As we cross over to 2020, we can’t fail to acknowledge some artistes who have made a mark in various music fields for the past decade.
Here are some of them:
Artiste of the Decade – Jose Chameleone
There are many reasons why he calls himself the music legend and the GOAT; he indeed deserves the titles. Chamili has not only managed to stay on top for decades and but also mentored big stars in the course.
He performed at 2010 World Cup in South Africa opening ceremony, Managed to hold sold out shows at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds a year after Al Shabaab bombed soccer fans at the venue.
He became the 1st UG artist to hold a mega commercial show at Lugogo Cricket oval in 2014, avenue which had been left for only big foreign artists. Chamili scooped a nomination in World Music Award in 2014. In 2015, he was nominated in MTV Africa-MAMA Evolution category.
In the same year he won Africa song writer of the year In prestigious AFRIMMA Awards and other various continental awards.
In a period of 10 years, the Leone Island chief has released countless timeless classics like Vumilia, Bayuda, Basiima Ogenze, Wale Wale, Badilisha, Valu Valu among other songs that will forever be hits even in the coming decades.
Male artiste of the decade – Bebe Cool
He was and still one of the biggest artistes in the game. Many ‘faded’ artistes talk about the huge competition in the music industry but Bebe Cool has managed to stand the test of time and after decades in the industry, he’s never unshaken by competition. He mastered the art of showbiz which has enabled him float without trying!
For the past years, the controversial Gagamel chief has scooped nomination in top continental awards like MAMA Awards. In 2018 he beat off competition from the likes of Diamond Platnumz and Kenzo and crowned Best Musician in East Africa in AFRIMMA Awards.
Indeed Bebe has many reasons to brag and maybe he deserves that basing on his forever hit songs like Love You Everyday, Ki ekiganye, Kabulengane, Katono, Wire Wire, Nkuliyo, Easy among others.
Female artiste of the decade – Cindy Sanyu
Cindy gained fame as a member in the all-girls music group Blu*3, but even after parting ways with them to pursue a solo career in 2010, Cindy with no vibrant management has managed to remain consistent. She was in 2014 crowned Best East African Female Artist in AFRIMMA.
She has scored several hit songs like Ayokya Yokya, Selector, Nkoye, Dilemma, Sample Dat, Tempo, Amateeka Still Standing, Boom Party; the list is endless. She has her own active Music Band that has still kept her on top of the game.
TNS’s Sheebah Karungi is one other female artist who deserves a huge credit too for taking the game to Cindy. However the fact that Queen Karma has been on top of her game for lesser years, King Herself slightly edges her. Also putting in mind that 70% of Sheebah’s success in Five years is attributed to her management headed by Jeff Kiwa.
Duo/group of the decade – Goodlyfe
They deserving became the first East African artist to be nominated in the prestigious BET Awards in 2013.
This group comprised of two artistes Mowzey Radio and Weasel, and though Radio passed on in 2018, the legacy made by this group in the past decade is and will forever make them the best, their timeless projects like Fitting, Dudu, Obudde, Ngenda Mu Maaso, Magnetic, Neera, Juicy Juicy among others can prove that.
Besides that, Goodlyfe has inspired many artistes like B2C, Voltage music, Ykee Benda among other artistes who attribute their music success to this duo.
Best song of the decade – Sitya Loss
Eddy Kenzo’s Sitya Loss, edges Chameleone’s Basiima Ogenze! Reason- Sitya Loss crossed boarders, did wonders and since then Kenzo no longer needs introduction. It became so unruly that it brought him the first ever BET Award in East Africa.
Best collabo of the decade – Ability
We have had many collabos for the past years but Ability is something else, this song was done by Goodlyf alongside Rabadaba and it’s still a big hit. It was released in 2010 off Goodlyfe’s Ngenda Maaso album.
Best Band of the decade – Afrigo Band
Afrigo band is aging like fine wine, with no doubt, most of their songs where recorded longer before most people were born but for decades now, people are still dancing along to them.
And unlike others bands like Eagles Productions that fall out after a few years or have constant misunderstandings, social media gossips have never reported any serious misunderstanding in this band, which comprises of artistes like Moses Matovu, Joanita Kawalya, among others.
Audio producer of the decade – Paddy Man
Paddy Man and David Ebangi aka Producer Washington stood out. The pair crafted killer music beats which shaped the new crop of producers we have now. Paddy Man produced classics like Basiima Ogenze, Valu Valu, Badilisha and one the other hand, Washingtone is the brain behind almost all chart-topping songs of Radio and Weasel. Hmm tight competition but Paddy Man edges Washingtone.
Video producer of the decade – Frank Jahlive
Frank Mugerwa aka Frank Jahlive is one of a few visual producers who have stayed in the game for over a decade and still delivers quality.
Jahlive joined this industry in 2009 with his breakthrough video Bwekiri by Rabadaba and since then, he is just growing bigger following projects like Stamina by Eddy Kenzo, Ngenda maaso, Heart attack, by Goodlyfe, Tax money among others.
Best artiste manager of the decade – Jeff Kiwa
How would the music industry be without Jeff Kiwa!!! With no doubt, Kiwa is one of the biggest pillars in the industry and most of the big names have gone through his hands. for a decade, he has managed to boost many music talents and also signed many under his management (Team No Sleep), some include Jose Chameleone, Good life, Pallaso, AK47, Sheebah, Nina Roz among others.
Record label of the decade – Swangz Avenue
It was and still the biggest record label in the industry and over a decade now, Swangz has made several artistes stars like Irene Ntale, Sera, Vinka, Winnie Nwagi among others and has also worked with several artistes like Vampino, Rabadaba, Goodlyfe among others.
Best Comedian of the decade- Patrick Edringi Salvado
Truthfully, with no doubt Man from Ombokolo has done remarkable things for the Comedy industry for the past 10 years. He has consistently represented us on continental stage.
Yes in 2016 him and Anne Kansiime were listed amongst top 10 cream comedian on the continent by www.Africa.com but the later gradually somehow lost steam. Another is Amooti who also deserves a mention.
Best concert of the decade – Battle of Champions
This is the biggest music concert in the history of Uganda’s concerts, it was a battle of supremacy between Bobi wine and Bebe Cool, and it happened at Lugogo Cricket oval in 2012. The concert was organized by KT Promotions and till now, it’s still taking the lead.
Standout musician of the decade – Bobi Wine
You can’t talk about Uganda’s music industry and forget about Bobi Wine, and you can’t talk about the country’s current politics and leave him out.
From the ghettos of Kamwokya, Bobi Wine is among the few entertainers who have become prominent legislators after people of Kyadondo East voted for him to represent them in Parliament during the 2017 By-elections.
And because of his big support both locally and internationally, the musician turned politician is even eyeing the Presidential seat come 2021. He is currently the biggest inspiration to many youth given his background.
Best music export of the decade – Eddy Kenzo
He has shared many international music platforms more than any other Ugandan artiste, rubbed shoulders with the big names on international scenes, recorded timeless songs like stamina, sitya loss among others that did not only make him a star here but also on international market, not forgetting the multiple international awards he received like BET, Nickelodeon Kids Choice award among others.
Hit makers/ Decade overall best entertainers-Jose Chameleone and Goodlyfe
MC of the decade- MC Kats
Forget about his flaws, MC Kats has been up there; he is indeed the King of the mic. From hosting Teen’s shows to mega international artists shows. He deserves a huge credit for standing out and not tiring no matter the weather.
Best Entertainment TV Host of the decade- Douglas Lwanga
His now an house hold name with a huge following of fans! They say a rolling stone gathers no moss but hey, Lwanga has proved the saying wrong. From Record TV where he started his Katogo show, to NTV Da Beat and now NBS After5 show. He has kept the class and shines like a diamond. He now organizes one of the biggest shows- Purple Party annually.
Best DJ of the decade- Deejay Shiru
He says ever challenged but never equaled but indeed walks the talk. Shiru has done it all, mentoring now famous DJ Slick Stuart, winning multiple awards and keeping the class. Hats off!
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.
