It is a story of perseverance, sheer hard work and not giving up.
It’s a story of a little known Karaoke dancer in Kawempe, a city suburb. It’s a story of a girl with a dream – a dream now edging towards reality. For now, the onus is on her to surpass her target in the music industry.
Singer Sheebah Karungi successfully and massively launched her maiden album Nkwatako last Friday evening at Hotel Africana People’s Space. Arguably, she achieved her goal of staging a mega concert.
‘Successfully’ and ‘massively’ because she scored on almost all fronts that make a show great. Her management ensured there was ample security inside and outside the venue. Usually, many people access concerts for free through dubious ways. With counter terrorism police in charge this time round, however, there was no such thing.
Karungi’s fans showed up in enormous numbers. They so much filled the venue that the police had to close the entrances at 10pm. Her management chose the right of emcees – Edwin Katamba aka Mc Kats of NBS television and Isaac Katende aka Kasuku of Ddembe FM.
They blended well as Kasuku kept cracking some jokes about Mc Kats’ social life. Daggie Nice joined them to spice it up. She also chose the best deejaying duo in the country at the moment – Dj Roger and Slick Stuart – on the decks. They were later joined by veteran Dj Shiru.
Curtain raisers included Mesach Semakula, Rema Namakula, Diamond Oscar, Fefe Busi, Desire Luzinda and Ykee Benda. They all did a good job as they readied the revelers for Karungi’s performance.
At 10:10pm, the lights were dimmed and a big chair brought in the middle of the stage. Two dancers in traditional Mushanana attire were in front; while another group clad in black stood behind.
It was a defining moment that many had anticipated; Sheebah has had a quite hectic life journey. Coming from a family of seven and being raised by a single mother, she dropped out of school while in S2 and became a Karaoke dancer at Eden Service Park in Kawempe. She tried out music, but drastically failed.
The struggle would see her join Obsessions; the once popular girl dance group. However, she couldn’t get the ‘queen bee’ role. Unfortunately due to mysterious reasons, the group has since gone silent. She quit and opted for odd jobs including operating a strip dance group at one time.
When everything seemed to be failing her, she turned her focus on music again. Although many doubted her as she says, Team No Sleep manager Jeff Kiwanuka believed she could be a star. A video clip was played of her narrating part of her story. She said that Kiwanuka told her that “believe in yourself and me and we shall make it”.
Arguably, on Friday that came to life. Many wondered whether she would choke or be hit by stage fright. But she took to the stage like someone who had waited for this moment all her life. She had the energy, the dance moves and the passion with which she sang.
She started with Twesaana, Jordan, Automatic, Okikola Otya and the songs that brought her into limelight – Ice Cream and Go Down Low. UB5 band backed her well, but Silk Events who handled the production had their sound not so good. Nonetheless, the crowd didn’t care. After 30 minutes on stage, she took a break which was filled by Bebe Cool.
When she returned, she went on to Kisasikimu which she dedicated to the late AK47. Chosen joined her and they did Waddawa. When Ykee Benda joined her on stage, they had the crowd dance to Farmer.
The crowd went gaga. The ladies sang along to Ndiwanjawulo. She wound up with the title song of the album – Nkwatako by doing an encore of it. She thanked her fans for believing in her. For now, Karungi would need to work towards staying afloat of the bar she has set for herself.
feupal@observer.ug
