What song made it to the 2008 Hitlist?
Dec 18, 2008
THE year is almost gone and what a year it was! Juliana Kanyomozi was the first female to win the Artiste of the Year Award. A lot of music was released this year. Some of it was outright terrible, but some grooves merit mention. Strangely, unlike the years gone by, this year most of the best songs
THE year is almost gone and what a year it was! Juliana Kanyomozi was the first female to win the Artiste of the Year Award. A lot of music was released this year. Some of it was outright terrible, but some grooves merit mention. Strangely, unlike the years gone by, this year most of the best songs were by upcoming artistes. Joseph Batte takes a peek at some of the hits of 2008.
Tracks: Usiende Mbali, Sirinayo Mulala
Artiste: Juliana Kanyomozi
Those two tracks and Philly Lutaaya’s Diana are proof that she is probably one the best female singers in the country. Her singing gets better and better and her vocal range remains one of the highest in the country.
She makes bad songs sound good. The ability to tackle different styles with authenticity is evident as she wonderfully duets with Tanzania’s Bushoke on Usiende Mbali, a zouk-love banger that is as infectious as it is catchy.
But the big question rolling on every one tongue is: Did Juliana deserve the PAM Award for ‘Best Artiste of The Year?’ Yes she did. Why? Because her songs like Kibaluma fell in eligibility period of the awards. So do not get twisted.
Track: Kapaapala
Artiste: David Lutalo
This year was his world and we happily lived in it. The video clip is, of course, another issue. Like it or not, this was a gorgeous tune made of a tasty melody and sweet harmonies.
Producer Mozart got almost everything right. He picked the right tones and channelled them through reggae beat, helping the song go everywhere — in bars and discotheques.
The people who failed to give this track an award should have their heads thoroughly examined. The only downside to Kapapaala is that Lutalo hacked down a whole forest in Luweero to make charcoal to raise funds for recording it in Kampala!
Track: Nkumila Omukwano
Artiste: Aziz Azion
One of the most triumphant R&B sounds came from this young singer. One caller on Vision Voice’s History of Music programme described this Jekaki band lead guitarist as ‘dangerously handsome.’
Indeed, his good looks matched the beauty of this track. After listening to this song, it was impossible not to fall in love with the idea of love even if some of us think it is still a bad idea!
Tracks: Nakudata, Nyumbani
Artistes: Mozey Radio and Weasel TV
Although they won the Best New Artiste award, they are by no means novices in the game. Ignore their crap names for now. The truth is, parting company with Chameleone’s Leone Island crew opened doors for them.
This dynamic duo then went on to hit us with one song after another through varying styles of music — Nakudata, Zuena (R&B), Nakutamani, Nyumbani (Zouk). Some of the tracks were heavily sampled.
Unfortunately, they used some of the songs like Nyambura and Sitaani, to spit bile at Chameleone. They also rubbed Bebe Cool the wrong way in Zuena, a masked reference to his wife.
Track: Sirinayo Mulala
Artiste: Sweet Kid and Juliana Kanyomozi
His somewhat nasal vocals, though not many fans’ cup of tea, still allow the listener a nice taste of his soothing vocals. This was one of the sweetest love songs that was jammed by a wicked lovers rock riddim crafted by producer Washington. It penetrated the soul with Juliana Kanyomozi vocals. This track brings joy and puts a smile on your face.
Track: Bayuda, Terina, Samwa Samwa
Artiste: Jose Chameleone
There is no doubt that gruffvoiced Chameleone has contributed a great deal to the genre of Afro pop music in Uganda since he gave us Mama Mia in 2000 or thereabouts.
He is talented and hard working. However, there are concerns that artistically, there was no major new music direction on these tracks. Critics, including his elder brother, think that Chameleone is musically repeating himself like a broken record.
That it is high time he explored new styles and pushed his music into the future like he did when he teamed up with Dr. Alban to record Work. I agree. You have to grow with the music or the music will outgrow you.
Track: Komawo Eka
Artiste: Pastor Wilson Bugembe
He has one of the best baritone voices on the local scene. Over the years, Bugembe has slowly carved a niche for himself in Gospel music circles with songs that tend to cross over to the mainstream.
He delivered a soulful, spirit-filled, enduring presentation of the gospel with this hooky mid-tempo groove that was full of synths and an equally infectious rhythm guitar. The call-and-response verses and the group-sung choruses grabbed our throats in a vicelike grip.
The small army of sinners like Bobi Wine, Amarula Family and Geoffrey Lutaaya made the video more hilarious.
Track: Beera Nange
Artist: Tonics
As soon as it was released by the zouk hit machine of Ngoni, it zoomed straight into our hearts. My problem with this track lay in the over-usage of Auto Tune.
This technology deceives people into believing that a person is a good singer because it can pitch-correct a dodgy vocal. The bad side of this hardware is that it removes the artiste’s natural tones and expressions from the recording.
Track: Nyimbire Omutanda
Artiste: Mesach Semakula
Clever chap, Semakula is. He showed all the rest what to do: When the ‘hits’ fail to come and your next song threatens to relegate you to the crap heap, fall back to your roots. This was a great folksy percussive tune that took us by surprise. Great video as well. It revealed the side we did not know about him. He is a good dancer.
Track: Nkoye Okuyomba
Artiste: Cindy
This was an intense groove by this former member of Blu*3 and a fine example of one of the good things a break up can bring.
But as we were getting into her groove, her jilted lover (who else could have done that) leaked intimate nude photos of her to the tabloid press, along with details of a love gone very, very bad.
We all thought she was finished. How wrong we were! This young sister has guts. Asked to give her opinion, she bluntly told the world: “I have no regrets about the photos. I was enjoying myself.†Well said sister.
Track: Manzzi Mawanvu
Artiste: Bobi Wine
We heard him thump his chest and tell us what a hit machine he is, reeling song titles one by one: Kagoma ka Lubendera, Adam ne Kawa… He could do with a filter on his mouth.
Kagoma ka Lubendera was a ‘borrowed’ folk tune; Abalungi Balumya is a shameless rip-off of Lord Laro’s World News. Adamu ne Kawa was a blatant sample of Pita Pata by Chaka Demus and Pliers. And Mazi Mawanvu…?
I rest my case. However, he did score a hit with Ebibuzo, a song about the inferno at Buddo Primary. Singa was also a hit. With a reputation for riding on other’s people’s sweat, it is hard to believe these are his original compositions.
Track: Oba Wuwo
Artiste: Jamal
Speaking of emotional songs, Jamal, a new kid on-the-block, inflated them in this reggaetonpowered track, aided by Auto Tune to maximum effect.
The jerky reggaeton drum can either make you shake your bum like crazy or the sensual melody can make you get lost in each other’s arms and whisper sweet nothings in each others ears.
Our music landscape also experienced other moments of genius by Qwela, Tshaka Mayanja, Pragmo Nsaiga and Muddy Boots. Mention can also be made of Red Banton, who bounced back with Kikumi Kinaana, a surprisingly candid song about himself.
Silver Kyagulanyi made sober noises with Okwagala kirungi naye; Pellena Najengo with Ono Gwenonze, Desire Luzinda, (Nkomyewo Nfumbe) and Henry Tigan featuring Bobi Wine (Anegaanyi).
Track: Embooko
Artiste: Master Blaster
They say sex sells. This clownish ‘teacher’ figured it out and cooked up this track which became a hit, but for all the kicking up a storm, drawing the attention of ethics minister Nsaba Buturo, the song suddenly disappeared from the scene.
What pissed me off was when our little angels heard it play, they also sang along to it at the top of their lungs: “Embo….Embooko, Teacher…†Sadly, many who were caught singing it got spanked by their parents!
Track: Nice and Lovely
Artiste: Geoffrey Lutaaya
He is endowed with good looks and is a good songwriter and singer. However, some fans are of the view that Lutaaya was using the same formula he employed on Nassanga. Let’s pray that Lutaaya realises this and gets back to the days of Gwenalotanga.
Tracks: Kaze Ke, Funna Owuwo, Siri Muyaye
Artiste: Ragga Dee
He is amazing. While many of his peers have called it quits, he keeps redefining himself. This track raised questions like: Is one of the secrets to his long stay sampling other people’s music, like he did Yashin’s Black and Beautiful to power his Kaze Ke? One of the happy songs of the year nonetheless.
Track: Anfukuula
Artiste: Grace Nakimera After the bubble-gummish shout-along Ani Akumanyi, I thought she would not come up with another strong track in the same vein. Well, she did with this track which was full of erotic heat.
Tune in to the History programme on Vision Voice on Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Host Joseph Batte will review the hits with Joycelyne Keko, Robert Segawa, Joe Tabula and David Mukalazi.
Tracks: Usiende Mbali, Sirinayo Mulala
Artiste: Juliana Kanyomozi
Those two tracks and Philly Lutaaya’s Diana are proof that she is probably one the best female singers in the country. Her singing gets better and better and her vocal range remains one of the highest in the country.
She makes bad songs sound good. The ability to tackle different styles with authenticity is evident as she wonderfully duets with Tanzania’s Bushoke on Usiende Mbali, a zouk-love banger that is as infectious as it is catchy.
But the big question rolling on every one tongue is: Did Juliana deserve the PAM Award for ‘Best Artiste of The Year?’ Yes she did. Why? Because her songs like Kibaluma fell in eligibility period of the awards. So do not get twisted.
Track: Kapaapala
Artiste: David Lutalo
This year was his world and we happily lived in it. The video clip is, of course, another issue. Like it or not, this was a gorgeous tune made of a tasty melody and sweet harmonies.
Producer Mozart got almost everything right. He picked the right tones and channelled them through reggae beat, helping the song go everywhere — in bars and discotheques.
The people who failed to give this track an award should have their heads thoroughly examined. The only downside to Kapapaala is that Lutalo hacked down a whole forest in Luweero to make charcoal to raise funds for recording it in Kampala!
Track: Nkumila Omukwano
Artiste: Aziz Azion
One of the most triumphant R&B sounds came from this young singer. One caller on Vision Voice’s History of Music programme described this Jekaki band lead guitarist as ‘dangerously handsome.’
Indeed, his good looks matched the beauty of this track. After listening to this song, it was impossible not to fall in love with the idea of love even if some of us think it is still a bad idea!
Tracks: Nakudata, Nyumbani
Artistes: Mozey Radio and Weasel TV
Although they won the Best New Artiste award, they are by no means novices in the game. Ignore their crap names for now. The truth is, parting company with Chameleone’s Leone Island crew opened doors for them.
This dynamic duo then went on to hit us with one song after another through varying styles of music — Nakudata, Zuena (R&B), Nakutamani, Nyumbani (Zouk). Some of the tracks were heavily sampled.
Unfortunately, they used some of the songs like Nyambura and Sitaani, to spit bile at Chameleone. They also rubbed Bebe Cool the wrong way in Zuena, a masked reference to his wife.
Track: Sirinayo Mulala
Artiste: Sweet Kid and Juliana Kanyomozi
His somewhat nasal vocals, though not many fans’ cup of tea, still allow the listener a nice taste of his soothing vocals. This was one of the sweetest love songs that was jammed by a wicked lovers rock riddim crafted by producer Washington. It penetrated the soul with Juliana Kanyomozi vocals. This track brings joy and puts a smile on your face.
Track: Bayuda, Terina, Samwa Samwa
Artiste: Jose Chameleone
There is no doubt that gruffvoiced Chameleone has contributed a great deal to the genre of Afro pop music in Uganda since he gave us Mama Mia in 2000 or thereabouts.
He is talented and hard working. However, there are concerns that artistically, there was no major new music direction on these tracks. Critics, including his elder brother, think that Chameleone is musically repeating himself like a broken record.
That it is high time he explored new styles and pushed his music into the future like he did when he teamed up with Dr. Alban to record Work. I agree. You have to grow with the music or the music will outgrow you.
Track: Komawo Eka
Artiste: Pastor Wilson Bugembe
He has one of the best baritone voices on the local scene. Over the years, Bugembe has slowly carved a niche for himself in Gospel music circles with songs that tend to cross over to the mainstream.
He delivered a soulful, spirit-filled, enduring presentation of the gospel with this hooky mid-tempo groove that was full of synths and an equally infectious rhythm guitar. The call-and-response verses and the group-sung choruses grabbed our throats in a vicelike grip.
The small army of sinners like Bobi Wine, Amarula Family and Geoffrey Lutaaya made the video more hilarious.
Track: Beera Nange
Artist: Tonics
As soon as it was released by the zouk hit machine of Ngoni, it zoomed straight into our hearts. My problem with this track lay in the over-usage of Auto Tune.
This technology deceives people into believing that a person is a good singer because it can pitch-correct a dodgy vocal. The bad side of this hardware is that it removes the artiste’s natural tones and expressions from the recording.
Track: Nyimbire Omutanda
Artiste: Mesach Semakula
Clever chap, Semakula is. He showed all the rest what to do: When the ‘hits’ fail to come and your next song threatens to relegate you to the crap heap, fall back to your roots. This was a great folksy percussive tune that took us by surprise. Great video as well. It revealed the side we did not know about him. He is a good dancer.
Track: Nkoye Okuyomba
Artiste: Cindy
This was an intense groove by this former member of Blu*3 and a fine example of one of the good things a break up can bring.
But as we were getting into her groove, her jilted lover (who else could have done that) leaked intimate nude photos of her to the tabloid press, along with details of a love gone very, very bad.
We all thought she was finished. How wrong we were! This young sister has guts. Asked to give her opinion, she bluntly told the world: “I have no regrets about the photos. I was enjoying myself.†Well said sister.
Track: Manzzi Mawanvu
Artiste: Bobi Wine
We heard him thump his chest and tell us what a hit machine he is, reeling song titles one by one: Kagoma ka Lubendera, Adam ne Kawa… He could do with a filter on his mouth.
Kagoma ka Lubendera was a ‘borrowed’ folk tune; Abalungi Balumya is a shameless rip-off of Lord Laro’s World News. Adamu ne Kawa was a blatant sample of Pita Pata by Chaka Demus and Pliers. And Mazi Mawanvu…?
I rest my case. However, he did score a hit with Ebibuzo, a song about the inferno at Buddo Primary. Singa was also a hit. With a reputation for riding on other’s people’s sweat, it is hard to believe these are his original compositions.
Track: Oba Wuwo
Artiste: Jamal
Speaking of emotional songs, Jamal, a new kid on-the-block, inflated them in this reggaetonpowered track, aided by Auto Tune to maximum effect.
The jerky reggaeton drum can either make you shake your bum like crazy or the sensual melody can make you get lost in each other’s arms and whisper sweet nothings in each others ears.
Our music landscape also experienced other moments of genius by Qwela, Tshaka Mayanja, Pragmo Nsaiga and Muddy Boots. Mention can also be made of Red Banton, who bounced back with Kikumi Kinaana, a surprisingly candid song about himself.
Silver Kyagulanyi made sober noises with Okwagala kirungi naye; Pellena Najengo with Ono Gwenonze, Desire Luzinda, (Nkomyewo Nfumbe) and Henry Tigan featuring Bobi Wine (Anegaanyi).
Track: Embooko
Artiste: Master Blaster
They say sex sells. This clownish ‘teacher’ figured it out and cooked up this track which became a hit, but for all the kicking up a storm, drawing the attention of ethics minister Nsaba Buturo, the song suddenly disappeared from the scene.
What pissed me off was when our little angels heard it play, they also sang along to it at the top of their lungs: “Embo….Embooko, Teacher…†Sadly, many who were caught singing it got spanked by their parents!
Track: Nice and Lovely
Artiste: Geoffrey Lutaaya
He is endowed with good looks and is a good songwriter and singer. However, some fans are of the view that Lutaaya was using the same formula he employed on Nassanga. Let’s pray that Lutaaya realises this and gets back to the days of Gwenalotanga.
Tracks: Kaze Ke, Funna Owuwo, Siri Muyaye
Artiste: Ragga Dee
He is amazing. While many of his peers have called it quits, he keeps redefining himself. This track raised questions like: Is one of the secrets to his long stay sampling other people’s music, like he did Yashin’s Black and Beautiful to power his Kaze Ke? One of the happy songs of the year nonetheless.
Track: Anfukuula
Artiste: Grace Nakimera After the bubble-gummish shout-along Ani Akumanyi, I thought she would not come up with another strong track in the same vein. Well, she did with this track which was full of erotic heat.
Tune in to the History programme on Vision Voice on Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Host Joseph Batte will review the hits with Joycelyne Keko, Robert Segawa, Joe Tabula and David Mukalazi.