Mesach proves ‘messiahship’
May 20, 2004
Until last week, Mesach Semakula had completely defied any expectations placed upon him by those who heard his songs that he is one of the top singing cats in the country.
By Joseph Batte
Until last week, Mesach Semakula had completely defied any expectations placed upon him by those who heard his songs that he is one of the top singing cats in the country.
Why? He felt he did not deserve the attention because for almost a decade, he wrote song after song but failed to score a mega hit in the magnitude of Ebituwasiza, which he dropped in September 2002!
This year the prolific singer and songwriter is at it again with Teriyo Alumirirwa, but still he continued hiding the tail between his legs due to lack of self-confidence until far sighted radio presenter Muvawala prodded him into launching the album last Friday.
The poolside of Hotel Equatoria was the place to be then.
A big crowd, made up of the dignified, the young and hip showed up in large numbers. Most of the guests who arrived after 4:00pm did not get any chairs to sit on.
Hotel Equatorial staff, especially the waiters and waitresses, wore the soles of their shoes off in a frenzied attempt to meet the growing demand for their over- priced beers, sodas and bites.
Among the opening acts, it was Paul Kafeero backed by his Kulabako Guitar singers and nimble dancing queens who sent temperatures shooting high. Kafeero performed his self-confessional Dipo Nazzigala.
More singers came out exuding energy and hit us quickly with their songs in this order: Ronald Mayinja with Doreen, Geoffrey Lutaaya with Oli Miss, Silver Kyagulanyi with Omuzadde Katonda and Abaana Bo, Sophie and Sam Gombya with Ngumumuka Ekiro and Sheila Nvannungi with Doctor.
By now the crowd had joined in the excitement –– dancing, clapping and occasionally singing along. When Mesach Semakula came on stage, they got into the show a bit more and kept up their act as Semakula spirited fan favourites like Ebituwasisa, and Teriyo Alumirirwa.
There were a few technical difficulties, though, during the show, the most noticeable being when the sound became fogy. Mariam Ndagire of the Trends band went on her weak knees to ‘thank the crowd for its support.’
After the two- hour performance, guest of honour Isaac Mulindwa, also chairman of the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, was invited to launch and auction the CD. Elvis Sekyanzi paid sh100,000, Mulindwa sh300,000, CBS programme Director Abbey Mukiibi paid sh150,000. Andrew Kasaga parted with sh2m; his son Paul Kasagga gave sh500,000 while Lusyn, the distributor of Semakula’s music, donated sh1.5m.
Many others also made pledges and by the end of the day launch, Semakula was over sh7m richer.
Until last week, Mesach Semakula had completely defied any expectations placed upon him by those who heard his songs that he is one of the top singing cats in the country.
Why? He felt he did not deserve the attention because for almost a decade, he wrote song after song but failed to score a mega hit in the magnitude of Ebituwasiza, which he dropped in September 2002!
This year the prolific singer and songwriter is at it again with Teriyo Alumirirwa, but still he continued hiding the tail between his legs due to lack of self-confidence until far sighted radio presenter Muvawala prodded him into launching the album last Friday.
The poolside of Hotel Equatoria was the place to be then.
A big crowd, made up of the dignified, the young and hip showed up in large numbers. Most of the guests who arrived after 4:00pm did not get any chairs to sit on.
Hotel Equatorial staff, especially the waiters and waitresses, wore the soles of their shoes off in a frenzied attempt to meet the growing demand for their over- priced beers, sodas and bites.
Among the opening acts, it was Paul Kafeero backed by his Kulabako Guitar singers and nimble dancing queens who sent temperatures shooting high. Kafeero performed his self-confessional Dipo Nazzigala.
More singers came out exuding energy and hit us quickly with their songs in this order: Ronald Mayinja with Doreen, Geoffrey Lutaaya with Oli Miss, Silver Kyagulanyi with Omuzadde Katonda and Abaana Bo, Sophie and Sam Gombya with Ngumumuka Ekiro and Sheila Nvannungi with Doctor.
By now the crowd had joined in the excitement –– dancing, clapping and occasionally singing along. When Mesach Semakula came on stage, they got into the show a bit more and kept up their act as Semakula spirited fan favourites like Ebituwasisa, and Teriyo Alumirirwa.
There were a few technical difficulties, though, during the show, the most noticeable being when the sound became fogy. Mariam Ndagire of the Trends band went on her weak knees to ‘thank the crowd for its support.’
After the two- hour performance, guest of honour Isaac Mulindwa, also chairman of the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, was invited to launch and auction the CD. Elvis Sekyanzi paid sh100,000, Mulindwa sh300,000, CBS programme Director Abbey Mukiibi paid sh150,000. Andrew Kasaga parted with sh2m; his son Paul Kasagga gave sh500,000 while Lusyn, the distributor of Semakula’s music, donated sh1.5m.
Many others also made pledges and by the end of the day launch, Semakula was over sh7m richer.