#Chikasays #TravelThursday: 5 beautiful reasons Kenya is my next stop

BY CHIKA

So where is your next travel stop this year? For me, i think it might be Kenya. Why? Well i was scrolling through Twitter, when i stumbled upon some pictures of Kenyan wildlife that are totally adorable.

And now i find i might be packing my bags to Nairobi. I would like to share some of them with you here:

Ready?

1. This picture of a sea turtle with fish riding on its back was taken at Watamu beach and it made me smile.

Meanwhile, Watamu beach is near Mombasa Kenya, and not only can you spend time on really beautiful beaches, you can also watch sea creatures, if you are an avid diver.

2. Next up is, this really dope picture of a man feeding an elephant:

The picture was taken at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. According to their Twitter handle @DSWT, they are pioneers in the rescue, rehabilitation & release of orphaned baby elephants, and actively work to conserve all wildlife and wilderness areas in Kenya.

I would love to go visit and feed baby elephants too.

3. Giraffes against the beautiful brown of a safari is a beautiful sight to see.

These giraffes are at home in the Massai Mara, a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya. The Massai Mara is quite close to the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. 

I also noticed that there are several other beautiful sights in this park i really need to see.

4. Dolphins diving is another of my favorite things to watch

I will also likely visit Kenya's wildlife services, apapart from watching animals all day, i will ask them if i can take home a pet dolphin.

5. Watching the migration of wildebeest from a hot air balloon has to be on everyone's bucket list.

I can't wait to get on a hot air balloon and watch the whole of the Serengeti beneath my feet.

Who wants to come?

#ChikaSays For the love of covers: 4 of my favorite

BY CHIKA

Who remembers Banky W's "Ebute Metta", a 'Nigerianized' and catchy cover of  Rihanna's "Umbrella"? Well, here are some of my favorite song covers ever:

1. Ebute Metta by Banky W

So, i really like this song because of its catchy tune. Rihanna's version is dope and sweet, but there is something bouncier about Banky W's "Ebute Metta" that made me fall instantly in love with it.

I sometimes miss the Banky on that track, although i love how he has grown as an artiste since then.

Ready for a massive throwback? Click the video



2. Hello by Praiz

So Adele's "Hello" caught fire. That song was everything, and on many nights, i still go to bed to the soulfulness of it.

Then Praiz brought his beautiful beard and voice into the cover and i fell in love all over again. I think it had to do with the deeper timbre of his voice, but it was instant love on that cover.

Listen to this beauty here:


3. Hello by Omawunmi

I found it hard to ignore Omawunmi's cover of Hello. While i still prefer Praiz's, Omawunmi also gave her soul and a little jazz to the track. The bounciness strangely does not reduce the soul of the song. Kudos! Omawunmi.

Feel the Omawunmi magic:

4. Panda by Ycee

Panda! Panda! Panda! Desiigner went in on that track! I spent a week studying the lyrics just to show off on karaoke night. Then Ycee happened.

Ycee's cover is slower, i can almost hear ever word, i like the creativity it took for him to come up with totally different lyrics, to cover the beat properly, i respect that, so it comes in at no 4.

Click the play button:

Listened to any covers by Nigerians lately that you like? Share with me.

#LaitandAbout Cyphers, Divas and Illbliss Live!

BY LAIT

If you ask me to describe last night in one word, i would say "Super Lit" (make that two words please.El-o-el).

I was at the 5ive Live Hip-Hop sessions' second instalment where rapper, Illbliss, had a special showcase for his fourth studio album "Illygaty; 7075" for an exclusive audience at the Bridge lounge, Lekki. The event was hosted by Chocolate City's finest Loose Kaynon.

The show was scheduled to begin at 6PM but hey! It was "African Time" as usual. One hour twenty minutes later, The Vintage Band opened the show with an electrifying performance as they sang a medley of songs from the international and local scene.

What's a Hip-Hop event without the elements of Hip-Hop? The four elements of Hip-Hop- MCing, DJing, Graffiti & B-boying were all on display and all the acts; popular or underground; performed before Illbliss took the stage. I'm talking Jesse Jags, Eva Alordiah, Dice Ailes, Yung6ix, Terry Apala, Dotman, Fresh L, Ms Chief, Pryse, Oladips and many more.

When 'Oga Boss', Illbliss, came on, he started by explaining that 7075 was his NYSC number and that his mother thinks this is the best collection of work he has done so far.

He went on to perform songs from his 12 track album which features acts like, Falz, Runtown, Vector, Phyno, Bovi, Ycee, and Koker.

All in all, i would call it a really good night, with the cypher and Pryse and Eva's performance as highlights for me.

Illygaty7075 is set to drop soon