Who scooped what at the PAM awards?
Oct 05, 2003
If first impressions, as they say, are anything to go by, the Inaugural Pearl Of Africa Music Awards (PAM) held at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo on Saturday, will remain lodged in the minds of many a Ugandan music fans who were present that night
By Sebidde Kiryowa
If first impressions, as they say, are anything to go by, the Inaugural Pearl Of Africa Music Awards (PAM) held at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo on Saturday, will remain lodged in the minds of many a Ugandan music fans who were present that night.
As the chief guest of the evening, the Nnabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, observed in her speech (to a standing ovation by South African guest artist Yvonne Chaka Chaka): “The PAM awards have been better than the American Music Awards, the Koras and the Grammies, because I was not invited to these.â€
The nationalistic undertones in her statement had been expressed by previous and repeated by subsequent presenters. “I’m proud to be Uganda tonight,†became the slogan of the night.
The master of ceremony Ronnie “Mitch†Egwang, whose sense of humour and splendid sense of fashion made for a perfect match with affable Radio One presenter Jean Laker, his co-emcee. And who could blame them? The glitz and glamour, pomp and occasion that go with major musical awards elsewhere were written all over this thing. From the splendid array of the main podium, which was bedecked by kaleidoscopic displays of sponsors’ messages to the stage props, probe lights, poppers, smoke and stage poppers –– it was a truly remarkable arrangement.
Everything took place in a gigantic tent, which was then split into the VIP and “general happiness†sections. But regardless of where one sat, with the great sound system this time (save for a few glitches) and the wide projector screens, there was no missing a thing. Like in major awards, all the four nominees in each category had their video clips played before the presenters (who comprised social luminaries across the board) announced and handed the winner his/her award.
The proceedings: The night no doubt belonged to Jose Chameleon, who dressed his lanky figure in a white suit and tainted his hair. Chameleon won four awards, the most awards for a single artist that night. He had been nominated for six. His biggest victory though was the much-coveted Artist Of The Year Award to which he beat Bebe Cool, Fred Sebatta and Madoxx Ssematimba. Sudhir and Jyotsna Ruparelia, who presented him the award, also handed Chameleon a cheque of sh5m from Crane Bank. The couple was one of the sponsors. He also won Best Contemporary Artist, Best Male Artist and Song of The Year for Beyi Kali.
Chameleon, who was overwhelmed by the night’s achievements (every award was accompanied by deafening uproars from his fans) dedicated and gave the latter award to Chaka Chaka, who presented it to him. In response, Chaka Chaka, who asked whether she could take the singer with her to South Africa, ‘offered him her daughter.’
“Here’s my daughter. Speak to her,†she told Chameleon and walked off to the other end of the stage to give them room. Chameleon went down to his knees and kissed the girl’s hand. Chaka Chaka later held his hand and declared him “the best.†“Give him support because he is your best artist,†she called out before giving the singer a lingering hug.
In an emotional turn, Chameleon’s parents and other members of his family later joined him to celebrate his victory upstage just after he was announced Best Male artist. Chaka Chaka performed a medley of choruses from her best most popular songs in Uganda like: Burning Up, I’m Winning, Thank You Mr DJ, I’m In Love and Cry Freedom. Chameleon also gave a performance which, however, never met with much enthusiasm because the crowd was worn out.
Producer/ funk master Steve Jean took home three awards out of five nominations. Steve, who covered his short dreads with a hat and a hanging shirt, took the very first award of the night –– Best hip-hop single for Feva. He also won Best R&B Artist and Audio Producer. Steve performed a medley of Feva and Mwana Gwe with incredible showmanship.
Paulo Kafeero, Ragga Dee and Pastor George Okudi each took home two awards. Kafeero, who took home Best Kadongo Kamu Single and Best Kadongo Kamu Artist was not on hand to receive his awards. However, he later showed up and performed his Dipo Nazigala and also gave his acceptance speech.
Okudi, who scooped both Best Gospel Single for Wipolo and Best Gospel Artist was undisputedly the performer of the night. With an army of over 20 young back up dancers, Okudi wowed the crowd with his Afrocentric sounds of Wipolo. Ragga Dee scooped Ragga Single for Empetta and Ragga Artist albeit in absentia. Ragga Dee is in the U.S. However, his father received the awards on his behalf (see full list of winners).
The night was punctuated by stirring performances by other musicians like Michael Ross (When U Love Somebody/ Hey Senorita); Gerald Kiwewa (Eggali Ekozeeko); Titie (Ssegwanga); Chance Nalubega (Abenugu) and Obsessions (Shake Ya Body/ dance interlude). Others were: Percussion Discussion Africa (Mulamu); Morris Kirya; KADS Band (Akakulu); Robert Kaka; Bebe Cool (Gaetano Yasinga/ Never Trust No People); Whizzo (Akusingako) and Yvette Bella (Omussajja Wange). Emperor Orlando (Nakonkona); Juliana Kanyomozi (Say Yes) and Kawesa (East Africa Hakuna Matata) also performed.
If first impressions, as they say, are anything to go by, the Inaugural Pearl Of Africa Music Awards (PAM) held at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo on Saturday, will remain lodged in the minds of many a Ugandan music fans who were present that night.
As the chief guest of the evening, the Nnabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, observed in her speech (to a standing ovation by South African guest artist Yvonne Chaka Chaka): “The PAM awards have been better than the American Music Awards, the Koras and the Grammies, because I was not invited to these.â€
The nationalistic undertones in her statement had been expressed by previous and repeated by subsequent presenters. “I’m proud to be Uganda tonight,†became the slogan of the night.
The master of ceremony Ronnie “Mitch†Egwang, whose sense of humour and splendid sense of fashion made for a perfect match with affable Radio One presenter Jean Laker, his co-emcee. And who could blame them? The glitz and glamour, pomp and occasion that go with major musical awards elsewhere were written all over this thing. From the splendid array of the main podium, which was bedecked by kaleidoscopic displays of sponsors’ messages to the stage props, probe lights, poppers, smoke and stage poppers –– it was a truly remarkable arrangement.
Everything took place in a gigantic tent, which was then split into the VIP and “general happiness†sections. But regardless of where one sat, with the great sound system this time (save for a few glitches) and the wide projector screens, there was no missing a thing. Like in major awards, all the four nominees in each category had their video clips played before the presenters (who comprised social luminaries across the board) announced and handed the winner his/her award.
The proceedings: The night no doubt belonged to Jose Chameleon, who dressed his lanky figure in a white suit and tainted his hair. Chameleon won four awards, the most awards for a single artist that night. He had been nominated for six. His biggest victory though was the much-coveted Artist Of The Year Award to which he beat Bebe Cool, Fred Sebatta and Madoxx Ssematimba. Sudhir and Jyotsna Ruparelia, who presented him the award, also handed Chameleon a cheque of sh5m from Crane Bank. The couple was one of the sponsors. He also won Best Contemporary Artist, Best Male Artist and Song of The Year for Beyi Kali.
Chameleon, who was overwhelmed by the night’s achievements (every award was accompanied by deafening uproars from his fans) dedicated and gave the latter award to Chaka Chaka, who presented it to him. In response, Chaka Chaka, who asked whether she could take the singer with her to South Africa, ‘offered him her daughter.’
“Here’s my daughter. Speak to her,†she told Chameleon and walked off to the other end of the stage to give them room. Chameleon went down to his knees and kissed the girl’s hand. Chaka Chaka later held his hand and declared him “the best.†“Give him support because he is your best artist,†she called out before giving the singer a lingering hug.
In an emotional turn, Chameleon’s parents and other members of his family later joined him to celebrate his victory upstage just after he was announced Best Male artist. Chaka Chaka performed a medley of choruses from her best most popular songs in Uganda like: Burning Up, I’m Winning, Thank You Mr DJ, I’m In Love and Cry Freedom. Chameleon also gave a performance which, however, never met with much enthusiasm because the crowd was worn out.
Producer/ funk master Steve Jean took home three awards out of five nominations. Steve, who covered his short dreads with a hat and a hanging shirt, took the very first award of the night –– Best hip-hop single for Feva. He also won Best R&B Artist and Audio Producer. Steve performed a medley of Feva and Mwana Gwe with incredible showmanship.
Paulo Kafeero, Ragga Dee and Pastor George Okudi each took home two awards. Kafeero, who took home Best Kadongo Kamu Single and Best Kadongo Kamu Artist was not on hand to receive his awards. However, he later showed up and performed his Dipo Nazigala and also gave his acceptance speech.
Okudi, who scooped both Best Gospel Single for Wipolo and Best Gospel Artist was undisputedly the performer of the night. With an army of over 20 young back up dancers, Okudi wowed the crowd with his Afrocentric sounds of Wipolo. Ragga Dee scooped Ragga Single for Empetta and Ragga Artist albeit in absentia. Ragga Dee is in the U.S. However, his father received the awards on his behalf (see full list of winners).
The night was punctuated by stirring performances by other musicians like Michael Ross (When U Love Somebody/ Hey Senorita); Gerald Kiwewa (Eggali Ekozeeko); Titie (Ssegwanga); Chance Nalubega (Abenugu) and Obsessions (Shake Ya Body/ dance interlude). Others were: Percussion Discussion Africa (Mulamu); Morris Kirya; KADS Band (Akakulu); Robert Kaka; Bebe Cool (Gaetano Yasinga/ Never Trust No People); Whizzo (Akusingako) and Yvette Bella (Omussajja Wange). Emperor Orlando (Nakonkona); Juliana Kanyomozi (Say Yes) and Kawesa (East Africa Hakuna Matata) also performed.