JamaicA’S Papa San to rap for abstinence
Papa San, a renown Jamaican dancehall artiste, is set to perform in Kampala. The show is organised by Global AIDS Prevention -Initiative (GAP-I) in conjunction with the office of the First Lady of Uganda, Campus Alliance to Wipeout Aids (CAWA), Power FM, Fishnext, Serena Hotel and several local AIDS
By Jude Katende
Papa San, a renown Jamaican dancehall artiste, is set to perform in Kampala. The show is organised by Global AIDS Prevention -Initiative (GAP-I) in conjunction with the office of the First Lady of Uganda, Campus Alliance to Wipeout Aids (CAWA), Power FM, Fishnext, Serena Hotel and several local AIDS agencies, as part of a one-month campaign themed “Stop, AIDS, Fight Abstinence Stigma.â€
Dubbed “Abstinence Pride Ragga Dub, Break the Shame with the King of dancehallâ€, San’s shows will also feature a Hawaiian group, 7 Simple Pieces and local gospel acts –– Limit X, Sauti and Tikitah.
There will be a VIP show at Kampala Serena Hotel for sh40,000 next Friday, at 6:30pm, while free shows will be at Kololo Airstrip next Saturday, at mid-day, and at Makerere Freedom Square on next Sunday, at 5:00pm.
Janet Museveni, the First Lady and Ruhama County MP, will be the guest of honour at the Kololo show, which will be preceded by an abstinence pride march by students, churches, AIDS prevention groups, cultural and community-based organisations.
Born Tyrone Thompson, the Jamaican started out as a secular artiste, but became born-again in 1997 and turned his reggae music into gospel dancehall. He has since helped many people turn to Christ.
One of eight children, San grew up in the ghetto and was exposed to music at an early age. San, who has been called “the fastest mouth in Jamaicaâ€, is known to have initiated the gospel reggae genre and has worked with renowned gospel artistes including Kirk Franklin.
On why they chose him, Limit-X’s Isaac Rucci, said at a press briefing, “It is scientifically proven that music is the best medium to reach the young people’s minds.â€
“This AIDS campaign is going to be a seven-year initiative. We are trying to fight and stop the stigma. Abstinence is possible. In ABC, the C is always promoted, what about the 15-year olds?†Rucci asked. He said with the sound equipment hired from Kenya, he promised the best sound ever to be used in the region.
“We intend to make it an annual event held every October and will feature a prominent artiste. The campaign will also go to schools with drama and music shows for the rest of November,†said Ken Nganda, one of the organisers. With his fast-flowing, rapid-fire rap style, San has gained lots of fans through his multiple appearances at reggae festivals including the renowned Jamiaca’s Reggae Sunsplash.
Papa San’s popular singles:
l Maddy Maddy Cry (1992), The Programme (1993) and I will Survive.
His albums include:
System (1990) with songs: Dancehall Good To We, How Fi Run Mi Life.
Pray Fi Dem (1993) with songs Football in bed, National Dish, Woulda Coulda.
l Rough Cut (1993): Hippity Hippity Hop, Strange, Dirty Talk and others.
In Action (1993): Romantic Love, Sorry and Nick Name Game.
No Place Like Home (1995): Heads of Government, Coca Cola Shape.
Victory (1999): Touch From You, Only Jah Mercy ft. Shabba Ranks, As a Christian, First Him, Mama, Jesus Love, Fly Away Home and Road to Travel.
God and I (2003).About his journey from the secular world to a born-again Christian.
Real and Personal (2005) His most recent project.
Papa San, a renown Jamaican dancehall artiste, is set to perform in Kampala. The show is organised by Global AIDS Prevention -Initiative (GAP-I) in conjunction with the office of the First Lady of Uganda, Campus Alliance to Wipeout Aids (CAWA), Power FM, Fishnext, Serena Hotel and several local AIDS agencies, as part of a one-month campaign themed “Stop, AIDS, Fight Abstinence Stigma.â€
Dubbed “Abstinence Pride Ragga Dub, Break the Shame with the King of dancehallâ€, San’s shows will also feature a Hawaiian group, 7 Simple Pieces and local gospel acts –– Limit X, Sauti and Tikitah.
There will be a VIP show at Kampala Serena Hotel for sh40,000 next Friday, at 6:30pm, while free shows will be at Kololo Airstrip next Saturday, at mid-day, and at Makerere Freedom Square on next Sunday, at 5:00pm.
Janet Museveni, the First Lady and Ruhama County MP, will be the guest of honour at the Kololo show, which will be preceded by an abstinence pride march by students, churches, AIDS prevention groups, cultural and community-based organisations.
Born Tyrone Thompson, the Jamaican started out as a secular artiste, but became born-again in 1997 and turned his reggae music into gospel dancehall. He has since helped many people turn to Christ.
One of eight children, San grew up in the ghetto and was exposed to music at an early age. San, who has been called “the fastest mouth in Jamaicaâ€, is known to have initiated the gospel reggae genre and has worked with renowned gospel artistes including Kirk Franklin.
On why they chose him, Limit-X’s Isaac Rucci, said at a press briefing, “It is scientifically proven that music is the best medium to reach the young people’s minds.â€
“This AIDS campaign is going to be a seven-year initiative. We are trying to fight and stop the stigma. Abstinence is possible. In ABC, the C is always promoted, what about the 15-year olds?†Rucci asked. He said with the sound equipment hired from Kenya, he promised the best sound ever to be used in the region.
“We intend to make it an annual event held every October and will feature a prominent artiste. The campaign will also go to schools with drama and music shows for the rest of November,†said Ken Nganda, one of the organisers. With his fast-flowing, rapid-fire rap style, San has gained lots of fans through his multiple appearances at reggae festivals including the renowned Jamiaca’s Reggae Sunsplash.
Papa San’s popular singles:
l Maddy Maddy Cry (1992), The Programme (1993) and I will Survive.
His albums include:
System (1990) with songs: Dancehall Good To We, How Fi Run Mi Life.
Pray Fi Dem (1993) with songs Football in bed, National Dish, Woulda Coulda.
l Rough Cut (1993): Hippity Hippity Hop, Strange, Dirty Talk and others.
In Action (1993): Romantic Love, Sorry and Nick Name Game.
No Place Like Home (1995): Heads of Government, Coca Cola Shape.
Victory (1999): Touch From You, Only Jah Mercy ft. Shabba Ranks, As a Christian, First Him, Mama, Jesus Love, Fly Away Home and Road to Travel.
God and I (2003).About his journey from the secular world to a born-again Christian.
Real and Personal (2005) His most recent project.