Pam Awards need me, I don’t need them
Nov 17, 2009
Jose Chameleone is the two-time Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards artiste of the year, who has also missed out on the same title twice. He was voted the best Afro Beat artiste, the title he has won since the inception of the PAM Awards. He, however, did
You were voted the best Afro Beat artiste in Uganda. Comment!
As for PAM Awards, it is no longer the popularity of artistes neither their rightful efforts that determine the winning. It is a decision taken by the capitalists to serve their interests. It is a case of double standards and fraud.
That is why there are many complaints; people strongly disagree with these opportunists. It is clear that exploitation roams. Anyway, I failed to understand their criteria. Besides, the PAM Award organisers need me for business but I don’t need them to produce good music. The sales from my albums tell a better story; I am Africa’s finest. I was nominated in the MOBO Awards among the best African musicians.
How about the video of the year?
The orgaisers of PAM Awards claim that they are building the Ugandan music industry to an international appeal; I am the artiste who has the same interest, that is why I shot an international video (Bomboclat). Surprisingly, these people blindfolded the fans. To say that Njagala Cash is better than Bomboclat is an insult kabisa! If they are saying fans determine awards, why then are they claiming they chose the best video because of technical reasons? They manipulated the system.
How do you rate the PAM Awards?
I put it in the same category with “Nigiina,†the women village circles. These people need research to establish a strong system that cannot be corrupted. The organisation depends on one person. If something happens to that person, the project will collapse. That is why if an individual picks a quarrel with any of the organisers, he won’t get any award and yet they claim awards are determined by fans! Secondly, if these are honours, why do they buy winners? Artistes are supposed to be honoured, not rewarded. They just bribe them to be present at the function.
The public says you always hide from PAM Award ceremonies. Why?
I have bigger challenges ahead, PAM Awards has never been my target nor priority. Basically, I am working on international appeal. Besides, music is my business. I do not earn from attending ceremonies. I earn when I perform. I went to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for business. Attending the ceremony would mean glorifying their business, while killing mine. One thing people should know about business is that the right decision saves it and the bad one ditches it. If the ceremonies were over 100, when would I work? Above and beyond, there was nothing new; I have lost twice and won twice — I am still strong!
Had you won the overall award, would you have gone to perform in Tanzania?
I am very bitter with the PAM Awards committee because they forcefully involved me in the awards even when I told them to let me out. I have worked my way through and now they jump on my fortune as if they are the ones who made me. I want to concentrate on my business because I get inspiration from the sales of my previous music not from PAM Awards. They acted like the proverbial chameleon, which raced with an elephant and won using tricks. I have no faith in the PAM Awards unless they clear the system. Other awards like Oscars and Grammy follow sales, while others ask for entries as in artistes compete; others have a systematic way of judging popularity. What does PAM Awards use? By the way, if they use my name next year, I will sue them.
You won PAM Awards twice. Did other artistes boycott?
It takes time for anything to grow and human beings take long to internalise some issues. At the beginning, PAM Awards was promising, but deteriorated later. Artistes have been boycotting, but this time the number was bigger. If these people really want business, they should try to be transparent and stop pretending to be bosses; they are businessmen who need our partnership. If they abuse our partnership; they won’t get anything from us.
Some people say you are a fading star. What do you say?
(Laughs and presses his knuckles) Well, a successful man has as many enemies as followers. If I was fading, why did they nominate me in MOBO, Kisima and PAM Awards? Whoever says that is myopic and has no hope. There is being a local star and being an international star, no doubt I am Africa’s finest. If I were fading, they wouldn’t be making my absence an issue. Secondly, why are banners carrying my face advertising coming shows? You see, people try to divert my fans, but my music is loved; people may not like Chameleone but when the DJ plays his good music, they will dance and be happy; and that is what I look at.
What would you do if you won eight nominations next year?
I will never be part of PAM Awards until they sort their mess. It is not about winning, it is about building a music career. One thing my critics should understand is that my contribution to music is not a joke. There are many people I have inspired and they still respect me.
What do you think makes someone artiste of the year?
I think you must balance in all aspects and it depends on the criteria used. On the other hand, sales are best determinants. Our music is not for academic purposes; it is for leisure and a tool for reform of our society. For instance, if you say that Beera nange or Tindatiine have massive sales, nobody will complain. but say something is poor, you hear murmurs (I am trying to avoid war with artistes).
People say your upcoming album is very good but was done with “nuguâ€.
I am the type of artiste who wants to deliver whenever I get a chance. I spend much of my time observing to come up with something meaningful and useful to society. I sing what I see; when I sing Befuula, don’t people change?
It may be you or your pal, but it is a fact.
As for PAM Awards, it is no longer the popularity of artistes neither their rightful efforts that determine the winning. It is a decision taken by the capitalists to serve their interests. It is a case of double standards and fraud.
That is why there are many complaints; people strongly disagree with these opportunists. It is clear that exploitation roams. Anyway, I failed to understand their criteria. Besides, the PAM Award organisers need me for business but I don’t need them to produce good music. The sales from my albums tell a better story; I am Africa’s finest. I was nominated in the MOBO Awards among the best African musicians.
How about the video of the year?
The orgaisers of PAM Awards claim that they are building the Ugandan music industry to an international appeal; I am the artiste who has the same interest, that is why I shot an international video (Bomboclat). Surprisingly, these people blindfolded the fans. To say that Njagala Cash is better than Bomboclat is an insult kabisa! If they are saying fans determine awards, why then are they claiming they chose the best video because of technical reasons? They manipulated the system.
How do you rate the PAM Awards?
I put it in the same category with “Nigiina,†the women village circles. These people need research to establish a strong system that cannot be corrupted. The organisation depends on one person. If something happens to that person, the project will collapse. That is why if an individual picks a quarrel with any of the organisers, he won’t get any award and yet they claim awards are determined by fans! Secondly, if these are honours, why do they buy winners? Artistes are supposed to be honoured, not rewarded. They just bribe them to be present at the function.
The public says you always hide from PAM Award ceremonies. Why?
I have bigger challenges ahead, PAM Awards has never been my target nor priority. Basically, I am working on international appeal. Besides, music is my business. I do not earn from attending ceremonies. I earn when I perform. I went to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for business. Attending the ceremony would mean glorifying their business, while killing mine. One thing people should know about business is that the right decision saves it and the bad one ditches it. If the ceremonies were over 100, when would I work? Above and beyond, there was nothing new; I have lost twice and won twice — I am still strong!
Had you won the overall award, would you have gone to perform in Tanzania?
I am very bitter with the PAM Awards committee because they forcefully involved me in the awards even when I told them to let me out. I have worked my way through and now they jump on my fortune as if they are the ones who made me. I want to concentrate on my business because I get inspiration from the sales of my previous music not from PAM Awards. They acted like the proverbial chameleon, which raced with an elephant and won using tricks. I have no faith in the PAM Awards unless they clear the system. Other awards like Oscars and Grammy follow sales, while others ask for entries as in artistes compete; others have a systematic way of judging popularity. What does PAM Awards use? By the way, if they use my name next year, I will sue them.
You won PAM Awards twice. Did other artistes boycott?
It takes time for anything to grow and human beings take long to internalise some issues. At the beginning, PAM Awards was promising, but deteriorated later. Artistes have been boycotting, but this time the number was bigger. If these people really want business, they should try to be transparent and stop pretending to be bosses; they are businessmen who need our partnership. If they abuse our partnership; they won’t get anything from us.
Some people say you are a fading star. What do you say?
(Laughs and presses his knuckles) Well, a successful man has as many enemies as followers. If I was fading, why did they nominate me in MOBO, Kisima and PAM Awards? Whoever says that is myopic and has no hope. There is being a local star and being an international star, no doubt I am Africa’s finest. If I were fading, they wouldn’t be making my absence an issue. Secondly, why are banners carrying my face advertising coming shows? You see, people try to divert my fans, but my music is loved; people may not like Chameleone but when the DJ plays his good music, they will dance and be happy; and that is what I look at.
What would you do if you won eight nominations next year?
I will never be part of PAM Awards until they sort their mess. It is not about winning, it is about building a music career. One thing my critics should understand is that my contribution to music is not a joke. There are many people I have inspired and they still respect me.
What do you think makes someone artiste of the year?
I think you must balance in all aspects and it depends on the criteria used. On the other hand, sales are best determinants. Our music is not for academic purposes; it is for leisure and a tool for reform of our society. For instance, if you say that Beera nange or Tindatiine have massive sales, nobody will complain. but say something is poor, you hear murmurs (I am trying to avoid war with artistes).
People say your upcoming album is very good but was done with “nuguâ€.
I am the type of artiste who wants to deliver whenever I get a chance. I spend much of my time observing to come up with something meaningful and useful to society. I sing what I see; when I sing Befuula, don’t people change?
It may be you or your pal, but it is a fact.