By Reporter

The official celebration of Ugandan art and talent….. ZZINA AWARDS is back again for the 7th consecutive season under the theme “For the Love of Ugandan Music.”

Following a whole month online nominations by the Bazzinyi, tonight we officially unveil the full list of contenders for this year’s awards which Mark’s the beginning of the voting process set to be conducted solely on our website www.galaxyfm.co.ug

On this beautiful night we are also pleased to welcome on board 3 great partners in telecom giants MTN Uganda, cosmetics gurus Movit plus betting powerhouse Kagwirawo.

These noble partners joining the winning team gives us more confidence to continue our project of uplifting, promoting and nurturing Ugandan talent to the highest of levels.

Attached the full list of all nominees under 20 categories.

It should however be noted that 2 of the 18 categories are not up for voting and the winners are determined by a select committee of experts. These include;

1. Legend Award.

2. Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Song Of The Year

• Gutujja – B2C & Rema

• Chikibombe – Levixone

• Omusheshe – Ray G & Spice Diana

• Parte After Parte – Bigtril

• Bango – Rickman Manrick

• Sikikukweka – Daddy Andre

• Semyekozo – Eddy Kenzo

• Do Dat – John Blaq

Artist Of The Year

• Spice Diana

• Fik Fameica

• Eddy Kenzo

• John Blaq

• Daddy Andre

• Rema

Best Female Artist

• Vinka

• Sheebah

• Winnie Nwagi

• Karole Kasita

• Rema

• Spice Diana

• Cindy

Best Male Artist

• Fik Fameica

• Eddy Kenzo

• John Blaq

• B2C

• Daddy Andre

• Bigtril

• Feffe Bussi

Best Producer

• Nessim

• Daddy Andre

• Artin

• Diggy Bauer

• Ronnie

• Bomba

• Rinex

• T.O.N

Best Fans Team

• Sheebaholics

• Team Eddy Kenzo

• Fresh Gang

• Spice Gadgets

• 100% Chameleone

• B2C Soldiers

• Rema Diehards

Best Lugaflow/Rap Song

• Bambi – Fresh Kid

• Parte After Parte – Bigtril

• Bomboclat – Ykee Benda Ft. Bigtril, Santana, Feffe Bussi, Navio, Don MC & Enef

• Sima – VIP Jemo

• Bango – Rickman Manrick

• Cheating – Recho Rey

• Wulila Ebaala – Suspekt Leizor

• Baagala Feffe – Feffe Bussi

• Naye Tunyumirwe – Rickman Manrick

Best Luga Flow/Rap Artist

• VIP Jemo

• Suspekt Leizor

• Bigtril

• Fresh Kid

• Recho Rey

• Fik Fameica

• Rickman Manrick

• Feffe Bussi

Best Dancehall Song

• Yaka – Karole Kasiita

• Boom Party – Cindy

• Sikikukweka – Daddy Andre

• Tebimala – Vyper Ranking & Cindy

• Do Dat – John Blaq

• Sikyo – Kapa Cat

• Jangu Ondabe – Spice Diana

• Copy Cat – Cindy

Best Dancehall Artist

• Cindy

• Daddy Andre

• Vyper Ranking

• Karole Kasiita

• Vinka

• John Blaq

• Beenie Gunter

• Kapa Cat

Breakthrough Artist

• Kapa Cat

• Grenade Official

• Fresh Kid

• VIP Jemo

• Suspekt Leizor

Best Contemporary Urban Song

• Anjagala – Maro

• Gutujja – B2C & Rema

• Squeeze – Voltage Music & Fille

• No Lettin Go – Beenie Gunter & Lydia Jazmine

• Amaaso (Remix) – Winnie Nwagi, Vinka, Feffe Bussi, The Myth & DJ Harold

• Falling For You – Allan Toniks & Fille

• Jangu – Winnie Nwagi

• Kyosaba – Chosen Becky

Best Contemporary Urban Artist

• King Saha

• Daddy Andre

• Spice Diana

• Lydia Jazmine

• Rema

• Winnie Nwagi

• Fille

• Allan Toniks

Best Afro Beat Song

• Nkuloga – Grenade Official

• Enyanda – Sheebah

• Love Yoo – Feffe Bussi

• Ekilo Munzikiza – Pallaso

• Tell Me – Fik Fameica

• Semyekozo – Eddy Kenzo

• Sunday – DJ Slick Stuart, DJ Roja Ft. Allan Toniks

• Omusheshe – Ray G & Spice Diana

• Hana (Remix) – Pallaso & Jose Chameleone

• Signal – Eddy Kenzo

Best Collaboration

• Gutujja – B2C & Rema

• Amaaso (Remix) – Winnie Nwagi, Vinka, Feffe Bussi, The Myth & DJ Harold

• Telemundo – Voltage Music & Chosen Becky

• Omusheshe – Ray G & Spice Diana

• Squeeze – Voltage Music & Fille

• Don’t Stop – Daddy Andre & John Blaq

• Omu Bwati – Fik Fameica & Patoranking

• Yitayo – Chosen Blood & Winnie Nwagi

• Replace Me(Remix) – Grenade Official, John Blaq, Sheebah

• Hana (Remix) – Pallaso & Jose Chameleone

Best Song Writer

• Dokta Brain

• Producer Ronnie

• Daddy Andre

• Sheena Skies

• Yesse Oman Rafiki

Best Comedian

• Mighty Family

• Maulana & Reighn

• Mariachi

• Bizonto

• Madrat & Chiko

• Teacher Mpamire

• Salvado

Best Inspirational Song

• Bikyuuka – Eddy Kenzo

• Ensi – David Lutalo

• Bambi – Fresh Kid

• Topowa – Suspekt Leizor

• Mama – Vivian Tendo

• Ndikuwaki – Pallaso

• Ebizibu – Ziza Bafana

By Reporter

Christians of different denominations will come together to celebrate Hymn music on GoodFriday in a Christian event dubbed The Hymn Experience. The show that will beheld at Kampala Serena Hotel is organized by Masrob Events and the idea was championed by Hymn Singer Julian Nakato also known as Nakie Julian. Accordingto Nakie, gospel events have not seen success and have not been fully supported over the years. “I sat down in 2014 and thought of how to change the mindset of those who attend gospel concerts and thought about something fresh” Nakie says. She goes on to say that the Hymn Experience is an idea he got because Hymnsongs are forgotten but loved by many church goers. This year’s theme will be Bring Back The Choir and different choirs from different churches will come together to perform for the crowd at Kampala Serena Hotel. Among the notable performers who will be on stage alongside Nakie Julian will include calvary Cross Choir, Golden GateChoir, All Saints Choir, and Jehovah Shalom which is an Acapella outfit. Singer Levixone will also perform alongside Ezekiel and Esther, the youngsters who recently won the East Africa has got talent music competitions. The only difference is that these singers will not perform their songs but will perform together with church choirs and they will perform Hymns.

Cindy Sanyu speaking to media during a press conference held at Bight of Benin on Monday.

By Our Reporter

Musician Cindy Sanyu is set for a mega concert dubbed “Boom Party Concert” slated for this Saturday, March 7 at Lugogo Cricket Oval.

The “Ayokyayokya” star will be hoping to make history as the first Ugandan female musician to take on the arduous venue, one that has predominantly been used by international artists and countable Ugandan male artists.

Although she admitted worrisomeness about the choice of venue, she insists it is for the greater good and hopes to inspire fellow female musicians with the daring move.

“As a female musician who has been in the industry for over a decade, I wanted to cement my legacy with something that has not be done before. This is why I ended up choosing to hold my concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval.” Cindy told media during a press briefing held at Bight of Benin restaurant on Monday.

“I also want to squash this notion that it is only international musicians that can fill up Lugogo as well as inspire fellow women that it can be done.” She added.

Meanwhile, Cindy has promised to give fans a memorable experience, revealing that she will be performing with twice the number of dancers and instrumentalists than she usually does.

The “Boom Party Concert” will feature other artists such as Kent & Flosso, Eddy Kenzo, Maro, Karole Kasita, Rabadaba, Silver X (from South Sudan), and Viper Ranking among others.

“I know I can’t do this on my own. I am calling on everyone to come and support me.  Join me and we make history together.” She concluded.

The concert is being organised by Nexus Events and sponsored by Tusker Malt. Tickets are on sale at Shs. 20,000 (ordinary), Shs. 50,000 (VIP) and Shs 1,000,000(table).

By Reporter

For over a decade, the name Samurae has echoed through the corridors of the Hip Hop fraternity as he has been producing and engineering urban music under Talent Africa Studios. His real name is Sam Lamara and has worked with some of biggest brands that have driven the UG HipHop industry including Klear Kut, Navio, The Mith, Tucker HD, Play 01, Flex D Paper, Byg Ben, Keko, GNL and so  many more. Whether he is producing the track or recording, mixing & mastering, its no secret that what Sam touches comes out a master piece. His prowess with instruments & ear for great beats have earned him his place among the most respected music producers in the country right now.  Last Friday at the MTN Hip Hop Awards Samurae was awarded the accolade of the Producer of the Year.

Another product of Talent Africa is hip hop artist Tucker HD who won Album of the Year for his album titled “Vroom” which was recorded, mixed and mastered and executive produced by Samurae at Talent Africa Studios. Tucker HD now a solo artist was signed to Talent Africa in 2012 through a talent search that formed the musical group called AirporTaxi.

The Collaboration of the Year was “UG’s Most Wanted” which featured Byg Ben, Tucker HD, Tushi Polo, Play 01 and J Watts. The project was produced by Josh B and engineered, recorded, mixed and mastered at Talent Africa Studios. 

The Inspirational Song of the Year was “Amen” by The Mith Ft Mal-X. The track was produced by Kozneffekt and also engineered, recorded, mixed and mastered by Samurae at Talent Africa Studios.  

The Rap Fusion of the Year was a “Giddem” a collaboration by Big Tril and Talent Africa’s dancehall sensation Beenie Gunter. 

Talent Africa’s CEO Aly Allibhai states “Talent Africa has always been a strong supporter of Ugandan hip hop music and culture and it very nice to see that our projects and talents are being rewarded for their hard work and dedication. We are also set to open our brand new state of the art studio premises in Kololo where we will be offering 360 degree content creation services with a brand new audio studio, video studio, editing suite, live music production and a music school. The new studios will be re-branded under the name TAG Studios.”