Born on the 12th of February in 1982 in Mpigi District south west of Kampala capital, Bobi Wine was christened Robert Kyagulanyi and joined nine other siblings into the harsh life of ghetto living in Kamwokya, one of the worst slums of Kampala. His childhood life was characterized by moving from one school to another that he lost count. "I could only study for a term before getting expelled for fees. So the only option was to move to another." In secondary school he experienced set backs as his problems became more complicated. "I used to have no money for uniforms and my mother was doing her best to cater for my fees and the family. So I had to go around doing odd jobs like collecting water for money and things like that."
If his problems taught him anything, definitely innovation was one of them."Underground shows with a Walkman, a borrowed amplifier and a speaker was how I used to make ends meet. I would spread the word and after school charge students fifty shillings (less than half dollar) per head and we would jam! I got into trouble with the school administration but that was the way I made my pocket money." By the end of his 'O' levels he had composed many songs but had no money to record. It was one of the most disheartening things in his pursuit of his musical dream."We would listen to the local songs on radio and know we could do better, but the expensive rates would just keep us from recording our numbers. I know of many good artists, some better than I who gave up because it wasn't worth it. It was so frustrating. If you wish to get intouch with Bobi Wine, call +256 752 399999

Joseph Mayanja a.k.a ‘Chameleone', some people have even gone further to shorten it to ‘Chamili’ (Chameleon, no offence). To most people in Uganda when it comes to music, this is their Michael Jackson. His music is enjoyed by all kinds of people, all ages (I was surprised to find nursery kids singing his songs, some of you have seen it too). Even those who can’t understand the meaning of the words love him too. Chameleon went to Nakersero Primary School. Later on he headed to Kawempe Moslem for his O’Level and later finished at Progressive. He started his road to fame while in Kawempe. This is how it all began. It all started when there was an open competition to write the School Nation Anthem, he entered and he won the competition. Chameleon started singing in clubs like Club Ecstasy. After this he went to work at Mukono Colline Hotel. This is where actually his background really began. He later on sought for higher clubs e.g. Club Cadillac in Rwanda where he worked as an MC. He sang some of his own songs but they were not yet recorded.

He later on proceeded to Burundi as an MC. This was because he was a good MC and he was on a high demand. He later decided to come back to his country, Uganda and start on his music career. When he came back to Uganda, he started working with Shanks VVD. They recorded a song together called ‘Forgive and Forget’. Shanks VVD later on left for Rwanda and Chameleon was left alone (to decide his fate). Well there is alot about Jose Chameleone and more of his music career, click here for more about him

One artist who has been unfortunate this year due to publicity especially the nude photos that appeared in one of the leading papers in Uganda is Cindy. After leaving Blu 3, the only group she was in for 2 years, Cindy embarked on a solo career but things didn’t go well at first as her debut single Mbikooye didn’t make it big to her expectation. Surprisingly all hits that followed Mbikoye became hits and enjoyed rounds on most radio and TV stations around town and this was a sign to her that more interesting things are yet to come. Apparently, Cindy has all the reasons to smile as she has been appointed the new Trends presenter at the Serena based NTV station. Trends which is a programme that looks at styles, fashion is broadcasted at NTV every Friday from 8 to 9pm. The Ayokya yokya singer replaced Crystal Newman a co-host at Sanyu FM evening show and by the look of things; she has the capability to make her new show the most watched programme on Television. The media loves her. In fact they loved her from the very beginning when they called her the "flamboyant" one back then when she was the youngest member of Uganda's top girl group Blu 3. Perhaps it was the fact that she was the tallest of the three girls, or the ever changing hairstyles, the seductive eyes, the smile... There was something about Cinderella Sanyu that made her stand out and become a favorite among her fans. But by then most of the attention was perhaps on Lillian Mbabazi and to Cindy's admission she was not very active in the group... at least when it came to the politics of the group. Read more

It looks that the entertainment industry is finally growing and revolving for the better, now artists and getting managers, promoters, booking agents and record deals. Like his name GNL Zamba states “Greatest of No Limits” has currently signed a 30 million recording deal with Platinum Records under the directorship of Shadrack. Platinum Records is known for producing great hip hop acts like the The Hip Hop Canvas in 2005 which had songs like “Mother Africa”, Brand New Day and the most recent Utake Anthem. Hip Hop in Uganda has for a long time not been recognized locally by many Ugandans. It was only in the early 1990's that a few artists like the late Philly Bongole Lutaya (he rapped a verse in his song, Nakazama), Bataka Underground and Kado family struggled to represent the Hip Hop movement through their music.
Many refer to him as the king of hip hop in Uganda, while others refer him to be the Luga flow maestro but he prefers himself as the face of hip hop in Uganda. GNL’s debut was way back in 2005 in mother Africa with the all hip hop artist. He took a musical break for like two year until 2008 when he made a comeback with his Soda Jinjale hit which saw him scoop the hip hop song for that same year and until now, he has not looked back. Some of the hits that have made GNL a force to reckon with in hip hop category include Soda, Luka, Ani yaliamanyi with the late Elly Wamala, mwana wababa with Percussion Discussion, Omusajja, Koyi Koyi among others. When asked what he would have been if it were not music, GNL said he would be a structural engineer or environmental scientist. More info about GNL Zamba, click here

Crossing over from a Karaoke singer to one of the biggest divas in your home country is no easy task. Juliana Kanyomozi on the verge of releasing her ten-track debut solo album is one feat to envy. Her latest pop reggae single Nabikoowa (I got tired of it) is burning up local music charts fast (entering Capital radios KT20 two days after release) indicating she is not slowing on churning hits. The former Karaoke singer explores a turbulent relationship and the resolve to move on. Ndifuna omulala (Ill find another one), Newoli kolotya, wampisa buubi naange nakukwaawa nabikoowa (whatever you do, you treated me bad and I gave you up I got tired of it). Contrary to speculation it was personal, Juliana refutes asserting, its only about things that happen to so many people caught up in relationships that do not work out. She adds sometimes in relationships we need to accept and move on. You have to be strong. Nabikoowa recorded at Steve Jeans Fenon records, has imprints of a hit: simplicity in lyrics, a widely appealing message, powerful honeyed vocals (with superb octaves), great ad-libs, sweet melody, memorable hook, sparse instrumentation allowing her voice, words and theme to be heard and clean professional production delivered by Steve. It features on her upcoming album slated for July on the same company. She promises three songs in local pop (luganda) a style she has progressed to from raw slick r&b and easily defined as a fusion of r&b and local pop with Caribbean elements surrounding her distinct voice. Her last two efforts taata wa baana (father of the kids) with Bobi Wine and their equally successful duet Maama mbiire marked the move