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Uganda: West Nile Earns Slot in PAM Awards
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New Vision (Kampala)
3 July 2008
Posted to the web 4 July 2008
Kampala
IT was the first time the Bell Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards launched in West Nile since their inception in 2003. Of course there were a lot of expectations.
But what we eventually witnessed in terms of the quality of artistes and audience turn-up at Hill View Gardens in Arua last Saturday was awe-inspiring. As WBS TV Late Show presenter and MC of the night Straka Mwezi exclaimed: "Arua has talent!"
No wonder the turn-up at Congolese star Bozi Boziana's second show -- same night as the PAM awards launch -- was so miserable and by the end of the show, Boziana had joined the PAM Awards audience.
But the most significant thing to happen that evening was the announcement that a new category to cater for West Nile was to be added to the PAM Awards this year. West Nile artistes have been classified under the Northern Artiste of the year category since 2004.
Yet with all the talent the artistes exhibited that night, the crowd took too long to warm up to them. But when they did, things got simply out of control.
The toast of the evening were Dog Man and Black Harmony from West Nile.
Singing Asasi in praise of Sudan, Nesibu (stop the war) and a sweet mellow tune about street kids, Dogman stirred the crowd so much that frenzied fans followed him around pouring beer on his bare back and head.
But the real highlight of the night was Black Harmony's performance. The Arua based duo of Emmanuel Ledra and Robert Adima, wowed the audience.
The Afrobeat and dancehall songs done in Lugbara, English and Luganda ignited the crowd. Black Harmony is surely a contender for the maiden title.
Equally good was Black Trouble (Rashid Musa and Barnabas Anguyo) whose Alio (poverty) and Chandi (trouble) songs, moved revellers.
Pingoman, a Bobi Wine look-alike, was also impressive. Equally remarkable was Captain Atiku, who said he pioneered music in Arua. He did Ikolo (No Happiness) and Sweet Zaida.
With her physique and voice, Leilah Chandiru could easily pass for Tanzanian star, Saidah Kalooli. She did two Zouk-influenced Lugbara tracks, Asi Onzi (Jealousy) and Chapiri (I am Fed Up).
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Others were The Cuties (two girls in their S6 vacation), Peace Daluo, Grace Atim, Northern Empire, Fat A.
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