By Slim Emcee
It all happened on Saturday the 23rd of August 2014 at the Kati Kati Gardens in Lugogo where a number of artistes most of whom were Hip-Hop artistes joined NAVIO to celebrate the culture. These included, Edwin Ruyonga, I-Am Enygma, Mwooyo Kirya, Nelly-sade Saint, Tom The-Mith Mayanja, Levixone Lala, Patrobas Catrell, Timothy Code, A PASS, Cindy Sanyu, Jerome Mittau Peterson, Flexdpaper, Lyrical Gmc, Don Mc, Benezeri Wanjala Chibita, Lugaluga Squad Uganda, Peter Miles & Menshan, Santana Karma, Phour-gb Otim III, UNIQue, and others.
The concert was hosted by one of Uganda’s top MCs and that is none other than Hypeman Partytime. Events Warehouse Uganda Ltd was in charge of the stage, lighting, sound, and security.
Pepsi was the major sponsor, SMS One, Urban Television, Uganda Telecom, and XFM.
An online article was released on 25th of August titled “Navio’s Day Rap Concert Flops”. To begin with, I need all of us to understand that with such an article published in what many would refer to as a tabloid, the artiste (Navio) either receives great publicity or has some of his fans that didn’t attend the event either wonder what happened or lose hope in him.
At the same time, it is true that such a concert wasn’t targeting each and every individual around Uganda. It might have been a concert for only those that are in love with Hip-Hop and not even those that just love it.
It is very important to know that Hip-Hop is bigger than any of us and the fact that there were people to celebrate with Navio, it can’t be a flop especially it being a Rap concert. In other words, there will never be a Hip-Hop flop unless no one shows up for such a concert but if the crew itself shows up, then those are enough for the culture to be celebrated.
Being in love with Hip-Hop, I made it a point to be there in time and as I approached the metal detectors, I bought a ticket from Navio’s manager who was seated in his car. I went in and I begun to enjoy the concert from the way some of the youth were dressed in buggy jeans, Air force &Timberland shoes, the Emcees that had showed up to support the brother, the way the concert was organized, and lastly to listen to the lines of each and every artist that stepped on stage.
Almost all the artistes who embraced the stage had lots of energy with others being great performers. People kept on getting closer and closer to the stage and believe me, they were having fun even before Navio getting on stage.
A very significant point to note is that Navio’s mother Doctor Margaret Blick Kigozi, commonly known as Dr. Maggie Kigozi was in the VIP section watching his son’s dream and what where he has reached with his artistic career. There are artistes who organize events and either refuse to invite their parents or their parents do not believe in what they do. I must say that she has always supported the son and attended many of his events.
It should be noted that this very Saturday the 23rd of August 2014, there was a lot going on around Kampala even in Lugogo where the event was held. That is to say; a Rugby match at Kampala rugby club with lots of people watching some of whom were Navio’s fans, there was a Youth Festival together with Batalo East Festival all happening at the National Theatre and many other events.
Allow me to end here by saying; support indigenous artists or learn to be responsible stake holders with in the Arts.