Lomerika: The musician who can inspire new generation musicians in S.S

South Sudan has been mourning music legend Enosa Gama Yoani popularly know as Lomerika who helped popularise the country’s authentic rhythms and influenced a generation of musicians. Willy Entertainment pays tribute to the musician who died last month at the age of 65.

His aching emotional sincerity of songs ‘Dunya Mashakil’, ‘Sala e Janub’ and
‘Lomerika Wenue’ earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase.

Attempts should be made to introduce his music to the new generation who could sample it for the current generation else, the uniqueness of his music may just be buried along with him.

There is so much the current mainstream artists in South Sudan can learn from his legacy. He came from a poor background so there was a lot more at stake to survive, he had this drive, strong work ethics and besides that, he was a man of integrity, humble, who stuck to his roots.

Majority of the music in South Sudan has no connection to the sounds that emerged from the country’s multiple ethnicities. Most of the current music is too artificial. You can not hear real musicians playing in real time – it thrives on programmed or disembodied sounds.

To achieve continental or even regional success as an accomplished musician, looking back at your roots would a wise commercial move. So sampling some of Lomerika’s music sounds like a good place to start because his music is already familiar with most in the country.

As an acrobatic vocalist, revered performer and scatting phenom, Lomerika and his musical genius and influence should continue to be felt decades after his death.

As news of his death spread, fans, musicians and fellow creators spoke of Lomerika’s impact on the sector.

“South Sudan has lost one of the African fathers of highlife music; he has contributed his quota to the development of the entertainment industry,” Music Promoter Willam Amoko said. “He was a very serious-minded person who projected the highlife music throughout the entire world. We would forever be grateful to him for the joy he propagated and has bequeathed posterity through his music.”

According to one of his sons Emmanuel Lomerika, the musician’s career sprouted in the 1970s, when he assembled the Rajaf band, whose original members included Edeno Makassa on vocals, Christopher Lokosang on the solo guitar, LoDooley on percussion, Bidal Lino on the bass and Lomoro Music on the rhythm guitar.

The band’s popularity saw them stage several [erformances in the Middle East countries, Germany and Holand. The musician succumbed to high blood pressure and diabetes at the Juuba Medical Complex on 7 May 2020.

The artist community has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Statistics have shown that the confinement period has motivated the public to stream more music.

To that effect, we have been motivated to look back and compile a list of some of the South Sudanese best music videos that should not miss on your playlist. The list is in no particular order.

We shall be updating the list in the coming months.

Ti Chuong by Emmanuel Jal & Nyaruach

Yic Thiek Du by Mike Dee ft. Alijoma

Gatluak by Nyaruach

Eni Jin Karua by K-Denk

Miss South Sudan by Nyan Meth Ok II

Soko by Check B Magic

Controller by Single Dee

Football by Tutu Baibe

Sambala by MB Law and Rhapsody ft. Radio & Weasel

Piandu by Slate Nation

Being beautiful is far beyond the stereotypical point of one making themselves appear good. It’s that charisma, it’s that attitude, it’s that glam, it’s that glow and it’s that fashion statement one carries to make themselves beautiful

It takes a true beauty Spartan to become a true model. We are very much excited to present Fashion Model Suzy John Urbano – the current Miss Achai Wiir, who is breaking the stereotype and proving that the face of fashion and all those amazing things related to it. She answered our questions so friendly. Enjoy the interview!

How old are you and where are you from? 

I’m 23 years old and from South Sudan. As an ambassador of peace and unity in my country and I would prefer to be identified as a South Sudanese and not as an individual from one particular tribe.

How did you start modelling? 

Well, I started modelling in senior two high school and later decided to quit to become a full-time volunteer and joined pageantry. This is part of the fashion industry but mainly beauty with a purpose – I wanted to share my story as a leader and a queen to encourage young girls and women out there. My first pageantry win was while I was at the university where I won the title of Miss Multitech Business School 2016-2017.

Was this your big break into the fashion and modelling industry?

No. My big break was when I won Miss Beauty South Sudan 2018-2019 in Uganda. This moment cemented for me a foundation in the fashion industry and I must say I have never regretted being a part of this amazing journey. 

When you’re not busy modelling, what are some of your favorite things to do?  

Aside from modelling, I enjoy spending time home with family, doing handcrafts and travelling. If I am not on to these things then you will find me doing volunteer work and charity.

Talking about charity, what inspired you to start the dress the needy project? 

In 2018 I got an offer to feature in a local music video in Palabek Refugee settlement. It was my first time to go to a refugee camp. During the five days I spent there, I witnessed the suffering. The hunger, poor facilities, low living standards, the loneliness and fear in their eyes. But the one thing that touched me the most was the poor children dressed in rags. One of the children, a little girl called Anjelina walked to me asking if I could take her back home. I knew it wasn’t the right time for me to take her home but I had the will to do something, to help. That’s when I went back to look for funds to start a project to dress these children.

Sadly when I went back with the clothes, little Anjelina was missing, nobody knew her whereabouts but wherever she is I hope that one day she reads this and locates me. I’m ready to take her back home.

That is very touching. How successful has the project been?

I launched the project in December 2018. So far we made a distribution in Palabek refugee settlement, had an assessment in Adjumani. After the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to visit again for the distribution. We also plan to visit the rest of the camps in northern Uganda including Kakuma in Kenya to assess and start on my other project which is to create awareness about the peace in South Sudan.

What have been some of the challenges in running the project?

I have faced several challenges with lack of funds being the leading challenge. Though I’m positive this won’t be a hindrance anymore with the big platform I have now after winning the Miss Achai Wiir beauty Contest. The other serious challenge I have faced was getting to make the camp authorities understand that we are there for the good of the people, especially during assessments. I understand their fear and concern. I am optimistic that all will move smoothly once we get back to work.

In a time when the world has been hijacked by the COVID-19 pandemic, what message do you have for South Sudanese and the continent?

I’m saddened by all that is happening. I would love to see everyone alive and healthy once all this virus is gone. The only way is through taking the precautionary measures on coronavirus seriously. As we stay at home let’s take this time to learn one or two new things. Let’s keep each other close emotionally. Let’s sanitize and wear masks. Don’t fall prey for the products that are not genuine in the market because it’s as good as using nothing. As we stock food at home, let’s not forget our neighbours that have nothing. Lastly, let’s take heart and pray God heals the world.

The Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) at the University of York’s, through a grant from Open Society Foundations, invites artists and activists to apply for COVID-19 funding of up to $3,750.

The funding intends to support artists and activists in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and its implications for human rights defenders.

Expected Outputs

Activists could write a diary, make a weekly podcast, write a blog, etc. Artists could work in their chosen media to respond to the activist’s contribution and/or to wider developments in their country/region. The CAHR is open to innovative suggestions on the nature of the collaboration between activists and artists.

• The document, monitor and analyse events in real-time.
• Reflect on well-being, both your own and that of your communities/organisations.
• Go beyond a reactive response to imagine new, alternative futures. This future-oriented work could assess how crises and disruption open up new possibilities for creativity and innovation, as well as for regressive and repressive measures, and/or build on positive responses to the virus itself (local and global forms of solidarity).

Project Proposals

Activists and artists should apply by presenting a single collaborative project proposal that does not exceed two pages in length and includes the following:

• A brief profile/bio of the artist(s) and activist(s) involved.
• A brief description of the project/programme of work, highlighting in particular how it responds to the COVID-19 emergency and its links to activism and civic/political space; which of the three objectives set out above it responds to; any safety, security and ethical concerns, and how these will be addressed. Whether it builds on existing initiatives or is a new collaboration, and through which media/methodologies it will be carried out.

• The main beneficiaries and audiences of the project/programme of work and why the methodology/medium is appropriate for the local context.
• Details of additional sources of funding or contributions.
• The envisioned output(s) of the project/programme of work, for both the activist(s) and artist(s).
• The amount of funding you are applying for, and a brief justification for the specific amount requested. This is to be in the form of a basic budget and justification of resources (subsistence/salary costs can be included). Most of the grants will be between £1 000 and £2 000. Additional justification will be required for larger awards, up to £3 000 if the application involves groups of activists and/or artists.
• One appendix featuring examples of artistic work can be included in the application. The appendix can be added to the two-page application.

While applications need to be in English, activist and artist outputs that are in part or completely in local languages are welcome.

Criteria for Assessment

• A clear description of the link between COVID-19, and responses to the virus, on the one hand. As well as threats to activism and civic/political space on the other, affecting either the artists/activists making the application and/or their country.
• Evidence of a strong working relationship between the artist(s) and activist(s).
• Feasibility and relevance of the project is challenging and difficult circumstances (including consideration of safety, security and ethics).
• Evidence of innovation and creativity.

Timeline

Artists and activists will have to provide a timeline for outputs in their application, between now and 31 December 2020. Artists and activists will also need to submit a short joint report (two pages). This will detail the activities undertaken as well as all expenses incurred, by 31 January 2021.

All inquiries and submissions will go to Piergiuseppe Parisi piergiuseppe.parisi@york.ac.uk  and Pippa Cooper at pippa.cooper@york.ac.uk(link sends e-mail).

South Sudanese musicians have released Corona Virus. This is a song about social distancing, spotting symptoms and, of course, washing hands. To get vital information about disease prevention to people who might not get it otherwise.

The audio and video production was sponsored by Willy Entertainment – artist management and event’s company based in Juba. The featured artists include YMO, Tvavy, Bobi, Tony, Emma Love, J Yang and Dantana.

The country registered the first case of Corona Virus on 5 April. The patient is a female United Nations worker who arrived in the country from the Netherlands on February 28. She first showed signs of the disease on April 2. She currently under quarantine at UN premises and health workers are tracing the people who have been in contact with her.

The ministry of health last month announced that with the assistance of the World Health Organisation (WHO), they were putting in place measures that would assist the continent’s youngest nation fight the Coronavirus.

On 25 March, President Salva Kiir issued an executive order imposing a 30-day night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am. This includes a ban on public gathering, cancellation of international flights and closure of all border crossings.

“We have seen how COVID-19 could have a devastating effect on our community,” Willy Entertainment boss William Amoko said. “So we decided to spread lifesaving information about the coronavirus pandemic to the citizens. Information is power and with that, we can be able to deal with any myths about the virus and encourage basic prevention.”

Commenting on this project J Yang said: “The South Sudanese community is all over the world. So indirectly we are all affected because we have our parents, brothers or sisters out there. So let’s stand together to fight this deadly disease.”

Tvavy said: “The song will be played on various radio stations to have the message spread sufficiently. Music has always been a good remedy for hopelessness, so as artists, we have a role to play as advocates of all things good for the sake of society.”

The WHO has advised people to protect against the spread of COVID-19 by washing their hands as well as cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough, and the vast majority survive. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can be more severe, causing pneumonia or death.

On 30 March, the United Nation (UN) body released guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best defense against any outbreak is a strong health system,” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “COVID-19 is revealing how fragile many of the world’s health systems and services are, forcing countries to make difficult choices on how to best meet the needs of their people.”

Watch the new Coronavirus song below:

South Sudanese singer-songwriter, Nyabuony Tut Jok popularly know as Tivavy De Tablet has just inked a two-year management and music distribution deal with Willy Entertainment Company.

One of the rising household names in South Sudan, Tvavy is the first artist to be signed to the company following a recent re-branding. In addition to full-service talent management, the deal also includes content development and music recording deal.

The ceo of Willy Entertainment, William Amoko commented, “We are excited to have Tvavy officially join the family. Although we have previously worked with her in the artists’ management department. She is an extremely talented artist and we do not doubt that her dedication to her craft will pay off. We are excited to be on this journey with her as she sets her eyes on new music and more collaborations around the region.”

Adding that: ” Her superstar image, explosive attitude and relentless drive for success paths the way for complete crossover audience appeal and success beyond any borders.”

Reacting to the latest development, Tvavy said: “I’m excited about officially joining the Willy Entertainment family. With anew team on board, I’m hoping the five-year deal will bring changes in my music career with a whole new exciting chapter in rolling out both new music and also an increased East African focus!.”

Asked what her primary focus this year was, Tvavy said: “I will release new music soon. But I am also working on recording an album. It will be something out of my usual releases but it will propel me to the next level. We might have it out at the end of the year or early next year.”

With a voice that shifts seamlessly between melodic, blunt and humorous, Check B is becoming part of a wave of artists exploring Afrobeats in East Africa. Still young and making waves on his own, we caught up with the singer and humanitarian and spoke about his music aspirations and inspirations.

What was the inspiration behind becoming a Musician?

When I was young, I grew up with stigmatization and discrimination from family, school, and community. I felt isolated and received numerous forms of abuse from my peers and the public. All this was because I had double physical impairments; I lost half of my fingers to fire disaster when fleeing war and was born with one foot shorter than the other. I was rejected and my father abondoned me because he was ashamed of who I had become. My music journey began at school as a drummer/ percussionist. I found joy in entertaining and making people feel excited, free and at peace. I ventured into singing in high school; I sang my sorrows and worries away with music as a portion of food to my soul. So, my disability inspired me to pursue music and be a voice of youth with disabilities in South Sudan, Africa, and the entire world.

What are some of the challenges in being a singer in South Sudan?

I would say the biggest challenge that needs to be dealt with is the lack of infrastructures such as proper stages, sound equipment, and venues. This makes it hard for musicians to travel around the country for music tours and shows outside Juba.

How would you describe the s.s music scene?

The South Sudan music industry is slowly gaining momentum though it’s still in dire need of continental and global investors,  exposure and quality production upgrades. The music industry is ethnically driven, as many promoters, music stakeholders tend to invest in artists based on their clan and tribe. Every industry needs protection from piracy and for that reason, South Sudan music needs the copyright law to be established and implemented so that artists can earn from their digital music sales instead of free circulation of artistic works by creative minds. With few TVs and radios, there is still a need for the establishment of new Tv media houses to broadcast and air various South Sudan music videos and audios.  

What is the best career advice you’ve been given? 

Someone very close to me once told me that; “Music is a very powerful tool, make the best out of it and you will travel all around the world. Speak out what pains you and what pains others like you, make music your stepping stone and use it to impact change in your community. Use your music to Advocate for Human Rights ( disability rights) and make music your weapon for change.”

What advice would you give to others who wish to get into music ?

Music is a medium for communication, a very vital cake for soul therapy, my advice to anyone that wishes to get into the music industry is to firmly take it as a career. Music requires hard work, commitment and sacrifice. Let your music heal, inspire and motivate people, don’t bow down to violent music lyrics but instead write amazing content consumable by almost everyone. Originality should be consistent in your music, do all you can to reveal where you come from and expose the beauty of your culture and tradition in your music. Music is a long term investment, be patient and be focused, it might not pay off sooner than you expect but it will eventually pay hugely off one day.

Tell us a little bit about your charity work

Check B Foundation (Able Disabled) was launched in 2019 as a charity organization working and leading as a champion voice for inclusion, empowerment, and integration of vulnerable people with disabilities in South Sudan and Africa. Able Disabled Organization (ABD) tells authentic advocative and accessible stories in the form of music, dance, skits, films, pictures, poetry, sports, and documentaries. The stories challenge exclusion, discrimination, and stigmatization and redefine narratives around disability and mental health societal perceptions. We are using our small income from shows and charity events to cater for school fees, social support, livelihood sustainability for vulnerable youth living with disabilities.

Listen to music by Check B Magic, here.