New York, United States | AFP | Snoop Dogg has returned to his rap roots — as well as his familiar love of marijuana — as he released a new song Tuesday and detailed his upcoming album. “Coolaid,” which will come out on July 1, will be Snoop Dogg’s first …
Read More »Unsweet voices: A chaotic symphony erupts as Ugandans find voice
By Nathan Kiwere Going by the sheer number of artists, the Ugandan music industry appears to overflowwith talent. It is a contrast to a few years ago when the local scene was awash with ‘imported’ music. Congolese Lingala maestros monopolized the few radio stations and patronised Ugandan revelers with their …
Read More »Anne-Marie Nzie, ‘golden voice of Cameroon’, dies at 84
Yaoundé, Cameroon | AFP | Popular Cameroonian singer Anne-Marie Nzie has died at the age of 84 following a career spanning six decades, state media reported Wednesday. Nicknamed the “golden voice of Cameroon”, the singer died Tuesday evening in a hospital in the capital Yaounde where she had been admitted …
Read More »World mourns ‘King of Congolese rumba’ Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba was a warrior of African music & an Africa legend whose music will endure. He acted, sang, wrote songs, performed on world stages — Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) April 24, 2016 Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Papa Wemba, one of Africa’s greatest music stars, has died …
Read More »Prince cremated in private ceremony
Minneapolis, UNITED STATES | AFP | Loved ones cremated pop icon Prince on Saturday with his final resting place to remain a secret, two days after his sudden death stunned the music world. The 57-year-old “Purple Rain” creator, one of the most acclaimed and unique artists of his generation, will …
Read More »Music legend Prince dead at 57
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Pop icon Prince, whose pioneering brand of danceable funk made him one of the most influential figures in music, died Thursday at his compound in Minnesota. He was 57. The announcement came just a week after the enigmatic Grammy and Oscar winner — …
Read More »Healed by the music beat
By Joan Akello How learning music is reforming the rebellious hearts and minds of street children and giving abandoned children hope Ronald Sseruyange will never forget how one of the big boys dislocated his jaw as a way of introducing him to the harsh life on the street when he …
Read More »In search of original Ugandan music
By Yusuf K. Serunkuma Nothing wrong with artists trying to respond to the pervasive beat of western power, capital, and tastes Early this year, local Ugandan artistes brawled with radio and television music show hosts. The local music producers and singers were unhappy that local disk jockeys appeared to favour …
Read More »Warrior politics and Uganda’s music
By Jude Kagoro Why music industry is replete with brand-names related to military ranks, weapons, and jargon For any system or practice to survive there must be enough deep-rooted mass support for it. Democracy can only survive in a society that has enough democrats. Equally true is that for tyranny …
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