DESCRIPTION:
Homeboyz Kenya; from DJ gang to entertainment mogul

SHOTS:
- DJ controller tilt up to Myke Rabar mixing
- Close cartoon character Homeboyz
- Corridor with staff walking
- SOUNDBITE tilt up DJ controller

VOICE OVER
Kenyan DJ Myke Rabar started Homeboyz 18 years ago as a group of DJs.
The company itself was named after a fictional cartoon figure.
Now Homeboyz is an entertainment group employing 70 people.

SOUNDBITE DJ controller

SHOTS:
- Wide class room with practicing DJs
- Close computer screen mixing software

VOICE OVER
The expansion began with a DJ academy to satisfy a growing demand for DJs in Kenya.

QUOTE MYKE RABAR, founder Homeboyz
When I went for DJ-ing there was never a formal way of training. Nobody was going to share that thing with you.
So since I managed to require I decided let me share that with the kids who want to get into the industry.

QUOTE STUDENT
I read it in the newspapers and watching on television about Homeboyz. I think they'll make something good out of me.

SHOTS:
- SOUNBITE technician at mixing table
- Close mixing table
- Close Homeboyz on flight case
- Wide warehouse with equipment

VOICE OVER
And with more DJs more sound systems were needed for the shows.
And since they're hard to get in Kenya Homeboyz invested in equipment.
And this conversion of necessity into opportunity developed into their formula.

QUOTE MYKE RABAR
I think our activities around here were based on a need more than a plan. We wanted to do other things and the way to provide for that was to do for ourselves.

SHOTS:
- Wide club with DJ
- Wide presenter in radio studio

VOICE OVER
So next came a recording studio and a school for radio presenters to bring this music to the audience.

SOUNDBITE RADIO PRESENTER
You are listening to Homeboyz radio 91.5 in the afternoon and of course is your favorite afternoon music session.

SHOTS:
- Close logo Homeboyz Radio on window

VOICE OVER
And their own Homeboyz Radio station is in the air now for more than a year now.

QUOTE RADIO PRESENTER
Homeboyz Radio is a top 40 station. That means we focus on young urban hot hit music at the moment.

SHOTS
- Wide website Homeboyz
- Medium designer behind computer screen
- Close animation Tinga Tinga tales

VOICE OVER
So for Homeboyz only the sky seems to be the limit. On their website it says to make Africa a major player in the entertainment scene.
And they seem to keep that promise since they recently signed a contract with Walt Disney.
Homeboyz is doing the artwork for the animated series Tinga Tinga tales.

QUOTE DESIGNER
Tinga Tinga tales is basically African stories about why nature looks the way it looks. Why an elephant has a trunk. Why a lion has a mane. Tortoises are born in a shell. All this type of stories that kids in Africa are growing up with.

SHOTS:
- Wide computer screen with animation
- Computer screen with Tinga Tinga tales logo

VOICE OVER
However the coming of Walt Disney is somehow overwhelming for Homeboyz. They admit seeing big challenges in maintaining the pace.

QUOTE MYKE RABAR
It's right at the top which also can be dangerous. We should be towards them but this came to us. There is still a lot we have to do bridging that gap.

SHOTS:
- Close Tinga Tinga tale animation
- Walking shot through warehouse of Homeboyz

VOICE OVER
Tinga Tinga tales are to be broadcasted worldwide in 2011. Meanwhile the Homeboyz caravan will move on in Kenya. Highlight will be the launch of the Homeboyz television channel.

SHOT:
- SOUNDBITE video clip Homeboyz TV

ENDS