Since then, Navio has gone from strength, working his way up the entertainment ladder in Uganda to become the most recognizable Hip-hop artist in the country, and receiving recognition and awards at both local and international levels.
As part of the group Klear Kut, Navio was nominated for a Kora Award in 2002, and won a PAM award in 2004 for best Hip Hop Group. Nominations for the Kora Awards 2008 earlier this year put Klear Kut in the running for a Million Dollar cash prize.
As solo act, Navio won Best Video at the PAM Award 2007, Best Hip-Hop Artist in 2008 and a nomination for the hit single ‘Rukus’ in 2004 to name but a few. The Buzz teens have also spoken awarding him Best Hip Hop Artist in 2008 and “flyest video” in 2009.
His reputation is spreading throughout East Africa. After being nominated in Kenya for the Kisima Awards 2008 in the categories of Best Male Artist, Best Music Video and Best Hip Hop Artist. He actually won the award for Song of the Year. It was obvious that appreciation for ‘Navio’ was now widespread.
Quality has been a huge part of Navio’s progression as an artist, and Navio has always needed it to gain the appeal that is now giving him more of the international recognition he deserves.
Navio’s highly anticipated new album entitled ‘Half the Legend’ is a fresh, youthful sound with strong African influence that looks set to take the East African Music scene by storm. His launch for the album has been the biggest hip hop show in Ugandan history. The album has global as well as local appeal. ‘Half the Legend’ includes collaborations with African Musical Heavyweights such as:
· Jua Kali,
· Bobi Wine,
· Charlie King,
· 2Face,
· And of course Peter Miles with whom he performed the ground breaking single ‘Rukus’.
Navio’s sound and style is unique. He strikes the balance between an African sound and a contemporary and international flavor that means he appeals to a wide demographic locally and internationally.
Navio has performed internationally in Ghana, Belgium, South Africa, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, UK, Zanzibar, Germany, Benin, Burundi, and Nigeria. He has performed with local African stars as above, and with internationally famous stars such as:
· Shaggy,
· P-Square,
· Sean Paul,
· Tevin Campbell,
· KCi & Jojo,
· Montell Jordan,
· R-Kelly
· Beenie Man
After the success of “Half the Legend”, Navio is already finding inspiration for the second project. “Africkan Hustler Musik” is said to be the name of this next project, incorporating production from four different continents, 7 different producers and a list of featuring artists that need no introduction.
With an option to have the project mixed and mastered in Dubai, the album can’t help but be the quality product Uganda deserves.
So far, Shaggy’s producer Goldenchyll, Majid from the Middle East and Aethan have all contributed beats. Wyre, Esther from Project fame, Benon, Klear Kut and TK (R.I.P) from South Africa are all on the project.
The album is “get up and go” music, aimed at inspiring, if not motivating his generation no matter what the class, social status etc. He also ventures back his battle routes on some of the songs.
His new album has the best hip hop audios and videos around the regions, Songs like Raw, Nawuliranga,etc.
