GNL Zamba, hiphop’s lyrical whiz
Jan 15, 2009
MORE than any other style of music, hip-hop is all about stories. And most of these stories are criminal-minded and grand, making them only as interesting and convincing as the teller.
By Gilbert Mwijuke
MORE than any other style of music, hip-hop is all about stories. And most of these stories are criminal-minded and grand, making them only as interesting and convincing as the teller.
That is why, even as hip-hop music struggles to take root in Uganda, heads still gravitate to rhyming new-kid-on-the-block, GNL Zamba.
“Hip-hop music is takin’ over!†GNL snarls in one of his most popular tracks, Salon. That GNL is both philosophical and poetic makes him stand out.
The name GNL is, according to the rapper, derived from the Aztec philosophy that says: “From the highest degree of self-expression, you achieve Greatness of No Limits.â€
Poetry is evidenced on GNL’s debut album, Koi Koi, which features tracks like Soda Jinjale and the 2008 PAM Award-winning hit, Salon, among others.
His debut album, which is expected out next month, opens with its two best songs — Koi Koi and Salon, which is not a good idea since there are still eight songs to get through.
GNL implores men to respect their women on Ekikufuula Omusajja, before uncovering the worst side of HIV/AIDS on Luka, which has hysterical lyrics about a young man who committed suicide after testing HIV-positive.
By the time track 10 rolls around, you are faced with guest spots from spontaneous (Soda Jinjale remix), Tanzania’s AY (Kulsuata), and the mega duo of Radio and Weasel (Mr. Right).
All in all, the truly great moments outweigh the average, which makes Koi Koi an excellent debut.
MORE than any other style of music, hip-hop is all about stories. And most of these stories are criminal-minded and grand, making them only as interesting and convincing as the teller.
That is why, even as hip-hop music struggles to take root in Uganda, heads still gravitate to rhyming new-kid-on-the-block, GNL Zamba.
“Hip-hop music is takin’ over!†GNL snarls in one of his most popular tracks, Salon. That GNL is both philosophical and poetic makes him stand out.
The name GNL is, according to the rapper, derived from the Aztec philosophy that says: “From the highest degree of self-expression, you achieve Greatness of No Limits.â€
Poetry is evidenced on GNL’s debut album, Koi Koi, which features tracks like Soda Jinjale and the 2008 PAM Award-winning hit, Salon, among others.
His debut album, which is expected out next month, opens with its two best songs — Koi Koi and Salon, which is not a good idea since there are still eight songs to get through.
GNL implores men to respect their women on Ekikufuula Omusajja, before uncovering the worst side of HIV/AIDS on Luka, which has hysterical lyrics about a young man who committed suicide after testing HIV-positive.
By the time track 10 rolls around, you are faced with guest spots from spontaneous (Soda Jinjale remix), Tanzania’s AY (Kulsuata), and the mega duo of Radio and Weasel (Mr. Right).
All in all, the truly great moments outweigh the average, which makes Koi Koi an excellent debut.