Iryn Namubiru
Iryn Namubiru At 97.7 Record FM
Born (1981-12-13) 13 December 1981
Uganda
EducationGeneral education
Namasagali College, Namasagali, Uganda
University
Stendhal University
Grenoble, France.
OccupationMusician & entertainer
Known forVocal Training and Music
Musical career
Genres
Years active1995–present
LabelsBloom Records, Nujeli, Grajoh UK

Irene Gladys Namubiru, also known as Iryn Namubiru,[1] (born 13 December 1981) is a Ugandan female vocalist. She is a light-lyric, alto voiced, Afro-pop, recording and performing artist.

Background

Namubiru was born in the Central Region of Uganda and received an education at the following institutions:

Music career

According to Namubiru, she had a passion for singing since her childhood and strove to make it a bigger part of her life. Her first attempt at success in the music industry came in 1995, when she joined singers-cum-rapper DJs Ragga Dee and Molar-Messe, as the group Da Hommies, and "Joss Jjew" Mawejje as a studio arranger/keyboardist,[2] assisting in the release of a series of singles including "Bamusakata", "Mukwano", and "Mukyala tokaba" in early 1995.[3] Her first individual single "Learn to say good bye" also appeared on the group's subsequent album. Soon afterwards, she had her first stage appearance in September 1995.[4]

In 1999, she joined Kanyomozi, her former schoolmate at Namasagali College, to form the R&B all-girl group called I-Jay.[5] According to Bryan Morel Publications, In 2000, they released their first 7 track album titled "WAIT" which included songs "Wait RMX (Ft Steve Jean)", "Not Good Enough", "Mwana", "Wait", "Emirimu", "Vivi LA Vi" and "Two To Make It True...", which received moderate air play on radio stations in Uganda.

Soon after the release of their record, Namubiru left for France and the group disbanded. This break up led to speculation that the two separated on unfriendly terms however, they both denied such rumours. While in France, she formed the Afro-Soul group Nujeli with Julien Grout and they released ENSI LP.

In 2006, Namubiru collaborated with singer Bebe Cool in the songs "Simbalala" and "Lwaki Onzannyilako?".

However, Namubiru did not achieve widespread success until 2006, when she released her album Nkuweeki?.[6] Since 2006, Namubiru released the songs "Y'ono", "Lwaki", "Bonna Obasinga", "Begombeko", "Birowoozo", for which she has received various awards in the Ugandan music industry.[7] In 2011, Namubiru won in four categories of the 2011 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM). She won in the categories of Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best RnB Single of the Year.[8][9][10]

Controversies

Namubiru has been widely criticised by her detractors for dressing "inappropriately" in her music videos and, at times, her concerts. According to her critics, her costumes oppose traditional Ugandan dressing customs and set a bad example for other aspiring musicians. In 2009, her video for "Bonna Obasinga" was criticised due to a swimming costume she wore. Namubiru later shot another music video for the song to placate her critics. However, many of her fans have defended her "creative" attire and perceive the accusations to be socially regressive and resistant to new styles.[11]

Personal life

Namubiru was married to Frank Galusy Morel, a Frenchman, and together they have two sons.[12] She is fluent in English, French, and Luganda, which is her native language.[7] She lives with her family in France, and most of her music fans reside in Uganda.

Iryn Namubiru is the founder and chief executive officer of a Non-Government-Organisation called GATHER FOR CHILDREN based in Mityana - Central Region, she formed in 2006 to help empower and support women / care takers, young mothers and teenage mothers to care and educate their children and vulnerable children.[13][14] The organisation operates on Iryn Namubirus's seven acres of land.

On 24 November 2018 she survived an accident in Lake Victoria, where a cruise boat carrying party revellers capsized, killing 33 people.[15]

Arrest in Japan

On 3 May 2013,[16][17] Namubiru was arrested in Tokyo, Japan for alleged possession of illegal drugs.[18] She had traveled to Japan to perform at a music concert [19] but she was arrested at Tokyo's Narita International Airport before her performance.[20] One week prior to the arrest, Namubiru was tweeting about her excitement to be performing in Japan.[21] The concert was to take place at the Yotsukaido Cultural Hall[22] in Tokyo, Japan's capital.[20] Namubiru was found carrying ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine),[23] which was concealed in her luggage.[24] She was transferred from the Tokyo airport detention facility to a police station in Central Tokyo, where she recorded a statement in connection to the illegal possession of MDMA, which is commonly known as "ecstasy"; she denied any knowledge of the drug.[25] On 24 May 2013, at a hearing in Japan, the court found Namubiru to be innocent.[26] Police in Japan cleared her of the drug trafficking charges and released her.[27]

Awards and nominations

Awards[28]

  • Best Female Artist and Best R&B song at the PAM Awards 2006 .
  • Best Female artist Buzz magazine 2007.
  • Best Collaboration Diva Awards 2009.
  • Best Female Artist PAM AWARDS 2010.
  • Best Afro Single Diva Awards 2010.
  • Artist of the Year Diva Awards 2010.
  • Artist of the Year PAM AWARDS 2011.
  • Best female Artist PAM AWARDS 2011.
  • Best RnB Song PAM AWARDS 2011
  • Best Album PAM AWARDS 2011
  • Collaboration with “Happy Science” Japan on two songs. 2012

Nominations

  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards - Best Band Song Ndeyreya[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Irene Namubiru New Songs | Videos | Lyrics | Biography | Free MP3 Music| Kapopii.com". Kapopii. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Artists Profile". Traxbox-amspug.com. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru". Music In Africa. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  4. ↑ The Beginnings of Namubiru's Music Career
  5. ↑ "Iryn and Juliana Formed I-Jay in 1999". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Namubiru Released Nkuweeki? In 2006 Archived 18 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1 2 Uganda, Flash (13 June 2020). "Irene Gladys Namubiru: Biography, Children, Husband and Music". Flash Uganda Media. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru 2011 PAM Artiste of the Year". Daily Monitor. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "Pam Awards 2011 Winners; Iryn Namubiru Takes Artist of the Year | HiPipo". Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  10. ↑ Eupal, Felix. "PAM awards never short on surprises". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Namubiru Threatened With Videos Ban
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ Gather for Children website
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ Uganda party boat capsizes on Lake Victoria, killing 33
  16. ↑ "Drugs saga casts dark shadow on Iryn career". The Observer. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. was arrested with drugs on May 3
  17. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru's Manager Speaks Out". Uganda Online. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Iryn was arrested on May 03
  18. ↑ "Singer Namubiru's managers struggle to get her out of jail". Daily Monitor. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. The singer was arrested in possession of drugs, in Tokyo Japan
  19. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru Arrested in Japan Over Drugs". Red Pepper. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Namubiru travelled to Japan last Thursday for a music concert
  20. 1 2 "Ugandan singer detained, arrested at Tokyo International Airport". JDP (Japan Daily Press). 8 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Iryn Namubiru, a Ugandan singer, was arrested at Tokyo's Narita International Airport before supposedly performing at a concert
  21. ↑ "Ugandan singer detained, arrested at Tokyo International Airport". JDP (Japan Daily Press). 8 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. The Ugandans who were waiting at the concert venue received reports about her arrest
  22. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru Arrested in Japan Over Drugs". Red Pepper. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. The concert was scheduled to take place at the Yotsukaido Cultural Hall.
  23. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru to Know Her Fate on Saturday". Uganda Picks. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Namubiru was carrying Ecstasy (3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine)
  24. ↑ "Iryn Namubiru carried Ecstasy - Police". New Vision. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. The drugs were concealed in peanut butter when she was arrested
  25. ↑ "NAMUBIRU UPDATES: Arrested Singer Iryn Namubiru". The Investigator. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Iryn Namubiru has been transferred
  26. ↑ "Uganda: Iryn Namubiru Free At Last". AllAfrica.com. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. at the hearing today the court found her not guilty
  27. ↑ "Irene Namubiru Cleared of Drug Trafficking Charges". URN (Uganda Radio Network). 24 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013. Police in Japan has cleared Ugandan musician Irene Namubiru
  28. ↑ "Irene Namubiru "Iryn"". About Uganda. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  29. ↑ "List of Nominees for the 1st HiPipo Music Awards". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2013.


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