By Ian Nkera Ford
Everyone knows that artiste whose name you mention and immediately you relate them to another artiste. They normally hang around their more popular artiste friends, take snaps, enjoy the champagne and the glamour that comes with the fame and basically bask in the glory of their friends.
Normally they do music as well, but still remain in the shadow of their more established artiste pals. Funnily, these guys seem comfortable. They will never complain about their situation but continue to ride on the backs of their friends and never really establish themselves as the huge artistes their talent suggests.
So, here is a list of guys who have relentlessly remained the sidekicks and have remained in the shadows.
Menshan.
This dreadlocked raga muffin is Peter Miles’ groupie. He follows Peter Miles like a plague, drives his cars, runs errands for him, walks beside him like a bodyguard and basically does everything with him. Every Miles’ song has Menshans ruff vocals aligned to it and as much as the guy has some talent, he has resigned himself to a supporting role and he will always be Peter Miles protégé. We hope he realises his potential.
Nubian Li.
Bobi Wine knows he is a gem. He will put him on his potential hits and just like that you will have a hit. You all remember hits like Abalungi Balumya which took the city into a frenzy.Thats Nubian Li for you.He will turn the most average song into a hit and Bobi cherishes it but thinking of Nubian on a solo project is a hard one. He will always remain in the shadows.
The Mith.
While Navio goes out collecting every award on the continent, his childhood friend and ally Tom Mayanja alias The Mith continues to release the doppest verses in Hip Hop but still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Not a single event has Navio attended and The Mith is not in sight. For many he is the guy Navio chills with. Though hugely talented, this dude needs to jump out of Mr Kigozi’s shadow to curve out a career of awards, tours and millions raking in. The jury is on you The Mith.
AK 47.
I can only imagine what would be of this guy’s career if he didn’t have the Mayanja surname. Being Chameleone’s brother has drawn him so close to the star that someone would expect him to explode into some star considering that the Mayanja DNA is associated with stardom. AK 47 remains the little brother with potential but never realises it. That Champion Ak song and the Gal Ah Bubble hit with Diziza summarize what a talent he is. AK 47, what’s happening?
The above guys are annoyingly talented but for some reason remain in the shadows. We need to see them rise to the challenge and take up the mantle from their more established friends.
