Everyone should take 38 minutes out of their day to watch the documentary “Kaazi” – a word derived from the Swahili word “Kazi” (Work). This documentary sets out to dissect Kenya’s unemployment problem from the perspective of the youth. “The reality is that an education does not guarantee you anything in this country,” says Michael Muriti one of the directors who interviews various individuals on work. Directors Andrew Onyango and Michael Muriti were best friends who studied Mass Communications at Africa Nazarene University.

Whilst Andrew eventually managed to enter the working world, Michael had a tougher time. They decided to create this documentary as Michael’s experience resonates with thousands of other Kenyans. Their hope is that it will push for change concerning this issue after watching the film, especially in light of the upcoming elections. “Kaazi” looks at the lives of seven educated youths, including a physically disadvantaged woman, who narrates their experiences. Although women and young people are thought to be the most affected by unemployment, Michael points out that, “A woman can get married to a financially stable man who can take care of her and her children.”

Youth aged between 18 and 35 years make up 60% of Kenya’s population, as reported in the documentary, and yet unemployment stands at 40%. According to the 2012 World Bank report titled “Kenya at Work: Energizing the Economy and Creating Jobs” (2012), most job seekers felt that it was a waste of time and resources to apply and attend job interviews if one did not know someone to push her or him through. “I feel academically empowered but financially marginalized,” says Patrick Mwangi, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate and participant in the film.

He expresses difficulty in seeing his peers move on while he struggles to get a foot in the door. The film also shows youth who are pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities to help themselves such as Elijohn Njema who supplies gas for a living and has employed three others to help him. Whilst the film does a good job in highlighting the challenges of youth unemployment, the voices of those directly involved or able to assist—such as employers, psychologists and parents—are missing and would have given the film more scope. Visit Vimeo.com/AndrewOnyango to watch “Kaazi”

The year 2012 was a good year for the local music industry, with top bands including Sauti Sol, Camp Mulla, Just A Band (JAB) and BMF releasing fantastic albums. UP put its ear to the streets and talked to a couple of music junkies to find out what new music is most anticipated in 2013. “Last year the industry was prolific, making this year unpredictable,” says JAB’s Blinky Bill.

The Star’s society columnist James Murua says this is the breakthrough year for talented and aggressive artists who’ve been neglected by the mainstream media. “More international artists will be brought into Kenya this year, including a prospect of having soul sister Angie Stone,” says social media guru and artists’ promoter Budha Blaze. The exceptional John Mayeresque duo of the two artists Dempsey and Kato Change is definitely something to look forward to.

Dempsey’s debut album is already in the works and expected to be out within the first quarter of 2013.Rappers Kanja and Rap Damu both have the drive and oomph to move and shake Kenyan hip hop. Last year, former Kleptomaniax member Collo featured in successful singles with Camp Mulla, Didge and P-Unit, and is finally standing out as a solo artist. Our eyes are set on his next steps and the bars he’ll be spitting this year.

Afro-fusion singers Winyo, Atemi and Sarah Mitaru are set to release new albums in 2013, which should make for authentic sounds. Bands Elani and Sarabi have both confirmed that the production of their debut albums is complete and ready for release in 2013. Amileena and Antoneosoul, both former contestants in reality music competitions, are proving that they have what it takes to make their solo careers soar higher. “The people are music. Where the people go, that’s where music goes,” said Erykah Badu the biggest international act to perform in Kenya in 2012. Now let’s trust that this year, more than any other, Kenyans will take our music industry to the next level.

Coming out of the crowded dungeons of Kayole-- Nairobi’s most dug up quarry area—is the fastest rising MC on the Kenya underground Hip Hop scene; Khaligraph “Baba Yao” Jones. He earned his Swahili nickname, which translates to “The Father”, from his tight rhymes. Khaligraph was very visible at the legendary WAPI (Words and Pictures) rap battles but his star was truly discovered when he became the 2nd Kenyan runner up at the 2008 Emcee Africa rap competition.

He flows perfectly in both English and Swahili and that distinguishes him from most Kenyan rappers who are limited to one language. He dropped his first mixtape in 2010 titled, “The Takeover”. This was soon followed by “The Undisputed”. Both of them were fire. His latest mixtape, “The Khali- Jones Chronicle” is causing commotion on the Hip Hop streets at the moment with joints such as “Mario” a remake of the classic single by the late Congolese singer Franco.

On this track, Khali experiments with a song not traditionally associated with Hip Hop and for that he earns major points for always thinking out of the box. On the track “Najipenda” featuring Keisha, he plays around with the things that make him happy. And, even though he’s having fun, Khali offers deep wordplay and precise delivery.

He links up with Abbas on “Tema maVerse”, a tight manifestation that Khali can get on tracks with the big boys and still come out shining bright. The top female MC in the country, Xtatic, joins him on “Sing to Me” a mellow Arabian-influenced track and all they give you is top lyrical display. Khali gets on the mic with his partner-in-rhyme, IT, to drop “The Best”.

Rappers can certainly feel his fury on here. Khali gets in a party mood with the dance track “Superfly” featuring F.B.I. This feels like it is aimed at the vast night club market. Overall, the mixtape is tight and Khali is probably one of the most talented MCs in Africa at the moment. He is next -- give him his spotlight.

Listen to Khaligraph here: https://soundcloud.com/khaligraph/get-down-khaligraph-jones-ft

This February, Nairobi hosts explosive Chinese-Jamaican performing artist and Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activist, StacyAnn Chin. The accomplished artist has contributed to The New York Times and Washington Post as well as appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where she spoke of her experience as a lesbian growing up in her native Jamaica. StacyAnn performed and co-wrote a special edition of Russell Simmons Def Jam Poetry on Broadway.

Her three one-woman shows, "Hands Afire," "Unspeakable Things" and "Border/Clash" all received rave reviews at the Culture Project in New York City. Her memoir, “The Other Side of Paradise” gives an account of growing up in Jamaica which is far from the romantic ideas one may have of the island. Chin tells of a heartbreaking experience that includes abandonment, abuse and an absent father. The book gives a glimpse of how her life experience molded her into the resilient and acclaimed artist that she is today.

StacyAnn has toured extensively around the globe and held poetry workshops in England, Denmark, Germany, and South and Africa. Her awards include the 2007 Power of the Voice Award from The Human Rights Campaign, the 2008 Safe Haven Award from Immigration Equality, the 2008 Honors from the Lesbian AIDS Project, and the 2009 New York State Senate Award.

Courtesy of The NEST, on February 15th this authentic poet will perform and read from her memoir at the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets retail at KES 1000 in advance and KES 1500 at the gate. Her memoir, The Other Side of Paradise, will also be on sale at KES 1800. For more information, call +254 (0)20 263 4427 or visit www.becauseartislife.org

Hakika ya bendera/ Ni uthabiti wangu/Nyeusi ya wananchi na nyekundu ni ya damu/Kijani ni ya ardhi, nyeupe ya amani”- Daima Kenya (Let my flag remind me/ of my sacred duty/White for the people, green for the land, red for the price of freedom/and white for peace in Kenya) If Kenya ever needed a stand-in National Anthem, singer Eric Wainaina’s “Daima Kenya” would certainly fit the bill. Off his 2001 debut album “Sawa Sawa”, scores of Kenyans have come to resonate with the song’s patriotic message and declaration of love for the people of Kenya. “It’s my most requested song.

I can’t leave a show without performing it,” says a soft-spoken Eric who is also a songwriter and producer. The story goes that, sometime in the late 90s, a drunkard in a bar persuaded Eric to write a song in praise of Harambee Stars (who’d miraculously been playing exceptionally well). “As I set out to write the song, clashes in Likoni at the time reminded me of the Rwanda genocide. It suddenly occurred to me that I could broaden the song’s message to resound beyond Kenyans and politicians,” Eric reveals. Thus, the singer wrote “Kenya Only” in 1997. A year later, Eric paired up with Amina Noordin to translate the song into Swahili.

“Daima Kenya” went on to become the more popular version. Through the song, I wanted the listeners to remember the things we have in common other than those that separate us,” adds Eric. That same year as the country mourned the loss of 257 lives following the 1998 terrorist bomb attack, several TV and radio stations adopted it as the unofficial anthem. As Kenya approaches another election, songs like ‘Daima Kenya” sum up the need for the country to unite and remain peaceful.

“I am encouraged because Kenyans have started unifying as one as opposed to tribes. We’ve witnessed mass dissatisfactions, from doctors, teachers to city council workers strikes. This shows that we are all angry, not because of our tribe but because of what we do and who we are. This is healthy for a country; we are starting to identity the real course of our frustrations in a unified manner.”

That either versions would ever become such major hits still puzzles the singer, “You don’t set out you write something of this kind, it’s not any of my doing. I had no ambitions for the song. I just wrote a song from a simple conversation. In the course of time, it just took a life of its own.”

“Daima Mimi Mkenya” Eric’s new series of “The Metro” tour concerts commence in February at Club Silk, Legend and Sheebeen. For more: www.ericwainaina.com “The song is a declaration of patriotism. It talks about unity, an important thing.