It was apparent in everything he said on Saturday night at the fourth Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards at the Cricket Oval, Lugogo. Bobi Wine was relieved that he finally got an award in recognition of a solo effort.
By Sebidde Kiryowa It was apparent in everything he said on Saturday night at the fourth Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards at the Cricket Oval, Lugogo. Bobi Wine was relieved that he finally got an award in recognition of a solo effort. After failing to win anything for himself for the past three years, one gets the feeling that any award could have done. But to be named artiste of the year was just too much to take in. Yet there were absolutely no misgivings about him winning the big one. This was clearly the year for his (solo) supremacy. If you doubt it, it might serve you to remember that the man garnered seven nominations, the highest for a single artiste in the short history of the awards. That he managed to salvage only two awards does not even matter; he is the top dog in the local musical world. Yet it was not all about Wine. Iryn Namubiru, to the relief of many, scooped the Best Female Artiste Award. She won two of four nominations. Mesach Semakula managed to retain the Best Male Artiste glory for three years running now! It has been a busy and productive year for singer Bebe Cool and the dividends were there for all to see – two awards including the coveted Song of the year (with Necessary Noize). Ragga Dee and Jose Chameleone are the only musical giants who underachieved at the awards but the latter’s victory in the Video of the Year category was so spectacular it made up for any losses. But the happiest artistes of the night were always the surprise winners. Lyrical G who scooped both hip-hop single and artiste awards could not believe he beat the Hip-hop All Stars. Mathias Walukaga, who has taken a back seat for a while breezed through the Kadongo Kamu awards like a blizzard. But he was not the only first time winner. Peter Miles finally got what has been coming to him forever! He deservedly scooped the Best Ragga artiste award. The same could be said of the talented Maurice Kirya who took home the Best R&B artiste award. Ronald Mayinja’s Tulikubukenke was appropriately rewarded while Mark P won a regional award as did did DJ Laguna and Lady Mariam. Eddie Yawe too finally got the recognition he deserved for churning out all those hits from his Kamwokya-based Dream Studios as did Phina Mugerwa whose wriggling got her the Best New Artiste accolade. Silver Kyagulanyi was the obvious first winner for the Song writer of the year award. Among those who had a productive year but took nothing home despite their nominations were Ngoni, The Obsessions, General Mega Dee, Blu *3, Geoffrey Lutaaya, Sheila Nvannungi, Gatimo, Grace & Paragon, Rocky Giant and Titi. The foreign section of the awards too caused a stir in some areas. The audience seemed especially grateful that Nameless was named best Kenyan male artiste. Necessary Noize were appropriately rewarded for rocking Ugandans while Bushoke and Lady Jay Dee were the Tanzanian favourites. No one seemed to care much for the Rwandese although Jean Paul Samputu’s victory was welcomed. Last words From an industry keen observer’s view point, the PAM Awards 2006 were only as fair as they could possibly get.
Best Hip-hop single Hey U (Lyrical G) Best Hip-hop artiste/group Lyrical G Best Afrobeat single Omwana Wabandi (Bobi Wine) Best Afrobeat artiste Jose Chameleone Best Gospel single Beera Nange (Judith Babirye), Best Gospel artiste/group Father Anthony Musaala Best Cultural artiste/group Ndere Troupe, Best Folkpop artiste/group Percussion Discussion, Best Kadongo Kamu single Babibagambo Boys (Mathias Walukaga), Best Kadongo Kamu artiste/group Mathias Walukaga, Best Ragga artiste/group Peter Miles, Best Reggae artiste/group Bebe Cool Best R&B single Nkuweeki (Iryn Namubiru), Best R&B artiste/group Maurice Kirya Best live band Eagle’s Band Best live band single Tulikubunkenke (Ronald Mayinja), Northern artiste of the year DJ Languna, Western artiste of the year Lady Mariam Eastern artiste of the year Mark P Audio producer of the year Eddie Yawe Best female artiste Iryn Namubiru Best male artiste Mesach Semakula Artiste of the year Bobi Wine Song of the year Fire Anthem (E. African Bashment Crew) Video of the year Oyagala Cash (Ragga Dee) Best New Artiste Phina Mugerwa, Song writer of the year Sylver Kyagulanyi Best male artiste-Kenya Nameless Best male artiste-Rwanda Jean Paul Samputu Best male artiste-Tanzania Bushoke Best band/group-Kenya Necessary Noize Best band/group-Rwanda The Brothers Best band/group- Tanzania TMK Wanaume Best female artiste-Kenya Nazizi Best female artiste-Tanzania Lady Jay Dee Best female artiste- Rwanda Queen Ally Lifetime achievement award George Kakoma