Rehema Namakula (born 24 April 1991), known professionally as Rema Namakula or simply Rema, is a Ugandan singer, songwriter and music producer.[2]
Rema Namakula | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 24, 1991[1] Kampala, Uganda |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter producer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Education | Kyambogo University |
| Spouse |
Hamza Ssebunya (m. 2019) |
Background and education edit
Rema was born in Lubaga Hospital, on 24 April 1991, to the late Hamida Nabbosa and the late Mukiibi Ssemakula.[1] She is the last-born in her family. She attended Kitante Primary School for her elementary school education. She studied at Saint Balikudembe Senior Secondary School for both O-Level and A-Level studies. Later, she joined Kyambogo University.[1] which she never completed and says she plans to do so in future
Career edit
During her Senior 6 vacation, she began singing karaoke. Later, she became a back-up singer to another Ugandan female musician Halima Namakula, who became her mentor. She continued her music career as a backup artist for Ugandan musician Bebe Cool in gagamel, Bebe Cool's recording group. In 2013, Bebe Cool was watching television when he saw Rema talking about launching a solo album, which Bebe Cool didn't know about. So he fired her and she went solo.[2][3] In 2013 she released "Oli Wange" which was written by Nince Henry which made her popular in the music industry of Uganda.[2]
In 2016, Rema Namakula was selected to represent Uganda at the fourth season of Coke Studio Africa 2016. Other Ugandan recording artists selected included Lydia Jazmine, Eddy Kenzo and Radio and Weasel.[4] Other participants in the invitation-only event included 2Baba (2Face Idibia) from Nigeria and Trey Songz from the United States.[5]
Personal life edit
Over time, Namakula began a romantic relationship with Ugandan recording artist Eddy Kenzo.[6] On 26 December 2014, Namakula gave birth to a daughter at Paragon Hospital, in the Kampala neighborhood of Bugoloobi. Kenzo (real name Edrisa Musuuza), who has another daughter (Maya Musuuza) from a previous relationship,[6] acknowledged being the father and named the newborn Aamaal Musuuza.[7]
On 14 November 2019, Namakula introduced her new fiancé, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya, in a ceremony that took place at her home in Nabbingo, near Kampala. The introduction was a national affair, as thousands camped out along the procession route to her home.[8]
On 7 November 2021, Namakula welcomed her second child. A baby girl named Aaliyah Ssebunya.[9]
Partial discography edit
Music Awards edit
HiPipo Music Awards 2013: Won
- Best HiPipo Charts Artist[11]
- Best Breakthrough Artist[11]
- Best Female Artist[11]
- Best R&B Song, "Oli Wange"[11]
HiPipo Music Awards 2014: Won
References edit
- ^ a b c Mites, Isaac (21 March 2015). "Rema Namakula Shares Her Biography". Kampala: Bigeye.ug (Big Eye Uganda). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ a b c Sean Musa Carter (12 July 2016). "Facts you Didn't Know About Rema Namakula". Kampala: Ugblizz.com. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ UOWD (20 July 2013). "Bebe Cool Fires Rema Namakula from Gagamel". Kampala: Ugandaonline.net (UOWD). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ UTAMU Entertainment News (2016). "Singer Rema Namakula to represent Uganda in Coke Studio Africa Season 4". Kampala: Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ CCK (2016). "Rema Namakula Talks All Things Music, Success and Love: 5 Things About Rema Namakula". Coca Cola Kenya (CCK). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ a b Kushaba, Duncan (23 June 2016). "You must respect Rema – Kenzo warns Ex". New Vision. Kampla. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ Matooke Republic (27 December 2014). "Kenzo confirms he is the father of Rema's baby, names her Aamaal". Kampala: Matooke Republic.
- ^ Administrator (16 November 2019). "Rema: Was Buganda Culture Abused?". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "Rema, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya welcome baby girl". Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ KDUG (8 April 2017). "Rema Namakula Releases "Banyabo" Music Video". Kampala: Koonadance.ug (KDUG). Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d Kanaabi, Michael (11 February 2013). "Rema, Walukagga win big at HiPipo awards". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ a b c Staff Writer (9 February 2014). "HiPipo Music Awards: Bebe Cool Scoops Six Accolades". Red Pepper. Mukono. Retrieved 6 October 2017.