By Salim Segawa
Ernest Zamba’s experimental exposure to assorted ideologies and theories in the past, momentously furthered his music profession success story, echoed art, literature and ethics as he expressed them in either sophisticated or plain words. His belvedere of imagining the real world fabricated him with titanic philosophies through which he has been able to transform real life stories into plain words that represent ‘perfection’ on the platforms of spoken word, rhyme and poetry. Zamba’s modification of Luga-flow hip-hop style comes after the many good rappers. He redefined Luga-flow to blend with what people wanted to listen to seven years back.
When he embarked on a professional music career in 2007, Ernest’s placement on the hip-hip scene found him willing to shoulder the burden of the proficient unrecognized rappers that came before him. Zamba’s professional debut song “Soda Jinjale” painted the reincarnation of hip-hop on the then censorious music industry. “Soda Jinjale” wasn’t only a hit song but also a ‘direction-finding’ song for GNL Zamba’s music career.
After two years of back to back music releases, GNL’s proverbial perfection and strength and lyrical ferocity had already warranted him a name on the overly populous music industry. With songs taking turns on radio stations and TV stations, his victory was now hovering on his creativity. His singles like Koyi Koyi, Ani Yali Amanyi, Luka, Mwana Wabaaba, and Omusajja among others had compounded something bigger for GNL.
Zamba’s talent netted him a Ugx30 million recording deal with Shadrack’s ‘Platinum Records’ that saw Zamba release his debut album “Koyi Koyi(Riddles Of Life)” in August 2009. The record deal which favored GNL Zamba with production of his music and promotion represented him to the public as a modernistic manifestation of hip-hop. This was a moment for Zamba to emanate what he had cultured from his associates.
As the years snailed by, GNL’s axiomatic work started being acknowledged through different music performances both locally and internationally. His artistic style of blending art, literature and rhetoric to paint his plain words into meaningful forms, garnered him to roll on a wide platform as he started winning awards of different forms.
In December 2010, GNL released his sophomore album titled “Speaking Vernacular,” a music project that received positive feedback from his fans. Same year he helped several talented rappers to achieve their dreams. He has been able to groom future rappers under “Baboon Forest Entertainment,” a record label he owns. GNL’s music success assisted him to lay the foundation of the now ‘ Luga-flow ‘ panache of hip-hop.
This year in October, the hip-hop fraternity will witness the release of GNL’s third album titled “The Renaissance Album.”