Uganda’s Karole Kasita to thrill fans in South Sudan
Award-winning Ugandan musician Karole Kasita is set to jet into Juba, South Sudan, to perform at a concert in Notos Lounge and Bros Resort Riverside on 24 and 25 December, respectively.
Dubbed the Xmas Eve Show, the concerts will also feature WJ the King, Cocosan, Neetah Baby and AK Jay. The concerts are being staged by Willy Entertainment events and promotion company, who unveiled their plans in Juba last month.
Willy Entertainment founder, popularly known as Promoter Willy, said the concerts are all about unity – and what better way to unite its people’s than through music. Diversity will be the constant of the day, promising to reinforce that music truly brings everyone together.
“We pride ourselves in creating tailor-made events that music lovers can enjoy,” Promoter Willy said. “For over five years, we as an organisation have strived to curate entertainment experiences. We are honoured to be working with creatively inventive musicians who have promised dazzling performances. With African music continuing to connect and inspire people around the world, the timing is perfect to shine the spotlight on some of our most promising acts.”
This weekend’s performance will be Kasita’s second in Juba after her debut concert in 2020, the same year that saw her win in the Teenz Dancehall Song and Teenz Dancehall Artist/Group categories at the annual Buzz Teeniez Awards in Uganda for her song ‘Balance’.
“It’s my second time in Juba, and I am pretty excited about this one,” Kasita said. “I am doing one of the shows with a band and the other with my dancers. So, my people should expect nothing but the best from me.”
Asked whether she expected ‘Balance’ to be such a massive success in the region, Kasita said: “I knew it was a good song, but I did not expect it a huge hit. My mantra is that people should only get the best version of me, which means good music.”
New and emerging artists face many challenges starting in the music industry. Some are specific to female musicians, and others are shared by both genders. Kasita, who is now an established artist, was recently lauded for collaborating with upcoming acts Bob Narry, a move she would like to see more in the industry.
“As much as working with Narry was strategic for me, I was also returning a favour that I received in my earlier years in the industry,” Kasita said. “You know I worked with big artists, and I would love to return the same to other young artists.”
Kasita also argued for women to be body positive and to resist conforming to age-old industry norms and standards about how women should look and behave.
“We all try to ‘fit in’,” she said. “The industry is not as easy as it is, but it can easily be conquered. You have to focus because there is no difference between the male artists and us; we are all musicians. Although I feel the music industry still needs to do more to ensure women have the platform they deserve. Meanwhile, I encourage women to get themselves a strong management team – that’s the only way they can conquer most of the industry barriers.”
Asked what her most significant achievement has been thus far, Kaita said: “Gaining a top spot in the mainstream industry in the shortest period is my greatest achievement. Many artists struggle for years to get recognised. I am proud to be among the top female artists, stage performers, and dancehall acts, and I do not take this privilege for granted.”
For tickets click here and here.
