That it was presented as a competition between top young artistes Chameleone and Bobi Wine did not really fool anybody.
By Sebidde Kiryowa
That it was presented as a competition between top young artistes Chameleone and Bobi Wine did not really fool anybody.
‘Who is the king’ was the codename of the concert that featured dynamic music powerhouses Leon Island Records, led by Jose Chameleone and Fire Base Crew, the controversial posse led by Bobi Wine. The show was held last Saturday at the Imperial Resort Beach.
But it was not just the young fans who forked out sh5,000 and flocked the venue in their hundreds, that could see straight through this promoters’ marketing gimmick. The artistes themselves kept reiterating that it was about music.
As expected, the various acts in the two camps opened for their ‘bosses.’ From the The Fire Base Crew were Miki Wine (Bobi Wine’s kid brother), Nana, Master Parrot, Butcherman, Thunderman and others. From Leone Island were Robert Marshall, Chagga, Weasal, Tikita, Lizard, Small Axe, Red Banton and Viboyo.
The real showdown, however, kicked off at 11:00pm when Bobi Wine, clad in a shimmering top, army pants, sunglasses and his locks held together with a band, hopped on stage. The atmosphere was electric as the singer pranced about the stage energetically, performing Barbie Wange.
However, when he got into Kagoma, his groundbreaking hit of yesteryear, there was a lull. Even Bobi Wine never seemed to feel it. He seemed content just letting the track roll while he mimed.
Ladie’s Wine, a duet with Bella rocked the crowd, as did Mwekume, a duet with the late Weatherman, but which he performed with the deceased’s brother, Thunderman. Funtula, a duet with Bebe Cool and Sunda, a duet with Ziggy Dee drew out his whole crew and together, they rocked the crowd.
Soon, it was on to Chameleone, who took to the podium at 20 minutes to midnight. Clad in a black T-shirt, large crucifix dangling on his neck and army pants, he wasted no time, getting straight into gospel-tinged Bwosaba, with Tikita.
The uproar that greeted him was hard to contain as fans tussled to touch him from below the stage.
Next, it was on to Kuma Obwesigwa, Gwe Nafuna Kati, Nekolera Mali and Jamila. As he leapt, it was clear Chameleone had his work cut out for him.
His songs, drawn from all his five albums, needed no introduction and the crowd sang along with religious devotion!
Mambo Bado and Beyi Kali received the most crazed responses, and, in the heat of it all, one lucky female even got to hug and kiss the star. At the moment, she was clearly the envy of every young lady in that crowd.
After introducing his crew shortly after, it was way past 1:00pm and time to go, but the crowd did not seem ready to budge.