Okirori to fight HIV/AIDS through hip-hop
May 13, 2004
ONCE in a while, a truly head-turning talent surfaces. The latest subject seeks to be taken seriously, but through a genre, most Ugandan music fans do not take much notice of gospel hip-hop.
By Sebidde Kiryowa
ONCE in a while, a truly head-turning talent surfaces. The latest subject seeks to be taken seriously, but through a genre, most Ugandan music fans do not take much notice of gospel hip-hop. That notwithstanding, Paul Ocen Okirori aka APZ, is set to make an impact
APZ stands for Alpha, Paul, and the Z is Omega, which means he is under the control of the Alpha and Omega. His maiden single, What Could You Do?, recently reached Kampala’s Hot Seven chart on Kampala FM. The song is also a favourite on Power FM, Impact FM a well as Top radio. What Could You Do? has a smooth, well-coordinated flow and is made more palatable by the soulful sound of Phiona Kyomukama, the girl who sings the chorus.
Phiona is a member of Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) choir. The song was recorded and produced by one Didi in True Vine Studio at Kizito Towers in Kampala. Written by APZ himself, “What Would You Do? talks about the last days of the world. I am basically asking: ‘what would you do if Christ came now? Would you be ready for him or would it be a different story,†APZ says.The 21-year-old artiste is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) freshman at Makerere Business School. He is also pursuing a computer systems engineering course at the Institute of Computer Systems Development (ICDE) on Rashid Kamis Road in Old Kampala.
APZ, who is also a member of Pastor Martin Sempa’s Makerere Community Church, says he has so far performed the song at the Prime Time Slot by the Makerere University swimming pool. “Now I hope to release my full album in three months time. I want to make it a six-eight track album with a bonus song about AIDS. I consider the epidemic a big problem.†Producer Doug B of Alpha One studios, who is credited with uplifting many hip-hop acts in the Gospel arena is handling APZ’s project.
The rapper who draws artistic inspiration from US Gospel hip-hop maestros, Gospel Gangstas and Still Above, a local urban Gospel music trio, says he considers anti-AIDS activism as his main area of interest: “My messages are all aimed at the youth. Through rap music, I hope to influence behavioural change among the youth. I want to preach abstinence to the unmarried and faithfulness among couples.â€
Ends
ONCE in a while, a truly head-turning talent surfaces. The latest subject seeks to be taken seriously, but through a genre, most Ugandan music fans do not take much notice of gospel hip-hop. That notwithstanding, Paul Ocen Okirori aka APZ, is set to make an impact
APZ stands for Alpha, Paul, and the Z is Omega, which means he is under the control of the Alpha and Omega. His maiden single, What Could You Do?, recently reached Kampala’s Hot Seven chart on Kampala FM. The song is also a favourite on Power FM, Impact FM a well as Top radio. What Could You Do? has a smooth, well-coordinated flow and is made more palatable by the soulful sound of Phiona Kyomukama, the girl who sings the chorus.
Phiona is a member of Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) choir. The song was recorded and produced by one Didi in True Vine Studio at Kizito Towers in Kampala. Written by APZ himself, “What Would You Do? talks about the last days of the world. I am basically asking: ‘what would you do if Christ came now? Would you be ready for him or would it be a different story,†APZ says.The 21-year-old artiste is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) freshman at Makerere Business School. He is also pursuing a computer systems engineering course at the Institute of Computer Systems Development (ICDE) on Rashid Kamis Road in Old Kampala.
APZ, who is also a member of Pastor Martin Sempa’s Makerere Community Church, says he has so far performed the song at the Prime Time Slot by the Makerere University swimming pool. “Now I hope to release my full album in three months time. I want to make it a six-eight track album with a bonus song about AIDS. I consider the epidemic a big problem.†Producer Doug B of Alpha One studios, who is credited with uplifting many hip-hop acts in the Gospel arena is handling APZ’s project.
The rapper who draws artistic inspiration from US Gospel hip-hop maestros, Gospel Gangstas and Still Above, a local urban Gospel music trio, says he considers anti-AIDS activism as his main area of interest: “My messages are all aimed at the youth. Through rap music, I hope to influence behavioural change among the youth. I want to preach abstinence to the unmarried and faithfulness among couples.â€
Ends