Hemdee
When you talk of Ugandans on kyeyo, the impression is that every one of them out there is doing some menial job. And when someone is in Los Angeles, California, you would think the best job a Ugandan could do, if they ever got close to the stars is to carry their bags. Not for Hemdee Kiwanuka who has got a big break as one of the producers of a reality show Fame In The Family, featuring Sean Kingston and rapper Romeo that is showing on E! Yes, the same channel that made the Kardashians famous with their reality show, Keeping up with the Kardashians.
The show that started airing last Sunday provides an inside look at the lives and careers of the musicians and examines the ups and downs of fame and how being in the spotlight impacts their families.
With a new album set to drop soon, Sean Kingston’s career is on fire. He’s already had three top 10 hits, and he counts Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Chris Brown as his best friends. Yet, with all the fame, he still has to report to mum Janice Turner for his allowance. Living with her famous son in the lush Hollywood Hills, this over-the-top mother of three is everything to Sean. She works closely with his management team, has a sizable stake in Sean’s record company, and is not shy about asserting herself about her baby boy’s personal life. Sean’s sister and brother are big influences as well, with brother Kurt serving as president of Sean’s record label and sister Kanema a self-described sexy vixen who likes to live life large.
At 23, Romeo may not be “Lil’” anymore, but he will always be mum Sonya’s little boy. Separated from her husband, Master P, Sonya put her own rap career on hold to raise her brood of seven children, of which Romeo is the oldest. And while she may have left her “Sonya C” gangster rapper persona behind, she is a fiercely protective mother who is grooming her other children for stardom. Even though Romeo’s career is going strong, he remains an integral part of the family, helping his mum with chores and even picking up his siblings after school.
Their families are probably nothing like ours, but it sure is fun to watch the drama. And hats off to our homeboy, Hemdee for being part of the team that is putting this together.