Following a two year wait, Wizkid finally performed in Kampala Thursday, and gave away US$5,000 (Shs18m) to a ‘double lucky winner’ who had earlier been announced winner of Shs10 million courtesy of show sponsors Star Times.
To be precise, the show was worth the long wait, but a reasonable number of Wizkid’s fans were mad at his decision to cancel last year’s show, which was supposed to be in celebration of the digital TV provider, Star Times ‘6th Birthday’ in Uganda.
And thrue to form, before Wizkid performed his last song, Ojuelegba, Star Times Uganda Executive Vice President, Aldrine Nsubuga took to the stage to reward a winner in their ongoing campaign. A one Kankunda had won Shs10m.
“Can we have The Star Boy officially hand over this prize of Shs10m to our winner… ” Nsubuga invited Wizkid.
Wizkid received the microphone and all he said was: “Congratulations. But that’s what they have given to you. From myself, I will give you $5,000 (about Shs18million),” he announced leaving Nsubuga speechless and attracting ululations from the audience.
But earlier some people in this same audience had expressed disappointment via social media posts – not surprising that all Wizkid managed to attract was just a ‘fair turn-up’, comprising of mainly holiday makers.
The show kicked off at 7pm with curtain raisers among whom included Vinka, Bennie Gunter, Levixone, Exodus, Fille, Vampino, Winnie Nwagi, Nina Roz and Fik Famaica, all of who put up amazing performances save for Vinka who seemed to have vocal problems.
The long awaited artiste, Wizkid backed by his band finally hit the stage at 10:30pm with one of his hits, ‘Caro’ amidst screams from the crowd which seemed to know almost all the lyrics.
This was followed by another hit, ‘On Top your matter’ further hyping the mood at the venue.
This was followed by his other hits like; Closer, Tease Me, Holla at Your Boy, In my Bed, Baba Nla, Show you The Money and what has come to be known as the African anthem, Ojuelegba.
“It was a hit after hit show. Though he never performed all his songs, I’m satisfied with what he has served,” remarked a fan after the show.
Indeed due to time constraints, he never got to perform many of his songs as the show ended at exactly midnight.
But without a doubt, his performance was worth the fee fans parted with to access the venue. By the end of the show, almost everyone’s impression of the musician had changed.
More to that, he had even apologised. “Uganda, I am really very sorry for not making it here last time. I am very sorry and I mean it. To make it up for the missed show, I am going to return for a free show,” he apologised mid-way his performance.
Though, the biggest highlight of the when was when he completely consolidated his show when the organisers attempted to ‘steal’ it away from him.
What a show it was!
