Peter Miles

Peter Miles releases a combination video

By Julie Erusa

Many of his fans have been wondering when Peter Miles and Menshan are releasing their next video well they have released the first ever combined video as in two songs combined to form one video.  “Muwala” was produced at Road Block Productions which happens to be Peter Miles’ studio located at Entebbe.  “Love” was produced  by the Ogopa DJs.  This is basically a new style of presentation of people, normally it is done for audio songs not videos. When he was asked why he did it this was, Peter replied, “It is more catchy to pick songs and people and put them together and do one video.”

About the Video 

Produced by DEDDAC.  The video starts with “Muwala” here we see Peter Miles getting his grove on alone with out his partner in crime Menshan and he is surrounded with beautiful gals.  Menshan makes a guest appearance in the video.  (if u blink you will not see him).  During the change to “Love” he is joined by Menshan and we also see various boat shots.  Still we see beautiful gals surrounding the duo as if that is not enough we even have some falling from the sky.

On June 10th last year, we broke the news that Peter Miles had won a nomination for best video in the Kisima awards last year. The video was masterfully shot and edited by Deddac/YesThatsUs who have created a reputation for making the best urban videos in the entire region. The song 'One Time' has also been a hit with the regulars of this site and had ricocheted in and out of our most-popular top ten hits. We apologize that there was a broken link and the mp3 wasn't available for a while but the good news is now you can watch the video too through the courtesy of Deddac!

Read more about the video nomination in our previous article by Joel Isabirye below

Thursday, June 10th, 2004
Miles for Kisima Awards!!!
A MILES AWARD NOMINATION
By Joel Isabirye

Glorious be to the mos’ high, Uganda’s Peter Miles has hit a career apogee, he has honestly been nominated for the prestigious Kisima awards (2004) slated for 19th June at the Carnivore in Nairobi Kenya. The élan Miles is nominated for two awards; best male from Tanzania/Uganda and the second for best video for his blockbuster single ‘One Time’ (featuring Menshan). He is pitted against Ambassada (also Ugandan), TID and Deux Vultures. For Best Video, Uganda and Tanzania, he stands against TID’s ‘siamini’, Ambassada’s ‘watoto ikarne’ and Professor Jay(from Tanzania) with ‘Zale mentali’.Tough stuff, but If fortune smiles on this highly talented and flamboyant Peter Miles (one of Uganda’s most stylish music stars), he may replicate the path of the Pastor Okudi ‘Wipolo’ feat at last year’s all Africa Kora Music Awards, which took place on the 6th of December and produced a fissure for Uganda’s international music jinx.

The Kisima awards (with twenty two categories for this year), for which Miles is a nominee, are an annual Kenyan gala, started in 1994 by ace producer Ted Josiah(now of Blu Zebra studio and who is thought to have laid the foundation for what we hear from Kenya today).Though it has occurred only thrice since the inaugural, it is scheduled for every mid year (June/July), synonymous with Uganda’s Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards (which are held October), and Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro awards (started by James ‘Cool James’ Dandu RIP) placed around April). The awards, are precursor to the continental Koras, and are formulated to honor the excellence of talented musicians from Kenya, in the previous year (this year’s awards also feature artists from the other East African countries). Kisima is the most competitive of the three, a structural inflection of the excessively market driven Kenyan music industry.

Peter Miles who made his first recording ‘Nakutaka’ back in 2002, was surprised, not because he did no expect this, but rather he got the news yesterday (9th June) from another source in Tanzania, East Africa radio’s Michael ‘Bush Baby’ Owori, before he (Miles) was contacted by the awards committee. He was yet to receive the official call from the organizers in Nairobi, by time we went to press.

Miles is a younger sibling to John ‘Coco Banton’ Miles (now based in the United States) who was for years running in the previous decade, a top notch Deejay on Ugandan urban radio station, Sanyu FM 88.2; John is equally a former member of the local 1990s group Fine Image (with Kenneth Kamulegeya, Julius Lugaya and Musa Mutyaba) and a nifty recording artist in his own right. The elder Miles, was the first to break the local monolithic dancehall reggae style (dominated by the Shabba Ranks and Chaka Demus vocal timbres) preferred by artists performing at the time, when he took to using the rough neck style, in the process inspiring Menton Summer and the rest.

It would be completely off the cuff, to write Peter Miles (who was initially named by fans, Junior Miles) as only a John Miles progeny. He has proven, against the wishes of skeptics that he is an artist in his own right, a star in Uganda’s musical firmament, acknowledging his brother’s earlier instigation whilst successfully recording his debut on self-impulse. In a radio interview with the writer, on 25th January 2002 shortly before he released the debut single ‘nakutaka’, Miles described his style as something ‘they had not heard before in Uganda. A vocal dancehall. Dancehall that is sung’ .He also gave insight into his long career which finally anchored ‘nakutaka’ as having started around 1995.

‘I actually got my first inspiration from an artist call Jigsy King, I could grab the tune in my head yu know. Later on, I liked people like Buju, I really got into Buju Banton, I liked his style a lot, my bro really got me into dat, playing him all over and everywhere yeah, an a lotta dem, di others too’
(Jigsy King is the rough neck Jamaican artist who recorded the hit single ‘every body must work’, with vocalist, Barrington Levy. Dancehall is a short form for dancehall reggae, performed and recorded for the dancehalls. It is sometimes referred to as ragga).

At the time, John Miles’ close friend, RS Elvis, also gave encouragement to Peter. He found himself in a group with other burgeoning artists, Gentle (now in England) and Kristofabulous. Impressed by his brother’s progress, John Miles started entertaining ideas of recording with him. By stroke of misfortune, he (John Miles) left the country and Peter found himself nurturing his craft with no more guidance. A scenario that bore in him, a work ethic till the break through and after. Peter Miles at one point of his ascent, got a chance to perform with UK based Jamaican (or Senegal’s if you believe the rumor mill) sensation Glamma Kid (of the ‘Sweetest Taboo remix fame) in London, in 2001 at the Miss Uganda (UK) organized by the Sylvie Awori siblings. He had earlier performed with Chaka Demus and Pliers.

After ‘Nakutaka’ Peter Miles who had established his Sing Jay ‘vocal dancehall’ style got into a vocal symbiosis with the mega bass sounding Menshan for a call and response format that initially appeared too avante garde but from then on, they delivered a cutting edge dancehall sound that brought them fans from all over East Africa. Miles had luckily explored with Swahili on ‘Nakutaka’ and had also worked with the Ogopa brotherhood, strategies that showed a savvy understanding of the East African music industry.

Lyrically, him and Lyrical G may represent the proficiency of Ugandan artists as wordsmiths in their respective genres. Presently, there is no club session in Uganda that is complete without a Peter Miles tune. He is a high billing act with energy in sound and on stage. On the microphone in the club Jam Sessions, he is radiant and raises adrenalin levels. His music is refined, noteworthy and of a high quality compared to many of his ‘fast food music’ peers. As his fans go through their perturbation, the judges will decide, but even the nomination, is a statement made, A MILES AWARD.

Peter's Profile: Walk a mile in Peter's shoes

Born 29th September 1980, Peter Miles a.k.a. Peter Kanyike Miles has established himself as Ragga-Dancehall King. He atteneded BudoJuniorPrimary School formerly known as Kabinja but his career as a dancehall artist started in his Senior One while he was at St. Lawrence Senior Secondary School for his O’ Level. He later went to KabojjaSeniorSecondary School, where he was the Entertainment Prefect. Peter has just completed his a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Airways Travel

Way back in Primary, he was more into R’n’B music. He used to mime raps and copyrights from famous musicians like Bobby Brown.

He continues to tell us that his ismusic is basically the new dancehall in the sense that he blends it with real Ragga and puts in a local touch, which includes local languages like Luganda, Swahili and Patois, which is a Jamaican language. This makes it easier to penetrate both the Local and the East African/International market.
Peter Miles doesn’t have an album; he is still compiling one but he has released various songs like “One Time” where he featured Menshan, “Owange” and a remix for the same song and “Nakutaka”. He writes his own music, does not produce but directs during production. Peter Miles records with the Ogopa Djs who are based in Kenya, East Africa which could explain why his music is well mastered. He explains that for “One time”; he traveled and tried to find out what would hit the market and he thereby blended the song with Luganda and Patois-Jamaican and it is actually doing well on the market.

He has performed on various concerts like Miss Uganda UK where he featured with Glama Kid who did Sweetest Taboo with Shola Ama. He has also made Guest Appearances in UK in a few Jamaican dancehalls like Club Ezekiel, South London and Grannies. He has performed at most major concerts in Uganda like Ogopa Djs show, Street Jam... the list is endless.

Peter Miles is inspired by his own brother, a musician too, Coco Bunton a.k.a John Miles who is based in the Unite States but does his music in Jamaica. He is also inspired by other Ragga Dance-hall musicians like Capleton and Sizzla; these inspire him to write his own music.
He really admires Juliana Kanyomozi because she has a nice voice and he is sure it can penetrate the international market. He also likes Bebe Cool because he is simple and he has actually worked for everything he has now and he is one of the few Ugandan artists who appreciated his (Peter Miles) first music and that really encouraged him.

This is what he tells the upcoming musicians and those who want to start a music career- do what’s on your mind and keep your style.

Keep tuned for more news on Peter Miles

Peter Miles & Menshan Riddim Higher! - By Cleopatra Koheirwe

The only artistes asked to perform at the anti-Poverty concert referred to as P8 in Rostock, Germany from East Africa, Peter Miles and Menshan did not disappoint. The Poverty Eight was a concert in protest against the Group of Eight (G8) which comprises of France, Japan, Canada, Germany, Russia, UK, Italy and USA. The criticisms base on the fact that the G8 are liable for global matters concerning poverty in Africa and developing countries which problems, according to the cause, are not being dealt with fully by the G8.

Peter Miles & Menshan Unplugged

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

Every unplugged teaches you something new about live music and different artists.  You get to know the different abilities of the artists.  We started with Jaqee, Maurice Kirya, Iryn Namubiru, Mesach Semakula, Blu 3, Geoffrey Lutaaya, the list is endless and in each the artist offered something very nice. 

Peter Miles Motorola brand Ambassador

Peter Miles arguably Uganda’s most respected hard core dance hall artist has had quite a busy year 2007.Torn between running his Entebbe based road block records, recording his new 2008 project, promoting his records around East Africa and overseas, promoting local dancehall talent one could argue that peter is hefty busy and fatigued. However I recently hooked up with him at Capital radio for an Interview. As usual he is sharply casually dressed in designer Blue denims white trainers and silky tight fitting t-shirt. On this particular day he's rolling with Benon (Part of Benon and Vamposs) and long time co-host Crystal Fabulous. He talks about the year so far, his future plans and his recent engagements with Motorola.

Peter Miles & Menshan Riddim Higher! - By Cleopatra Koheirwe

The only artistes asked to perform at the anti-Poverty concert referred to as P8 in Rostock, Germany from East Africa, Peter Miles and Menshan did not disappoint. The Poverty Eight was a concert in protest against the Group of Eight (G8) which comprises of France, Japan, Canada, Germany, Russia, UK, Italy and USA. The criticisms base on the fact that the G8 are liable for global matters concerning poverty in Africa and developing countries which problems, according to the cause, are not being dealt with fully by the G8.

Peter Miles Ascends

Like word goes sky is always the Limit However in the meantime all seems to be going as programmed for two time Pearl of Africa music awards Dancehall artist of the year Peter Miles. When I met him for the interview I Joked that this year he might as well add the name “award” to Peter Miles to which he burst out laughing.

Peter Miles finally releases collabo with Gen Levy

This collabo may be considered as one of the hottest reggae collaborations this year. It was the topic on many people’s lips be it media and fellow artists till its release now. For those who happened to eavesdrop the ‘tune’ before its actual release would actually narrate like “Man, Peter Miles has released a thunderous tune with Gen. Levy” and when they were asked how it goes like all they would say its good but all I can remember is “Oah Aah”. In my head I would be like why the hell would you remember only two words, next time eavesdrop more. After listening to the song, I personally don’t blame them; it has a catchy phrase of ‘Oah Aah”.

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Peter Miles and Juliana Kanyomozi release song

Both are considered king and queen in their respective genres. Peter Miles, king of dancehall… Juliana (nanyini doboozi) have released a new Road Block production called “Oja” meaning “Am coming”. In this song we hear Juliana slightly stepping out of her comfort zone and sing some Patua which she nails perfectly. She changed her style which shows her diversity. The song talks about a couple that wait eagerly for each other, they keep waiting and in the end they meet as it will show in the video. In an interview with Peter Miles, he believes that Juliana’s voice is the sweetest female voice that we have.  Peter and Juliana have always wanted to work together and this was the perfect time. They are working on another project which will be released later.

Enjoy.

Friday, 11th November, 2011

Peter Miles releases new song

Title: Nice and Polite

When you talk of Dancehall music in Uganda, Peter Miles’ name will always come up. He has released another dancehall jam titled “Nice and Polite” which is taken off my latest international album that is being distributed by Renk records in Jamaica.  The song is about appreciating a nice girl who he thinks is nice and polite.

The video shot by DEDDAC.

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Peter Miles / Elephant Man Collabo

When you talk of dancehall in Uganda, Peter Miles's name tops the list. He is known for his carefully chosen collaborations and he takes his time to release a song. His latest cake in the oven is collaboration with Elephant Man. This is a remix to his just released single “Nice and Polite”.  Elephant man liked the song because of its lyrical content and that it was a potential hit on the reggae scene. The remix was immediately recorded with his Animal house mobile studio in his hotel room here in Kampala and the video was shot by Donald Mugisha of DEDDAC which should be out soon. He's also interested in Peter Miles jumping on other Jamaican riddims from animal house in the future