Iryn Unplugged

By Julie Erusa

Photos By Kayiwa Ahmed

To unplug basically means to remove from an outlet.

Rachel K

Enough about the origin of the unplugged thing, back to Iryn Namubiru Unplugged, the date was 17th August, 2006 and the venue was The Silk Lounge and the time stated was 7:00 PM.  The visitors started came in at around 7:00 PM and by 8:00 PM the place was full just waiting for Iryn who apparently was supposed to arrive at 9:00 PM. Immediately the news traveled that she had arrived the show began.

Now, we all know Rachel Kiwanuka daughter to one of the most celebrated female artists Halima Namakula came on the stage. She just went ahead and began her performance.  This girl can sing, with the head gear and the styled braids reminds many of Aaliyah (R.I.P).  Wow when she started singing she almost sounded like her.  She proved that she came to take over the Ugandan music Industry. She went live and she voice, she sounded like an angel.  All you female musicians out there and those planning to join you should be scared for real.  All who missed her I don’t think you will ever be able to get her better than she was.

Mathew

The next guys were Paul and Mathew.  Many of us have been seeing these two guys backing up the likes of Maurice Kirya, Iryn at her Launch and many more.  Someone once said that the good musicians begin as back-up musicians for the big artists.  Well Paul sang a song either by Brian McKnight or Boyz II Men that left many ladies trying to guess what song and left others looking for his number (well he’s taken).  Mathew now brought us back to the Lovers’ Rock where he proved all the Reggae guys wrong. We later saw them joining together and singing the famous TOK song. Everyone should watch out for these two guys. We will let you know what is happening with them.

What you all have been waiting for, Iryn Namubiru, her entrance was marked with her new video for the famous “Nkuweki” song. (It will soon be viewed on the site).  Later we were greeted by her beautiful voice which came from backstage.  She started  by singing various songs like Natural woman and many others. After this all, she started performing her own music; with the crowd dancing to her tunes and singing along made the whole singing thing even easier.  When she sang Nkuweki which ha become a household name and an anthem, all the ladies went wild. She also sang “Simbalala” which she did with Bebe Cool.  But Bebe was no where in site that night.  The crowd just got up and danced. And later they wanted more of Nkuweki.

Maurice Kirya

She was later joined by joined by Joanita Kawalya of the Afrigo band and they performed Nkuweki together.  From the look of Iryn’s her voice was gone but non the less she continued to please her fans who more loyal than she could imagine.  Little did we know that it was among her last performances here in Uganda and she was returning home back in France?  But she will be back again but in the mean time we will let you know what is up with her.

She also invited Martha her pianist to sing something too to the crowd.  Martha then performed Greatest love of all by Whitney Houston. The crowd went wild.  The most unexpected performance was that of Maurice Kirya.  Before Maurice Kirya came onto stage, we had Rachel, Paul and Mathew repeat their act but as we all know the original was better those who missed I feel their pain.

Maurice Kirya, who was not expected to perform that night, was called onto stage.  From the look on his face he was surprised. And from the crowd’s reaction they wanted him on stage. Now, this guy is basically known for the guitar and the voice. Now there is also the piano added to his rich CV.  He sang the chorus of the famous Bina Damu which he did with AY.  Then he went to the piano next, he played “Tears Never dry”.  Whether on guitar or piano Maurice Kirya is still the same Maurice Kirya. This left many people nodding their heads wondering what next they should expect from this guy.

The show was later closed with the screening of the “Nkuweki” video and left many saying Iryn has marked the end of my week.

More interesting info on Iryn coming up soon.

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