Rafsanjan A. Tatya
5 November 2007
Kampala — It was a nail-biting situation as Celtel Uganda MD, Yesse Oenga delayed to reveal the top prize winner - and with the usual suspects Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine, almost everybody was gobsmacked to hear Ronald Mayinja announced winner
None of the three feuding artistes Jose Chameleone, Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool can lay claim to being the biggest in the land this year after losing the Artiste of the Year title to Eagles Production band singer Ronald Mayinja.
Mayinja was the biggest winner with four major awards at the 2007 Pearl of Africa Music (Pam) awards ceremony held at Lugogo Cricket Oval last Saturday.
He took home Album of the Year (Ssente), Song of the Year (Africa), Best Live Band Single (Africa) and the top prize of Artiste of the Year where he beat Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool and Hajjati Sophia Nantongo.
Accepting the top accolade Mayinja, who was accompanied by his wife Aisha and "animated" radio DJ Meddie Nsereko, said: "God is great. I want to thank all the people who have helped me, the media, Celtel and Pam awards."
However, Bebe Cool and Nantongo also took a share of the glory, taking the Best Male Artiste and Best Female Artiste accolades respectively. Ballroom dance specialist Christopher Kato a.k.a "The Dancing Wizard" won the Lifetime achievement award, which he collected along with dancing partner Night Flower - and yes they gave the audience a sample of their craft, which drew cheers.
Henry Tigan took home the Best New Artiste trophy, an accolade that comes with a recording session at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in London. Pastor Wilson Bugembe won both Best Gospel Single for his runaway hit Mukama Njagala Kumanya and Best Gospel Artiste trophies but he was a no-show, which probably lent credence to the rumour that he had denounced his nomination weeks ago because the Pam awards are "secular." The explanation was that the pastor-cum-musician was away performing the Lord's duties.
Last year Judith Babirye also refused to pick her Best Gospel Single for Beera Nange, saying that she does not mingle with secular artistes. Last year's top winner Bobi Wine was, this year, given a cold shoulder with only the Best Afro-beat Artiste and Best Afro-beat Single (Kiwani) accolades. Juliana only won Best R&B Artiste beating arc-rival Iryn Namubiru, Blu*3 and Michael Ross.
And Chameleone, who had lost the MTV EMAs' Best African Act to Nigeria's D'Banj, was yet again on a losing streak losing in all the four categories in which he was nominated.
Blu*3's Burrn won Video of the Year taking their glass trophy tally to two after triumphing in Best R&B Single category for Ndibeera Naawe.
However, their producer/manager Steve Jean lost the Audio Producer of the Year award to his younger brother Henry Kiwuwa for the second time in a row. Songsmith Sylva Kyagulanyi was yet again crowned Song Writer Of The Year. Eagles also won the Best Live Band prize for the fourth year running.
Generally, the show was great and the organisers take credit for the great sound and lighting thanks to Vibes Production. The emceeing duo of Mich Egwang (English) and Charles James Ssenkubuge (Luganda) was also on top of their game telling lots of rib-cracking jokes.
The show-stopping performance of the night came from Bebe Cool and Annet Nandujja who combined on Kamungolo. Mayinja, clad in a goatskin suit, sang his winning hit Africa while flamboyant Bobi Wine brought the crowd to their feet with his hits Abalungi Balumya and Kiwani. Irene Namubiru and Sylva Kayagulanyi paid tribute to departed stars Philly Lutaaya and Elly Wamala respectively with renditions of the timeless hits Empisa Zo and Viola.
Then the guest artiste Ringo Madlingozi rounded off the show with his hit Sondela just before the big announcement was made. At exactly midnight the Celtel Uganda MD Yesse Oenga was invited on stage to make the announcement.
It was a nail-biting situation as Oenga delayed to reveal the top prizewinner - and with the usual suspects Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine, almost everybody was gobsmacked to hear Ronald Mayinja announced winner.
One section of the audience jeered while others cheered and in a few seconds the stage was full of Mayinja's fans congratulating him.
In Mayinja's words
Mayinja said in a post award interview: "I didn't expect to win this award. Of course I was certain I would win something since I was nominated several times but this one (Artiste of the Year) was quite tight, actually if I had to, I would bet on Bobi Wine taking it and not me."
Bobi Wine was the first artiste to rush backstage and congratulate Mayinja. "I believe I won because my song tackles a general problem affecting the whole of Africa, however, I can't forget to say thumps up to my wife who usually helps me in writing down lyrics."
Strutting down the red carpet that night were a host of celebrities from all corners of the showbiz world- musicians, designers corporate company managers et cetera.
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