Juliana first female Artiste of the Year

By Gilbert Mwijuke

JULIANA Kanyomozi, being the first woman to win the Artiste of The Year title was not the only different thing about the sixth edition of the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards that went down on Saturday night at the Shimoni Grounds.

It was the venue, the arrangement and the unscripted drama that made the gala far more entertaining than anything we have seen before.

After three years of Lugogo Cricket Oval Grounds playing host to Uganda’s premier music awards, the organisers shifted the gala to Shimoni Grounds. They said it was not only more spacious, but also cheaper than the previous venue.

Then, for the first time, the event was broadcast live on WBS TV.
“Welcome to the Pearl of Africa Music Awards 2008!” exclaimed Dr. Mitch.

He, Kazoora and Straka were the hosts, presenting from different sections of the audience.

Mitch and Kazoora were in the VIP section, while Straka kept the general happiness section afloat.
“Jose Chameleone took it a couple of times; Mesach Semakula took it in 2005; Bobi Wine took it in 2006; and Ronald Mayinja took it last year.

But who will take it in 2008, the year of Obama!” said Mitch.
And that gives you an idea of how hilarious this night was. (Not very).

The night’s drama began with Kazoora, almost upsetting Juliana when he asked her whether ex-boyfriend Kasim Ouma, US-based Ugandan pugilist had anything to do with her hit song Nkyanoonya.

“Honestly, we are at the PAM Awards, why do you have to mention that name?” Juliana retorted.

Then Moze Radio and Weasle, predictably some of the night’s biggest winners (they took home the Best New Artiste, Song of The Year (Nakudata) and Afrobeat Single for Zuena) titles decided to play out their beef with arch rival Bebe Cool on stage.

“We dedicate this award to Bebe Cool,” Weasle said sarcastically, with Radio adding: “for not believing in us.”

That kick-started a verbal war for music supremacy between the two acts that dominated the night, spurred on by the emcees.

At some point, it looked like the show was about who of the two acts was greater as they charged and counter-charged each other every time they won an award.

Meanwhile, the crowd was caught in between, with some falling on either side. Bebe Cool, the self-proclaimed Omunene (big star) retorted: “I only sing with musicians of a certain class,” when Kazoora asked him tongue-in-cheek, if he would work with the duo on a remix of their hit song Zuena (also the name of Cool’s wife).

When the Good Lyfe Crew reappeared to pick another award, Kazoora put the same question to the duo. “Would you do a remix of Zuena with Bebe Cool?”
Moze replied: “If he is good enough!” prompting the crowd into laughter.

Meanwhile, Juliana forgot all about her earlier mock run-in with Kazoora when she was named Artiste of The Year.

“I know what it means to win the Artiste of The Year title. It is the ultimate prize in one’s musical career,” she said. She also took home the Best Female Artiste and Best R&B Artiste titles.

When Araali Kigambo was named Western Artiste of The Year, he animatedly said: “Once again! Thank you for supporting me.”

Doris Mutahunga, who was a nominee in this category did not look amused. Mutahunga, one of western Uganda’s best, is yet to win this award.

Even though he won Artiste of The Year awards in 2003 and 2004, this year, singer Jose Chameleone, was snubbed.

As always, this year’s show was dominated by scintillating performances. Wilson Bugembe, winner of the Gospel Artiste of The Year title, sang the poetic Komawo Eka; Mr. Wind and Main Ben did not quite nail their current power reggae tune, Juba; Desire Luzinda was extremely elegant as she sang her signature tune, Nkomyewo; Tonix did their breakout hit, Beera Nange; while Grace Nakimera, the winner of Best Video title, raged through Anfukuula.

Unfortunately, Mali’s Salif Keita, who was expected to perform as the guest artiste, did not show up. Apparently, there was an impasse between him and the organisers about the terms agreed upon earlier.

Complete List of Winners
Best Hip-hop single
Navio (Salon)
Best Hip-hop artiste/group
GNL Zamba
Best Afrobeat single
Good Lyfe Crew (Zuena)
Best Afrobeat artiste/group
Bobi Wine
Best Gospel single
Komawo eka — Wilson Bugembe
Best Gospel artiste/group
Wilson Bugembe
Best Cultural artiste/group
Ndere Troupe
Best Folkpop artiste/group
Percussion Discussion
Best Kadongo Kamu single
Matendo Promoted singers
Best Kadongo Kamu artiste/group
Gerald Kiweewa
Best Ragga artiste/group
Bebe Cool
Best Reggae artiste/group
Bebe Cool
Best R&B single
Beera Nange  — Toniks (
Best R&B artiste/group
Juliana Kanyomozi
Best Live band
Eagles Production
Best Live band single
Nyimbire Omutanda — Eagles production
Northern artiste of the year
BSG Labong
Western artiste of the year
Kigambo Araali
Eastern artiste of the year
Via Kalikwani
West Nile Artiste of the year
Dogman
Audio producer of the year
Allan Okia
Best female artiste
Juliana Kanyomozi
Best male artiste
Bebe Cool
Artiste of the year
Juliana Kanyomozi
Song of the year
Nakudata by Good Lyfe Crew
Video of the year
Grace Nakimera (Anfukuula)
Best New Artiste
Good Lyfe Crew
Song Writer of the Year
Sylver Kyagulanyi
Best Male Artiste—Kenya
Nameless
Best Male Artiste—Rwanda
Rafiki
Best male artiste—Tanzania
A.Y
Best Male Artiste—Burundi
Kidumu
Best band/group—Kenya
Kayamba Africa
Best band/group—Rwanda
KGB
Best band/group—Burundi
Etoile du Centre
Best band/group—Tanzania
African Stars
Best female artiste—Kenya
Wahu
Best female artiste-Tanzania
Lady Jay Dee
Best female artiste—Rwanda
Miss Jojo
Best female artiste—Burundi
Macarena
Lifetime achievement award (chosen by PAM awards committee and approved by the panel of judges) – Father Damien Grimes