Apio Moro’s Performance at Doadoa 2019

Apio Moro is an afro-soul singer/song-writer who inspires continuous self-discovery in her messages through her music. She has graced stages like Blankets and Wine, Fete De La Musiq (World Music Day), #Bayimba Festival, and has also performed at the very intimate #SoFarKampala. In 2017, she launched her EP titled “Chuny Adech” at an independently sponsored show in Kampala and blew the town away with her story telling, blended with soulful sounds. In January, the Japadhola songstress collaborated with Multi-Grammy award winner Joss Stone during her Uganda stop of the #JossStoneTotalWorldTour on one of Apio’s songs “Pariye”. (Watch here: https://goo.gl/r4uAHM). Apio has gone on to perform in Kigali and Nairobi at The Music Weekender. Now rebranded and re-discovered a new self, Apio Moro launched her new album titled “#CHOORE” like the show, in Kampala on the 22nd of March this year in Kampala produced, mixed and mastered by Vincent Othieno based in Washington DC. At CHOORE, Apio re-introduced herself to revellers and showed growth in her art, music and brand. Recently, Apio Moro showcased at #DoaDoa Artist Market, in Kampala Uganda, happened this of May she gave a stunning performance that blew the audience away with her vocal prowess and story telling, and her new music.

Riots at Wandegeya – Besigye

Riot Police

riot Police shooting at a teargas canister to people in wangegeya market

UG Hiphop Archivist

Besigye addresses to media during the riot at wandegeya

UG Hiphop Archivist

teargas on a boda boda

UG Hiphop Archivist

Riot Police advancing to people

Besigye’s supporter

Besigye’s supporters

Besigye’s Campaign Supporters at Wandegeya

Reloading Tear Gas

UG Hiphop Archivist

B-GLOBAL INDIGENOUS HIP HOP GATHERING PHOTO EXHIBITION CYPHER

Thanks to brother Ernie Pinnacioli for the Inspiration to bring the knowledge and inspiration to the youth in Uganda and Africa at large!

The purpose of this Exhibition is to mark the historical beginning of hiphop photography exploring the trans formative voice of hip hop
and its contribution to the youth community in Uganda

We would love to thank our sponsors who believed in this VOICE and made the choice to stand with us to bring to fruition a new out look of indigenous hip hop to the public and the world.

Nada Andersen – Star-Leo
Daudi Karungi – Afriart Gallery
Roshan Karmali – Masaani Art
Gilbert Daniel Bwette – The Ug HipHop Archivist
Cyrus Kawalya – Vision-I

Thanks for you great contribution to the voice of Indigenous hip hop in Uganda
My special Guest GNL and ATLAS thank you taking time out to build forward! lets do it again for the legacy.

Phenomenal Women

 

The First Uganda Hiphop Photo Exhibition

Video

Hotep Brothers & Sisters
Today i present to you the first hiphop photo exhibition i did in partnership with Bavubuka Foundation, to mark the journey of the hiphop Kulture and how i have been a part of it.

Putting Sexy Back in the Movement – Kas WEAR

50 Tips for African Photographers

50 Tips for African Photographers. is a blog from one of my friend who give me inspiration to continue this work in Photography.
NOTE: I have reblogged this article from his blog & all the content in the article belongs solely to him.

The expectations you carry as a professional photographer are immense.

On top of delivering on your personal projects, assignments and commissions, a string of colleagues, budding photographers are looking up to you for inspiration.

Over the past couple of years, I have responded to hundreds of Facebook , Twitter, sms, email messages with requests ranging from ;

“how do I become a photographer; teach me how to take nice photos; which camera do you recommend I buy to take better photos etc…etc “

I’ve physically met many. Some really genuine ones and others who honestly don’t know what they want to do in life. However it’s important to give everybody a chance to be heard.

I have thus come up with 50 tips for both professional, near professional and budding photographers, sourced from my personal experience over the years;

 

1. Dress appropriately, depending on which assignment you are covering
2. Always smile at the people you are photographing. It strikes a connection and at the same time relaxing them.
3. Compliment their smiles, the colours of their cloths, how photogenic they are. Many people will tell you they are not photogenic even if they are.
4. Know your camera. Read, understand and put into practice the different functions of your camera.
5. Copy compositions you think cut it for you but don’t stop there, Perfect them
6. A picture is as good as the story behind it.
7. Sometimes, overly exposed shots are creatively beautiful
8. Learn to genuinely criticize your work
9. Never stop reading and learning new tricks. In this digital era, photography is evolving every day.
10. “Edward, you ain’t as good as they claim. Focus!” is how I react to compliments/ praises from people about my work. Don’t get carried away.
11. Even professional photographers have bad bad bad pictures. They choose only good ones for you to see. Don’t get discouraged.
12. Always do backups. Budding photographers have this casual way of treating their pictures. For some reason they always think they are bad pictures. You need to have a record of how you started and maybe then you will appreciate how far you have grown.
13. Never stop comparing your work with the best in the business, especially those who inspire you
14. If you cant get your pants dirty, then you should try being a doctor, not a photographer.
15. It’s safer to underexpose. But I would encourage you to find that perfect exposure.
16. Never stop having a curious mind
17. Develop your niche and perfect it. Others choose to specialize in war photography, wedding photography, wild life photography, Flowers, Stones..
18. Once in a while, photograph for free. Its good to give back.
19. Photography and alcohol don’t quite match
20. Mistakes are twofold. At times, you get great shots my mistake and other times, a mistake can cost you a great shot.
21. Move on from a bad day in the office. It should only make you a better photographer.
22. The best camera is the world is your eye. Try outcompeting it.
23. Learn to compose a perfect first shot. It sets your mindset towards the rest of the shoot.
24. Many have said it before me. Allow me repeat it too. No picture is worth your life. If it is dangerous, move away immediately.
25. LIGHT should be your best friend
26. Try to be calm
27. Share your work (Website, blogs, flikr, Google +, Pinterest etc). You never know who your next idol will be.
28. Pray before any assignment
29. Share your gear (Cameras) with people you ABSOLUTELY trust.
30. Keep Time.
31. If you haven’t got a good sunset shot before in your life, then you haven’t started photography yet.
32. No condition is bad for photography. Its how you use that condition to your advantage that matters.
33. Eat. Eat. Eat. It’s never a good idea to shoot on an empty stomach.
34. Share your work with someone more experienced. They will point out your weakness and strength. It’s healthy for you.
35. Your buddies should be the last to critique your work. They will always tell you how your pictures are amazing. And you cannot blame them. They are just being good friends. Friends support each other.
36. Mobile Phone cameras have become the most widely circulated cameras in the world. Use them everyday.
37. Take short breaks once in a while to refresh your mind and ideas.
38. Don’t tweet and Facebook while photographing. That’s too much distraction. Trust me, you will miss a great shot while trying to maximize those 140 characters (twitter).
39. Walk regularly. It’s unlikely that you will get great shots inside that Range Rover of yours.
40. Take sometime to gym or do exercises. Stiffness limits your flexibility.
41. Avoid dressing in bright colours. You are always trying to be invisible as a photographer in order to capture scenes in the most natural of ways. Bright Colours will be surrendering you every time.
42. Trust your guts
43. Never lack time to listen to and inspire budding photographers. Create the time. You were once as bad, if not worse.
44. Never be afraid to charge what you think is worth your price. As long as you can deliver of course.
45. Be ethical. Respect your profession and the people you photograph.
46. Every camera, including you phone can take award-winning photos. The key is to first photography before you complain about how your camera sucks.
47. Avoid repetition of shots. In other words, avoid being predictable in your composition.
48. Allow criticism too. Sometimes your work really sucks and you’ve got to know it however much it hurts. It should catalyze you to shoot better images the next time.
49. Photoshoping is no sign of weakness as a photographer. Hundreds have racked millions out of photoshoping. If people indeed disapproved of their work, they wouldn’t have earned even a penny.
50. Have as much fan as possibly you can. Photography is beyond just a hobby; it should be a life style. Enjoy it.

Share your experiences in the comments section please.

 

Sifa Kerere silhouettes

SIFA-KELELE is an edutainment band dedicated to inspiring nations through the vehicle of live band music.

Psalm 66:1

 

From One of My Favourite Ugandan Fotographer

Africa is a Country (Old Site)

“To select FIVE images in a career of about 7 years is not easy,” Ugandan photographer Edward Echwalu writes in his email. “It was probably the most challenging editorial decision I have ever come across.” I took it as a gentle reminder we might be asking photographers the impossible in our “favorite photographs” series. That said, and after many tough choices by previous photographers, the results so far have always been revealing. Here are Edward Echwalu’s 5 favorite photographs, and some words on how they came into being:

View original post 1,150 more words

Gasuza & Atlas D’African

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Gasuza

Atlas D’African & Gasuza

Atlas D’Africa & Gasuza at Bayimba Festival

Gasuza Lwanga

Gasuza Lwanga

Meet Richie; Uganda’s Finnest RnB Artiste

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Richie

Richie

Richie

Richie

Richie

Richie

Richie

Meet Richy also known as Richard Kaweesa the guy with rare talent in the streets of Kampala who has also won the title of Uganda’s John Legend

Mc Flower at One Mic Show

Mc Flower of Ship Crew

This is Mc Flower from Ship Crew of the youngest youngstars who are expressing themselves through hiphop

elements such as emceeing. Mc Flower has had the rare opportunity to perform on big stages with reknown hiphop world starz such as

Nneka in 2012,  Uganda hiphop summit 2010, 2011 and hopefully 2012. She is from Bavubuka foundation a hiphop based youth community from Uganda.

Tbro – Hiphop from West

Tbro – Hiphop Artiste from Uganda

Today i introduce to you Tbro a hiphop artiste from western Uganda.
this picture was taken during the shooting of a hiphop tv show “one mic Show” during the preparations of Uganda@50 hiphop cypher

Hilderman at KCCA Carnival

Hilderman at KCCA Carnival

Mazongoto

Mazongoto fame

KCCA

Jennifer Musisi

Executive Director of KCCA

Jennifer Musisi

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the executive director of Kampala City Council Authority also known as the “iron lady”
Mrs. Jennifer Musis at KCCA carnival celebration of Uganda at 50 independence celebrations

Mirinda at Uganda@50 KCCA Canival

A youth branding Mirinda from Crown Beverage up in the sky

The youth in Uganda have developed so much talent that has earned them money from corporate companies.
Here is a youth doing stunts and Brading one of the Crown Beverage brand Mirinda at KCCA Carvinal in Preparation for Uganda
50th Independence

Uganda @ 50 – Part 1

A child at KCCA Festival

Children watching artistes performing at KCCA Carnival

Child in mask at the stage during the KCCA carnival

a 50 year poster hanging above Marabou while the marabou is shitting on prosperity poster below

thnks

Afrigo Band

Afrigo Band at Bayimba Festival

Afrigo Band at Bayimba Festival

Afrigo Band at Bayimba Festival

 

Afrigo Band, which is without a doubt Uganda’s oldest band. Afrigo was founded in 1976 to enrich and expand the variety of live music entertainment in Uganda. And it has never lost currency since their establishment 35 years ago. Afrigo Band took the challenge with determination and by 1977, the band had registered its presence on the local scene and the little known Bat Valley Night Club, where they played from, had transformed into a big-time night nook. Today Afrigo Band performs from Club Obligatto on the New Port Bell Road. They have transformed it from the little known club to a big time place to be. Whereas music gurus that epitomized the band have since died, the discipline, organization and fine music sound refused to die. The band played through Uganda’s political turmoil and managed to remain relevant with original compositions, picking up new fans of all age groups along the way. Afrigo Band predominantly composes and sings in local Ugandan dialects, but they have also made efforts to diversify compositions and song writing to suit international demands and have therefore written songs in Kiswahili, English and French. After consolidating the lead on the local market, the band also made numerous tours in the UK, USA Denmark and Sweden. What other group could we want to close our celebratory festival edition with? Join for this closing performance – don’t miss this classic piece of Ugandan artistic heritage!

 

NA!RA at Bayimba Festival

Naira at Bayimba Festival 2012

NA!RA is a trailblazing recording artist, songwriter and cinematographer. The afro-pop fusion emcee NA!RA blends love, pain, strength, and charisma into one powerful punch within her style of music. Her music is the pulse of everything urban, pulling from influences of hip-hop, afro-beat and electro-soul
More Info: http://iamnaira.com

EDOATO & AFROGENIUS BAND AT BAYIMBA FESTIVAL 2012

Edoato

 

Edaoto and the Afrogenius Band play a genre of music called Afrobeat. It is a music that has over the years ascended the apex of world music chart because of its originality- propagation of African aesthetics and a blend of intellectual engagement that has culminated into a strong subset of world culture. Since the band was established a decade ago, we have traversed the length and breadth of West Africa nations performing our art to standing ovations. A few of the fora in the culture calendar of Nigeria at which we have become a regular performer are: French Cultural Center-Nigeria Television Authority’s 2009 World Music Day celebration; we were part of the team of artistes that performed at the opening ceremony of the under 17 FIFA World Cup 2010, French Cultural Center Showcase 2003, Goethe Institut/ French Cultural Center’s 2011 World Music Day celebration; Ife Poetry Festivals, Lagos Jazz Festivals, WordSlam’s Festivals; Lagos Life Series- an evening of Afrobeat performance by our band that comes up every second Saturdays of the month, et al.
More info: http://edaoto.blogspot.com

Kampala 2012

Every wondered what you will be telling your children how Kampala city looked like when you’re still a youth? Well, don’t sweat it anymore…. am here to give you a visual documentation of the streets Kampala visual #2012

Nkrumah Street

Band Of Uganda, Kampala r’d

Kibuye Round About

kampala r’d

Posta Uganda, Kampala r’d

KLA City overview

Nandos, Kla r’d, parliamentary avenue

Fang fang 

Restaurant

Shorite “the GAME” Jinja r’d

Centenary Bank, Mapeera house

Uganda House

 

 

 

Joel Sebunjo

Joel Sebunjo

Joel Sebunjo’s Perfomance at Bayimba regional Festival Jinja 2012

Joel Sebunjo

Young Ugandan singer and multi-instrumentalist Joel Sebunjo (born in 1984) has played Ugandan ganda music since the age of six. Folk music in Uganda has traditionally been considered as old men’s field, but Sebunjo has bravely broken stereotypes by performing in many traditional music groups.

Sebunjo presents the generation of young African musicians, who have feet firmly rooted in the tradition, but eyes wide open to the whole world. In order to widen his musical vision, Sebunjo has been living in many different African countries and has studied for example kora playing with many masters of the instrument. In his music many influences are mixed with the tradition, therefore the young man can be considered to be a pioneer in Ugandan world music.

Sebunjo’s main instrument is endongo, a traditional Ugandan 8-stringed bowlyre, but his instrument repertoire includes also e.g. kora, engoma, amadinda-xylophone, kalimba, akogo (thumb piano) and endingidi (tubefiddle) .

Tshila

Tshila

Tshila

Tshila is a celbrated unique artiste from Uganda with unique vocal xpressions. Singing with Kinobe, and performing with Uganda’s groundbreaking hip-hop group, the Bataka Squad, Tshila has made a name for herself as a versatile musician and am glad to have been there to document her on her journey to the greatest success she has become.

Learn about her music at http://tshila.com

Bayimba Culutral Foundation

Today i I feature Bayimba Foundation and organization that has educated and empower youth and artistes through art.
Bayimba orginzes arts events such as photography workshops, creative writing workshop, music workshops, regional music
festivals which are all crowned by the major international cultural Festival usually in September at National theater every Year.
I am glad have worked for these wonderful people and today i feature so of my work that i have done for them. Feel free to comment and let me know what you thing of these pieces. I want to say that am honored to work with this amazing organization.

Lookout for my next photography feature of the Bayimba Festival this year as they celebrate 5years of Arts in Uganda at the Bayimba Festival at National Theatre Sept 21-23 2012

Kaz Kasozi Performing at Jinja Regional Festival

Percussion Discussion Africa

Introducing Anne Ackermann

Anne Ackermann

Today I feature a partner in crime of Photography and a friend of mine Anne Ackermann a German photography whose work has inspired me to continue in this competitive industry. Learn about her photography at https://www.facebook.com/anneackermannphotography

Phenomenal Women

Mc Roy & Mc Flower of Ship Crew

i shot during my interview with these two youngest hip hop youngsters from Bavubuka foundation. They are freestylers who have used music [hip hop] to influence their communities. they  belong to a young hip hop crew a called Ship crew of about 6 children and they are only girl in the crew. They call themselves Phenomenal Women.

Nneka hugging Mc Flower of Ship crew

Nneka hugging Mc Flower

Smiles Of All Times

Smile of Times

Photo taken during my trip with Reach a Hand at Luwero where  we met 7 school  & ashanti Women group
July 2012

DOMANIQUE GRANT

Dominique Grant

About Her Music Here http://www.reverbnation.com/domaniquegrant

Domanique Grant in Uganda

Domanique Grant in Uganda

Domanique Grant. Driven by the rawness of life and an unshakable belief that music creates pathways for positive change, Grant’s unmistakable sound is captivating audiences with a mix of the smoky stylings of Billie Holiday, the soulful substance of India Arie, and the edge and versatility of Gwen Stefani and Adele.

A dynamic artist, performer, dancer, actress and youth advocate, Domanique Grant truly leaves the phrase “triple threat” lying in the dust. She has spent more than a third of her life on stage, spreading her message of positivity to the masses. At just 21 years old, she has performed with KRS-ONE, and MICHEE MEE, and opened for artists including EMMANUAL JAL and ANDREENA MILL.

She has captivated sold out crowds of more than 10,000 at the IRIE MUSIC FESTIVAL, been featured in The Director X Lecture Series, and garnered regional and national acclaim for her Alt- R&B style and advocacy work in the Toronto Star and Toronto Metro.

In the Summer of 2011, Domanique also took to the Youth Day Toronto stage, performing her debut single “Young World” which is currently in rotation on 88.1fm’s Canadian Shine, FLOW 93.5, and CBC Radio.
Her unreleased single “Free” was also featured in the Canadian premiere of The Grace Project: Sick directed by Judith Thompson. The show, which featured Domanique as part of a national ensemble cast, broke box office records to become the highest grossing production of the 2011 Next Stage Theatre Festival, receiving accolades from NOW Magazine, The Toronto Star and Eye Weekly among many others. The production was also nominated for “Best Ensemble” & “Best Production – Theatre for Young Audiences” at the 2011 Dora Awards.

When she’s not thrilling crowds with her soulful vocals or starring in critically-acclaimed stage productions, Domanique is pursuing a double major at York University and lending her voice to youth advocacy issues. She currently serves the president of the Atkinson Housing Co-Op and is the youngest member of the board of The Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto which represents 45,000 people living in non-profit co-ops within Toronto and York Region.

Whether you’re captivated by her unique R&B-Alternative influenced vocal fusion, or intricate song writing style, one thing is unmistakable: Domanique Grant’s alluring voice is bringing a fresh sound to Toronto’s roster of up-and-coming artists.

Through My Eyes

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Through Our Eyes to the Future

UGANDA SOUNDS

Poem By Betsy

The haunting hollow call to prayer echoes from the mosque on the opposite hill.
It hits me in the evening on my memory foam mattress,
ankles stained with red dust,
fingers dry from hand sanitizer.

In the mornings I hear church choirs sometimes,
and birds that sound like crying babies,
and roosters that will crow at any hour of the day (or night).
Hip-hop blasts from cars
and wind rustles the feathers of the storks in the trees.

I’ll miss the sounds,
even the rain hitting the metal rooftops,
even the cries of goats.

I’ve found in the sound a kind of quietness somehow,
and I think it’s because behind the birds and cars and music
is silence:
no endless New York hum,
no great gray backdrop of highways and jackhammers.
Here each sounds floats like a cloud of color
on an otherwise empty canvas,
like a tropical birds flying in a clear sky.

So when I sit on my bed in the night,
dirt under my fingernails,
sweat on my lip,
mosquito bites on my knuckles,
I bathe in the pure sounds of Uganda,
Africa,
sing to me ’til I’m clean.
BY Betsy Brown
USA

A SURE WAY TO A HAPPY DAY

Happiness is something we create in our minds,It’s not something you search for and so seldom find….
It’s Just waking up and beginning the day
By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray—-
It’s giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as a “gift heaven sent”–
It’s giving up wishing for things we have not
And making the best of whatever we’ve got–
It’s knowing that life is determined for us,
And persuing our tasks without fret, fume, or fuse–
For it’s by completing what God gives us to do
that we find real contentment and happiness , too
always remember God loves you and so do I,
We meet people on our ways through life, we create the love we so desire,
Nothing we do can change how our hearts feel, so just remember the heart is our way to happiness, and Gods love creates in us, who we are. Angel

its all about Gods love for us

we need to love our families and friends and all we incounter each day , spread love to all your friends.

LUGA FLOE REVOLUTION – POSITIVE CHANGE IN 256

In 2009, Ugandan-based emcee Silas aka Babaluku of the legendary Bataka Squad Crew went on a fundraising trip to the US. His goal: to raise sufficient funds and support for his Bavubuka Foundation, a grassroots organization and growing movement on the streets of Kampala. Bavubuka, meaning youth in the Lugandan language, are currently a demographic powerhouse with more than 78% of the Ugandan population under the age of 24. The Bavubuka Foundation was started to support these young people, who must find their way within the sea of corruption, poverty, and instability that is the Ugandan reality. Hip hop has proven to be a powerful tool to empower and educate a resilient young Ugandan generation.

While in the US, Silas hooked up with International Hip Hop label Nomadic Wax (www.nomadicwax.com) and film director Magee McIlvaine to shoot a quick video in DC in between Silas’ numerous fundraising meetings. Squeezed into Silas’ busy schedule, the two were able to shoot a short video for Silas’ new song ‘Obuntubulamu.’ The video is Part 1 of the ‘Luga Flow Chronicles,’ a series of hip hop video shorts Silas will be releasing from Uganda over the next few months. We have released two versions of this video, one with subtitles in English, and one without.

Please be sure to visit BAVUBUKA.ORG and support grassroots hip hop activism in Africa. And check out the revolutionary hip hop documentary ‘Diamonds in the Rough’ by 3rdi, which documents the hip hop movement in Uganda. You can view the trailer for that film by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvRXmm6ZNxk

Uganda: Hip Hop King [Teen]and RnB Queen Named

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via Uganda: Hip Hop King Named.

Many local music pundits have labeled hip-hop a dead genre in Uganda. However, the big turn up of youths at Lugogo indoor stadium last Friday challenged this notion.

In a bid to support the genre, MTN Uganda has started the anual hip-hop and R&B Battle.

Impressed with the turn-up and talent display from some teenagers as young as 12, MTN’s Gasper Mbowa promised to make it bigger next time. Several secondary schools had representatives of their R&B and hip-hop stars. Young and impressive Arthur Wasswa of Kololo Secondary School came top for hip-hop and Sarah Lakerry of Our Lady Gayaza emerged best in R&B. Wasswa rapped like an established artiste and convinced the four judges that he understood the “game” well.

At stake were a recording contract, ipods, airtime and phones. As is usually the case at local hip-hop events, fans and artistes seem to be in a fashion competition of sorts. This one brought out the best, worst, stylish and weirdest of hip-hop fashion. Bling bling, overalls, minis and tracksuits were favourites. Some youths had cornrows and Snoop Dogg-like hairstyles.

Other features included a fashion show and basketball skill displays. Klearkut’s Mith and Navio, Lyrical G, GNL and T’Bro, a Rukiiga language rapper, spiced up the show.

Frenzied fans seeking autographs besieged Navio and Bataka Squad’s Babaluku while DJ Shiru impressed with his music mixing skills.

htpp://bwette.blogspot.com

Bataka Squad – Making of Amawulile (The News)

Hi Hop Summit

Uganda: Bataka Sqaud Meet Bill Clinton in the U.S.

Uganda: Bataka Sqaud Meet Bill Clinton in the U.S..

A young heart with an old soul

How can there be peace?
How can I be in the depths of solitude
When there are two inside of me?
This duo in me causes the perfect opportunity
To learn and live twice as fast
As those who accept simplicity…

Ambition over Adversity

Take ones adversity
Learn from their misfortune
Learn from their pain
Believe in something
Believe in yourself
Turn adversity into ambition
Now blossom into wealth