Uganda’s music industry has received a big boost thanks Bantu Productions Uganda, an affiliate of Bantu Productions Inc, US.
Boasting of the latest sound and visual technologies, the label already has musicians signed to its name including Buka Chimney and Kendie Kudzie, a Zimbabwean. The two form the duo that goes under the name Bantu Clan.
Still in its initial stages, the group is already attracting global attention and their latest song with Maro, ‘Dance With Me’, has played on BBC Xtra and RFI, France. Locally, the song is enjoying fair airplay since its premiere last week at Amnesia.
Speaking to Eagleonline, the duo said they see themselves becoming Africa’s biggest music export in five years’ time. Kendie sings in Tshona and English while Buka sings in English, Lusoga, Luganda and Kiswahili.
Originally a gospel group, it has now ventured into other genres, currently doing reggae, hip hop and Rn’B.
“When we did something with Maro, we felt like we needed to do more,” said Buka on their switch from gospel music.
Similar to Bantu Clan, Bantu Production began as a production house for gospel music but has since opened doors to secular artistes.
“Bantu Pro Inc & Bantu Pro Uganda is geared to improve production in Uganda this 2017 so this week it’s sending one of its best Henry Karis to reorganize the production house and build one in Kenya after we will send one of the best keyboard player/producer/sound doctor Christian Kennedy to teach us sound combinations, mixing, production and mastering!” said Bantu Productions CEO, Timothy Kizito, who is based in the US.
With a rich experience in music having been among the founders of Kasiwukira records, Kizito has already sent a sound expert, Henry Kariuki, to Bantu Productions Uganda.
Kariuki, formerly working with Capitol Records and 20th Century boasts of expertise in sound engineering.
He is also a fine pianist, guitarist and vocalist boasting of having featured in Hollywood Blockbuster, ‘Rise of the Planet of Apes’.
Kariuki has been in the California, US with Kizito, and has also worked with Misele and Ugandan music group Limit X. He studied IT at California State University.
Some of the artistes who have produced their works from Bantu Productions include Bennie Gunter, Gagmel, Diamond Oscar and Maro.
