For his tenth show, Navio wanted to do something that everyone would enjoy, fusing hip-hop and culture.
Part of Kampala Serena Hotel is being renovated so there was no much glamour of taking pics, selfies and all that last Saturday during Navio’s Orchestra concert.
All that was done is pay at the entrance for those that had not acquired their tickets earlier and straight away enter Victoria Hall.
By 8pm, the hall was full and after short performances from Pr Wilson Bugembe and Warafiki trio among others, a video clip of Navio talking about his music journey was displayed on the screens with Fenon Premium Events handling the stage, sound and production of the show. Abeeka Band and the Orchestra Esemble took their positions at the end of the stage with Maestro Kyagulanyi as their conductor. He was responsible for interpreting the musical score, setting the tempo, and using hand gestures to guide the musicians in playing at the right time, speed, and volume.
At 9pm, Navio, clad in a glittering black outfit casually hit the stage. No grand entrance. He straight away started rapping his Tumetoka Mbali (We come from far),a song that talks about his journey. Being Dr Maggie Kigozi, Navio, unlike many other artistes is believed to have been born with a silver spoon. But he has continuously refuted this, saying ‘the sacrifice, the financial muscle and energy to see Hip Hop reach where it is today’ should be put into consideration when judging him.
“We can’t give an orchestra to the people without fusing it. We have to give people our background,” he said before jumping on Nawulilanga.
Then Hamadi, a rendition of Elly Wamala’s song, One and Only with Martha Smalzs, I Had A Dream with Lyrical G, Cold with The Mith and Njogereza with cultural dancers.
He then did Our Father which was a dedication to industry players who passed on earlier this year including Dj Bush Baby who he said played a vital role in pushing Ugandan music beyond boarders. Others were Cedric Babu who gave him his first concert at Kinetic before he signed for Sony Music and Rajiv Ruparelia who had bought tables for the last nine concerts he has had before Saturday’s experience. Navio was then joined by Geosteady to do Kigozi before his first break. The Hip Hop artiste had promised a surprise at this concert and it came from his son Kingdom who was making his debut on stage with his one song called My Kingdom.
In his second set, Navio did Bugumu then a freestyle of Rackus before he left. Salvador then invited Elijah Kitaka who did Nothing with The Mith joining him, adding a verse onto the song and then Levixone.
On his return, Navio was joined by Cindy to do Mukodo, Mwana Weka with Flex D Pepper, Pryce Teba and Babaluku. This set the stage for Cindy, Viboyo, Feffe Bussi, Mr Raa and Mun G to do the Whistle Song. The group was later joined by Benon, KS Alpha and Navio on Mr Dj.
“We have exhausted the songs on the playlist and those that people requested for online. Now I am giving a chance to request the song you would like me to do,” Navio asked.
The audience mentioned several but the one that was requested for the most was Bad Man From Kamwokya to which the deejay sampled it. The audience went wild. Navio had no choice but to play it. He ended the show with Ngalo.
