Wabwire’s gospel music
Oct 14, 2004
He probably knew it since time immemorial that he would some day make substantial achievements in his musical pursuit, but what he accomplished on Independence Day was a far-flung from his expectation.
By Nathan Kiwere
He probably knew it since time immemorial that he would some day make substantial achievements in his musical pursuit, but what he accomplished on Independence Day was a far-flung from his expectation.
Joseph Wabwire is the current local gospel music suprememo, having won the top prize in the Top Radio Music Awards in a national contest at Namboole stadium. But more to it was the flair of the prize hand-over: Wabwire had the unprecedented opportunity to take a president-chauffeured ride through the stadium by president Yoweri Museveni, who had earlier handed him the top prize of a Toyota Carib car. This phenomenal feat transformed Wabwire overnight into a star, whose stakes are bound to rise beyond limit. “I didn’t expect to win, not while competing with some of the country’s most celebrated artistes! It felt so hilarious,†Wabwire said.
The Top Radio Music Awards are a miniature version of the coveted PAM Awards, but of the gospel finesse. It now probably stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Impact FM Awards which takes place annually. With these developments, it is quite evident that Christian entertainment is rising and daring to pull even the secular styles.
Wabwire’s mellifluous voice more than anything else catapulted him to soaring echelons. His voice is too unique, fluid and sleek. The nature of his music, which is soul, also gives him infinite latitude to exploit his vocal artistry to the hilt, a thing which is of a conundrum when it comes to the choral or traditional genres. I Don’t Wanna Lose You, his trademark track emphasises his message about the need to have an intimate and inextricable rapport with Jesus Christ, without whom life would be void. One of the lines goes: I don’t wanna lose you... you mean a lot to me, oh oh Lord.
His drills are likened to his American namesake in the secular bloc, the Rn’B megastar, Joe. Listening to Wabwire’s CD will first confound any local folk into thinking that he is listening to music of the Western persuasion. He also sings traditional tracks in different languages, including Luganda, Lusoga and Lunyole, his mother tongue. The first runner-up was Joseph Segawa of Katwe Saints Gates Church, who earned a million shillings, followed by the legendary Betty Nakibuuka.
Wabwire said he will use his new car to learn and perfect his driving skills first and thereafter see what to do with it.
Ends
He probably knew it since time immemorial that he would some day make substantial achievements in his musical pursuit, but what he accomplished on Independence Day was a far-flung from his expectation.
Joseph Wabwire is the current local gospel music suprememo, having won the top prize in the Top Radio Music Awards in a national contest at Namboole stadium. But more to it was the flair of the prize hand-over: Wabwire had the unprecedented opportunity to take a president-chauffeured ride through the stadium by president Yoweri Museveni, who had earlier handed him the top prize of a Toyota Carib car. This phenomenal feat transformed Wabwire overnight into a star, whose stakes are bound to rise beyond limit. “I didn’t expect to win, not while competing with some of the country’s most celebrated artistes! It felt so hilarious,†Wabwire said.
The Top Radio Music Awards are a miniature version of the coveted PAM Awards, but of the gospel finesse. It now probably stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Impact FM Awards which takes place annually. With these developments, it is quite evident that Christian entertainment is rising and daring to pull even the secular styles.
Wabwire’s mellifluous voice more than anything else catapulted him to soaring echelons. His voice is too unique, fluid and sleek. The nature of his music, which is soul, also gives him infinite latitude to exploit his vocal artistry to the hilt, a thing which is of a conundrum when it comes to the choral or traditional genres. I Don’t Wanna Lose You, his trademark track emphasises his message about the need to have an intimate and inextricable rapport with Jesus Christ, without whom life would be void. One of the lines goes: I don’t wanna lose you... you mean a lot to me, oh oh Lord.
His drills are likened to his American namesake in the secular bloc, the Rn’B megastar, Joe. Listening to Wabwire’s CD will first confound any local folk into thinking that he is listening to music of the Western persuasion. He also sings traditional tracks in different languages, including Luganda, Lusoga and Lunyole, his mother tongue. The first runner-up was Joseph Segawa of Katwe Saints Gates Church, who earned a million shillings, followed by the legendary Betty Nakibuuka.
Wabwire said he will use his new car to learn and perfect his driving skills first and thereafter see what to do with it.
Ends