Eddy Kenzo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddy Kenzo
Eddy Kenzo
Background information
Birth name	Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza
Also known as	Eddy Kenzo
Born	(1989-12-25) 25 December 1989 (age 35) Masaka, Uganda
Origin	Seguku, Wakiso
Genres	Afropop dancehall
Occupation(s)	Singer music executive
Instruments	Vocal Drums
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Big Talent
Associated acts	Ghetto Kids Patoranking Niniola Harmonize Kawonawojoshua senkungu

Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, known to the world as Eddy Kenzo, is a famous singer from Uganda. He is also a music leader and the head of the Uganda National Musicians Federation. He is part of a group called Big Talent Entertainment.

Eddy Kenzo became well-known after his song Stamina came out. He gained international fame in 2014 with his hit song "Sitya Loss". The music video for "Sitya Loss" became super popular online because it showed amazing dancing by a group of Ugandan children called the Ghetto Kids.

So far, Eddy Kenzo has released five albums, including Roots in 2018 and Made in Africa in 2021. He has won many important awards, like a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award in 2018 and a BET Award in 2015. He has also won several All Africa Music Awards.

In 2022, Eddy Kenzo was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Global Performance." This was for his song "Gimme Love", which he sang with Matt B. This song even reached number 36 on the U.S. Afrobeats Billboard chart in November 2022. Eddy Kenzo and Matt B performed "Gimme Love" at the Eddy Kenzo Festival in Uganda for over 20,000 fans! Eddy Kenzo was the first artist from Uganda to win a BET Award and the first to be nominated for a Grammy Award.

Early life and education

Edrisah Musuuza, also known as Eddy Kenzo, was born in Masaka, Uganda. When he was about 5 years old, his mother passed away. For the next 13 years, he lived mostly on the streets of Masaka and Kampala.

When he was young, Eddy Kenzo dreamed of becoming a professional football player. He joined a football camp called Masaka Local Council FC when he was 9. He even got a special scholarship to help him study at Lubiri Secondary School in Kampala because of his sports talent. However, he did not finish his studies there.

Eddy Kenzo is naturally left-handed. But when he was growing up, his foster family would often hit him for using his left hand to eat.

Career

Eddy Kenzo started making music in 2008, using his stage name. That year, he released his first song called "Yannimba" with Mikie Wine. In 2010, he released another song, "Stamina," which became very popular. It was even used by politicians during the 2011 elections in Uganda.

At the Pearl of Africa Music Awards in 2011, Eddy Kenzo won the award for Best New Artist. In the same year, he also started his own music company called Big Talent Entertainment. He is still a part of this company today.

Eddy Kenzo kept releasing music in 2012. In 2013, he held his first big concert at the Kyadondo Rugby Club to support his song "Kamunguluze." His biggest international success came in 2014 with his song "Sitya Loss" and the album with the same name. A video of the Ghetto Kids dancing to "Sitya Loss" became incredibly popular online after famous music executive Sean Combs shared it in September 2014. By March 2022, the video had been watched almost 42 million times on YouTube! Eddy Kenzo even tried to get the children to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. After "Sitya Loss" became a hit, Eddy Kenzo went on a short tour in the United States with dancehall musician, DeMarco.

In January 2015, Eddy Kenzo performed at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in Equatorial Guinea, alongside Akon. He also performed at the final match of the tournament. Around that time, he made a new version of his 2014 song "Jambole" with Nigerian singer, Kcee. In June 2015, Eddy Kenzo won the BET Award for "Viewer's Choice Best New International Artist." He was the first artist from East Africa to ever win a BET Award! In July 2015, he performed at the KigaliUp Music Festival in Rwanda. Later that year, he released a new version of his song "Mbilo Mbilo" with Nigerian singer, Niniola. The original "Mbilo Mbilo" song was even featured in the 2016 movie, Queen of Katwe.

In December 2015, Eddy Kenzo released "Soraye," the first song from his second album, Zero to Hero. In March 2016, he went on a tour across Africa, visiting countries like Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Mali. Later that month, he released his album Zero to Hero. During the rest of 2016, he helped write a song for Jidenna called "Little Bit More" and was featured on the Mi Casa song "Movie Star." He also won an All Africa Music Award for his "Mbilo Mbilo" remix. He went on another US tour later in the year. In May 2017, Eddy Kenzo was chosen as an ambassador for the Kenyan Tourism Board, and he got a similar role in Uganda the next year. This means he helps promote tourism in these countries.

In July 2017, Eddy Kenzo went on a European tour before releasing his third album, Biology, a month later. This album featured other artists like Mani Martin, Werrason, and Mi Casa. It also included the song "Jubilation," whose music video won the Best East African Music Video Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival. He won more awards at the All Africa Music Awards that year, including Best East African Male Artist. He later gave this award, along with his 2015 BET Award, to the Uganda Museum in Kampala so people could see them.

In March 2018, Eddy Kenzo won a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for "Favorite African Star." This is a big award chosen by kids! In July 2018, he performed with the Triplets Ghetto Kids at music festivals in Canada, including Afrofest in Toronto. He also performed at the One Africa Music Festival in Dubai later that year. In October 2018, he released his fourth album, Roots, which included the song "Body Language." Eddy Kenzo also announced a special concert to celebrate his 10 years as a music artist. The concert took place on January 4, 2019, in Kampala. Before the concert, Kenzo released a new music video from his Roots album every week for two months.

In March 2019, it was announced that Eddy Kenzo and the Triplets Ghetto Kids would be in a music video for American singer Chris Brown's song "Back to Love." In April 2019, Kenzo released his song "Signal" with its music video.

Eddy Kenzo released his 2021 album "Made in Africa," which featured Hunter Nation from Tanzania on the popular love song "SoulMate."

In 2022, Eddy Kenzo worked with US musician Matt B on the song "Gimme Love." This song appeared on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart and reached number 36 in November that year. Because of this song, he and Matt B were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. This nomination made Eddy Kenzo the first Ugandan musician living and working in Uganda to receive a Grammy nomination!

On August 22, 2024, Eddy Kenzo was chosen by President Yoweri Museveni to be a Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives. This means he will give advice on topics related to the creative industry, like music and performing arts. Many people see this as a big step to help the creative industry in Uganda grow and get more support from the government.

Philanthropy

In 2015, Eddy Kenzo started his own charity called the Eddy Kenzo Foundation. In January 2016, he worked with Ugandan football players, Tony Mawejje and Vincent Kayizzi, to give gifts to new mothers and hospital staff in Masaka. In July 2017, he held two charity football matches in Masaka and Kampala. These events raised money to help Ugandan children who have HIV. In March 2019, he opened the Big Talent Soccer Academy in Kampala. This academy finds young football talent and provides them with education to help them improve their skills.

Concerts

On November 12, 2022, Eddy Kenzo held his biggest concert ever, called the "Eddy Kenzo Festival," at the Kololo Airstrip in Kampala. Many local and international guest performers joined him at this event.

On January 4, 2019, Eddy Kenzo celebrated his 10 years in the Ugandan music industry with a concert called "10 Years of Eddy Kenzo." This event also aimed to bring together two other famous Ugandan musicians and political figures, Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool, who had been in a long disagreement.

Personal life

Eddy Kenzo was in a relationship with Ugandan singer Rema Namakula. On December 26, 2014, Rema Namakula and Eddy Kenzo had a daughter named Amaal Musuuza. Eddy Kenzo also has another daughter named Maya Musuuza from a previous relationship.

Eddy Kenzo and Rema separated in mid-2019. In early 2024, Eddy Kenzo appeared in photos with Phiona Nyamutoro during her inauguration ceremony after she was appointed a State Minister of Energy. On June 30, 2024, Eddy Kenzo and Phiona Nyamutoro made their union official with a traditional ceremony in Kampala.

Eddy Kenzo was also appointed by the president of Uganda as a senior presidential advisor. He joins other musicians who advise the president on important matters.

Studio albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Eddy Kenzo shaking hands with President Yoweri Museveni