Ugandan musicians make it big on EATV

Sep 04, 2003

Out at last! After a long wait and speculations, Ugandan artists have started featuring on the new East Africa Television (EATV) –– channel 5.

By Elvis Basudde

Out at last! After a long wait and speculations, Ugandan artists have started featuring on the new East Africa Television (EATV) –– channel 5.

Rachael Senkebejje, the most successful local rastafarian female musician and dancehall dynamos Jose Chameleon and Bebe Cool and Klear Kut are among the pioneers of Ugandan-bred artists to feature on EATV.

The television is entertainment-based, and features music from Nairobi, Dar-e-salaam and Kampala.

EATV also features different genres of music from international artists. Since its inception in April, it has been broadcasting songs by mainly Kenyan and Tanzanian artistes, until July when Ugandan artists started featuring.

Senkebejje, Chameleon, Bebe Cool and Klear Kut’s music videos are wrestling with those of their counterparts from Kenya and Tanzania. Klear Kut’s recent video is currently among the station’s top 10 videos.

Rachael’s fourth six-track album, Topapapa (Don’t rush), is toppled by the single Kampala by Night which is a blend of Luganda and English lyrics in a unique mix of zouk, reggae, funk and dancehall style.

The song describes the beauty of Kampala especially at night which Rachael passionately belts out in her mellow voice while tossing about her long dreadlocks, a thing that makes her stand out quit conspicuously.

Chameleone’s Bei Kali single that has been nominated for the pearl of Africa Music Awards due October 2, has featured on the the television. His video mama Mia is also featured regularly.

Bebe cool’s hit Burn them down which was also nominated for the PAM in the category of ‘Best hiphop singles, has featured. Chameleone, Bebe Cool and Senkebejje are some of the most sought after dancehall artistes in Uganda and their songs have endeared them to many fans from Kenya and Tanzania.

“Their songs are on demand and their fans listen to their music and demand it as regularly as eating and sleeping,” once commented Ben, a Dar es salaam based, EATV presenter. Congratulations our musicians!

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