Revellers had to wait past the midnight hour for Jamaican music star Chronixx to entertain them but it was worth the wait. He put up an energetic performance that got fans dancing till they sweated, cheering till they almost lost their voices and asking for more when he bowed at the climax of a three-hour live performance.
With a simplicity and connection to the crowd, the singer started off his performance on a low tempo, which he kept building up until he delivered his encore in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
His dress code was simple too – ripped sky blue jeans, an Adidas T-shirt and jacket, and his hair covered in coloured headgear. The concert was a unique one, different from the usual because of the 22-year-old artiste’s delivery.
“Uganda, how are you feeling?” he occasionally asked, between interludes, to which the cheerful fans would chorus in response, “We are feeling irie.” By 2am, many of the revellers were lost in the musical moment, singing along to Chronixx’s songs as he performed. A few male fans had either gone shirtless or were wearing vests after sweating from hours of dancing.
Through the camera, it was fascinating to see the solidarity as fans of difference races and colour held out their lighters and phones.
Others waved Jamaican and Ugandan flags as they danced and shouted in excitement. When he slowed things a little, with his mellower songs, lovers in the house held each other as they wiggled their waists slowly as if careful not to let go of each other. Some of Uganda’s favourite artistes were revellers too, like Maro and his crew, and Vampino, who switched places this time and were part of the crowd.
It did not matter where one was standing, the infectious delivery of the Jamaican star got to them, through his energy, poise and lyrically evocative music that spoke about mental independence, love, patriotism, endurance and unity. His facial expression resonated with the lyrics in his music.
22-year-old reggae star Chronixx performs for the crowd that turned up for the ‘Kla love live music reggae revival’ music concert at Ndere Cultural Centre, in Kisaasi near Kampala, on Friday night. Photo by EDGAR R. BATTE
In many songs, for example Smile Jamaica, Chronixx would substitute lyrics to Smile Uganda, drawing excitement from fans who would chorus in appreciation. Many patrons turned up dressed in Jamaican colours.
However, the smell of marijuana was at many points of the concert venue, and revellers smoking the “illegal leaves” did so unashamedly as they helped each other light cigarettes.
His performance was preceded by that of Cinderella Sanyu, Bobi Wine, Apass, and deejay sessions by Sir Aludah and Roja. Emcees Kats, Salvado and Hypeman did a good job in hyping the show with both jokes and sharing the singer’s profile with fans.
The concert kicked off on a slow note, owing to a short drizzle, but ended on a high with clear skies that got revellers enjoying the show without much worry. Chronixx’s gig at Ndere Cultural Centre in Kisaasi was part of his ‘Zincfence Redemption Soul Circle Africa Tour’ and was made possible by Talent Africa.
rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com
