Singer Eddy Kenzo has paid tribute to fellow musician Jose Chameleone, describing him as one of many pioneers who gave Ugandan widespread music confidence, route and a market past the nation’s borders.
Kenzo, who serves as President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) and Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives, shared the tribute on Facebook, calling on the music business to recognise and respect its pioneers whereas they’re nonetheless alive.
He stated Chameleone’s contribution to Ugandan music goes past his songs, awards and years within the business, noting that he belongs to a technology that helped set up Uganda’s identification inside the East African music scene.
“Today, I wish to give mine to Dr. Jose Chameleone,” Kenzo wrote.
According to Kenzo, Chameleone helped show that Ugandan musicians may appeal to audiences throughout East Africa whereas remaining related to their roots.
He famous that Chameleone’s music crossed borders into Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, amongst different locations, serving to audiences outdoors Uganda join with the nation by means of music.
“That is cultural diplomacy,” Kenzo stated.
As a fellow musician, Kenzo praised Chameleone’s means to attach with audiences by means of melody, emotion, language and efficiency.
He additionally highlighted Chameleone’s wider contribution to the music ecosystem, saying many artists who got here after him discovered alternatives alongside a path that pioneers like him had helped create.
“Many artists who got here after his technology discovered a street that pioneers like Dr. Chameleone had already helped to open,” Kenzo stated.
He added that Chameleone helped younger Ugandans consider that music may change into a severe occupation and that native artists may construct careers able to reaching audiences past Uganda.
Kenzo additionally credited Chameleone for creating alternatives for individuals working round music, together with instrumentalists, producers, managers, promoters and technicians.
Beyond his musical achievements, Kenzo praised Chameleone’s function in bringing artists collectively throughout moments when the business wants unity.
“Our business will at all times have competitors. We shall disagree. We shall belong to totally different generations, associations, administration constructions and inventive faculties. But music should stay greater than any one among us,” he stated.
Kenzo additional described Chameleone as a cultural asset to Uganda, saying artists play an essential function in representing the nation internationally alongside diplomacy, politics, tourism and sport.
He concluded by telling Chameleone that no severe account of contemporary Ugandan music may very well be full with out acknowledging his contribution.
“Mr. Joseph Mayanja, generations will interpret our period in another way, however no severe account of contemporary Ugandan music will be full with out your title and contribution,” Kenzo wrote.
He inspired Chameleone to proceed utilizing his expertise and affect to construct bridges inside the inventive business and information youthful musicians.
“From one musician to a different, from UNMF, and from my duty in serving Uganda’s inventive sector: I salute you, Dr. Jose Chameleone,” Kenzo stated.
He ended the tribute by celebrating Chameleone for his music, braveness, affect and function in carrying Uganda’s identification past its borders.
“Cheers to Kamiliyoooni!” Kenzo concluded.