For the past three weeks, Ugandans that love a party have been on a roll. It started with Adekunle Gold, followed by Tiwa Savage and on Saturday, another Nigerian artiste, Kizz Daniel was upon us.
Kizz Daniel during his performance in Kampala on August 6, 2022. PHOTO ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE..
The last time he performed in Uganda was in 2015 at the Buzz Leaver’s rock at Garden city, Kizz Daniel was known as Kiss Daniel, and had only two popular songs, Laye and Woju.
Kizz Daniel performed the two songs more than twice as his catalogue didn’t offer much. He was on stage for less than an hour.
A lot has happened in between 2015 and 2022, he left his label at the time, G-World and was sued for using the name Kiss Daniel, he succumbed to pressure and subtly rebranded to Kizz Daniel. Today, unlike in 2017, the artiste needs no introduction, his catalogue speaks volume and above it all, his song Buga is thought to be the biggest African song at the moment.
Thus, Cricket Oval was the perfect place for such an artiste and the anticipation was evident since he was announced three months ago.
Bigger numbers
Not even the little advertising could stop thousands from attending this concert. The turn-up was slightly bigger than Tiwa Savage’s at the same venue a week before. After four Nigerian artistes gracing Ugandan stages in the past three weeks you could think people were going to suffer a little fatigue.However, the biggest crowd was in the VIP just like Tiwa’s.
By 4pm, there was a que of people outside the venue and entrance wasn’t a hustle the whole evening both at the general and VIP sections. Once inside, people went by their businesses, some enjoying delicacies from several vendors while others just enjoyed music from deejay LL and Selecta Rayan.
Artiste performances started with less known Starmade, being followed up by Shakira Shakira and then Vamos 256.
A deejay session from Alisha came next before a dance session by Mawetta dance group, Levixone who impressed with songs like Mbera, Chikibombe and Turn da Reply and then Ykee Benda. Because there were a handful of performers, Ykee stayed on stage for more than 30 minutes doing songs such as Onabayo, Amina, Banange. Singa, Superman that left revelers screaming. He also did Nkufeelinga, Turn up da Vibe, Farma and lastly Obangaina.
Navio was up next before Kizz Daniel and like on previous occasions did his famous songs starting off with Ngalo before jumping on His collabo with Bobi Wine Bad man from kamwokya. Ndi mukodo. Whistle song. Nobody, Mr DJ, Raha. Skamares cover, Nawulilanga, Rakus. Njogereza followed.
Diamond Platinumz DJ RJ took it up from there with a mix of East African, Nigerian and amapiano songs. He brought along some dancers who kept the audience glued. When his session was done, NTV’s Sammy Wetala and Lynda Dane announced Kizz Daniel who took about ten minutes to take the stage as the band and DJ organized themselves.
Kizz Daniel
At 10:45, Kizz Daniels took to the stage and kicked off with Baba then Mama, Yeba and No do. Like Tiwa last week, his set was semi-live thus he could freely perform even songs he was featured such as No wahla, the remix where he’s featured alongside Savage by 1da Banton. The song sent ladies screaming and before he could do Woju, he reminded the crowd of his first encounter with Ugandans seven years ago.
“I want to take you back in 2015. Are you sure you remember this one,” he said before jumping on Woju and Laye in that order.
His performance was engaging. He interacted with the audience, asking them on several occasions if they want more. He splashed water into the audience as he performed Pour Me Water and like said earlier in one his interviews, he asked for permission to dance and carry one of the Ugandan ladies. You should have seen the hands that were raised up. The first candidate was emotionally overwhelmed but the one who replaced, TV presenter, Alaine Alya, she didn’t only dance but went on to to slow grind with the Nigerian.
He closed his set with two of his biggest songs, Lie and Buga at 11:50pm.
issejjombwe@ug.nationmedia.com