Ugandan Musician Story

Life Journey

From the streets of Masaka to international music sensation, against all odds.

Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, professionally known as Eddy Kenzo, is a Ugandan singer, music executive, the president and founder of Uganda National Musicians Federation and a member of Big Talent Entertainment. He made his breakthrough after the release of his single Stamina. He received international attention after the release of his single, "Sitya Loss" in 2014 and an accompanying viral video that featured the Ghetto Kids. In total, he has released 4 albums, including Roots in 2018 and most recently Made in Africa in 2021. Kenzo has also won a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award in 2018, a BET Award in 2015, and multiple All Africa Music Awards

In 2022, Kenzo was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Performance, for Gimme Love, (Matt B featuring Kenzo). The song's U.S. Afrobeats Billboard chart peak was in November 2022, when it hit number 36. Matt B and Kenzo performed, Gimme Love at the Eddy Kenzo Festival at Kololo Airstrip in Uganda to an audience of over 20,000, including Uganda's Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. Kenzo was the first Ugandan artiste to win the BET Award in 2015 and the first Ugandan artist to be nominated for a Grammy award.

Early life and education

Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza was born in Masaka, Uganda. His mother died when he was about 5 years old, and he spent the following 13 years living largely on the streets of Masaka and Kampala. Initially, Kenzo aspired to be a professional footballer and joined Masaka Local Council FC's camp at the age of 9. He later moved to kampala on the streets of Nakivubo where and vending water at the stadium during matches. He was picked by Joogo(SC Villa) where he later received a sports bursary and joing Lubiri Senior Secondary School. While at Lubiri Senior Secondary School in Kampala, he didn't complete his studies due to lack of junior certificates.

Career

Eddy Kenzo began making music using his stage name, Eddy Kenzo, in 2008. That year, he released his first song titled "Yannimba" with Mikie Wine. In 2010, he released another single, "Stamina". The song was used as a theme song by politicians during the 2011 Ugandan general election At the Pearl of Africa Music Awards in 2011, Kenzo was given the Best New Artist award. Kenzo also established his Big Talent Entertainment record label in 2010. He continues to serve as a member of that venture.

Eddy Kenzo's first major international breakthrough came with 2014's "Sitya Loss" and the accompanying album of the same name. A YouTube video featuring a group of Ugandan children known as the Ghetto Kids dancing to the song went viral after it was shared on social media by record executive Sean Combs in September 2014. After the release of "Sitya Loss" and the album of the same name, Kenzo went on a brief United States tour with dancehall musician, DeMarco.

In January 2015, Kenzo performed at the opening ceremonies of that year's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea alongside Akon. He also performed at the tournament final. Around that time.

In June 2015 Eddy Kenzo was honored with the BET Award for "Viewer's Choice Best New International Artist". He was the first East African artist to win a BET Award of any kind, he has continued to win several awards. His music has featured as soundtracks for many films among which is Queen of Katwe.

In December 2015, Kenzo released the lead single, "Soraye", off of his second album, Zero to Hero. In March 2016, he went on a to tour Africa, with stops in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Mali, and others. Later that month, he released Zero to Hero. Throughout the remainder of 2016, Kenzo earned a sample credit on Jidenna's "Little Bit More", was featured on the Mi Casa single "Movie Star", and won an All Africa Music Award for his "Mbilo Mbilo" remix.

Concerts

In January 4, 2019, Eddy Kenzo commemorated his 10-year anniversary in the Ugandan music industry with the concert "10 Years of Eddy Kenzo." The event aimed to foster unity between two of Uganda's prominent musicians and political figures, Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool, who have had a longstanding feud.

On 12November, 2022, Eddy Kenzo hosted his largest concert to date, the "Eddy Kenzo Festival," at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The event featured several local and international guest performers.

Leadership

Eddy Kenzo, the President of Uganda National Musicians Federation, has made a significant impact in the music industry.