Richy Kaweesa

If one is looking for music for the soul, look no further. Richy Kaweesa prescribes the right musical capsules to treat one’s spiritual need on his album My Words. Kaweesa who was known for doing choruses for the likes of Atlas and Navio among others breaks free from collaborations to embark on solo projects. Ebiro Byaffe, one of the tracks off this album won’t go unnoticed if one takes on this musical dose as it speaks directly to a listener about our times. In this song, he definitely does not forget his roots, coming from a pastor’s home as the element of gospel is embedded in this song. Better still, he has started singing in Luganda, which means he will capture a larger audience. As one listens to this song, they ought to just let it get to them as the acoustics that accompany the lyrics are on point.
Kaweesa is more of an activist here as he sings about helping the needy. He also says a prayer to God to intervene as he hopes Uganda can be a better place. Indeed with such music, we are heading in the right direction. With the listening pleasure, one gets the urge of watching Richy perform live. - Daily Monitor

The Sound Cup, a coffee shop owned by musician Maurice Kirya, hosted yet another artiste for its live music shows that happen every first Thursday of the month. This time it was Richard Kaweesa aka Richy.

Most people know Richy as the guy who sounds almost like American singer/songwriter John Legend. He also lent his vocals to the Uganda 50th independence theme song Yoga Yoga. The jubilee song also featured Esther Nabaasa and Ruyonga.

In the gospel music circles, the pastor’s son is known for one of his biggest songs to date, True Love. That is why many managed to sing along as he sang: “Once you find Christ, everything is nice, Christ’s love is so pure.”

Hearing him perform that song with a reggae vibe to it, one cannot help dancing along and enjoying the song that Richy did outside his comfort zone - RNB. Listening to him perform for an hour, whether playing the guitar or not, something comes to mind; Richy is so at home while performing within his vocal range that he is perhaps unwilling to step out. Greater thing could happen if he did.

Richy performed almost all songs of his upcoming album, My Words, unlike many musicians who do merely the cover songs. He kicked off his performance with Good Music before he performed My song followed by Without Love.

However, it was the up-tempo Afro-beat sound of Ebiro Byaffe (our days) that had the revellers put down their coffee cups and join in the dance. It is the only song he sang in Luganda and when the album finally hits the market, that could be the song that gets massive airplay.

The album has input from other artistes like Myko Ouma, Babaluku and Phila. The last song of the night was ‘Will You Dance?’ featuring Atlas. He called on MoRoots, Ruyonga and finally Maurice Kirya to freestyle on the beat. Ruyonga’s freestyle was ‘sick’ as they say in the world of rappers. Before long, it was 9pm and it was time to wrap up. - The Observer

Vision Group, in association with Twaweza Initiative and Buzz Events, is seeking to recognise artistes whose compositions advance society. Today, Gloria Nakajubi brings you Richard Kaweesa a young upcoming musician who drew his inspiration to sing from the injustices in the society

Aged 22, Richard Kaweesa, that affect him. Ebiro Byaffe, My Words 2013. most of the ills in society. “the poor and the weak,” have?” corruption, which are all rooted in the fact that people no longer care about others, not even their country. “If we love one another, I see no reason for one to use money meant for the general public for selfi sh interests,” he notes. He adds that this song is a prayer seeking God’s intervention to change the current state of the country. As it turns out, those who are supposed to do something don’t seem to care.

Kaweesa also notes that if each one of us could do a thorough soulsearching to fi nd out their purpose in life and work towards achieving that, then the world would be a better place.

Who is Kaweesa

Richard Kaweesa was born in 1991 in Namasuba, Entebbe, to Pastor Stephen and Sarah Kaweesa of Uganda Christian Outreach Ministries. He went to Kabojja Junior School He went to for his primary education and then Seroma Christian High School for O’level. Thereafter he joined Kawombe Memorial for his A’level. He is currently studying music at the African Institute of Music in Muyenga.

Inspiration

Kaweesa says he was inspired to sing by his elder brother, Philip Kaweesa, also an artiste. With 14 songs on his album, Kaweesa says most of his music is inspired by his own experiences and those of others around him. “I happen to always go with my father for different outreach ministries out of town, in some remote villages. commonly known as Richy stands out not because he has released many songs, but because of the inspiration that people draw from his music and how he boldly talks about issues

He was nominated for his song, which means (our times) a song off his first album that was released in June In this song, he highlights issues such as selfi shness, a vice typical in this generation, the root cause of We have become so diffi cult, is it because of the conditions or it’s just the times? We no longer care about ,” are some of the words in one of the stanzas, he goes on to ask such questions as, “when was the last time you cared for someone next to you or when did you last care for someone who doesn’t Kaweesa says he was inspired to sing this song because of the ills in the country such as land grabbing, This has given me the feel of what the common person goes through,” he says.

He adds that those are some of the experiences that make him look forward to another day so that he can impact someone’s life through his music. “Being a Christian, I believe in the greatest commandment, which is love, because I know with love the world can be changed even with the smallest of resources,” he explains. Kaweesa was also among the several artistes that sang the offi cial Jubilee song Yoga,Yoga.

Power of music

According to Kaweesa, if music is to change the society then the artistes have to change the content in their music. “Artistes should desist from the pressure of having just a hit song, but if its going to be a hit let it be a highlight of what is affecting the people as they will easily relate to it and not just dance it away for a few months,” he says. He, however, adds that people too need to learn to appreciate positive music because this will inspire artistes to do more of such songs.

What others says about Kaweesa’s music

Ronald Sserwanga, a university student, says when he heard this song playing the fi rst time, he thought it was some veteran artiste tired of life’s challenges until recently when he found out it was a young man. He has, however, listened to it over and over again and, as he says, his life has not remained the same. His prayer as he explains is to learn how to love others.

Juliet Namusoke, a retired teacher, says she used to think all young boys sing useless songs until one of her sons told her to listen to Kaweesa’s songs. “I fi rst hesitated because I had to listen through headphones since the song was on his phone, but you know boys, he had his way and I eventually accepted. But, listening to that song gave me confidence that there are still artistes in this country with a passion to infl uence positive change.

INSPIRED BY KAWEESA’S SONGS

Baker Mubiru ,I love the groove because this is what attracts me to listen to the message in Kaweesa’s music. It is very inspiring

Stanley Mukasa, The song Ebiro Byaffe has a prophetic message and what we want as a country, is to be united.

Salim Nasaga, I find the song Ebiro Byaffe relevant to our current situation because this is what we have become. So someone needs to get back to the basics of togetherness. - The New Vision

Richy sounds like providence specially sculptured him to sing Reggae music. And one knows that this may sound like an exaggeration, but something about Richy Kaweesa will remind you of people like Beres Hammond, Freddie McGreggor and musicians of such a rich vein of artistic form. In fact, after a while, you start thinking that may be Richy is trying to sound like them.

This is a Christian song, with Richy, telling of Christ’s love, as the one true love. “Once you find Christ, everything is nice,” he sings, “Christ’s love is so pure.” He addresses his song to people who have searched for love, especially in all the wrong places, and directs them to the love found in Christ.

Maybe he could use catchier song writing. Yes, you sense he could get a little wittier, deploy more outstanding rhymes than he does on this song.

There is something about a musician who practises a genre for which they are well-suited. In such cases, the musician sounds like they are at home, in familiar surroundings where they do not need to break a vocal cord or two, while trying to fit in certain tune. That is what makes Richy Kaweesa such a joy to listen to on this song. - Daily Monitor

Indeed it seems that the music scene in Uganda is strangled by poor imitations of Dancehall and Reggae. But if we understand the history, the challenges and most importantly the gospel, there emerges soul-filled clarity.

By: Elsie Nampera

The domination of Dancehall and Reggae in Uganda was recently observed by a judge of the Club Video Music Awards in The Huffington Post, who says, “It seemed that 99% of all music videos submitted, seemed to come straight from Jamaica, such is the passion of Ugandans brought up on dancehall music. With full patois accents and dancehall dance moves, it was like judging a Caribbean set of acts, as opposed to African”. -J. Dotiwal

Indeed it seems that the music scene in Uganda is strangled by poor imitations of Dancehall and Reggae. But if we understand the history, the challenges and most importantly the gospel, there emerges soul-filled clarity.

The History

In the 1990s there was a young group of men who presented something fresh to the young and urban music industry in Uganda. This group was Limit-X. Their sound is what I will refer to as “hip” gospel music. It is a kind of music that makes one want to get up and dance, contrary to what had previously drowned the genre in the tranquility of sombre worship.

After Limit-X faded from the airwaves, a gap was left waiting to be filled. They were quickly replaced by the likes of: Pastor Okudi, Fiona Mukasa, Pastor Bugembe, Julie Mutesasira and Judith Babirye. Their music is a strand of gospel targeted towards an already defined market. They concretised a perforative vernacular and paired it with monotonous afro-instrumentation.

In the last three to five years there has emerged a new breed of young and urban gospel musicians in Uganda who are attempting to break the mould and are reviving what Limit-X ignited earlier.

Some of the artists involved in this movement are Ruyonga, Coopy Bly and Exodus. They appeal to the young and hip audience that one will find at particular evangelical churches. Their sound is a mix of gospel with the recognisable influences of Hip Hop and Dancehall that are visible throughout Ugandan music as a whole.

A Shift

A rising artist has joined this new crop of gospel musicians–the vocally talented Richy Kaweesa–who in June 2013 released a worthwhile debut album aptly titled “My Words”.

Richy’s songs are written by the artist himself. The ‘words’ debuted through the production of Trophimus Odie of Kish Records, Allan Wasswa of Kono & Ddyo and Michael of Fenon Records.

Richy begins the album with a laid back introduction. With a dissonant guitar, Richy tells the story of how the album came to be. He notes the challenging journey he has endured to bring this album to fruition; including key influences, some of whom are individuals known for either R&B or Jazz. When he mentions that these are his words—hence the album title — the feeling of settling down and waiting to hear what he has to offer on the rest of the album sets in.

No sooner than we have become familiar with Richy’s R&B influences are we force-fed two uncannily Reggae-induced songs. Because of the first two tracks “True Love” and “Mama”, one gets the feeling “My Words” is a Reggae album. The course of the album’s thirteen tracks including “You Are” and “Loving One” makes its genre classification unclear. Richy rather confuses the listener when he switches from Reggae to R&B and back again.

“You Are”, the fourth track on the album, is the first glimpse of Richy performing a soulful R&B number. The guitar, piano and drums–complement his soulful vocals—to make one want to listen to the song over and over. The Afro-styled track, “Ebiro Byaffe” (Our Nights) sang entirely in Luganda, will induce a dance while offering food for thought. “My Song” is another dance track in which Richy explores Afro-House, a new genre of urban dance music. Thereafter, he makes a nice switch back to R&B on “Beauty of Life”. Compared to many contemporary singers on the market today, Richy sounds flawless and this is most apparent on the acoustic track “I Promise”. Stripped down to voice and guitar, where one really hear the young musician’s vocal ability, and enhanced by the dazzling accompaniment of jazz guitarist Myko Ouma.

The Breakthrough

Many a singer today — looking towards the mainstream — will choose a genre that they feel comfortable in, or one they think will create a breakthrough. One wonders what ‘mainstream’ actually means. In Uganda, the mainstream has been characterised by Reggae and Dancehall. Sometimes this sound has been referred to as Kidandali: a Luganda word that refers to the steel pans of Caribbean music.

Many musicians looking for the attainment of mass appeal will attempt to prioritise songs that fit this characteristic; more as a marketing strategy than anything else. Gospel music on an international level, today, is not immune to this phenomenon either. The majority of it falls into these same traps in which gospel is only an alternative copy of commercially successful genres. The gospel audience is nurtured to demonise secular music which adds to the problem.

For any young gospel musician who exudes versatility and who is looking for mainstream success, it would be in their best interest to explore more unique sounding genres that can make them stand out from what has become the monotonous norm. Stand-out genres that could fit this mould could be R&B, Afro-fusion or even a good mix of R&B/Reggae, but not purely Reggae or Dancehall alone.

The Blend

Feeling at home, Richy takes us to church in “Belongs to One”, the kind of deeply spiritual song one could hear performed by a praise and worship team. Despite the Reggae skills of such a young talent, the R&B/Afro-fusion, in effect, creates his own formula to go even further, just as Limit-X and Maurice Kirya did before him.

“My Words” is an album that is full of surprises taking on a range of styles and approaches. Because the singer’s work is at such a commendable standard, if he did more tracks with Luganda he would no doubt make a lasting impact on the local scene.

As a debut, this album encourages forward looking to more music from Kaweesa. The quality of writing, performance and other artists’ contribution makes it worth owning a copy. With such quality, Richy also has the potential to export our kind of music to the global market and thus furthering Uganda’s music industry. - StartJournal.com

When you catch yourself forgetting that you are meant to review a single or an album during the first listening, then what you have in your hand is a very rich and authentic material worth holding on to.
This is the feeling I and many of the team in charge of the music review felt, a fresh sound. And that this is from Uganda, just makes it all the more lovely. Richy Kaweesa, or simply Richy a brother to Philla Kaweesa first caught my attention with his song “Missing You,” which featured Navio.
The quality of his voice and music has been placed with the likes of John Legend. I have already said this many times. This album is arguably one of the best from Uganda, and I mean every word. At this point, I would like to encourage just a lot more Ugandan Artistes to consider the art of carefully crafting an album. It shows maturity and having a clear direction.
Back to the album. In “My Words” you will hear great songs about God, love and life. It is a very holistic approach to his music. From the Album intro, to his “True Love” (which to me is one of the best songs he’s done,) then to a tribute to the woman who mothered him and other songs like the “Ebiro Byaffe” a well written Luganda song, you will be engulfed by the artistry employed. I guess, as I seem to suggest, there is simply too much to write about this project. And, before I spoil the treat for you, I have to force myself to stop. Here is the album track listing. Go search for and buy it. Search till you find “My Words.” - Wemixent.com

His music sabbatical was a phase of life, a musical decisive moment for Richy in 2010. Before his music sabbatical, Richy released a couple of songs that ornamented his constructive contribution to the music industry, particularly the R&B genre. By then, Kaweesa performed his sounds under Talent Africa, the then Talent 256 under which he released his debut song “Missing You” ft Navio of Klear Kut. The vocal knack and flair he demonstrated on “Missing You” warranted him some fan base.

Even though he saddened his fans when he went on a music break in early 2010, Richy’s dexterity, creativity, and originality gets reincarnated after three years. At just 21 years, Richy’s talent explores every major music genres like R&B, Reggae, Soul and Afro fusion. His ability to use his voice as his most important asset ameliorates him to rematerialize on the music scene with a “creditable” music project, “My Words,” his debut album.

Richy’s debut album “My Words” discovers a wide range of music experimentation. Through assorted sounds that are characterized by acoustic guitars, Bass guitars, conga, keyboards, horns, saxophones and percussions, Kaweesa shepherds his fans on a matchless music trip through which he puts a picture of his life in words. The album opens with “My Words (Intro)” that gives the listeners a trend of his album. Richy officially gears the listeners to “True Love,” a song that comes second on the track list.

On “True Love,” Richy exercises his passion for reggae music as he expresses his love for the almighty creator. It starts with guitar sounds that later blend in with a brass instrument and drums that echo a symmetrical rhythmic pattern with a Rastafari feeling. His album being a trans-genre album whose focus pivots on love, Life, Suffering among other aspects, “You Are” which opens with a melodic guitar sound, which allows Richy to squeeze out his affection to this one particular companion that the subject of the song revolves on. He touches up the same concept on “Loving You” however, the guitar instrument sounds off.

Track seven on “My Words”, “Mercy” Featuring Babaluku and Philia, finds all acts ready to discover their potential on a more up-tempo pulsation. With a smooth soothing soft voice that renders on the chorus and hooks, this song echoes a more refined aspect that manifests humanity as Babaluku raps his verse on. Surprisingly, on “Ebiro Byaffe,” Richy goes afro beat. “Ebiro Byaffe’s” composition’s originality relates to the legends of afrobeat like Feli Kuti. He fused his vocal strength with percussions and other instruments to generate an African generic sound.

“My Song” and “Breaking apart” follow a trendier, urban pop style, another tricky sounds that Richy harmoniously bodies. “The Beauty Of Life” and “I Promise,” songs he wrote out of a real life experience, soulfully escort you to the last song of the album. The artistic and imaginative songwriting skills gear and polish every single song. Richy outros his new album with “Belong To You,” a song that again praises God.

“My Words” compilation, recording, mixing and mastering was in the hands of several producers like Trophimus Odie of Kish Records, Allan Waswa of Kono and “Dydo & Michael” of Fenon Records who tirelessly worked hand in hand with Richy. Under the management of Konektor and close supervision of this masterpiece music project by his management team, Richy successfully repays his fans with a worthy project.

- See more at: http://bigeye.ug/album-review-my-words-by-richy-kaweesa/#sthash.oMUyxEuB.dpuf - Bigeye.ug

You may not have seen him, but you have most probably heard Richard Paul Kaweesa sing.

Also called Richy, Kaweesa is that voice behind Esther Nabaasa’s, if you listened keenly to our jubilee song, Yoga Yoga.

“I am passionate about music and I know the sky is the limit,” says the 21-year-old singer and guitarist.

Last week, as he played some of his songs at Cayenne in Bukoto, ladies got up on their feet and screamed their hearts out. “Richy is my best,” they shouted.

He played such songs as True Love, Mama, and Will You Dance, his collabo with Atlas.

How it began
It all started back in P.7 at Jubilee School, Seguku, where he occasionally attended poetry sessions and mimed songs. He vividly remembers how he sang Redemption Song by Bob Marley, and mimed some of the Kirk Franklins’ songs – both experiences “were crucial to lead me into the music arena.”

During his P.7 vacation, he went to a studio for the first time in 2002. “That’s when I recorded my first song, Selective, with a group called RPZ,” he recalls. Unfortunately, the song did not do well but it set the tempo for his future works. In 2009, Talent Africa, a group that manages musicians spotted him and took him under its wings.

Soon after, through Talent Africa, he sang Missing you, featuring Navio. The song was well received that he later recorded a song with the defunct Blu*3; unfortunately, the track never got released.

“The hard disk broke down and we never got a chance to let it out,” he explains.

Fate smiles
The Blu*3 episode didn’t deter him and when Jamaican star Sean Kingston came last year, Kaweesa got a chance to curtain raise. “It was a big opportunity for me,” he says with a beam on his face. In Talent Africa, he was at the same level as Navio, who is also managed by the same group; that realisation “challenged me to work even harder.”

Moving on
Late 2011, however, his contract with Talent Africa ended – to Kaweesa, he still did not have to show. He decided to take a break from music for a couple of months.

“It was the time I had to reflect and know where I was heading in my musical journey,” he muses.

He says he sat down with his father and he was advised to first get a diploma in music. Currently, he is studying at the Makindye-based African Institute of Music (AIM). This year, another group, Konekta, has signed him up. The group is led by a Batenga Nakisozi, based in the United States.

“In the last couple of weeks I have worked with the group, there is pretty much we have achieved and we hope for the best,” he says.

Achievement
Kaweesa says his biggest achievement so far is that he has grown musically and been able to meet and appreciate many talents in the country.

“My guitar skills have improved, my voice has grown and I have met so many people in the industry. This has not only exposed but has also helped me grow.”

Inspiration
He draws inspiration from diverse artistes, but Damien Marley, a three-time Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artiste tops his list. Marley is also the youngest son of the late Bob Marley. He also looks up to Maurice Kirya for his modesty and success in the music industry.

“But I like it when someone does something good. And if it’s a nice song, I think I will like it,” says Kaweesa. “Some people compare me to John Legend, but me I say those shoes are too big for me but I know I will get there.”

Worst moment
At one moment, he was called to sing at a function but as he stood waiting for his turn, the bouncer, who didn’t know him, asked for a tag that showed he had paid for entrance.

“I didn’t have the tag and the guy threw me out.”

On some other occasion, he was removed from a musicians’ desk as they thought he wasn’t a musician.

Interests
When he is not doing music, Kaweesa takes some time off to play basketball. “Our team is still in the third division. I must say my dribbles have improved immensely although I wouldn’t recommend anyone out there to look out for me,” he says.

He also likes to hanging out with friends, enjoys comics and football; and Barcelona is his team. - The Observer