Jamaican dancehall singer, Konshens has on his arrival in Uganda visited the grave of deceased singer, Mowzey Radio and paid his respects to a singer whose legacy to date is still highly acclaimed in Uganda.
Konshens is in Uganda to headline Blankets and Wine this Sunday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
He arrived Thursday morning from Nairobi before being driven straight to Kagga, Nakawuka in Wakiso district, which is 20 kms outside Kampala. He arrived at the compound where Radio’s mom, Jane Kasubo lives at around 11:20am.
The Gal a Bubble singer who wore a black outfit and black shades was then accompanied to the grave where Radio’s body rests. There, he signed the visitors’ book, laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence. The singer was joined by Radio’s mom welcomed Konshens and his entourage.
He did not speak to the media.
But Radio’s mom said she was delighted that someone from a far could still think about her deceased son let alone visiting the grave.
“God keeps strengthening me slowly by slowly. I was happy to know that someone comes from far and thinks about him (Radio). It gives me hope that people still think about me and Radio,” Ms. Kasubo said.
Sserumaga James, the Director and Founder of Moses Radio Foundation said Konshens’ gesture is a challenge to local artistes whenever they travel.
On arrival at the airport, Konshens said he expects energy come Sunday.
“On the night of the show, I expect energy. Uganda has been one of those countries that really kickstarted my career outside the regular diaspora. And the energy level has always been on steroids. So, I expect nothing less,” said the singer who featured on Summer Bae which is off Azawi’s latest album ‘Sankofa’.
“They (Ugandans) should expect crazy love and crazy energy and I know they are going to give it back to me.”
He said his tribute to Radio is about energy and respect.
Radio, real names Moses Sekibogo died on February 1, 2018 following a bar brawl in Entebbe. He was announced dead at Case Hospital Kampala where he had been rushed after a physical altercation at De Bar, a local hangout in Entebbe.
His death sent chilling waves across Uganda and beyond, with many mourning an artiste who to date is still considered one of a kind. Radio who was half of the award-winning singing duo – Goodlyfe – was an acclaimed songwriter whose unique lyrics were profoundly captivating.
Each year in February, the country comes together to pay tribute to Radio by celebrating his life and works.
In October 2019, court convicted Godfrey Wamala aka Tryo of killing the singer and sentenced him to 14 years in jail. He was found guilty of manslaughter.
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Since his demise, new music (with his voice on it) continues to be released. Among these is Mary Jane, Owomukwano (solo), Malaika (solo) Until Yo Ready, Nsimbi (solo), and Nakessa (solo). End Of Time (with Nigerian singer KaySwitch) and African Time (solo).
In 2022 on the release of End of Time, Weasel told Plugged; “We have a lot of stuff that we recorded before he died. So, we just release it when we want to release it.”
“We are going to release a lot of music. We need to keep him alive.”
Asked to quantify this unreleased music catalogue, Weasel only said “it’s so big”. He says the catalogue sits not only in the Goodlyfe Studios but other studios where the pair did sessions. He said he was yet to collect it and quantify it.
Konshens last performed in Uganda 8 years at a concert he shared with his Jamaican counterpart, Busy Signal at the Lugogo Cricket Oval. He was initially scheduled to perform in Uganda last year but this was called off over unclear reasons.
Prior to his 2015 visit, the singer had performed in Uganda twice – 2012 and 2013. At the time, the reggae and dancehall wave was just sweeping across Africa with the Jamaican sound heavily influencing the continent. The same period had Pop Caan, Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, Mavado and Gyptian rule the airwaves here.
This is Konshens second visit to East Africa in two years, having put up a show-stopping act in Nairobi on New Year’s of 2022.
He returns to Uganda four months after he made headlines over a copyright lawsuit he won over telecom operator, Airtel Uganda. He had sued Airtel for unlawful use of his songs as caller tunes by Airtel.
In August, High Court ruled that by using and distributing Konshens’ songs as caller tunes without his consent, Airtel is liable for copyright infringement. The ruling added that the distribution of the songs without remitting the proceeds to the singer amounted to unjust enrichment.
READ MORE: Court orders Airtel to pay singer Konshens Shs 600m for using his songs without permission
In a 2015 suit filed before the Commercial Court, Konshens, popular for songs like Do Sumn, Simple Song and Gal Dem a Talk claimed that eight of his songs were used for commercial gain by Airtel Uganda Limited (as first defendant), OnMobile Global Limited (as second defendant) and MTech Limited (third defendant) yet he neither assigned nor divested his copyright in the said songs to these companies.
Konshens claimed he was the author and composer of the songs and as such owned exclusive rights to the works. The songs in question are – Simple Song, Jamaican Dance, Gyal a Bubble, No Retreat, Stop Sign and So Mi Tan.
Court in its ruling ordered Airtel to pay $180,000 (Shs 668m) in general damages as compensation for infringement of Konshens’ copyright in the suit songs.
On top of that, Airtel and OnMobile Ltd would pay Shs 20m and Shs 30m respectively as exemplary damages for copyright infringement.
When he was asked about the issue on Thursday and whether Airtel has paid him, he didn’t comment.
“I don’t wanna speak about that yet. Right now, it’s about good energy. And that’s really what I’m focusing on. I’m just happy to be here and I’m just soaking that up,” Konshens said.
