Biography
I'm Kenneth Mugabi, a singer and songwriter from Uganda. I've been fortunate enough to share my love for music with many of you over the years, and I’m excited to tell you more about my journey.
Early Life and Education
I was born on September 12, 1982,
See Moreand grew up with a deep passion for music. In 2010, during my senior six vacation, I teamed up with Isaac Labong and Shaban to form a rap group called Aliens Aly. This was my first real step into the music world. My first song, "Tondeka," was composed during my university days and was inspired by a past relationship.
In 2011, I joined Makerere University, where I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. This experience helped me develop my skills and deepen my understanding of music, laying the groundwork for my career.
Career: 2011 - 2020
My professional journey began in 2011 when I participated in the Tusker Project Fame competition. Although I didn't make it to the top three, it was a valuable learning experience that fueled my determination to succeed.
In 2012, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Qwela Band, where I was mentored by Joe Kahirimbanyi, the band's founder. This mentorship was instrumental in my growth as a musician. That same year, I released my first studio album, Kibun'omu, and participated in the Coca-Cola Rated Next Competition. Performing my original songs like "Gwe Weka," "Nyonyozi," "Amaaso G’otulo," and "Kibun’omu," I finished as the second runner-up.
In January 2014, I had the privilege of performing my single "Nnubuka" at the launch of the second season of the Coca-Cola Rated Next competition. In November 2015, I was thrilled to be voted to play at December’s edition of Blankets and Wines at Zone 7 bar.
In 2016, I performed at several prestigious events, including Uganda’s quarterly music event Qwela Junction and Doadoa Performing Arts Market. I also took the stage at the Godown Gig in Choices Pub, Nairobi, in September and October of that year.
October 2018 marked a significant milestone in my career with my maiden concert, Strings of My Soul, hosted by Richard Tuwangye. In December, I had the honor of being an opening act at the Johnnie Walker Soul Safari Concert, which featured Ginuwine.
In 2019, I released my second album, Ugandan. On February 9, I had a live performance at Fezah, and later in August, I performed at the Bayimba Music Festival on Lunkulu Island. On November 23, I performed at the “Nsiimye Thanksgiving Dinner” at the Kampala Serena Hotel, hosted by Patrick Salvado Idringi, and on November 30, I shared the stage with Mya at the Johnny Walker All Music Safari.
In 2020, I performed on February 14 alongside Janzi Band and Sandra Suubi at Route 256. That same year, I parted ways with my manager Francis Biggie in April and joined Karizm Management. In August, I performed in the first online edition of Blankets and Wines. As digital music distribution grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, my songs were among the most highly distributed by East African Records.
Career: 2021 - Present
In November 2021, I released my third album, People of The Land. I decided to make only 50 physical copies available, selling each for $100.
In January 2022, I released the People of The Land album on digital streaming platforms. The album features 23 tracks, including three collaborations with top Ugandan artists, and was released by Black Market Records. In October, I unveiled the visuals for the single "Under Wraps" from the People of The Land album.
Awards
I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for my work over the years:
Hipipo Awards 2019: "Nkwegomba" - Best Soul Song (Won)
Hipipo Awards 2020: "Oliwa" - Best Soul Song (Won)
Hipipo Awards 2020: "Obadde Wa" - Best Reggae Song (Nominated)
Discography
Kibun'omu (2016)
Ugandan (2019)
People of The Land (2022)
Philanthropy
Giving back to the community is important to me. In July 2021, I partnered with Martha Kay, Josephine Karunji, Hilda Bahati, Ronnie Habasa, Cooper C-Way, and Tim Sabiti to launch the 1000 Faces of Change campaign with The Remnant Generation, a Christian-based NGO. Our goal was to raise 1 billion Ugandan shillings to rescue and reintegrate survivors of sexual abuse and pregnant teenage girls into society.
In August 2022, I composed a song called "Like Them" for the Merck Foundation under the "Educating Linda" program to support girls’ education across Africa. I'm Kenneth Mugabi, a singer and songwriter from Uganda. I've been fortunate enough to share my love for music with many of you over the years, and I’m excited to tell you more about my journey.
Early Life and Education
I was born on September 12, 1982, and grew up with a deep passion for music. In 2010, during my senior six vacation, I teamed up with Isaac Labong and Shaban to form a rap group called Aliens Aly. This was my first real step into the music world. My first song, "Tondeka," was composed during my university days and was inspired by a past relationship.
In 2011, I joined Makerere University, where I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. This experience helped me develop my skills and deepen my understanding of music, laying the groundwork for my career.
Career: 2011 - 2020
My professional journey began in 2011 when I participated in the Tusker Project Fame competition. Although I didn't make it to the top three, it was a valuable learning experience that fueled my determination to succeed.
In 2012, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Qwela Band, where I was mentored by Joe Kahirimbanyi, the band's founder. This mentorship was instrumental in my growth as a musician. That same year, I released my first studio album, Kibun'omu, and participated in the Coca-Cola Rated Next Competition. Performing my original songs like "Gwe Weka," "Nyonyozi," "Amaaso G’otulo," and "Kibun’omu," I finished as the second runner-up.
In January 2014, I had the privilege of performing my single "Nnubuka" at the launch of the second season of the Coca-Cola Rated Next competition. In November 2015, I was thrilled to be voted to play at December’s edition of Blankets and Wines at Zone 7 bar.
In 2016, I performed at several prestigious events, including Uganda’s quarterly music event Qwela Junction and Doadoa Performing Arts Market. I also took the stage at the Godown Gig in Choices Pub, Nairobi, in September and October of that year.
October 2018 marked a significant milestone in my career with my maiden concert, Strings of My Soul, hosted by Richard Tuwangye. In December, I had the honor of being an opening act at the Johnnie Walker Soul Safari Concert, which featured Ginuwine.
In 2019, I released my second album, Ugandan. On February 9, I had a live performance at Fezah, and later in August, I performed at the Bayimba Music Festival on Lunkulu Island. On November 23, I performed at the “Nsiimye Thanksgiving Dinner” at the Kampala Serena Hotel, hosted by Patrick Salvado Idringi, and on November 30, I shared the stage with Mya at the Johnny Walker All Music Safari.
In 2020, I performed on February 14 alongside Janzi Band and Sandra Suubi at Route 256. That same year, I parted ways with my manager Francis Biggie in April and joined Karizm Management. In August, I performed in the first online edition of Blankets and Wines. As digital music distribution grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, my songs were among the most highly distributed by East African Records.
Career: 2021 - Present
In November 2021, I released my third album, People of The Land. I decided to make only 50 physical copies available, selling each for $100.
In January 2022, I released the People of The Land album on digital streaming platforms. The album features 23 tracks, including three collaborations with top Ugandan artists, and was released by Black Market Records. In October, I unveiled the visuals for the single "Under Wraps" from the People of The Land album.
Awards
I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for my work over the years:
Hipipo Awards 2019: "Nkwegomba" - Best Soul Song (Won)
Hipipo Awards 2020: "Oliwa" - Best Soul Song (Won)
Hipipo Awards 2020: "Obadde Wa" - Best Reggae Song (Nominated)
Discography
Kibun'omu (2016)
Ugandan (2019)
People of The Land (2022)
Philanthropy
Giving back to the community is important to me. In July 2021, I partnered with Martha Kay, Josephine Karunji, Hilda Bahati, Ronnie Habasa, Cooper C-Way, and Tim Sabiti to launch the 1000 Faces of Change campaign with The Remnant Generation, a Christian-based NGO. Our goal was to raise 1 billion Ugandan shillings to rescue and reintegrate survivors of sexual abuse and pregnant teenage girls into society.
In August 2022, I composed a song called "Like Them" for the Merck Foundation under the "Educating Linda" program to support girls’ education across Africa.
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