Entertainment
Bwe Mpima, Irene Ntale’s Sukaali EP is Every Way a Turn Up!
When Irene Ntale left renown record label Swangz Avenue in 2017 after nearly four years, many music critics around the city thought it was the beginning of the end of her career.
After the usual breakup drama between local artistes and their management that usually involves social media accounts, Ntale went on the low for a while.
By taking the back seat, Ntale, in a way, fell right into the path of the critics. ‘Where is she now?’ They asked. ‘Now that they have gotten you somewhere, you feel you have grown.’ They said.
“To be honest, the first year when I had just left it was tough because I was used to being babied,” Ntale admitted during an interview with Mbu last year. “I started working with my sister [Sandra Ntale Byenkya] as the manager but it was very tough in 2017 because there was a lot of backlash,” she added.
The noise never went unnoticed by the diva as she released a couple of songs as “Twelageko”, “Omutima Gwesibye”, “Kyolowooza”, “Boogie Down” (ft. StoneBwoy), “Stamina Daddy” to cool the fire and, if I may, prove she can stand on her own.
“I said I’m going to stand, I’m going to continue doing music because I have a fan base and they demand. So I continued working.”
Of course in the Ugandan music industry, a song is only as ‘good’ and big as its airplay on Radio and Tv, as well as bars and clubs. Everything else barely matters.
Whether “Stamina Daddy”, “Kyolowooza” or others that followed were ‘big’ songs, that’s for you to decide but Ntale stressed it was time for her to leave Swangz.
“Truth is I felt I needed to move on because I was there for four years,” she stressed. “Surely, if I hadn’t learnt anything in four years then I would clearly be dumb. I said, I’m going to take what I have learnt here and go do my own thing.”
Staging a successful concert is one the major measures of individual success of an artiste in the Ugandan industry. It was certain Irene Ntale would take that route in trying to prove her critics wrong and indeed she staged a concert dubbed Irene Ntale Unchained on July 6th, 2018. The three-hour live performance at Serena Hotel left all impressed, and proved she’s not about to relinquish her place in the industry.
“The most important thing for me was [to hold] a concert which I had to do everything from scratch and make sure it was great,” she said then.
Ntale basked in the success of the concert for the rest of the year but there was an inherent need deep down, probably related to her music distribution. A relatively quiet 2019 that started with her releasing “Enamba” visuals came to life around August when she was signed to Universal Music Group Nigeria, and shortly after she released “Nyamba“, a song that received some good airplay.
After outing “Nyamba”, Irene Ntale went into a hibernation of sorts but informed her fans, from time to time, that she was working on some projects. In fact, during her performance on the Club Beatz At Home online concert in April, Ntale revealed she had recorded music whose release was only delayed by COVID-19.
And on 24th July, she finally released a six-track Experimental Project titled “Sukaali”. “These six songs are, in a very deep way, an expression of my curtain call to those that have cheered for the music from the beginning. Think of it as my bouquet of flowers saying, thank you; saying alright let’s do this,” Ntale said of the EP.
I have listened to the EP over and over, back and forth since its release nearly a month ago and in this article I share what I think of each song.
The Irene Ntale we all have known over the years with that sweet charming raspy voice that never fades out of the mind returned with Every Way. It’s a song that will be played a lot at wedding receptions. Buta Magical did awesome production work and the song is a 7/10.
It’s easy to tell how much influence Nigerian music has had on Ugandan artistes and producers over the past decade or so. Onkubirako has that West African vibe with a little fusion of 90s Lingala, and can definitely be played across the continent. On the first listen, my mind ran straight to Yondo Sister’s A Chanun Son Gout. Nessim, one of the country’s top producers, did great and the song is a 6/10.
- Mpima
Sir Dan Magic’s production work stands out on Mpima. The drums, especially the kick, and baseline in this lay back Afrodancehall tune make it one of my favourites on the EP. Irene Ntale’s little pinch of patois at the intro gets you locked in right away. The lyrics are captivating and it’s definitely a 7/10
Do you remember her 2014 single Sembera? If it was a classic, Sukaali is a Classic+ and one for the region. How Ntale cascades through the verses and choruses makes you want to listen to it again and again. However, some high notes, particularly on the chorus, are a little out of control and come off like a “shout” – that Juliana Kanyomozi kind of shout on high notes. Overall, the song produced by Nash Wonder & Oman Rafiki is one for ages. It’s a 7/10.
Allergy is contemporary R&B Soul at its best. Wow…! Josh Wonder did an amazing production job. The baseline, keys, percussions, and solo were on point, the lyrics and emotions she pours in give me goosebumps and make me feel some type of way. Allergy is a ballad, created for late night radio and lay back Sunday afternoons. It’s my favourite song on the EP and a 9/10.
Do you remember that dancehall tune Omutima Gwesibye from di gyal dem Irene Ntale? Well, Turn Up is not far from it, probably because they were both made by the same producer – Nash Wonder. However, Turn Up feels like a downgrade from Omutima Gwesibye but it’s a good song nevertheless. It’s a 5/10.
If you haven’t checked out the new EP, what are you waiting for? Its available on all music streaming sites. Get going!
(Story compiled with major help of Kaweru Franklin, a music fan and critic with firsthand experience in music production)
Read Also: Sukaali EP is a “thank you, shut up and dance” to my loyal fans – Irene Ntale
Entertainment
Zari reveals her boyfriend Shakib Cham’s age
Zari finally reveals her boyfriend Shakib Cham’s age…
Classy socialite, Zari Hassan has come out to defend herself after facing heavy criticism, banter and trolls for making out with ‘younger boys’.
About a month ago, Zari left Netizens in wonderland after she was smoked out in a nightclub, grinding a young guy. It later came to light that she and Chap are not just friends but partners in passion.
She took to her Instagram page and confirmed their entanglement and told critics off!
“…I am free to do whatever I feel like. Life is too short. I gotta enjoy it as I’m supposed to,” the self-styled Boss Lady barks. Prior to this, she had just had a fling, GK Choppa, which ended as soon as the holy month Ramathan started.
READ MORE: Zari speaks out after video her grinding toy boy in night club surfaces
Our investigative Bazzinyi laid a strategy, specifically to uncover the identity of this lucky dude, drilling the tried and tested Zari’s honeypot.
Trust the dedicated Bazzinyi team! Within a short period of time, they had already gathered enough info about the chap.
Shakib Cham is the name of the guy, a Ugandan by Nationality, who was raised in the Kawempe slums. Apparently, Shakib’s work is to look good, smell nice, kwetega and smash loaded mamas. Numerous sources tip us that he is in his mid-20s.
However, Zari claims that Shakib is actually older than what is peddled on the social media streets. In a latest interview with a local media house, the mother-of-five trashed all the allegations that she’s molesting Shakib. She says he is a grown able-bodied chap, who is equipped with all the Zzina skills.
“Why are people mad tho? Shakib is 30. He just looks good…lol. I hear 18 year, 20 year old…molesting. Do they even know the meaning of molestation? Smh,” Zari blasted and vowed to continue making merry with her man.
Watch the two lovebirds making merry below:
Enock Mugabi aka Eye Witness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.
Entertainment
He is an old man that looks good
Zari Hassan has revealed her new lover, Shakib Cham’s age following online slurs from critics claiming that she is molesting a teenager.
For about a month now, Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan has been back in the headlines following footage that went viral of her making out with a one Shakib Cham.
Shakib, a Ugandan city boy, is not the most popular and in efforts to know more about him, a few critics have revealed that he is a young boy raised in the Kawempe slums.
Other netizens on social media claim he is barely 20-years-old and that Zari has made it a habit of sleeping around with young boys.
Also Read: Friends Again – Zari Hassan Accepts Etania’s Apology
The South Africa-based socialite and businesswoman, however, trashes the growing allegations that claim she is molesting an 18-year-old.
While speaking to MBU, Zari Hassan made it clear that Shakib is a grown man who just takes care of himself and looks good.
She questioned if those that claim that she is molesting a 30-year-old even know the meaning of the words they use.
“Why are people mad tho? Shakib is 30 he just looks good…lol. I hear 18 year, 20 year old…molesting. Do they even know the meaning of molestation? Smh,” Zari revealed in a conversation with MBU.
Zari is not bothered by what is said by her haters and maintains that she will always love what her heart wants regardless of public opinion.
Well, if he is above 18, she has the right and they look good together, don’t they? We wish them all the best!
Entertainment
Swangz Avenue launches Creative Academy
By Our Reporter
Swangz Avenue, an audio-visual production company has launched a creative academy.
The Academy will offer courses in audio production, cinematography, digital video editing, live broadcast, script writing, and film production, among others.
With over 14 years of experience in producing audio and visual content, Swangz Avenue will skill young creative minds with an intent to build a bridge between basic school education and the creative industry professional world through a curriculum, which is both innovative and modular, under the tutelage of industry professionals to join the immense opportunities the creative industry has to offer.
“The sector is heavily unskilled yet the demand for quality audio and visual production is at an all-time high. We believe this skilling initiative will make a significant leap at improving the quality of productions but most importantly create jobs,” says Julius Kyazze, the Head of Business at Swangz Avenue.
All courses will employ an 80% hands-on teaching technique with the rest being theoretical assessments.
The Swangz Creative Academy has started registration for the June entry with focus on the first two courses; Audio Production & Broadcast Production.
The Academy is certified by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) under the Ministry of Education and Sports.
You can register here.
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