Chameleone sets Kigali ablaze

Jun 03, 2004

Musical galas featuring various local artistes are fast becoming the rule rather than the exception in Kampala, so much that music fans of diverse tastes are catered for.<br>But the same cannot be said of our neighbours in Kigali, Rwanda. There is a huge vacuum in live entertainment (largely due to

By Sebidde Kiryowa
in Kigali, Rwanda

Musical galas featuring various local artistes are fast becoming the rule rather than the exception in Kampala, so much that music fans of diverse tastes are catered for.
But the same cannot be said of our neighbours in Kigali, Rwanda. There is a huge vacuum in live entertainment (largely due to a conspicuous absence of celebrated musical talents) that anything passes here.

When it was announced that top singer from Uganda, Jose Chameleone, would be in town, their excitement hit the roof. Chameleone’s Saturday night performances at the plush Intercontinental Hotel and the up market Executive Car Wash, a popular joint in Kigali, were the talk of the town. Kenya Airways, Electrogaz and The New Times sponsored the tour.

Chameleone is the kind of artiste whose appeal transcends age and class here. Corporate executives, government and army officials were as excited about his visit as the taxi touts in the more clattered Nyabugogo taxi park in Kigali.

It is no wonder that Bernard Makuza, the Rwandese Prime Minister, came to the show, as did Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, Kigali Institute Of Science, Technology and Management (KIST university) rector. It was rumoured that Kayumba Nyamwisa, Rwanda’s director general, national security was also there.

The show was phenomenal, at least by Kigali standards. By 7:00pm, the crowd, which had to part with RF5,000 (about Ush16,000), had started trickling in.
At exactly 10:45 Rwanda time, the emcee, one Johns Kennedy, who works with MTN Rwandacell, leapt on stage and introduced the first Rwandan act in the curtain-raising queue - VD Frank.

His Namuhanuzi, however, did little to stir the restless crowd. The next act, Dr Propa and Mc Tino pulled off an energetic dancehall gig of their song Angel.

KNC, a young promising R&B singer, did Sosomola, a Luganda dancehall cut. KNC had earlier thrilled us at a dinner organised by The New Times at the Intercontinental Hotel, where Chameleone, whom organisers had publicised as a guest artiste, wowed the VIP crowd of ministers and top corporate executives, who had paid RF10,000 (about Ush33,000) to eat and hear him sing, with a few accapellas of his songs.

Next on stage were The Creations, a Ugandan dance quintet based in Kigali. The group set the mood with three electrifying performances before MR X, Chameleone’s latest protégé took up the stage.

Chagga, whose Yono and Nkoye hits the crowd did not seem to immediately identify with, eventually won the audience over with charisma and smooth vocals, while Weasel, who was mistaken for Chameleone, simply rocked! With incredibly youthful vitality, he delivered his slamming Doreen and Toyomba, both moderate hit singles in Kampala. Red Banton, clad in a red tracksuit, took it away next.

Although his Kawawa and most recent Ponytail were unfamiliar, Kigali definitely had heard his 2001 groundbreaking Nonya Money and they did cheer him on. However, we were yet to see this craze at its peak. That is exactly what Jose Chameleone’s midnight stage appearance produced!

Clad in a white suit and sported cornrows, the lanky star, backed by Chagga and Weasel, broke the ice with a prelude of his hit song Beyi Kali, sending the crowd hysterical.

After a short address, which drew a few laughs, he launched into a string of Luganda hits - Gwe Nafuna, Kuma Obwesigwa, Nsaba Onyambe, Sanyu Lyange before doing a trial-test of his Naumia.
How was that? Massive. The whole arena reverberated as the audience chorused the song!

Nkolera Mali, however, seemed to ting at the revellers’ heartstrings best in this segment. The crowd also seemed very interested in Mambo Bado and Jamila, all in his latest album.

He gave them and the jumbled mix of shrills, shrieks and ululations which ensued were deafening. But the real surprise entrant in the popularity contest here was Bwosaba, the Gospel-tinged duet with Tikita. Kigali is crazy over this song.

When Chameleone leapt into the crowd as he performed the song, they fought each other for a chance to hoist him on their heads and shoulders, or simply touch the Ugandan star.

Back on stage, his performance of Cyane, a Kiyarwanda song of his Njo Karibu album was marred by glitches in the sound. But he made up for the flaw with a bouncy performance of Mama Mia, which sent the crowd into another frenzy. This madness reached feverish proportions when Chameleone did Dorotia. No one remained seated, and almost every one attempted to sing the Luganda lyrics of the song.

After this, it was announced that the show was over, but no one budged. So, Chameleone leapt back on stage and launched straight into Beyi Kali, an energetic performance that drew the crowd in, setting off a waving frenzy with many people raising their blazing lighters. He also redid Mambo Bado and a few other songs at the request of the crowd before vanishing backstage.

Scores of star-struck and dazed female fans followed suit, hounding the singer as kanyamas, out-numbered, fought to keep him safe. Those who never took part in the pursuit were heard audibly exclaiming, “This fellow is talented!” But regardless of what anyone thought, it was clear from the huge turn-up that Chameleone had conquered Kigali and that his fans got their money’s worth.

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