Ya Levis during his performance in Kampala. Photo | Edwin Nyaika
By now you know the Congolese singer and songwriter Prince Nemiala, alias Ya Levis, was in Uganda last weekend. The concert had been confirmed more than two months ago, and there was excitement, especially from many French-speaking Ugandans.
See, there are many parallel local music industries: those who listen to regular local music on FM stations and those who stream music and have such a unique taste of music. They organise their own parties and invite artistes such as Mike Kaihura, Chike, and Ric Hassani, among others.
Their parties may not have the hottest Nigerian or Amapiano artiste, but they always have such a turn-up with revellers who are singing along to songs ordinary Ugandans are learning about for the first time. And that was the case of the Ya Levis Dalwear concert at the Kampala Serena Hotel’s Victoria Conference Hall.
With songs such as Penzi alongside Diamond Platinumz, Lokesha, Nakati, and Chocolat, he has a catalogue not known to many Ugandans, but is deeply appreciated across the continent.
But Ya Levis is not only about his catalogue; he is a performer, whose smooth music appeals to women in ways most male performers can hardly try. His music has a lot of singalongs, and that is whether you know the man or are listening to him for the first time.
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