Bobi Wine

"The world is looking for somebody to do something, not explain why he did not."

These words, uttered by none other than Mr. Bobi Wine reveal one who has gone through it all. By that, I mean all the constant hardships and hopelessness third world musicians go through without any breakthrough to success. But Mr. Bobi Wine is one of the few exceptions to the rule. His story has been the most inspiring one we have heard at www.musicuganda.com.

Born on the 12th of February in 1982 in Mpigi District south west of Kampala capital, Bobi Wine was christened Robert Kyagulanyi and joined nine other siblings into the harsh life of ghetto living in Kamwokya, one of the worst slums of Kampala.

His childhood life was characterized by moving from one school to another that he lost count.
"I could only study for a term before getting expelled for fees. So the only option was to move to another."

In secondary school he experienced set backs as his problems became more complicated.
"I used to have no money for uniforms and my mother was doing her best to cater for my fees and the family. So I had to go around doing odd jobs like collecting water for money and things like that."

If his problems taught him anything, definitely innovation was one of them."Underground shows with a Walkman, a borrowed amplifier and a speaker was how I used to make ends meet. I would spread the word and after school charge students fifty shillings (less than half dollar) per head and we would jam! I got into trouble with the school administration but that was the way I made my pocket money."

By the end of his 'O' levels he had composed many songs but had no money to record. It was one of the most disheartening things in his pursuit of his musical dream."We would listen to the local songs on radio and know we could do better, but the expensive rates would just keep us from recording our numbers. I know of many good artists, some better than I who gave up because it wasn't worth it. It was so frustrating………So frustrating."

In '98 after his 'A' levels, he finally saved some money over the years to record and managed to make four tracks; Kalyonso, Doreen, Namulembe but they were of very low quality. They therefore did not receive any credit or attention. That didn't faze him. He increased his intensity of odd jobs like collecting edible grasshoppers for sale in his vacation.

Then he tried his luck again in 2000, and recorded Abakyala, this didn't do well either. By then he was in his first year in Makerere University and made mud bricks during his free time. He also did painting, while he was a porter at a building site.

Then finally, late last year the chance to record again came and Bobi managed to record his song "Akagoma" meaning 'the drum'." I had to do it within thirty minutes because I was in through backdoor connections. And when thirty minutes was up I was kicked out. I thank those guys." This song later became a hit and is now the latest radio and nightclub craze. Finally Mr. Bobi Wine has room to breathe.

With an album spanning six tracks like Angel featuring his long time musical friend, Parrot, the album is definitely a must hear. This album is the characteristic of Ugandan talent and definitely Mr. Bobi Wine is destined for greater heights.

" I love the reggae/dancehall style because I feel that's the best way I can express myself. And also it is the best medium to communicate content and message. It is because I have something to say and that's the best medium for it. It is music for my people, the poor where I come from.

Artists like Shabba and Bounty Killer are the major inspirations for my music. I chose music because I never had real happiness in life, it's the only thing that consoles me."
So here's musicuganda's favorite question; what has been his best and worst moment in his music career?

"My best moment is yet to come. I haven't yet reached my goals yet. Until then I won't have peace.
" My worst moment has been The Millennium Show at Lugogo show grounds. We were totally disrespected and booed down by the crowd. It was really bad. And the Sanyu Carnival last year. It was awful.

What about his best person?

" My mother and any one who loves me. Anybody who hates me is my worst person. My role models are my Mom and Dad." So are there any new songs coming up soon?

"Yes, I have a busy work schedule coming up since I have completed my course. This time, it's really going to be the bomb." All right we'll wait for that and until then watch this space.

Bobi Wine's Introduction - By Julie Erusa

Photos By Kayiwa Ahmed, Tel: +256-712-834507, Email:kayiwamed@yahoo.com

It's now official!!!

Last Weekend Bobi Wine was introduced (Kuhingira) by his longtime girlfriend Barbara Itungoin a colorful function in Ntungamo. Music Uganda was there to cover the function. Now we wait for the big day.

Bobi Wine is Living His Dream By Ultimate Media Consult

Bobi Wine - I am a rich man. But let me put this straight. Fame and fortune are aspects of life but life is bigger than both are. You cannot compare life to money. Ask anyone in Uganda who the most successful music artist in Uganda is and the answer will most likely be Bobi Wine. Despite coming from the Ghetto, Bobi Wine is arguably the most successful artist in Uganda today. He was born as Kyagulanyi Sentamu Robert to Mr. and Mrs. J.W Sentamu Bulaya of Gomba, Kanoni in Mpigi district. He is from the Mbogo clan. Like most successful people, Bobi Wine had a difficult childhood. His father was poor and had many children.

Bobi Knocks out  Bebe by Isaac Ssejjombwe

Dominance in the music business is by far what anyone would strive for in the music business because self proclaimed Uganja and Ghetto president Bobi Wine last Sunday knocked out mentor and former ally Bebe Cool during ekitoobero concert at nakivubo stadium because of a statement he made on stage. The outburst was sparked off when Bebe made said during his performance to hundreds of thousands that there are two big guns in the music industry him and Chameleon which made Bobi Wine so infuriated.

On descending the stairs from the stage, Bebe found a rather angry Bobi waiting for him and both started exchanging hot words before Bobi punched him hard on the face saying that no one can intimidate him like that in front of his fans. The bafuude singer then pushed Bobi but other firebase crew members especially Kabaya pounced on him causing various injuries all over his body before Meddie Nsereko and other bouncers could separate the two parties. After the incident, Bebe proceeded to old Kampala police station to open up a case and after headed to mayo clinic to receive further treatment. Bebe has now canselled all his upcoming trips to bushenyi, Mbarara, among other places to nurse his wounds.

Many thought the beef between these musicians especially the top guys was a narration but it seems otherwise and what hurts is that many upcoming artists look up to these guys as mentors, guiders and role models but hearing them fight frequently devastates the trust from not only their fellow artists but also their diehard fans.

Uganda Entertainment News: Bobi Wine wants to be a Michael Jackson - By Ultimate Media

Uganda’s music star, Bobi Wine has said he is working hard to become an international singer who moves crowds of people the way the king of Pop, Michael Jackson has been. Michael Jackson died on Thursday last week. Bobi Wine says he is greatly inspired by musicians like Michael Jackson who come from humble backgrounds and end up influencing the global scene.

He also says music is his passion and life and hopes he will become a big hit on the international scene. Bobi Wine who has performed in East Africa, America and in Europe says he dreams to exploit all his talents in music before he dies. Bobi, who is also known as the President of the Ghetto says he is soon releasing an album that will move lives of music fans in Uganda and the world at large. He declines to reveal the name of his new album and the songs it contains.

Juliana, Bobi, Chameleon to accompany Mayinja by Ultimate Media

The Eagles Production’s star singer, Ronald Mayinja is set to stage three album launches in Kampala and Mukono districts. Mayinja will launch his Land Lord album on Friday July 10th at Hotel Africana in Kampala. On Saturday July 11th Mayinja will stage another launch at Collin’s Hotel in Mukono. The last launch will take place on Sunday at Gaba Beach in Kampala.

At Hotel Africana, the revealers will pay 50,000 shillings for high table seats and the ordinary fans will pay 20,000 shillings. The fans, who will wish to attend the launch from Gaba and in Mukono will each pay 5,000 shillings. The Eagles Production star will be accompanied by musicians Bobi Wine, Jose Chameleon, Juliana Kanyomozi, The Obsessions, Amalula Family and Dr. Tee among others.

Mayinja’s Land Lord album has six songs. In the song landlord Mayinja exposes some of the problems caused to people by land grabbers. The album also has two love songs called Kweka (hide) and Londa enumbayo (pick your love number).

Mayinja is known for composing love and controversial political songs. Some of the controversial songs Mayinja has composed include Tulikubunkenke feena (people on political tension), Africa teli ayamba (no one available to help Africa) and Tube kyakulabirako (let us be role models).

Bobi licensed to carry a gun by Isaac Ssejjombwe.

it’s hard to believe but info reaching us is that uganja president has been given a green light to carry a gun by police chief Maj Gen kale kaihura.

Due to the increasing number of crime rates caused by drug use, Bobi has been appointed head of a new task force that will be fighting drug usage especially in ghetto areas and a gun was given to him to make his work more appropriate.

Different people have mixed feelings about this because they believe the ghetto president being the number one culprit to smoke the forbidden drug, should have been the last option to be fighting it yet others believe it’s for the best because it will not only help Bobi Wine stop smoking weed but also other ghetto children since he acts as an example to many living in slum areas through his musical success.

Isac44@gmail.com

Two Launches on the same date!!! By Isaac Ssejjombwe

For the first time in history, Uganda will witness the battle of the greatest as two of its finest will be tussling for supremacy in the music world. Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine are slated to launch their albums on the same day, same time but in different places.

Bebe Cool, famously known as ‘big is big”, will be launching his Bamugambe album at Kyadondo Rugby Club while his counterpart Bobi Wine and self proclaimed “mazzi mawanvu” (deep waters) will be launching his Carolina album at Hotel Africana peoples space.

Apparently, this is to find out who the better gun is; concerning the local music fraternity and who ever will attract a bigger crowd will be deemed the best Entertainer. Both artists have singles on their respective albums which have turned out to be the public’s favorites and have enormously received good radio air play. Wesotinge, Carolina, Promise are some of the songs that have made Bobi Wine a respected artist in Uganda, while hits like Agenze, Bamugambe, Sweet Loving, Lwaki Seyagala, Why Africa are responsible for making Bebe Cool a force to reckon in the Music Industry.

Fascinatingly, both artists who were one time allies against Chameleon, another big name in Ugandan music industry, have a long list of similar artists to curtain raise at their launches but a better offer will certainly lure some to decide which to perform on. Expectantly, this will help solve the fracas that has been going on between these two artists, but it is entirely up to the fans to support their favorite artist come October this year.

Isac44@gmail.com

Bebe, Bobi set records by Isaac Ssejjombwe.

In one corner was Bebe Cool at kyadondo rugby club with his Agenze album launch organized by Balaam and Silk events and in the opposite corner was Bobi Wine at Africana people’s space with Carolina launch organized by Kibo and Events ware house. The judges were the fans and the fight was all about supremacy in the music industry. What started as a musical battle ended up with both artists making tremendous records that will take a music genius to break.

Bobi Wine’s dream by Isaac Ssejjombwe

Self proclaimed Ghetto and Uganja President Bobi Wine is losing it and losing it pretty fast going by his new track Dream (Ekiroto). With his Edutainment thing still going on, Bobi remains intact with his message in the new song but slips when he starts preaching to his followers about hope and encouragement in a more typical Pentecostal spirited preaching style just like Pastors do to their subjects.

In some verses, he talks of how he dreamt having Tea with Chameleon and of how he saw President Museveni and FDC leader Col Kizza Besigye talking peacefully about the future of the country. He even sings about seeing sheik Kayongo and Mufti Mubaje reconciling about their Islamic issues in his dream.

In a more commanding tone, backed by his backup singers, the Kiwaani artist tells his followers to be blessed in the chorus of this particular song. And to make things even more complicated for his die hard fans, Bobi is struggling with his own verses. He even sounds off key and off rhythm in some of the verses while competing with the beat so that the words could easily fit in the song.

For sure your Excellency this is would be a wonderful dream if it was to become reality.

Isac44@gmail.com

“Ina de dance” by Isaac Ssejjombwe.

The combination of Bobi Wine, Sizzaman, Mega Dee and Butcherman is quite an odd one. One proclaims himself to be the Ghetto President, the other his vice president.
Yet another refers to himself as the Busoga ambassador while the last one is engaged to TV personality Straka.

They all rose up to their standards in their respective verses and reached the expectations of their fans in this respective song.

Being a dance hall track and produced at Afande records (Mega Dee’s) studios, the hit has no clear message just a get-to-the-dance-floor and throw-your-hands-in-the-air kind of track related to Mr Dj by the all stars. The huge base in this track makes it more agile thus a bonus on the production. Ina De dance is a good song by the right choice of artists.

Isac44@gmail.com