Ary Morais

Ary Morais (1974) is a guitarist, singer and songwriter from Cape Verde with a strong connection to Norway since 1995. He is one of the most popular artists in Norway within the world music genre, with his modern version of traditional music from his native country such as Coladera, Morna, Batuqe and Funana. Morais released his debut album “Ka Bo Bayembora” in 1999, and with the release of the album “Abraco Tradiconal” in November 208, Ary Morais & Band made a mark for themselves. With his band, Morais has toured Europe, Africa and the USA.

Ary Morais’ third album of entitled “Sonho Caboverdiano”, a collection of 10 original compositions, was officially released worldwide in June 2014. His new album is emotional and engaging, a distinct and authentic mix of longing and experience. Festival goers are invited to experience the social and spirited feeling of Capeverdean island life. One should not be surprised to dance to the rhythms and tunes as a result of his magnetic live performance.

Ras Alex

Ras Alex is Ugandan, born as Alex Ssegujja in Mukono. He grew up in Nsambia, Kampala, always loving reggae music and creating his own songs. He started recording his music in 2011 and all the songs that have been released in his name up to now were written and composed by himself, for example sufferation, mama, never fall in love again and leaders lies.

He is expanding his collection fast and is expecting to release many more songs in the near future.

Chrispin Ngabirama

Chrispin Ngabirama is the 8th child in a family of eleven from Rwanda. He was born in Bujumbura, Burundi because his parents sought refuge from the genocide in Rwanda. Already as a little boy Chrispin used to sing in church together with his old brother and was inspired by the Kings of Reggae and African rooted music. He started his first group “Rwanda Family” in 2004, dedicated to the love for his country and his desire to see his people being united.

In 2008, he started his career as a solo singer and became to be known as the promoter of human values and the renewal of African society through reggae music. The positive messages in Chrispin’s music go back to his own background of suffering the consequences of injustices in his home country. Ever since, his musical career has made giant leaps. He was invited to participate in different events, including the famous Rwandan event FESPAD. He also participated as the Rwandan representative in the RAP Song Project of Youth Incentives, a programme on youth and sexuality of the Rutgers Nisso Groep from the Netherlands. In the meantime, he has released two albums – “Adieu l’Afrique Shida” and “African Moment” – and is now working on his 3rd album “Face à l’Injustice” (against injustice).

Sifa Kelele

Sifa Kelele was founded in April 2011 upon the initiative of Mary Sebunya and some of her musical friends. Their musical journey was dedicated to creating positive developmental change through the vehicle of music and supporting other young and upcoming (mostly female) musicians. Over the years, the band has grown and is now composed of Kathryn Mirembe, Eva Sebunya, Mary Sebunya, Bridget Kitimbo, Pauline Mushengezi, Winniedredah Tukamuhebwa, Jackie Mubiru, Damali Kalanzi, Elaine Driciru and Allan Sema. Sifa Kelele plays a fusion of Ugandan rhythms and genres from all over the world. Their music carries a message of inspiration, unity, hope, and love.

During the past months Sifa Kelele went on to record their music at C19 Studios. On the 2nd of September, the first EP “Naalinya” was released. With this latest move, this female-oriented band is bound to make a difference to the Ugandan music scene. Revellers at the Bayimba International Festival are privileged to be able to witness the results of their latest musical efforts.

Dr. Bone

Born Bandile Maphalala, Dr. Bone stems from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. At the age of 12 he moved to Durban where he started a career as a dancer with the Pantsula group AmaRiffifi that left a mark in the local dance scene in the early 2000s. Whilst dancing, he was inspired by the ghetto reality and rags to riches raps of Hiphop and made his shift to music. It has been a long road from Bone the dancer, known to break his bones on stage to Dr. Bone the emcee, known to split the crowd like Moses did the Red Sea.

Dr. Bone is currently working on his debut album, Lindelani, which features material that he has been working on for the past few years and features some of the fastest rising rappers across the continent. It is produced by Nkocy Gasa, some of the best in Africa, and Killbeatz and Chopstix, both producers of award winning artists. The album is diverse and reminiscent of the early years of Hiphop. It is gritty, honest and a reflection of a young man’s aspirations to lift himself up.

Dr. Bone is one of the artists in South Africa that has differentiated himself with his kind of music. His music is for the more mature minds: provoking, philosophical masterpieces that hold lyrical depth. It has a sense of spiritually that is rare in the Hiphop scene of the present. Dr. Bone is played across Africa and he has been invited to perform in and out of South Africa. Dr. Bone now finds himself performing for a Ugandan crowd at the Bayimba International Festival, followed by a mini-tour in the region.

Zawuka

Zawuka is a young Ugandan band composed of three individuals – Edris, Kia and Irene – that are joined together by the passion of music. All members are equipped with different tones and style of voice that blend into its Zawuka chemistry of music. The young band, with a funky edge, playing Afro-soul-funk with a drizzle of pop, will undoubtedly soothe the ear and excite the mind.

The band already made a first appearance at the Bayimba International Festival in 2012 but with the recent release of their first single “Sunshine” they are bound to glow brighter and push their music to the next level.

Jackie Senyonjo

Jackie Senyonjo is a multiple award winning artist best known for her string of hits like Bumper, Ndopeera Gwe, Neetaga gwe and Gyogenda.

Jackie Senyonjo is a songwriter, singer and choir director. She started singing in her teenage years in scripture union and in 1999 joined Kansanga Miracle Center Choir where she developed her musical talent. She went on to start a group called EXTANOL with two friends and released a hit single Gyogenda (Everywhere you go). The group eventually split but Jackie stayed on course, launching out in 2008 as a solo act. Since then, Jackie has two albums under her belt, Nandibadewa and Ndoperagwe, and her name has become a household name in Uganda.

Jackies music comes in a range of styles from RNB, to raggae, zouk and afrobeat. She has shared the stage with Keke in South Africa and Aity from Nigeria and has become a sought after musician in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Denmark and Sweden.

Nehoreka

Nehoreka is an afrocentric band which performs a distinct afrojazz fusion with a hint of Afro pop which has since been coined “Jukwa”. The band came together in 1998 after Percy Nhara, the lead vocalist, and friends decided to put their thoughts into music and came up with a distinct sound that reflects their deep African roots. They started performing in Gweru before moving to Harare.

In 1999, their first song was the chart topping “Magagada”. This scorcher was followed by another chart buster and number one hit “Ndatsvaga Ndashayiwa”. They also produced an environmental awareness track on forestry and music for award winning sculptor Dominic Benhura’s documentary Masiiwa the love for life.

In 2004, Percy Nhara teamed up with Anna Miti, a radio and television presenter, to establish a recording company called Lionwave Productions. The group recorded their music at the studio, which saw the birth of the album Pfimbi Yangu. A whole new era started for Nehoreka which resulted in an invite to demonstrate their distinct sound as the Bayimba International Festival.

Sarabi

Sarabi a Swahili word for Mirage. The word also means, imagination, vision and creation. Sarabi was formed in 2005 and is made up of 8 youngsters hailing from the East lands slums of Nairobi that started playing music at an early age of 11 years: Isabella Were (vocals), Harun Waceke (bass and vocals), Adam Mwadama (acoustics guitar and vocals), Peter Mbau (acoustics guitar and vocals), Bernard Oduor (drums and vocals), Anthony Kimangu (percussions and vocals), John Maluni (keyboards) and Nelson Mandela (lead vocalist).

Sarabi’s music is influenced by everyday’s happenings. They create a sound picture that vividly represents their society’s every day journey. Sarabi’s music is made up of heavy traditional Kenyan rhythms, Benga and a blend of Western sounds, which made their music become nicknamed Oregorego, a local vernacular word for posho mill. Sarabi has proven to be one of the most talented and most solid Afrofusion bands in the Kenyan music scene. BUZZ Magazine declared Sarabi as “the new face of Afrofusion in Kenya”. In July 2013, the band released their debut album titled “Oyaore” – a new beginning.

In May 2014, Sarabi performed at the opening session of DOADAO – East African Performing Arts Market and also impressed Ugandan audiences with their music. With their coming performance they will undoubtedly grow their fan base further.

Madoxx Ssematimba

Madoxx Ssematimba was born in Kampala, Uganda. In 1991 he moved to Sweden, a journey that would change his life forever. On arrival, he picked his guitar and started performing in night-clubs to earn an extra Swedish krona to pay for his studies. He was introduced to a variety of musicians thereafter and toured Europe with Swedish-based reggae band Nazarenes. He then released his solo album Tukolagane and grew out to a star. He performed and rocked big crowds and received massive air play on Ugandan FM stations.

His recent album “Abato” is a 12-track album no reggae fan should miss. His unique vocals and strong message in his songs puts him in a stellar position when it comes to reggae in Uganda, Africa and the entire world. With this album Maddox is making another great contribution to the music industry. Revelers at the Bayimba International Festival will be a witness to this.