Ticking the event calendar year open was Shorts Na Lessu, or Sho Na Le as it is commonly referred to by event enthusiasts.
Breaking its two year haitus, the event that’s synonymus with promoting African and Urban culture took it to the Lugogo Hockey Grounds and has since been the talk online, at least on social networking platform X (formerly known as Twitter), for quite a number of reasons, giving that ranged from the price friendliness of tickets to the show which was only Ugx 60,000, the stellar performer, host and DJ line up, that was led by Nigerian superstar, sensational singer, songwriter, and performer Ric Hassani, then the security and hospitality detail, the offer on drinks, which was crazily price-friendly as compared to the usual. Important to note is that there had been a mind blowing “Bring Your Own Bottle” offer which allowed attendees to show up with their preferred drinks not later than 6PM.
Read Also: Ric Hassani Billed For Headlining Role At Forthcoming ‘Shorts Na Lesu’ Edition
Gates were open at the clock of 2PM and of course Kampala people being lovers of a good time, started checking in, most donning shorts, spectacular accessories and swag, with the intention to party “paka kuwulila bubi” as goes the popular trending craze of late when it comes to enjoyments.
DJ GoodBlood, DJ Mas, DJ Heydez set the tone and mood for the mood as the event did commence despite a mini disruption by the rainfall. Soon as the skies cleared, taking to the stage was up and fast rising act Mike Mungu who put on a spectacular performance, opening his set with “Be By Me”, “Let Me Know”, and the rest of the sweet sounds on his debut body of work “FINALLY” EP.
There then followed Melvyn DJ who equally did his thing. Another quite incredible feat about this Edition of Sho Na Le was the pairing of Saint Trevor and Zuba Mutesi as hosts. They not only had a very impressive synergy and chemistry but had so much fun keeping the party going while not trying so hard. They were naturals.
DJ Vanss took to the stage at about a quarter to 7 o’clock, elevating the vibe to a higher level with afrobeats, a blend of some amapiano.
Thereafter was DJ EM (EM that Guy), and the man of the season Elijah Kitaka then hit the stage at 8:40PM. Being the face of the fashion of short shorts, having him on the performer line up was quite a no brainer, right? Hitting the stage while clad in all white and green sneakers, the Swangz Avenue signee got crowds lost in musical wonderland by serenading them with tracks “Ndi Wuwo”, “Tippy Toe”, “Weather for Two”, “Nothing”, and “Tutu Mama”, all as lifted off his EP “Bedroom Essentials”.
The Life of the Party as she is known as, Etania put on an Amapiano set, while hyping on the microphone and also joining her set of dancers on the stage. Now that was onw trifecta of a performance; dancing, deejaying, and emceeing.
Consisting Eyla, Tori and Treezy, Warafiki, the newest girl trio to be signed by Fenon Records made a cameo appearance at the event performing their debut single “BWEKATI.”
There then was a moment of silence and a somber atmosphere in memory of Dr Steven Kasule, one of the co-founding members and partner of Shograph Concepts, the organizers of the event “Shorts Na Lessu” who unfortunately passed away last year in November. As a tribute, all of us sang Wiz Khalifa and Chalie Puth’s “See You Again”, as we flashed our phone torches and lights up in the air.
DJ Sesse and Alza then took us on a roller-coaster of premium groove, with their back to back massive music sets, as they played in turns. The multi-talented dreadlocked Mc Alan King (or Dziz) as he’s commonly referred to as was the MC during this collaborative set. At this juncture, some revelers felt that they received their money’s worth in terms of an experience. But again, there was more to come.
Backed by his band (DBYZ Band), and Akadope Band’s Essie who were all dressed in white, Ric Hassani made his long – awaited appearance to perform for his Ugandan fans at 10PM. As is the norm nowadays, he had earlier posted his set list for the show, so attendees singing along to his sweet sounds came easily. Ric opened his performance with “ONLY YOU”, then “BEAUTIFUL TO ME”, then “BELIEVE”, “MY ONLY BABY”, and the list went on and on.
Sending us all in an emotional roller-coaster was when he did a cover to the Late Mowzey Radio of the Goodlyfe Crew made up of Radio & Weasel’s “Sweet Lady”. “MY KIND OF WOMAN” on which he featured Sauti Sol was what he performed next and then went on a mini break to catch his breath and do an outfit change.
“The superstar has gone, but he lives you in the hands of another superstar” casually joked Joshua Baraka as he took it from where Ric had ended. Baraka performed a medley of “Tewekweka”, “I Do”, Omukwano (Love), “Belinda” and “NANA”.
Making a mega return to the stage with part two, Ric Hassani was now in a leather fit, made up of the colors of the Uganda National flag (Black, Yellow, Red), whereas the backup singers were in all Red, from head to toe. He then took us on another bumpy Afro Love jounrye with tracks like “POLICE”, “ANGEL”, “I.L.U”, and the rest, and closed it all off at 11:30PM with “NUMBER ONE”.
This undeniably amazing edition of Shorts Na Lessu was organized by Shograph Concepts in proud partnership with Ganda Vibes, Quicket, I & M Bank, Fenon, Castle Lite. NRG Radio, Safeboda, and Aquafina. Until Edition next!
