Review- Which girl group reigns?
Jan 21, 2010
A decade ago, Juliana and Iryn were together. Today, they can only be identified by their solo careers and albums. This was the first attempt at an all-girl singing group in Uganda.
A decade ago, Juliana and Iryn were together. Today, they can only be identified by their solo careers and albums. This was the first attempt at an all-girl singing group in Uganda.
The Blu*3 are the first all-girl singing group in Uganda that has weathered the storm. The group ruled the music industry for years, before other female groups like Obsessions, Dream Galz, Wafagio, Viva Stars, Chilli Galz, Krystal Babes and Cyclones emerged.
Like other artistes, some groups have become popular while others are struggling. Pidson Kareire explores the different girl groups.
Wafagio,/b>
Formed in 2008, the new Wafagio comprises new members — Linda Mbabazi, Edith Mutunyi, Aggie Ayebare and Sheila Sempebwa, after the former members left to form Krystal Babes.
Their debut album, Love Doctor and two singles, Mukidongo and Natuzza have received heavy rotation on local FM stations and disco clubs. But the members change too often, rendering the songs meaningless.
Obsessions
They began as a unisex pop and dance group singing in mostly Luganda. They won a Pearl of Africa Music Award for Nod Ya Head, House Gal and Dance With Me. Jangu is one of the best hits they sang when they were still a group of five (before Hellen Lukomwa and Brenda Nambi broke away to form HB Toxic).
Today, the group comprises Sharon and Jackie Tumusiime, after Shebah Karungi was fired. A group with only two surviving members might not be the best sign of things to come.
Blu3
This group came as a result of the Coca Cola Pop Star project in 2003. It was made up of Jackie, Cindy and Lillian. However, Cindy, left the group to start a solo career and was replaced by Mya.
They ruled the industry in their category under the supervision of their manager Steve Jean, until recently. Right now, the group is holding onto one song, Where You Are, a collaboration with Mozey Radio and Weasel. The fact that their last album launch flopped speaks volumes about their popularity today.
Krystal Babes
These were formerly Wafagio babes. They parted ways with their manager, Emma Carlos, but are still locking horns over who owns the rights to tracks like Mukidongo which is being performed by both groups. They have also not done much musically.
Chilli Galz
Known for their debut hit, Omulungi Yoono, the Chilli Galz are standing tall. The girls’ skills, style and vocals were first exposed during the DIVA activations at Jobbiah Hotel in Mukono last year.
It was the only group with head-microphones, which complemented both their style and vocals. The girls are dripping with the confidence no other group has.
Dream Galz
This is a defunct group that was formely made up of Leila, Rena and Anita. The group which started in 2003 is best known for hits like Wandekangawo, Genda okole and Nsanuuka which earned them a PAM award nomination. However, some members are now pursuing solo careers.
With one of the original members remaining, the group re-branded and recorded an album with two hot singles Weekend and Jiggy. The album earned them some recognition before they disintegrated.
Viva Stars
It is a group of five girls — Jackie, China, America, Toto and Victoria. They have songs like Koona Endoongo and Talikuwa nsuuta, Namatimbo, Kantambule and Gwe Nsonga. They had been tipped as one of the groups to watch out for last year. Unfortunately, they have not made a big impact yet.
Cyclones
This is the most recently formed group. It comprises Esther Akankwasa, Lisa Namubiru and Prossy Buryaba. It is owned by Universal Entertainment which also owns Chilli Galz.
Cyclone is likely to climb high because of the girls’ expertise acquired through repeated Karaoke performances. However, they need extra vocal training than stage performance training.
The Blu*3 are the first all-girl singing group in Uganda that has weathered the storm. The group ruled the music industry for years, before other female groups like Obsessions, Dream Galz, Wafagio, Viva Stars, Chilli Galz, Krystal Babes and Cyclones emerged.
Like other artistes, some groups have become popular while others are struggling. Pidson Kareire explores the different girl groups.
Wafagio,/b>
Formed in 2008, the new Wafagio comprises new members — Linda Mbabazi, Edith Mutunyi, Aggie Ayebare and Sheila Sempebwa, after the former members left to form Krystal Babes.
Their debut album, Love Doctor and two singles, Mukidongo and Natuzza have received heavy rotation on local FM stations and disco clubs. But the members change too often, rendering the songs meaningless.
Obsessions
They began as a unisex pop and dance group singing in mostly Luganda. They won a Pearl of Africa Music Award for Nod Ya Head, House Gal and Dance With Me. Jangu is one of the best hits they sang when they were still a group of five (before Hellen Lukomwa and Brenda Nambi broke away to form HB Toxic).
Today, the group comprises Sharon and Jackie Tumusiime, after Shebah Karungi was fired. A group with only two surviving members might not be the best sign of things to come.
Blu3
This group came as a result of the Coca Cola Pop Star project in 2003. It was made up of Jackie, Cindy and Lillian. However, Cindy, left the group to start a solo career and was replaced by Mya.
They ruled the industry in their category under the supervision of their manager Steve Jean, until recently. Right now, the group is holding onto one song, Where You Are, a collaboration with Mozey Radio and Weasel. The fact that their last album launch flopped speaks volumes about their popularity today.
Krystal Babes
These were formerly Wafagio babes. They parted ways with their manager, Emma Carlos, but are still locking horns over who owns the rights to tracks like Mukidongo which is being performed by both groups. They have also not done much musically.
Chilli Galz
Known for their debut hit, Omulungi Yoono, the Chilli Galz are standing tall. The girls’ skills, style and vocals were first exposed during the DIVA activations at Jobbiah Hotel in Mukono last year.
It was the only group with head-microphones, which complemented both their style and vocals. The girls are dripping with the confidence no other group has.
Dream Galz
This is a defunct group that was formely made up of Leila, Rena and Anita. The group which started in 2003 is best known for hits like Wandekangawo, Genda okole and Nsanuuka which earned them a PAM award nomination. However, some members are now pursuing solo careers.
With one of the original members remaining, the group re-branded and recorded an album with two hot singles Weekend and Jiggy. The album earned them some recognition before they disintegrated.
Viva Stars
It is a group of five girls — Jackie, China, America, Toto and Victoria. They have songs like Koona Endoongo and Talikuwa nsuuta, Namatimbo, Kantambule and Gwe Nsonga. They had been tipped as one of the groups to watch out for last year. Unfortunately, they have not made a big impact yet.
Cyclones
This is the most recently formed group. It comprises Esther Akankwasa, Lisa Namubiru and Prossy Buryaba. It is owned by Universal Entertainment which also owns Chilli Galz.
Cyclone is likely to climb high because of the girls’ expertise acquired through repeated Karaoke performances. However, they need extra vocal training than stage performance training.