Sylvia follows in mum’s footsteps

Jun 18, 2006

UGANDAN historians, and indeed the world, will one day gaze in wonder at the talent in just one family. Sylvia Namutebi Nandujja, the daughter of renown singer Annet Nandujja, will soon launch her debut album <i>Ekyambalo kya Africa</i> (The Colour of African Skin) in Sweden. The album promises to b

By Norman Miwambo

UGANDAN historians, and indeed the world, will one day gaze in wonder at the talent in just one family. Sylvia Namutebi Nandujja, the daughter of renown singer Annet Nandujja, will soon launch her debut album Ekyambalo kya Africa (The Colour of African Skin) in Sweden. The album promises to be filled with the same musical flair associated with her mother.

Annet Nandujja sings with The Planets and her performances are known for raising more than a smile from her fans. One cannot resist tapping one’s feet or nodding one’s head on hearing her quivering voice as she wriggles her waist.

Today, her daughter Sylvia is preparing to carry the music further. Her thrilling album demonstrates the strange experiences of recording in Scandinavian cities.
Fans will be pleased to know that Sylvia possesses the melodic sweetness of her mother and many pleasant memories will be rekindled.

Like a few other Ugandan singers, Sylvia has turned to Sweden to mould her music. The Nordic land has already had success with the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya and Hope Mukasa.

Having performed before Ugandan fans most of her life, Sylvia believes that she is well acquainted with the test of music for both the old and young. She also seems determined to make a statement with her work. With Ekyambalo kya Africa, Sylvia aims at changing the opinions of people who undermine Africans and their culture. Sylvia’s album has already kicked off a storm even before being officially launched.

Like her mother, Sylvia is at her best. With not only a dazzling personality, her musical talent has produced something which is both creatively modern and loaded with old-fashioned melodic hooks.
Sang with her delicate, emotive voice, Ekyambalo kya Africa is an explosion and a sensibility. Soon, Sylvia hopes to have a live performance.

Her album also includes a song entitled Omwana W’okunguuddo, which talks about street kids.
“I am trying to highlight the problems that these kids face and what forces them to go to the streets,” Sylvia says.
This serious side to her work is balanced with more up-beat songs, such as Omukwano Muzibe and Omulenzi Wange.

Although Sylvia has encountered many hurdles, she is confident and believes she will succeed. “Nothing comes from the blue. One has to endure all sorts of hurdles to achieve an objective,” she says.

Her lifestyle has been challenging and very different from life at home. “It is not easy to survive in Sweden. I have to go for my studies at Fraurst School of Art, Tourism, and Hotel in Stockholm as well as finding a decent way of living,” says Sylvia.

“It would be sheer madness for me to just abandon music, which is an inborn talent to me. It wouldn’t only trouble me, but also those who took trouble to teach and encourage me after spotting my talent.”

Sylvia was spotted at Nakivubo Settlement Primary School by a Mr. William Ssentumbwe, even before knowing that she was Annet Nandujja’s daughter.

Ssentumbwe put her in the school choir and it was not long before Sylvia had the confidence to get on stage with her mother and The Planets when she was just 14 years old. Today, her manager and producer is Kiyimba Musisi.

However, with great fondness, Sylvia recalls Prof. Ben Kalanzi, a pianist who took her to Switzerland for the three-year course in traditional and church music.

Sylvia will not forget her roots, and carries Uganda close to her heart.

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