Who Takes The Glass Trophy in Uganda
The biggest night in Uganda’s music industry is on tomorrow. Artistes’ work is on a scale and tomorrow some of them will walk away with awards and the prize money that comes with it
The pearl of Africa music awards are here and again temperatures are rising in anticipation of this big event. Who walks away with what come tomorrow evening remains a myth as the competition is tight in a few categories and others the results are almost predictable. We weigh the chances of the artistes in some of the major categories.
Best Female Artiste
Juliana Kanyomozi this year has cemented her position as Uganda’s diva. Looks like Iryn played out her chances last year. Sarah Zawedde is good, only if she didn’t have such competition. The nomination of Hajjati Sophia Nantongo, shows recognition of someone who is a veteran in the music industry.
Best Male Artiste
Jose Chameleone, we would almost plead you get back in the race, no it’s okay, you actually make work a lot easier for us. Ronald Mayinja’s Africa is a great example of music for positive change, but it doesn’t sound good enough for this title. The real competition here is between Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine.
For some reason, Bobi Wine poses a bigger threat for his songs like Kiwani, Kicommando and Abalungi Balumya, which have been big hits. We can’t be too sure though since last year Bebe Cool missed out even with big collabos under E.A.B.C like Fire Anthem. Who knows, the tables could still turn.
Artiste Of The Year
If it’s about going international Bebe Cool could pass for our artiste of the year. He made us proud in the Channel O awards, collecting two trophies for best director and video of the year for E.A.B.C’s Kube. He was also a nominee in the UK based Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards.
But again this is no news for the average Ugandan, who is not interested in any Ugandan artiste fighting hard to go international when there is a ghetto boy who lives right next-door, making last year’s winner Bobi Wine a bigger threat to Bebe Cool. For Ronald Mayinja a nomination alone spells great success and Hajjati Sophia Nantogo’s nomination is good news for the feminist.
Song Of The Year
If its about the message Dr. Hilderman’s Mazongoto is far from making any point, though he could pass for enriching Ugandan slang. Bobi Wine’s Kiwani has been a hit and who doesn’t use this word now. Other nominees are Africa (Ronald Mayinja) and Kiba Kibi (Bebe Cool & Sweet Kid).
Video of The Year
Production, picture quality, lighting, editing, choreography and the storyboard is not what it’s all about here. Abalungi Balumya (Bobi Wine & Nubian Li) gives off an 80’s feel combined with the true reggae style which everyone is obsessed with lately.
Blu*3’s Burrn is your ideal Kampala girl video though that fire wouldn’t even scare a hen. Juliana’s Kanyimbe was almost there if only we were not sure there is only one Whitney Houston. The other nominee is Gerald Kiweewa for his Ekyedalu.
Audio Producer Of The Year
These are the real makers of music though for some reason nobody looks them up. The only time they receive recognition is when musicians drop their names in their songs, and this category must mean a lot to them.
The competition here is between two brothers Steve jean and Henry Kiwuuwa and it is no doubt, that here its a story of nurturing someone only to be beaten at your game. The other nominees are Washington and Tony Hauls.
Best New Artiste
With Qute kaye as the old and new artiste we are not sure anymore, the category wants a new artiste, he was a nominee under the Hip-Hop category last year (having sang chorus for the hip-hop all stars song) which leaves us wondering if he qualifies for the category. Ronnie Banton is another veteran who has been nominated in this category.
It is understandable considering his breakout hit Kawuna came this year. Clever J is just a Chameleone mimic. With Weasel, Chameleone and him we have a little more than we need. Henry Tigan is the ideal new artiste but that is a tricky situation, Qute Kaye is a big threat.
Via The Monitor
