MC Norman is not a new face in the musical scene, especially in Uganda. The artist has been making waves since his early days as a dancer and has now made a name for himself as one of the country’s leading reggae and dancehall artists. His journey to success has been nothing short of inspiring and is a testament to determination and hard work. At AfricaLifestyle, we got to talk with MC Norman and learn more about his journey.
Early Beginnings and Influences
MC Norman, Mutebi Ronald, was born on November 6, 1978. At the tender age of 12, MC Norman, a budding musician from Uganda, began his artistic journey, first as a dancer performing alongside Afrigo Band, Uganda’s legendary ensemble. His father, Eddy Ganja, a performer, would watch as Norman captivated audiences with his impressive dance moves. The influence of his father, especially his unique guitar playing and vocality, was pivotal in shaping Norman’s musical path.
As Norman grew, he began to make his mark as Uganda’s top club MC, showcasing his talent in various clubs, including Missouri Club, White Nile Club, Jajja Ansinansi, and Tamix Disco in Jinja. He worked with and discovered many artists now recognized as some of Uganda’s most talented. Read Also: MC Norman and Mthandazo Gatya Release New Single “Hello,” A Harmonious Love Tale
Inspiration from Reggae Icons
Norman drew inspiration from his father and international reggae icons, including Buju Banton, Spraga Benz, Bob Marley, Pato Banton, and many others from Jamaica. However, Lucky Dube, the South African reggae artist, ingrained in Norman the belief that African reggae could be promoted globally.
However, Norman laments the decline of reggae music in Africa, attributing it to its political power and the fear it instills in governing bodies. He believes the media, largely influenced by political regimes, has significantly influenced this decline. Despite these challenges, Norman is optimistically determined to uplift reggae music by incorporating diverse artists into reggae beats and envisions winning a Grammy for a reggae album soon.
Venture into Amapiano
Norman is a versatile artist, comfortable with any genre, as proven by his recent venture into Amapiano. His Amapiano tracks have performed exceptionally well, surpassing some of his reggae releases, and he assures fans of more to come in this genre. Moreover, His collaboration with Mthandazo Gatya, which happened organically after a friendly discussion at the SAMA29 nomination party, is a testament to his exploring spirit.
Memorable Moments and Achievements
Norman’s journey is full of memorable moments, including his numerous nominations as Best Reggae Dancehall Artist worldwide, thanks to his viral song “Bam Bam,” which he recorded from his sitting room.
“My memorable story would be that day I started getting nominated as the best reggae dancehall artist worldwide because of my viral bam bam song, which I did from my sitting room. I got nominated with big names, Shatta Wale, Bambatta Marley, Bob Marley, Morgan Heritage, Timaya, Pato ranking, and these nominations came from the United States (Afrimma ) IRAWMA Award, Hollywood Music Awards, and many more”.
He admits the challenges of breaking into the Hall of Fame, protecting his legacy, and consistently winning. But with each challenge comes opportunities, which, according to Norman, are blessings from God. Read Also: Harmony in Heaven: South Africa Bids Farewell to Musician Zahara
Future Plans and Dreams
In the coming year, fans can expect more music from MC Norman. He added that he is focused on collaborating with Grammy-nominated artists to work on a full reggae album, a dream he is steadily realizing.
“The world should expect more and more music from me because my focus is now to bring Chris brown and all Grammys nominated artists to work with me on a full reggae album, and so far, I have started to achieve my dream.”