GNL Zamba

GNL Zamba is among East Africa’s most influential hip hop artists, credited with bringing rap to the mainstream in Uganda’s indigenous language, Luganda. The style known as Lugaflow inspired a new generation of rappers in Uganda to create popular music in their native languages. GNL “Greatness No Limits” Zamba is the founder and C.E.O of independent hip hop record label Baboon Forest Entertainment, which nurtures new talent in Kampala, Uganda. He is also an actor, film maker, and ambassador for Ugandan brands and social initiatives.

Born Ernest Nsimbi in 1986 in Uganda’s Mukono district to a technical electrical engineer and civil servant, GNL Zamba was first encouraged toward music by his grandmother, a leader in the church choir. The family settled into Kampala city’s Kawempe slum following the Ugandan civil war, at a time of continuing instability and poverty, which shaped the upcoming artist into a storyteller who drew inspiration from the struggle of his youth. In secondary school, GNL served as the head writer of The Kiira Mirror, member of the debate team and chairman of the junior literature club. He went on the graduate with honours from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management.

GNL Zamba broke out as a mainstream Ugandan artist at a pivotal time in the development of Uganda’s hip hop industry, when the underground community had begun to organize regular performing events, but the mainstream media had not yet recognized rap music in Uganda’s indigenous languages. GNL auditioned for HIPHOP CANVAS in 2005 and 2008, organized by Platinum Entertainment’s Shadrak Kuteesa, and he quickly stood out as a star in the multi-lingual project shining a light on Ugandan social issues. GNL Zamba excelled at engaging audiences with locally relevant stories in Luganda. Around the same time, he shined in rap contests hosted by East Africa TV Channel 5 and at regular events at Sabrina’s Pub in Kampala, which altogether catapulted the artist into popular view, bringing Lugaflow with him to be embraced in Uganda’s capital city as a new and popular style of music.

GNL Zamba was first recorded as part of the award winning song “Mother Africa,” released by Hip Hop Canvas in 2005. He released his first mainstream, critically acclaimed album Koyi Koyi in 2009, which bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary sound, and included eight number one singles: “Koyi Koyi,” “Ani Yali Amanyi?,” “Soda Jinjale,” “Mr. Right,” ft. radio and weasel, “Mwana wa baaba” ft. Benon, “Story ya Luka,” “Ekikufula Omusajja” and “Kikankane” (further details follow regarding: a full discography, international performances, awards, film soundtracks, television, filmography, documentaries, singles and collaborations).

Celebrated as a poetic storyteller, GNL uses his lyricism to mirror and critique his society, addressing issues of social justice, public health and sexuality, gender and domestic violence, environmentalism, African identity, ethnicity, and other authentically Ugandan narratives told through relatable characters.

GNL participated in an Oxfam-sponsored campaign about environmental education with the Uganda Wildlife Authority called Friend A Gorilla. In the same year, his song Story ya Luka was selected by the Uganda Ministry of Health to headline a 2010 AIDS youth education campaign. His video collaboration for True Manhood with Young Empowered And Healthy (YEAH) Uganda encouraged Ugandan youth to use condoms, and it won the People’s Choice Digital Media Award at the 2011 International Entertainment Education Conference. Over a three-year period, GNL worked with Buzz Teenies to tour Ugandan schools, offering youth mentorship, encouraging social unity and staying in school. In 2014, the Twaweza Initiative awarded GNL for the positive social impact of his song We Cry, which speaks about street violence and safe sex. Since 2013, GNL has partnered with Reach A Hand Foundation Uganda to participate in a series of youth edutainment campaigns. He has also been invited to lecture at Makerere University’s College of Humanities on oral literature and ethnology.

GNL Zamba has toured around Africa, Europe and North America, performing at various festivals and conventions. He is also credited with inspiring the Ugandan President Museveni to release his first single “You Want Another Rap.” GNL Zamba’s commitment to Kampala-based causes and the role he has played in elevating hip hop music in Uganda has also earned him endorsement deals as an ambassador for Coca Cola, Pepsi, MTN telecom, Warid Telecom, Bmark Mobile, Club Pilsner of East African Breweries, Airtel Uganda and other brands. GNL Zamba continues to explore his talent to promote positive social change and cultural empowerment.

Discography

Dreaming In Colour (in production) 2016
I Am Zamba / Ceazar 2014
The Renaissance / Uganda Yaffe 2013
Speaking Vernacular 2011
Koyi Koyi (Riddles of Life) 2009

International Performances

Denmark (We Love Africa Music Festival, September 2010);
Ethiopia (Selam International Music Festival, April 2009);
Norway (GNL Zamba Live, September 2012);
Rwanda (Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, Gishenyi, June 2009);
South Africa (VIP concerts in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, April 2014);
Sweden (Selam Africa Music Festival, September 2012);
Tanzania (Clouds FM Festival, August 2010; WAPI British Council, February 2009);
United Arab Emirates (Dubai concerts, September 2009; November 2011);
United Kingdom (Stratford Rex & East London, October 2009);
United States of America (Uganda North America Association Convention 2011 & Uganda (GNL Zamba has toured all around Uganda from 2008 – present);
2015; Asica World Series Beach Volleyball, July 2013);
Zanzibar (Sauti Za Busara) February 2009.

Awards

2014 – Twaweza Best Social Impact Through The Arts Award (Win)
2014 – Zina Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Nomination)
2014 – Hipipo Awards: Best Hip Hop Artist (Nomination)
2014 – Rising Star Awards: Best Hip Hop Artist (Nomination)
2013 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Group (Win)
2013 – Club Music Video Awards: Video of the Year (Win)
2013 – Club Music Video Awards: Best Male Video of the Year (Win)
2013 – Kadanke Awards: Best Group (Win)
2013 – Kadanke Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Win)
2013 – Kandanke Awards: Artist of the Year (Nomination)
2013 – Kandanke Awards: Best Male Artist (Nomination)
2013 – Kandanke Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Nomination)
2012 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Male Artist (Win)
2012 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Nomination)
2012 – Kandanke Awards: Artist of the Year (Nomination)
2011 – International Education Conference: People’s Choice Digital Media (Win)
2011 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Win)
2011 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Single (Nomination)
2011 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Male Artist (Nomination)
2011 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Artist of the Year (Nomination)
2010 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Win)
2010 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Hood Rapper (Win)
2010 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Artist of the Year (Nomination)
2010 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Male Artist (Nomination)
2010 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Group (Nomination)
2010 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Single (Nomination)
2010 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Song of the Year (Nomination)
2010 – Kisima Awards, Kenya: Best Hip Hop Artist & Single (Nomination)
2009 – Pearl of Africa Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Win)
2009 – Pearl of Africa Music Awards: Best Single (Nomination)
2009 – Press Association Awards: Artist of the Year (Nomination)
2009 – Uganda Buzz Music Awards: Best Male Artist (Nomination)
2005 – Pearl of Africa Awards: Best Hip Hop Single (Win)

Film Soundtracks

Plan B (2014): Mwana wa baaba, koyi koyi
The Life (2013): Kikankane

Television

Newz Beat (May-July, 2015): creative writing, presenting
Kika Too Good (2012, 2013): writer, season 1 & 2

Films & Documentaries

Blood on Their Hands (2015): actor
FOG (2015): actor
Water Dog (2015): actor
In My Brother’s Words (2015): actor
You Want Another Rap (2011): commentary by GNL Zamba
Speaking Vernacular (2011): Production by GNL Zamba & Baboon Forest Ent.

Singles and collaborations

Ani ya li amanyi (2009)
Ekikufula omusajja (2009)
Koyi koyi remix ft Naava grey (2010)
Game over Ft lyrical proof (2009)
Kumfuata featuring AY(Tanzania) (2009)
Mr right ft Radio and weasel (2009)
Mwana Wa Baaba (2009)Never Settle (2009)
Soda jinjale (2009)
Soda jinjale remix ft AY and Rabadaba (2009)
Story ya Luka (2009)
Yenze (2009)
Mother Africa (2005)
Introduction to zambaland (2011)
LugaFlow (2011)
The Prayer (2011)
Make a wish ft Naava Grey (2011)
Black beauty (2011)
Wuuba akatambala (2011)
Funny love (2011)
Kwata Esimu yo (The Message) (2011)
Ensi Bwekuba Blow (2011)
Mbawe (2011)
Nakupenda (2011)
Ofaayo ft Mighty son (2011)
Machozi ft Radio and weasel (2011)
Nyo Nyo Nyo (2011)
Teli Aluleta (2011)
Whistle song ft All stars (2011)
Kikankane (2009)
True Manhood ft Lumix, Aziz Azion and T-bro (2011)
Sagala Namagwatala (2013)
Its Bloody (2013)
Things Fall Apart (2013)
UnStoppable (Yarabi) (2013)
Olabye Ekyana (2014)
Take the Flag down (2013)
Lift Off ft Freeboy (2013)
One Moment ft Leila Kayondo (2013)
Ready For You ft Pallaso (2013)
We Cry ft Miriam Tamar (2013)
Mission ft Young Mulo (2013)
Ceazar (2013)
Nyenya Ekyensuti (2013)
Power (2013)
Uganda Yaffe (2013)
Wololo ft Juliana Kanyomozi (2014)
Kayimba Ka Maama (2013)
Piece of Heaven ft Ruyonga and Nyonyozi (2012)
AKalimu ft Radio and Weasal (2013)
Emikwano ja Lerro ft Bitone (2014)
SSesetula Ft Big Tril and Mun*G (2012)
Attack (2013)
Mr Dj ft All Stars (2010)
Monami ft Brian Love (2012)
Kyokoba remix Maro (2014)
Zina ft Viboyo, Bigtril, Mun*G and Dj shiru (2013)
Kagwa (2013)
Your ways ft Nyanda, IreneNtare, Ray Signature, Maurice Hasa and Big tril (2014)
Kaleke Kasome (Let her)

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