Female Singers Not Yet Independent
THE music show dubbed Abakazi Ssi Mmere/Ladies Choice was meant to prove to us that women artistes could shine on their own.
By Cynthia Nankumba
THE music show dubbed Abakazi Ssi Mmere/Ladies Choice was meant to prove to us that women artistes could shine on their own. At 3:00pm, instrumentalists took their positions. They were men. Backstage, only men were visible and are overseeing the show. The question on the floor was: “Where are the women?†“Bano batukoze ki?†(“What have they done to us?â€) a woman in the audience asked a neighbour.
When Sophie Gombya marched onto stage to do a curtain-raiser, there was a sigh of relief, which was soon overshadowed when Fred Nkambwe stormed the stage with Cool Cool Bar, urging men to treat their wives with affection and respect— in a blouse, with fake breasts and a wrapper skirt! Artist Sylvia Kyensuti graced the stage with Okunsunasuna, a dance-hall song that has received a lot of airplay on local FM stations. With her lean voice, she sang the lyrics in quick tempo. We were fast loosing out on the beat and enjoyment until she was supported by a high-powered male vocalist, who gave the song status and vitality, to the audience’s applause. Her two male ‘king dancers’ added gusto to her performance. The male factor seems to be the dominant subject. All the female vocalists either sing about their undying love for Jim, Tom, Nyonyintono, etc or beg for Tony, Eddie or Daudi’s compassion. However, most of the vocalists displayed rich tonal quality.
The 80’s/early 90’s music star Carol Nakimera sang late Umar Katumba’s Kyusa Love Yange, decrying male infidelity. With the rich tone of her voice, she successfully articulated the slow and later quick tempo of the song, though the audience remained aloof to her performance.
Veteran Julie Ssesanga gave us a taste of her full mellow mezzo soprano. Her voice reverberated sweetly when she sang Kangende nga Munoonya, and Nyonyintono about a princess falling in love with a commoner.
Joanita Kawalya of Afrigo Band sang Jim, a hit in the early ‘90s. Rachel Magoola finally succumbed to the audience’s constant requests for Obangaina which saw many spring to their feet and dance.
By 11:00pm, we have all had our fill. It is time to leave, but the unanswered question is whether the ladies would have put up such a successful show without a male touch. Ends
THE music show dubbed Abakazi Ssi Mmere/Ladies Choice was meant to prove to us that women artistes could shine on their own. At 3:00pm, instrumentalists took their positions. They were men. Backstage, only men were visible and are overseeing the show. The question on the floor was: “Where are the women?†“Bano batukoze ki?†(“What have they done to us?â€) a woman in the audience asked a neighbour.
When Sophie Gombya marched onto stage to do a curtain-raiser, there was a sigh of relief, which was soon overshadowed when Fred Nkambwe stormed the stage with Cool Cool Bar, urging men to treat their wives with affection and respect— in a blouse, with fake breasts and a wrapper skirt! Artist Sylvia Kyensuti graced the stage with Okunsunasuna, a dance-hall song that has received a lot of airplay on local FM stations. With her lean voice, she sang the lyrics in quick tempo. We were fast loosing out on the beat and enjoyment until she was supported by a high-powered male vocalist, who gave the song status and vitality, to the audience’s applause. Her two male ‘king dancers’ added gusto to her performance. The male factor seems to be the dominant subject. All the female vocalists either sing about their undying love for Jim, Tom, Nyonyintono, etc or beg for Tony, Eddie or Daudi’s compassion. However, most of the vocalists displayed rich tonal quality.
The 80’s/early 90’s music star Carol Nakimera sang late Umar Katumba’s Kyusa Love Yange, decrying male infidelity. With the rich tone of her voice, she successfully articulated the slow and later quick tempo of the song, though the audience remained aloof to her performance.
Veteran Julie Ssesanga gave us a taste of her full mellow mezzo soprano. Her voice reverberated sweetly when she sang Kangende nga Munoonya, and Nyonyintono about a princess falling in love with a commoner.
Joanita Kawalya of Afrigo Band sang Jim, a hit in the early ‘90s. Rachel Magoola finally succumbed to the audience’s constant requests for Obangaina which saw many spring to their feet and dance.
By 11:00pm, we have all had our fill. It is time to leave, but the unanswered question is whether the ladies would have put up such a successful show without a male touch. Ends