If you’ve been paying attention to Uganda’s music scene lately or even if you haven’t; chances are Tracy Melon’s name has found its way to your ears, your screen, your local radio or even playlists. I mean at least 1 in every 10 tiktoks that come to your “for you” page if you are on Ugandan tiktok is a video of someone using her song “Ogenda Kukilaba” as a background track. And if it hasn’t yet, at least you have heard “Kakana” on the radio, right?
Nonetheless, allow me to introduce you to Tracy Melon, one of the freshest, most soul-stirring voices making waves right now. Just like in Jiran Seyn’s story, I have watched Tracy grow, from a talent search show, and now a fully blown fast rising singer, hence why I felt the need to put you guys on. Aye, let’s dive in.
Over the last two years, Tracy Melon has grown significantly as an artist, individual and live performer. Born Tracy Mirembe, Tracy Melon is standing out as one of the most exciting voices rocking the airwaves, the charts (Apple Music Top 100 Uganda) plus radio countdowns and the online world, especially Tiktok (which she candidly attributes her career growth to) as we shall find out in the next few minutes.
With hit songs “Kakana” and now “Ogenda Kukilaba” in her bag, Tracy is breaking the common norm that artists from singing contests barely make it in the mainstream world like their counterparts who just “wing it” (forge their way around the industry till luck knocks on their door and they get a hit song or their career picks up) or those who grew up in a church choir background or breaking away from a band, that is, if they give it an attempt to record brand new music, aside from covers performed during the competitions. The closest example of “From Music Contest to Mainstream Success” is Winnie Nwagi, who is currently signed to Swangz Avenue, having come third place in season two of the “Coca Cola Rated Next” music competitions in 2014.
Similar to Winnie Nwagi’s story, Tracy Melon emerged third place in the Pearl of Africa Star Search that was conducted in 2021 by Talent Africa. Her striking and simply unforgettable rendition of Iryn Namubiru’s “Nkwagala Nyo” left an undeniably alluring mark on the hearts of those who were following the competition closely and that of the judges (particularly Cindy “The King Herself,” who was mentoring her throughout the bootcamps). I like to look at it as a Proud Parent Moment for her, seeing how Tracy later turned out, making a fast-rising star of her own.
Post the start search, Tracy Melon would go on to release a chain of singles: “Nakupenda” (which stands as my personal favorite till to date), “Mwana Wa Kintu,” “Teleera,” “Bintwala,” an EP “SMILE” but it was “Kakana” that turned life around for the 24-year-old curly-haired songstress.
Aside from her management, charming voice and deep lyrical cuts that have you returning to her artist profile on streaming platforms time and time again, Tracy Melon also credits her success to short-form video sharing app TikTok. That’s because it is where she first blew up online, with her covers to Dax Vibez and Vinka’s Believe plus Fou De Toi by Element Eleéeh, Ross Kana and Bruce Melodie, amassing so many shares, reposts and likes. Additionally, her fans and followers on the platform consistently do video challenges to her songs whenever she releases music.
Performance-wise, being among the alumni of the Pearl of Africa Star Search (POA Star Search) singing competition that was championed by Talent Africa, she usually performs at events organized by them. Among the events was Afropalooza in 2022, a cameo performance to support one of her POA mates Bruce Dickson when he held his live concert at La Cueva this year. Her biggest stage yet is Blankets & Wine (2023).
Tracy Melon has also performed at “Shades of Kampala” most recently, and at the opening ceremony of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), alongside former fellow Pearl of Africa Star Search (POA Star Search) contestants Ebrahim Soul’o and Carsten.
Now that Tracy Melon and her management found her sound (something she said while in a chat with The Observer that they had struggled to figure out for quite some time), it speaks to artistic growth and as fans of good Ugandan music, we can’t wait to listen to her earworms of tracks and endearing soft yet profound voice. As a fast rising musician, her works have been cosigned by Karole Kasita and Rickman Manrick.
Signed to Trroy Music, Tracy Melon has been compared to the late Sera, for she embodies depth in her lyrics and has such a warm and soulful voice, just like the late’s. Now that she has found her footing — given that our local music industry is more male-dominated, I am confident that Tracy will steadily and decisively set the pace when it comes to shaping the sound of music for females of her generation. Rema Namakula, Juliana Kanyomozi, Iryn Namubiru, Naava Grey, Chosen Becky set such a good example, just like how Jose Chameleone, Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool are the inspirations for most male artists in Uganda (when asked what inspired them to start music).
Tracy looks up to Iryn Namubiru, Irene Ntale, and on the global scene; Tiwa Savage, Brandy, Jennifer Hudson. Her dream collaborators are A Pass, Ykee Benda and Winnie Nwagi. Hopefully the stars align, and we hear these come to life.
Tracy Melon is just getting started. With the right support, more collaborations, and the artistic clarity she’s now found, the sky is only the beginning for this young powerhouse. If you haven’t yet, go stream “Ogenda Kukilaba” or take a walk back to “Kakana” or my personal favs “Omwana Wa Kintu”, and “Nakupenda”.