but I think he deserved respect for putting his emotions in this wonderful
song. Besides, the man commands a huge following in Uganda, East Africa and beyond. The future will tell whether the man
is taking his career to the next level or songs like this one take him down.
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The Gator Nation gets a big treat at the Bela Fleck African music project perfomance.
April 06, 2009.
By Admin.
Remember Paul Simon and Harry Belafonte when they put together African artists and they helped to introduce artists
like Mariam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Lady Smith Black Mambazo to the American audience? There is a new American artist
on the loose again. This time it is Bela Fleck. Bela Fleck, who is a re-known American Banjo player has succeeded in marrying
Blue Grass with African roots music. It is believed that the design ideas of the Banjo instrument which is now synonymous
with Blue Grass has origins from Africa. In 2005, Bela traveled to Africa visiting countries like Mali, Gambia, Uganda and
Tanzania on a very ambitious project where he went to seek the roots of the Banjo. On this tour, he performed with various
African artists and what culminated from that was the album "Throw Down Your Heart" and now the current
project harvest in performances that will awe you. According to Bela's web page, they had a pretty good start in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts with a sold out show at the Colonial Theater. On Sunday April 5, 2009, Bela and his select group, performed
to the Gator Nation in a well attended show at Phelps Center for Performing Arts in the heart of
Gainesville, Florida. He eas ily blended the tunes with traditional African music as he played his banjo along the thumb piano of Anania
Ngoliga from Tanzania. Although Anania, is blind that should not fool you, the man can make incredible sounds with this little
local piano. The Tanzanian duo (Anania Ngoliga and John Kitime) entertained the Gator Nation at the Phelps Center with their
guitar and Ilimba, punctuated with Swahili chants. They were later joined by Bela with his Banjo performance. Their
performance was followed by an incredibly talented D'Gary from Madagascar. D'Gary who performed with his colleague
Mario put together a
wonderful show just before the intermission. The next session was started by Vusi Mahsela who stole the show and his energy
seemed to have such a strong grip on the audience. Vusi was the day's favorite. He started by introducing himself with
probably the longest name in African history. He then went on to play his guitar so skilfully. Vusi is a big entertainer and he is
blessed with like 100 voices which he gracefully uses to amuse and charm the audience. It was even breath-taking to see
the old man pulling dance steps that mesmerized the audience. Vusi explained his musical journey that included his activist
days when he was picked up several times by Apartheid police for his anti-apartheid music. He narrated when his grand-mother
blatantly told the police "Vusi is here, and this time you are not taking him. Your sons are sleeping peacefully in your
homes while you are harassing our sons. I have a bowl of boiling water, the first one to come in gets it!" They walked away.
The best is when he played "when you come back" from the Amandla album. After Vusi then came Toumani Diabate the
Kora master. Toumani Diabate who started playing the Kora at the age of 5 is clearly in tune with his instrument. Diabate
has a long family history of playing the Kora that has been passed on from generation to generation. My hat goes off for
Toumani, who along with Ali Farka Toure took home the 2006 Grammy with their duet album "In the Heart of the Moon". Last year his
album "The Mande Variations" was nominated for Grammy Awards which eventually went to Lady Smith Black Mabazo. The
one man with his 21 string harp can create incredible sounds that can make you think it is a full 10 man band. Toumani
took off some time to describe
the Kora which is played using one four fingers. After listening to Diabate play the Kora you can't help but notice that the
Kora holds a prime place as one the world's top notch instruments.  This instrument which has a gourd base has sharp distinct notes and a very serious baseline. He really makes
playing the Kora look easy and fun, but wait until you play it yourself, we will see about the easy part of it! Anania, D'Gary,
Vusi and Toumani each played alone and later with Bela Fleck. On some occasions he was accompanied by his bluegrass
fiddler Casey Driessen. The highlight of the performance is when all the artists came together to put together the greatest
sounds with Vusi leading the vocal of his popular hit "when you come back". That was real exchange of marriage
vows between blue grass and African roots music or suffice it to say the real trace of the banjo to African roots! The meet
and greet was another moment. You could see the love and respect the people have for Bela and the artists he brought
together. Matter of fact the artists were there for the fans til the last man! Many people got moments to take a photo with
any of them and of course the autographs. One gentleman got it right when he bought a T-shirt and had it autographed
right there! Overall, the performances were breath-taking thereafter an exemplary show of respect by the artists to their
fans.
You too can catch more of these memorable performances in your home town.
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Here are the tour dates:
April 7, 2009: Duke University, Durhan, North Carolina.
April 8, 2009: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee.
April 9, 2009: State Theatre, Fall Church, Virginia.
April 10, 2009: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
April 11, 2009: Zeiterion Theatre, New Bedford, MA.
More information is available at:
Bela Fleck Africa Project
Vusi Mahlsela
Toumani Diabate |
March 05, 2009.
For the artists that feel larger than life, may be Ky-mani will change their attitude! Big up who fi get big up! Ky-mani Marley that's you
By: Shilo Evans, Til Shilo Productions.
Friday February 27, 2009 at Club Dolce in Miami Beach was a very eventful one on all levels. There were shows and parties, dinners and movies.
From the fabulously festive to the humble and homely. I got no rest. None...but it was all worth it.
 Ky-mani Marley
Deep Discounts at the "Open Box" Center at B&H Photo and Electronics
Ky-mani has fans all over the world, and many of them flew in just to show
love to this man. Why? Let me tell you why. Ky-mani is a people person. He is far from perfect as we all are...but he is
a loving man with a great big heart. I watched the shotta running back and forth from floor to floor greeting all his fans and friends.
He took pictures with everyone who asked...and he danced and made time for every question.
I sat upstairs at one point looking at him...you could see the exhaustion on his face. That didn't
stop him. One girl came to me with tears in her eyes and said, 'oh my GOD Ms Shilo, I went to
say hi to Ky-mani and he knew my name from MySpace'. See, that kinda thing is what makes Ky-mani stand
out from many other 'artists'.
You have to remember that music is healing. If you are an 'artist', you play a vital role in this ting.
Your job is not only to entertain, but to educate and uplift. It's not to floss and show off. You're
better than no one, Your public made you. We can break you. If you are not ready for the responsibility, find a job at the mall or
something. A great many people out here are suffering. If someone should pick up your
cd when they're feeling hurt and lost and your music soothes them...stops them from falling over the edge...then
the least you as an 'artist' can do is not shatter that image they have of you. Nuff cd get bruk up
and dash whe more time because reality set in with the fans.
I saw rappers show more love to us than our own people this weekend. How does that work? Like I said, big up who fi get big up.
I choose to big up Ky-mani Marley. If there was a 'from the people' prize...you Ky-mani would have that seal up
long time. I quote 'artist' because that term is overused.
*To the media*
If you ever have to work too hard, go through hoops, get disrespected, or made to feel like an artist is
doing you a favor by granting you an interview...please...mek it gwaan. Don't do it. Bun dat.
Media serves a vital role. Watch out for the 'artist' dem and the publicists and managers who only link when dem have new cd fi promote.
Don't be used. We're all in this thing together. Also...if an 'artist' hot and think his/her self too hot for your
publication...don't sweat it. Time longer than rope. When dem pop dung dem wi find yu. I hope you know
what to do then.
If 'show love' time can't be made for the people
who is paying the
'artists' bills, then something need fi sort out...and quick.
*Fans*
If you get any form of disrespect from any 'artist'...write bout it. Yeah mi know 'artist' run up inna all types of crazies and groupies more
time, but for the most part...fans adore these 'artists' and just want to have that photo...that autograph...that hand shake...whatever!
*Managers* I completely understand that an 'artist' need to focus before going on
stage...that's why you need to sort out what happens when. If 'show love' time can't be made for the people
who is paying the 'artists' bills, then something need fi sort out...and quick.
*Mi Dun*
Going to go dissect some of these songs that some of these 'artists' write, record and perform, No truth behind some a dem.
What a shame!
Ky-mani Marley Website
Tilo Shilo Productions
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February 17, 2009.
Juliana Kanyomozi sings out her heart in Amsterdam
By: Michael Kintu, Amsterdam Netherlands & Admin.
The 2008 winner for the Pearl of Africa Music artist of the year, proves her worth during her Amsterdam Valentines concert February 14, 2009. In 2004, this female crooner took home the best R&B artist category at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards). In 2005 she won the best R&B artist and best R&B single categories at the PAM Awards. In 2008, she beat hands-down her male competitors including Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool and Geoffrey Lutaaya. In total, Juliana scooped three PAM awards including Best R&B Artist and Best Female Artist.
Juliana´s Valentines' Day concert in Amsterdam was indeed a night to remember! Juliana who was flown in directly from Uganda could not believe it when she realized how popular she is in Amsterdam. She delivered to her fans nothing less than what you would expect from Juliana. Her fan went crazy when she stormed to the stage clad in a black suit. As she showcased her unique vocal ability, almost everybody in the hall was singing along, while many were trying to reach her. She sung out her heart to all the Valentine lovers that showed up for the concert!
 Juliana and Aloysius Bbaale
Juliana started the show with Nkyanoonya then played almost eight songs non-stop before going for a break. Sylivia Namutebi came back followed by Aloysius Bbaale who sung Maria along with beautiful Ugandan dancers also from Munich. He ended his stint with his popular Salsa song, Twazinanga Twist. Juliana came back on stage again singing 6 songs nonestop ending up with "Kibaluma!"
The croud went mad with "Kibaluma!" everybody was singing, shouting, dancing, and they asked her
for an encore of this song, which she didn´t!
Unfotunately that marked the end of the Concert!
After that, several fans waited to have their CDs autographed by Juliana, a process that took almost an hour before she left for her hotel.
Summarily, it was one of the most joyful days Amsterdam has ever had.
Western Digital 160GB My Passport Essential Portable USB 2.0 Hard Drive, only $59.95 plus Free Shipping
Juliana scheduled to perform February 21, 2009 in Stockholm Sweden.
Venue: Club Redline, Sätra centrum, Sätratorg 20.
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February 8, 2009.
Winners of the 51st Annual Grammy
By: Admin.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa which was founded by Joseph Shabalala continues to churn out Grammy worthy albums. In 2007, Long walk to freedom received to grammy nomination. Luck again came their way when their most recent album Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu was announced winner for the Best Traditional World Music Album category.
February 1, 2009.
African artists who made it on the 51st Annual Grammy Nominees List
By: Admin.
Best Traditional World Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental)
The African musicians nominated in this category are:
Toumani Diabaté -
The Mandé Variations; Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu.
Remember, Soweto Gospel Choir took this award last year.
Best Contemporary World Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental)
Youssou N'Dour - Rokku Mi Rokka (Give And Take); Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain,
Sikiru Adepoju & Giovanni Hidalgo - Global Drum Project; Soweto Gospel Choir -
Live At The Nelson Mandela Theater. The winning album for this category in 2008 was Djin Djin - Angelique Kidjo.
Best Reggae Album (Vocal or Instrumental)
Stephen Marley, the 2008 winner for the reggae category did not make it to the
list this year but three of his competitors for 2008 (Burning Spear, Lee "Scratch" Perry
and Sly & Robbie) were again nominated and stand a chance to win this year's Grammy.
The 2009 Nominees are:
Burning Spear - Jah Is Real; Elephant Man - Let's Get Physical; Heavy D - Vibes;
Lee "Scratch" Perry - Repentance; Shaggy - Intoxication; Sly & Robbie - Amazing
Watch this space for the results of the awards. Unfortunately these categories
are not televised live. However to watch the rest of the awards show, you can tune in to CBS,
Sunday February 8, 2009 8:00 pm Eastern.
Kora Awards Hopefuls to wait for next year!
By: Admin.
December 6, 2008.
Due to disagreements related where the Kora awards should be held, the nominees may have to wait for their chance
to snatch the $ 1M Kora African music award until the wrangles are resolved. The organizers had signed a five year contract
to hold the awards in Tinapa, Cross River State Nigeria. This would
mark the first time the Kora awards are held outside South Africa. The organizers decided to move the awards to Lagos city.
The Cross State officials managed to stop the organizers from
moving the event to Lagos city, consequently forcing the orginizers to procrastinate the event until sometime next year.
The good news is that The First Bank plc, can continue to generate interest on the award but the bad news would be if the "hopeful artists" had already taken credit hoping to pay back
when they win the award! Unfortunately, the award anxiety will go on until next year when a winner is announced.
Winners: MTV Base Africa, Mama African Music Awards 2008.
By: Admin.
November 23, 2008.
Africa's most populated country (Nigeria) dominates the first ever MTV Mama Awards,
with D'banj continuing to rule the African music arena. D'banj beat Kenyan Jua Cali, fellow
Nigerian Tuface Idibia and South Africa's DJ Cleo and HHP to clinch the best artist of the year spot at the
award ceremony that took place in Abuja this past weekend.
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Artist of the year 2008: D'banj (Nig)
Best Video of the year: Wind Am Well - Ikechukwu (Nig)
Best female artist: Wahu (Ken)
Best male artist: D'banj (Nig)
Best New Artist: Naeto C (Nig)
Best Hip-hop Artist: 9ICE (Nig)
Best Group: P-Square (Nig)
Best Live Performance: Jozi (RSA)
Best Alternative Award: Seether (RSA)
Best RnB: Alicia Keys (U.S.A)
Legend Award: Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Nig)
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Related Articles
Kora Awards Nominees 2008. December 6, 2008, One lucky artist/Band is slated to win $1 Million!
Myafricanmusic.com will bring you the Kora Awards results.
Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards 2008
New Album "Journey" by Douyé, here to take you to journey to somewhere you have probably never been.
By: Admin.
November 19, 2008.
Nigerian Born Douyé makes her mark; Journey is a must have in your collection!
This album will blow your mind away. Take a listen to the tracks on the album!
Journey is just like a fresh evening breeze on a sandy beach while in the arms of your significant-other! With a
voice as smooth as silk, Douyé will take you into total bliss!
Beautifully texturing her pure, sultry and smoky vocals with a sensual, jazzy musical style, Nigerian born, Los Angeles
based singer-songwriter Douye’ continues to broaden her base of appreciative and passionate fans all over the world.
Growing up influenced by such jazz and R&B legends as Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Billie Holliday, Marvin Gaye, Stevie
Wonder and Sade, the multi-faceted performer began singing in church at the age of seven and quickly began focusing
on her future as a professional singer. By age ten, she was expressing her innermost emotions in poetry, which led naturally
to her development as a compelling songwriter. In her mid-teens, she traveled to Europe to pursue her growing musical
dreams, and she later immigrated to the United States to study voice at the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood,
California. After graduating from MI, Douye’ continued honing her singing, songwriting and musical direction, becoming
a prolific writer and performing for audiences at clubs throughout Los Angeles. While working towards her ultimate goal
of becoming a recording artist, she hit it off creatively with Terry Shaddick, a renowned pop songwriter and producer
well known for co-writing Olivia Newton John’s era defining smash “Physical.” Coming to share a singular vision, Douye’
and Shaddick penned the songs that would launch Douye’s recording career on the newly released, appropriately titled
debut album Journey. The title is a perfect reflection of Douye’s musical and life experiences leading up to her exciting
emergence as an independent singer/songwriter. To this day, she complements her music making with deep passions for
writing poetry and collecting primitive art.
Douye is not your ordinary jazz artist. She is up on a big roll sure enough to get you on her "journey". Catch more
of her music playing here at the number 1 African Music Radio.
Click here for more info
Another Blow to the African Music Industry! Mariam Makeba dies at 76.
By: Admin.
November 10, 2008.
Georgios Kefalas / AP
Mariam Makeba dies of heart attack in Italy. The legend whose popular songs include pata pata,
and Malaika to mention a few, passed away November 09, 2008 shortly after performing in Southern Italy. She was born March 4, 1932 in Johannesburg.
The Grammy award winner was actively involved in the fight against apartheid to the extent that her citizenship was
revoked in the 60's by the South African apartheid regime.
We will give tribute to the star Wednesday by dedicating the "Southern African Connection" to featuring her music
career. Tune in Wednesday November 12, 2008, 10:00am - 1:00pm Eastern (NY) time.
The Pearl of Africa Music Awards, 2008!
By: Admin.
November 2, 2008.
Juliana Kanyomozi beats male counterparts to win the PAM awards Artist of the year 2008. Juliana became the first female
to win this award since it was commissioned six years ago. She beat hands-down her male competitors including Bobi
Wine, Bebe Cool and Geoffrey Lutaaya. Juliana scooped three awards including Best R&B Artist and Best Female Artist.
The awards ceremony took place Saturday November 1, 2008 in Kampala Uganda. For a Complete list of winners, Click Here.
The African and Caribbean Gold Medalists!
By: Admin.
August 21, 2008.
Another Jamaican wins 200m race in Beijing!
Veronica Campbell of Jamaican ferociously defended her women's 200m title in 21.74 seconds,
clearly winning the gold, when she beat 200m world champion Allyson Felix of U.S.A.
Allison came in second followed by Kerron Stewart of Jamaica. The Jamaican team continues
to claim more gold medals in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, dominating both men's and women's 100m and 200m races.
So far six of the twelve medals of the 100m and 200m categories are in the hands of Jamaican athletes.
Giving them 50% success in these categories.
August 20, 2008.
Usain Bolt sets a new world record in the 200m men's race in Beijing!
Usain Bolt. Photo: Jed Jacobson/Getty Images.
Usian Bolt wins the most anticipated men's 200m world Olympics race in Beijing, setting a
new world record of 19.30 seconds. Michael Johnson's 12-year old world record which
he made in Atlanta is no more! Ladies and gentlemen, this is Beijing 2008 Olympics and the
official men's 200m world record has been adjusted! The Jamaican Usain Bolt follows
the foot-steps of U.S. Carl Lewis to become the second man in history to take the
100m and 200m slots in the same Olympics. The silver medal was taken by Churandy Marina
of the Netherlands Antilles also from the Caribbean. The bronze went to Shawn Crawford
of U.S.A, who had vowed to deny Bolt of this award as he had all the hopes of winning this race.
Little did he know that he was competing with a man who did not come only to win but also to
set new world records in every race he takes!
On the same note, Walker Melaine also from Jamaica takes the women's 400m Hurdles
and sets an Olympics record at 52.64 seconds.
Walker Melaine. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images.
August 18, 2008
Jamaican, Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes shine in the Olympics.
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In addition to setting world records in the ongoing 2008 Olympic games in Beijing,
several African and Caribbean athletes are going home with Gold medals.
For Jamaican Usain Bolt, using the term "Rocket-propelled" to describe his speed is an
understatement! Usain Bolt struck the 2008 men's Olympic 100m
race and broke his 9.72 seconds world record, setting a new world record for 100m in Beijing!
The Jamaican sprinter "bolted" home in a record 9.69 seconds
with little effort, after slowing down towards the finishing line and pounding
his chest in a reassuring way for securing his easy gold medal win. He could easily have slammed the bar
harder to 9.58 seconds had he not slowed down. Even his tight shoes laces could not hold
anymore as the yam-powered "well endowed" Bolt who was close to dropping
his "things" went at break-neck speed for the gold. You should have seen the joy of a mother when
Bolt's mother Jennifer Bolt was shuffling
through people to give her son a congratulatory hug immediately after Bolt won
the new 100m world title. The ease with which he made
it home is indicative that all cameras will be pointing at him when he competes in the most anticipated men's
200m race, Wednesday August 20, 2008 at 10:20 pm Beijing time [10:20am Eastern (NY) time].
But those living in USA will have to wait until 11:30pm Eastern to watch the race, thanks
to NBC for buying the exclusive "delaying rights"! Bolt's new record could spark an urgent meeting
among "night dancers" to investigate how he does that kind of speed in broad-day-light!
The meeting might have to convene in Jamaica itself which is the home of the sprinters.
Remember Asafa Powell who is also Jamaican was holding on to the world record at
9.74 he set in 2007, before Usain Bolt broke it in New York May 31, 2008.
The Jamaican women also dominated the 100m dash as they hit home: 1. Shelly-Ann Fraser in 10.78 seconds; 2. Sherone
Simpson in 10.98 seconds; and 3. Kerron Stewart in 10.98 seconds. Jamaican runners
continued to prove their grip on track events when the Jamaican born Sanya Richard who run for
the USA team also easily won the 400m semifinals at 49.90 seconds. On the same note,
Richard Thompson (Trinidad and Tobago) is taking home the 100m silver medal
after finishing behind Usain Bolt in 9.89 seconds.
The Ethiopians still rule the long distance races. Kenenisa Bekele set a new world
record after finishing the 10,000m race in 27 minutes 01.17 seconds. The Ethiopian athletes grabbed both the Gold medals for men
(Kenenisa Bekele; 27:01.17) and women (Tirunesh Dibaba - 29:54.68) for the 10,000m race.
Tirunesh Dibaba also won a new Olympic record after finishing in 29 minutes and 54.68 seconds. Sihine Sileshi (27:02.77)
followed Bekele to win the Silver medal in the men's 10,000m race.
Kenyan Pamela "Kapsabet Express" Jelimo took home the Gold after winning
the women 800m in 54.87 seconds. She was followed by Janeth Jepkosgei who earned
a silver medal and Hasna Benhassi from Morocco winning the bronze medal. Despite
remaining behind for the most part of the race, Kenyan
Brimin Kipruto Kiprop still managed to win the 3000m steeple chase gold medal.
Kiprop did his thing at the end of the race when he overtook everyone from the outer lane and took the gold.
Meanwhile Cameroonian Francoise Mbango Etoneis grabbed the women's triple jump gold.
In the Men's 1500m Freestyle, Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli (14:40.84) won the gold medal
while the Women's 200m Backstroke gold medal went to Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry.
Coventry set a new world record at 2 minutes 05.24 seconds.
The Ugandan team won the hearts of the Camera crew for their traditional dresses in the opening ceremony.
The men were clad in white cassocks (Kanzu) and black blazers, while the ladies were very colorful
in their traditional gomesi (busuuti). The unfortunate thing is that there is no gold medal for this
category in the Olympics. In which case Ugandans should petition that this
category be added for the next Olympics! On a rather sad note, Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat only managed
to demonstrate he has potential to win this race after leading and setting pace
for the first five laps but was later relegated to seventh! He is out of the competition!
For updates on African and Caribbean athletes still in the Olympics, don't look any further. Watch this space.
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