By this time last year, Rema was highly anticipating her show that was due to happen at Hotel Africana but two months ahead, she was so disappointed, heartbroken and regretting that the concert never took place simply because Africana was barred from ever hosting any event.
However, great things were destined for her as she got more than enough time to prepare herself and release more music and also find a hit in Banyabo which was the title name of the concert that happened at Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday evening (March 9).
Eddy Kenzo had to support Bae, Rema Namakula. PHOTOS BY MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI
KT promotions was the man behind the concert and having the experience in the music field, gave Rema a vote of confidence that she would pull it off after she was skeptical that she wouldn’t. “I thought to myself. Would I really handle Serena Hotel! It’s only big musicians who can afford to have a show at Serena. I’m a local artiste who can’t fill that venue,” Rema said during the concert. “But KT told me I can and here I am. A local female musician making history at Serena hotel.” She added.
Halima Namakula and Annet Nandujja at the show.
History is indeed what she made because tickets for her show got finished at 4pm yet hundreds were still lining up with their money ready to pay up. In fact, they never moved an inch and we came across some who were willing to pay as much as shs200,000 for a ticket that was going for shs100,000.
It was a different story altogether inside the hall as those who didn’t have anywhere to sit resorted to squeezing themselves on the stairs which are always used as walkways.
Rema came on stage at 9pm unlike the usual routine where the main acts come on at 11pm. Her performance lasted for about 45minutes before Eddy Kenzo among other artistes took it from there. Rema continued with the same routine, coming and then leaving and her performance lasted for five sets in which she did songs like Fire, deep in love, Kukaliba, oli wange and Mchuzi among others.
Much as everyone expected her to end with the lead track Banyabo, Rema took us by surprise when she didn’t. she performed others hits like Yo sweet, Sibyamukisa, Akaliro, Lean on me and Atuuse among others before doing Tikuula last.
Midway through her performance, she also did covers, especially those that praised the woman. This was done because it was a day after the world celebrated the international women’s day.
Other artistes who supported Rema include Ykee Benda, Chris Evans and Fik Fameika among others.