Allen Kisakye
“Do you know any Uganda artiste?” a journalist asked Ginuwine during a press conference in Kampala ahead of the 11th edition of Johnnie Walker Soul Safari concert.
“No,” was his response. “But earlier before coming here,” the American singer, dancer and song writer said, “I watched a video of Radio and Weasle and would love to collaborate with them.”
Sadly, he cannot since one half of the singing duo is no more.
What is for sure though is that Ginuwine – Elgin Baylor Lumpkin – will bring all his two-decade charm onto a Ugandan stage at Speke Resort Munyonyo Lakeside on Saturday, December 1.
“I am so happy to be here and I promise to give the best tomorrow. I will not leave any Ugandan R&B devotees the same when I am done,” he declared.
“I am delighted to be performing here for the first time and we are gonna take Uganda on an amazing R&B and soul journey. Tell your family and friends about it and tell them not to dare miss it.”
The 48-year-old warmed his way into the hearts of Ugandan R&B and soul lovers thanks to his dance moves and late 90s – early 2000s songs such as Same Ol’ G, Differences, Pony and, In Those Jeans, among others.
The Soul Safari follows an earlier Jazzy version, the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari, held in June and headlined by Richard Bona.
According to Roger Agamba, Ginuwine inspired a whole generation of R&B music lovers in Uganda.
“As Johnnie Walker, we are excited to bring him to his Ugandan fans in the flesh because there is no question that Ginuwine is R&B/soul royalty,” Agamba, the International Premium Spirits Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited, said.
Gates will be open as early as 2pm with an activity-filled lineup to keep revelers entertained at the show that is expected to run late into the evening. Local artistes Kenneth Mugabi, Naava Grey, Aziz Azion and Tonya Ayendah are lined up to perform before Ginuwine.
Tickets go for Shs150,000.
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