By Reporter

Afro-fusionist, Lily Kadima well known for her songs “Nkuloga” and “Nazaala” has finally announced concert dates for her 2019 show dubbed “Ighe Olinaki Nabirye In the City Experience” slated to be staged at the National Theatre. The multi linguistic and award winning singer, Lily Kadima has announced the dates for her 2019 music concert which will be staged at the National Theater on the 18th Of October 2019 as she confirmed on her social media and to this website.

Being a gifted artiste with strong raspy supple vocals influenced by blues, Jazz, gospel, reggae, country, rock and pop which give her music a distinctive fusion to a refined brand of a traditional Afro-fusionist, this time around Kadima has promised a ground breaking concert.She staged her maiden concert last year 2018 at Jinja Sailing Club and it was a total success so this time around she has decided to bring it to Kampala and also bless her city fans with this experience.

By Reporter

MTN Uganda has launched the Pulse MTN Rap Battle (MPRB), a three months rap competition that will also act as a lead up to the MTN Hip Hop awards in February 2020.The telecom giant has sponsored the MTN Hip Hop Awards for the last 3 years. The MTN Pulse Rap Battles, however, offer the rap community a sustained opportunity to express their talent and are a fitting lead up to the awards.

The MTN Pulse Rap battles will provide a minimum of 6 months engagement inclusive of a countrywide talent search, production and online/TV broadcast of the competition. The 12-episode televised show will be set in a battle format in various settings like cages, streets, etc. in the presence of 3 renown judges, a super hyped host and the participation of the general public especially through digital. Commenting about the project, Hellen Kirungi, the MTN Uganda Youth segment manager said, “Pulse has been mainly positioned as a lifestyle proposition. The MPRB however, explore how the youth can use the platform as a potential future source of livelihood while continuing to enjoy the hip lifestyle that comes with it”. It’s worth noting that Uganda’s Hip Hop industry has grown from being only popular in High School and as Karaoke acts, to become the most loved music genre today especially with the advent of Lugaflow, the vernacular version of Hip Hop that accounts for almost 90% of urban music played today.

The epic rap competition will see contestants face off in the following competition categories:

Pass on the Mic: A beat is dropped in a cypher set up and each rapper is supposed to freestyle without losing the beat and passes on the mic after the given time period

Can U Handle the heat: Contestants are subjected to physical activity while rapping out

Speed TEST: Contestants are rewarded for speed and articulationSpoken word: Contestants are challenged to write and perform the spoken word

Street Concert: The challenge is set on a busy street with the objective of attracting the biggest crowds through rap

#NOFEAR challenge: Contestants are expected to rap despite any barriers meant to instill fear and disrupt their lyrical flow. The MTN Hip Hop awards night will see 16 of the competitors walk away with various prizes. The grand prize for the overall winner will be a mentorship and recording deal in addition to cash, MTN Data and Voice minutes.

Furthermore, the winner will be an MTN Pulse ambassador for a year and his/her music will be uploaded on to Tidal, a top music streaming app that is available to MTN customers and is owned by renowned American rapper, Jay-Z. This potentially means, that the winner can, with time start earning income from the revenue earned by artistes whose work features on the app. Aspiring rappers can take part in the MTN Pulse Rap Battles by registering atwww.pulse.mtn.co.ug/rapbattles

By Our Reporter

Musician John Blaq will soon be smiling all the way to the bank. This after reports indicating that the Tukwatagane singer has once again scored a new multi-million deal with beverage company, Crown Beverages Limited.

This doesn’t seem to come as a shock, following the success of the Tukonectinge with Pepsi promo for which he was the Campaign ambassador. The Tukonectinge campaign saw thousands of locals participating and winning millions worth of prizes, 25 Toyota wish cars driven home and more than 30 people winning a fully paid trip to Dubai.

“John Blaq brings good vibes, has great support from his fans and is a humble person which I think might have made him sign a new deal,” a source from Pepsi revealed, adding that, “His music is getting better and given the right support with the right partners, John will only get better.”

Asked about the nature and value of the deal, our source said, “All I can say is, the singer is smiling all the way to the bank.”

According to one of his close associates, Blaq is likely to have Pepsi behind him on many levels because of his growing music career. “They told us they have enjoyed working with him in the past and believe that the partnership between Pepsi and John Blaq is for the long-term,” he said.

We can’t wait to see how this unfolds.