Shuga: Love, Sex, Money | Season 2

WHAT IS SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY? 

SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY is a vivid and engaging 6–part drama series created by music and youth channel MTV Base that focuses on the complicated loves, lives and sexual behaviours of a group of young people.  Set in Kenya, SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY continues and expands the stories and themes begun in Shuga (series I), which premiered around the world in 2009.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY?

SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY is an entertainment series with a message.The project was conceived as a vehicle for communicating and promoting messages about healthy sexual behaviours among African youth and for effecting real behavioural change among young people.  The series has been produced by MTV Networks Africa in conjunction with The MTV Staying Alive Foundation and in partnership with PEPFAR (a US Government initiative) and The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation(HFG). To ensure country ownership and relevance to the target audience, the producers also worked closely with the Government of Kenya to ensure the programme fits within Kenya’s existing HIV prevention strategy.

WHEN DOES SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY AIR?
SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY will premiere in Africa weekly on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) from Tuesday 14 February 2012 at 21:30 CAT (20:30 WAT/22:30 EAT).  The series will also air on multiple terrestrial broadcasters around the world (channels and transmission times TBC). There will be six episodes, followed by a one-hour synopsis episode.

WHERE AND WHEN WAS SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY PRODUCED?

Principal photography for the series took place in Kenya (Nairobi and Malindi) in August – September 2011. 

WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY?

SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY is co-directed by South African director Teboho Mahlatsi in conjunction with Kenyan documentary maker Lupita Nyong’o (who also appears as Ayira in the series).  

WHAT STORYLINES DOES SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY FOLLOW?  

Among the storylines we are following in this series are rape, transactional sex and  parent/child communication. These storylines enable us to promote messages around the importance of HIV testing, reducing stigma, condom use, gender inequity and the role of multiple concurrent partnerships in driving the HIV epidemic.  

WHO ARE THE STARS OF SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY?

SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY boasts a brilliant young ensemble cast that includes including Kenyan singer Avril (Miss B’have), Sharon Olago (Violet), David Omwange (Skola), Nick Mutuma (Leo), Antony Mwangi (Kennedy), Valerie Kimani (Sindi), Nick Ndeda (Angelo),Nancy Wanjiku (Baby), Brenda Wairimu (Dala), Edward Nyanaro (Rayban).  New talentsChristopher Otieno (Slim) and Wairugi Mutero (Njoki) were chosen by members of the public after a public casting.  Nigerian artists Banky W and Wiz Kid both play themselves in the series, performing during emotionally hard-hitting club scenes while Kenya-based Nigerian musician Ikubese Emmanuel - a.k.a. 9con – plays the role of Femi.

HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS SHUGA BEEN IN COMMUNICATING MESSAGES ABOUT SAFER SEX?Research conducted by Johns Hopkins University/Centre for Communications Programs Kenya following the airing of Shuga (series I) reported increased intentions for HIV testing, decreased intentions for multiple sex partners, improved attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS and increased usage of accessible health and social services among the youth.  In May 2010, Shuga won a prestigious Gold award at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany in the “Public Relations: Health” category, for its vivid and uncompromising focus on love, emotions and sexual behaviour amongst Kenyan youth. 

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHUGA: LOVE, SEX, MONEY?

For more information about Shuga: Love, Sex, Money log onto www.shuga.tv or www.g-pange.com.