Why ‘Wipolo’ is still a hit
Dec 04, 2003
Many songs are released in Uganda today, but unfortunately they come with an unenviable tag ‘bubble gum’ written allover on them
By Joseph Batte
Many songs are released in Uganda today, but unfortunately they come with an unenviable tag ‘bubble gum’ written allover on them.
Meaning, their longevity on the charts is very short-lived simply because one moment they are red-the hot, sweet-as-honey, the next they are as tasteless as cardboard!
But of the few that merit mention, the longevity of Pastor George Okudi’s Wipolo (Heaven), which recently scooped the PAM award for best Gospel hit, is simply amazing.
Unknown to many Okudi first recorded this track in London in 1996! He re-mixed it in 1997 in his home studio in his bedroom. By then the studio was made up of a small Sansui six-track machine, a simple SM58 Shure microphone and a Trinity keyboard! Very lousy equipment that any producer would consider a sick joke today.
But upon release in 1999, Wipolo has virtually stayed perched at the top of the charts almost unchallenged. It is now taking him to the Kora Awards in South Africa!
It has been nominated the same category with Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool for Best East African Artist Kora awards to be held in South Africa in December.
What is the winning formula? A smile darts across Okudi's face as he explains: “The success of Wipolo is because it is inventive stuff. It has a simple but unique tune combined with a cross-fertilised cultural and modern beat.
“The beat is called Akembe, played by both the Acholi and Iteso tribes. Some people call it Adungu.
“This the kind of music I used to play under the bright moonlight when I was cattle-keeper.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to live as a nomadic herds boy. It helped me grow up with that music feeling. Wipolo has swept through the Kenyan evangelical churches like a wild fire thanks to its happy-go-lucky beat and the video that Okudi partly shot in Kenya.
The bush fire impact is also partly due to Okudi’s other powerful weapon, dancing like an agitated caterpillar.
“I have always been a dancer. My body naturally responds to rhythm. When I was till young, my mother used to rent me out to go and entertain people,†he reveals with a mischievous chuckle. “But,†he adds, “There is a powerful spiritual force behind the song.â€
Perhaps that explains why the sales of the album have shot up. You can also get yourself copy of the complete video at Lock-up 111, New Taxi Park and New Debu Bookstore, KPC building and La Fontain book store on Kampala Road. The album is also sold at a number of Balokole churces around town.
Many songs are released in Uganda today, but unfortunately they come with an unenviable tag ‘bubble gum’ written allover on them.
Meaning, their longevity on the charts is very short-lived simply because one moment they are red-the hot, sweet-as-honey, the next they are as tasteless as cardboard!
But of the few that merit mention, the longevity of Pastor George Okudi’s Wipolo (Heaven), which recently scooped the PAM award for best Gospel hit, is simply amazing.
Unknown to many Okudi first recorded this track in London in 1996! He re-mixed it in 1997 in his home studio in his bedroom. By then the studio was made up of a small Sansui six-track machine, a simple SM58 Shure microphone and a Trinity keyboard! Very lousy equipment that any producer would consider a sick joke today.
But upon release in 1999, Wipolo has virtually stayed perched at the top of the charts almost unchallenged. It is now taking him to the Kora Awards in South Africa!
It has been nominated the same category with Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool for Best East African Artist Kora awards to be held in South Africa in December.
What is the winning formula? A smile darts across Okudi's face as he explains: “The success of Wipolo is because it is inventive stuff. It has a simple but unique tune combined with a cross-fertilised cultural and modern beat.
“The beat is called Akembe, played by both the Acholi and Iteso tribes. Some people call it Adungu.
“This the kind of music I used to play under the bright moonlight when I was cattle-keeper.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to live as a nomadic herds boy. It helped me grow up with that music feeling. Wipolo has swept through the Kenyan evangelical churches like a wild fire thanks to its happy-go-lucky beat and the video that Okudi partly shot in Kenya.
The bush fire impact is also partly due to Okudi’s other powerful weapon, dancing like an agitated caterpillar.
“I have always been a dancer. My body naturally responds to rhythm. When I was till young, my mother used to rent me out to go and entertain people,†he reveals with a mischievous chuckle. “But,†he adds, “There is a powerful spiritual force behind the song.â€
Perhaps that explains why the sales of the album have shot up. You can also get yourself copy of the complete video at Lock-up 111, New Taxi Park and New Debu Bookstore, KPC building and La Fontain book store on Kampala Road. The album is also sold at a number of Balokole churces around town.