Peter Miles Sings Of Troubled Youth

By Sebidde KiryowaHas Chameleone released a new track?” someone asked when a Sanyu FM presenter played Nakutaka. Before I had a chance to respond, the DJ cleared the air. This was Peter Miles, brother to John Miles ‘Coco Banton,’ the suave and urbane fellow who used to present on Sanyu FM. Though not accomplished, John Miles was a dance hall artist too.I did not blame that person for one simple reason: Save for the polished vocals, this song could pass for a typical Chameleone song. No offence to the creativity of Peter Miles.His own energy comes through unhinged on this track and pretty much contributes to its vivacity. He contributes quite an intriguing and spirited flow of Swahili rap rhymes over a familiar blend of dancehall and Afro Caribbean beats. Without even taking time to decipher the lyrics, Nakutaka is a forceful statement: “Get up and dance,” it commands. Maybe this is where the comparison with Chameleone comes in. But dancing is not what the song is about. And from the horse’s own mouth, besides the superficial resemblance, this song has got nothing to do with Chameleone.“Nakutaka is about the pressures young people face in relationships. In this song I am singing about all these girls who want to get with me because none of them believes that a man can be faithful. But I stand my ground and tell them there is this one girl I love. She means the world to me,” Miles says.The song was recorded at Hill and Creative Studios and produced by renowned east African urban music guru Lucas of Ogopa DJs in Nairobi. The same man is behind the hugely successful hits Mama Mia and Njo Karibu (Chameleone) and Bebe Cool’s Fitina album. There, perhaps is where people draw the similarity—– from production.Miles says he chose to work with Lucas because “his Groove is strong. His style is good for the dance floor. His music has got that irresistible dance feel to it. You know what Mama Mia sounds like. That cylpso-raggaish sound is ver popular with Ugandans of late. I wanted my first record to be able to make an effect on Ugandans,” said the 22-year-old artist.Miles says he chose to sing in Swahili because it is the only indigenous language that is understood throughout East Africa. “I’m targeting a much larger audience than just Uganda. Through music sang in Swahili and with the help of a producer with a reputation that transcends all East African boundaries, I hope to achieve this,” he says.With the storm his song has kicked up on the airwaves, Miles’ dream might not be so far from his grasp. The song has already attained number nine position on Sanyu FM’s countdown show. It is also getting substantial rotation on Radio One, CBS and Simba FM as well picking up on the dance floors. But Miles is not taking the promise of superstardom for granted: “In about two weeks, I will be going back to studio for a follow up to Nakutaka.However, I will be putting it on hold as I wait to see how Nakutaka ends up,” says the six-foot-tall tall artist.Miles says he will work with Ogopa DJs on the single and later on, his full album. He would also like to work with Steve Jean on the album. Miles, who started singing by doing copy rights of artists such as Bobby Brown while still a pre-teen, says he was influenced and inspired by Jamaican dancehall greats Buju Banton and Gipsy King. He was introduced to genre by his brother Coco Banton, now based in the US. He has since curtain-raised for Chaka Demus & Pliers and performed alongside Ghanaian UK-based dance hall luminary Glamma Kid at the Miss Uganda UK, in London last year. Ends