PAM awards unveil Mbale musical talent
When we went to Mbale for the PAM award launch last Saturday, we did not know what to expect from the sleepy town.
By Joseph Batte and Sebidde Kiryowa
When we went to Mbale for the PAM award launch last Saturday, we did not know what to expect from the sleepy town.
Apart from Juliet Mugirya, was there any music star worth mentioning? Wouldn’t the launch be another drab affair like its miserable buildings? As it turned out, it shot way past our expectations. In fact so much so we were actually forced to shamefully swallow our words.
The weather, wet and cold after a heavy afternoon downpour, was actually suitable for only ducks, but the artists and revellers, some of who had travelled all the way from Arua, Gulu, Soroti and Pallisa were not deterred. They were scrambling to enter the venue and prove to the narrow-minded sceptics from Kampala that they, too, have got it.
After Isaac Mulindwa, the PAM award committee chairman’s orientation speech, we indeed found out that there is quite a good number of distinctive voices, some with even more colourful names, which are either emerging, or have already developed as powerfully creative musically.
First were the dynamic trio from Busoga who go by the name The East World. They dropped their biggest single titled Foda, a tribute to old women being better lovers than young female terrorists with breasts that are pointed like surface-to-air missiles. Their set created a wonderful vibe that was to last the whole event.
Mark P from Soroti breezed on stage to prove one can actually also sing rhythm and blues in Ateso.
After him, daughter of the soil, Juliet Mugirya, came on with a throat-grabbing Were Weffe. Arua-based Dogman also gave us a worthy listen in Izonji, a scathing attack on unfaithful women.
But the Mbale night actually belonged to Rasta Cobra from Gulu. He brought the house down with strong Larakaraka flavoured composition and also had the entire audience oooohing and aaaahing with his energetic dancing. Even pressmen who never understood what he was singing about knew they were seeing something special and fresh.
Unfortunately, the heavens again opened up and poured a steady drizzle forcing revellers to rush for cover in the Oasis discotheque. Pop acts from Kampala like Viboyo and Cyrus (DCT); Trishla; Halima and Sam and Sophie Gombya were introduced to Mbale audience. But as usual Ragga Dee came top with his great showmanship.
After the rains subsided, we made another exodus to the exterior where another set was unveiled- the live band. First to step on stage were the Kagumu Skill Educators from Pallisa. This group has a dumb name, but artistically they were not to be sneezed at.
They unveiled a completely new music style and dance we had never seen before- beating out a syncopated rhythm with their feet that were wrapped with cowbells.
Ojebe Samuel and his Afro pop group strummed out a steady Okembe beat from the finger piano as he sung the exploits of the ‘Arrow Boys’ who, a few months ago, gave Kony and his bloodthirsty thugs a bloody nose when they tried to export their thuggery to Teso. A tight 17-member Bukedea Jazz Band also gave an equally tight folk pop performance.
There were many singers from Mbale, but the best the town offered came in the form of an ill-equipped, but prolific band called Nanyoza.
While many groups are depending on the tired rumbatic/soukous sound, this band is scaling new heights by pushing the right buttons - deriving their style from the traditional Luwengere beats.
And, though they are equipped with rickety instruments, with their effortless playing the guitarists still managed to cut through the poor sound like a bunch of seasoned studio musicians while the queen dancers animated us with their spectacular Kadodi dance routines. By the time they ambled off the stage, we were screaming for more.
All in all, the PAM awards launch in Mbale was passionate, proficient and even beautiful.
However, now that the PAM awards committee, with the help of sponsors Bell Lager and Celtel have given regional artist a chance to step in the spotlight, it is going to be a whole different music story that should scare the heck out of the blink-and-you-will-miss-‘em artists. Take our word people, these unsung heroes from Pallisa, Mbale, Gulu and Apach are the next big thing. They have real talent.
Ends
When we went to Mbale for the PAM award launch last Saturday, we did not know what to expect from the sleepy town.
Apart from Juliet Mugirya, was there any music star worth mentioning? Wouldn’t the launch be another drab affair like its miserable buildings? As it turned out, it shot way past our expectations. In fact so much so we were actually forced to shamefully swallow our words.
The weather, wet and cold after a heavy afternoon downpour, was actually suitable for only ducks, but the artists and revellers, some of who had travelled all the way from Arua, Gulu, Soroti and Pallisa were not deterred. They were scrambling to enter the venue and prove to the narrow-minded sceptics from Kampala that they, too, have got it.
After Isaac Mulindwa, the PAM award committee chairman’s orientation speech, we indeed found out that there is quite a good number of distinctive voices, some with even more colourful names, which are either emerging, or have already developed as powerfully creative musically.
First were the dynamic trio from Busoga who go by the name The East World. They dropped their biggest single titled Foda, a tribute to old women being better lovers than young female terrorists with breasts that are pointed like surface-to-air missiles. Their set created a wonderful vibe that was to last the whole event.
Mark P from Soroti breezed on stage to prove one can actually also sing rhythm and blues in Ateso.
After him, daughter of the soil, Juliet Mugirya, came on with a throat-grabbing Were Weffe. Arua-based Dogman also gave us a worthy listen in Izonji, a scathing attack on unfaithful women.
But the Mbale night actually belonged to Rasta Cobra from Gulu. He brought the house down with strong Larakaraka flavoured composition and also had the entire audience oooohing and aaaahing with his energetic dancing. Even pressmen who never understood what he was singing about knew they were seeing something special and fresh.
Unfortunately, the heavens again opened up and poured a steady drizzle forcing revellers to rush for cover in the Oasis discotheque. Pop acts from Kampala like Viboyo and Cyrus (DCT); Trishla; Halima and Sam and Sophie Gombya were introduced to Mbale audience. But as usual Ragga Dee came top with his great showmanship.
After the rains subsided, we made another exodus to the exterior where another set was unveiled- the live band. First to step on stage were the Kagumu Skill Educators from Pallisa. This group has a dumb name, but artistically they were not to be sneezed at.
They unveiled a completely new music style and dance we had never seen before- beating out a syncopated rhythm with their feet that were wrapped with cowbells.
Ojebe Samuel and his Afro pop group strummed out a steady Okembe beat from the finger piano as he sung the exploits of the ‘Arrow Boys’ who, a few months ago, gave Kony and his bloodthirsty thugs a bloody nose when they tried to export their thuggery to Teso. A tight 17-member Bukedea Jazz Band also gave an equally tight folk pop performance.
There were many singers from Mbale, but the best the town offered came in the form of an ill-equipped, but prolific band called Nanyoza.
While many groups are depending on the tired rumbatic/soukous sound, this band is scaling new heights by pushing the right buttons - deriving their style from the traditional Luwengere beats.
And, though they are equipped with rickety instruments, with their effortless playing the guitarists still managed to cut through the poor sound like a bunch of seasoned studio musicians while the queen dancers animated us with their spectacular Kadodi dance routines. By the time they ambled off the stage, we were screaming for more.
All in all, the PAM awards launch in Mbale was passionate, proficient and even beautiful.
However, now that the PAM awards committee, with the help of sponsors Bell Lager and Celtel have given regional artist a chance to step in the spotlight, it is going to be a whole different music story that should scare the heck out of the blink-and-you-will-miss-‘em artists. Take our word people, these unsung heroes from Pallisa, Mbale, Gulu and Apach are the next big thing. They have real talent.
Ends