Bebe Cool silences critics
Mar 27, 2005
When Bebe Cool boldly upheld that his Nkolerera Baana Bange album launch, would turn out to be one of the best on the land, critics described his assertion as rantings of a verbose young man.
By Alex Balimwikungu
When Bebe Cool boldly upheld that his Nkolerera Baana Bange album launch, would turn out to be one of the best on the land, critics described his assertion as rantings of a verbose young man. On Good Friday at Hotel Africana, the dread-locked artiste, not only silenced his critics with a sensational album launch, but also exhibited how he has come of age. Not only that the launch attracted a full house, it also had all the ingredients of a good show. Spirited performances, quality sounds, good stage and yes, good time keeping, thanks to the initiative that required artistes to strictly perform their best songs. Fully clad in princely robes, Bebe Cool hit the stage at 10:30pm with the gospel track, Talimba Yesu. This was after inspiring performances by Peter Miles and Menshan, Emperor Orlando and Jose Chameleone. As he churned out his songs, you would tell he was singing to a converted crowd that chanted and sang along with him. Whereas a section of the crowd showed appreciation by chanting, another dished out money to the artistes. David Katumwa led the pack with a sh3m pledge for the CD. Others were gender and culture minister, Bakoko Bakoru (sh1m), Juma Seiko (sh1.5m) and Mike Mukula (0.5m). Even as we wallowed in a good show, Mc Robert Ssegawa and Bakoko reminded us that there is always a dark side even at a dazzling show. Ssegawa used the launch to settle a spat with Sunday Vision’s Tina Turyagyenda, albeit in absentia. She had apparently insulted him in an article when she queried his emceeing skills. Bakoko with a four-page document, attempted to hijack the occasion to extol movement politics. The infuriated crowd heckled her, forcing her to cut short her speech. Kenyan artistes, Nameless, Red San, Nazizi and Wyre, were a perfect climax to a good show.
Ends
When Bebe Cool boldly upheld that his Nkolerera Baana Bange album launch, would turn out to be one of the best on the land, critics described his assertion as rantings of a verbose young man. On Good Friday at Hotel Africana, the dread-locked artiste, not only silenced his critics with a sensational album launch, but also exhibited how he has come of age. Not only that the launch attracted a full house, it also had all the ingredients of a good show. Spirited performances, quality sounds, good stage and yes, good time keeping, thanks to the initiative that required artistes to strictly perform their best songs. Fully clad in princely robes, Bebe Cool hit the stage at 10:30pm with the gospel track, Talimba Yesu. This was after inspiring performances by Peter Miles and Menshan, Emperor Orlando and Jose Chameleone. As he churned out his songs, you would tell he was singing to a converted crowd that chanted and sang along with him. Whereas a section of the crowd showed appreciation by chanting, another dished out money to the artistes. David Katumwa led the pack with a sh3m pledge for the CD. Others were gender and culture minister, Bakoko Bakoru (sh1m), Juma Seiko (sh1.5m) and Mike Mukula (0.5m). Even as we wallowed in a good show, Mc Robert Ssegawa and Bakoko reminded us that there is always a dark side even at a dazzling show. Ssegawa used the launch to settle a spat with Sunday Vision’s Tina Turyagyenda, albeit in absentia. She had apparently insulted him in an article when she queried his emceeing skills. Bakoko with a four-page document, attempted to hijack the occasion to extol movement politics. The infuriated crowd heckled her, forcing her to cut short her speech. Kenyan artistes, Nameless, Red San, Nazizi and Wyre, were a perfect climax to a good show.
Ends