GNL Zamba

GNL Zamba, born Ernest Nsimbitulye Lupiiyazitta Zamba (29 January 1986), is a Ugandan hip hop artist who is credited with bringing rap and Lugaflow, a style of music to mainstream radio and other media in Uganda.

His stage name, GNL, is short for "Greatness with No Limits". He is the founder and CEO of the independent hip hop record label Baboon Forest Entertainment, which nurtures new talent in Kampala, Uganda. He is also an actor, filmmaker, and ambassador for Ugandan brands and social initiatives.

Early life and education GNL was born on 29 January 1986 in Mukono. His father was an electrical technician and his mother worked for Uganda Transport Company. The family later moved to Kawempe, in Kampala in his secondary school, he was chairman of junior literature club, member of the debating team and head writer of the Kiira Mirror when he was part of the Hip Hop Canvas which was a project organised by Platinum Entertainment's Shadrak Kuteesa, In this project he, together with other artists recorded the award winning song, Mother Africa. .

In February 2009, he performed at the WAPI British Council Initiative and later that month at the Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar. In April, he performed at the Selam International Music Festival in Ethiopia. In June, GNL performed at the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda In September, GNL performed at the Dubai Concerts in the United Arab Emirates and in October, he performed at the Stratford Rex, East London in the United Kingdom.

In September 2012, he performed at the Selam African Music Festival in Sweden and at GNL Zamba Live in Norway.

In April 2016, GNL got his first acting career role alongside Darren Lee Campbell

GNL became one of the radio hosts of Coke Studio Radio Hour, which was a program that was part of Coke Studio Africa in August 2017.

In June 2019, his works were nominated at the 17th Independent Music Awards in New York City. These were Best Debut Album (Nsimbi), Best World Beat Song (Leo Ni Leo), Best Narrative Music Video (Dunia Ni Matenbezi) and Best Spoken Word (Acholi Boy). Leo Ni Leo won the Best World Beat song.

In February 2020, he held a lecture in the history of Hip Hop to the music students of Kyambogo University. In July of the same year, GNL, through his record label, Baboon Forest Entertainment, created the "Dear Hip Hop" challenge whose objective was to empower youth through the arts. The eventual winner was Ivan Kaweesa.

2021–present In February 2021, GNL returned to Uganda from the USA and in December, he performed in the third edition of the online Tusker Malt Conversessions.

Music style GNL provides his lyrics in both Luganda and English. He sings in urban Ugandan hip hop style called Lugaflow.

Social campaigns GNL participated in Friend A Gorilla, an Oxfam-sponsored campaign about environmental education with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. His song "Story ya Luka" was selected by the Uganda Ministry of Health to headline a 2010 AIDS youth education campaign.

His video collaboration for "True Manhood" with Young Empowered And Healthy (YEAH) Uganda encouraged Ugandan youth to use condoms, and it won the People's Choice Digital Media Award at the 2011 International Entertainment Education Conference.

Over a three-year period, GNL worked with Buzz Teenies to tour Ugandan schools, offering youth mentorship, encouraging social unity and staying in school.

Since 2013, GNL has partnered with Reach A Hand Foundation Uganda to participate in a series of youth edutainment campaigns.

In 2014, the Twaweza Initiative awarded GNL for the positive social impact of his song "We Cry", which speaks about street violence and safe sex. He has been invited to lecture at Makerere University's College of Humanities on oral literature and ethnology.

In June 2020, GNL together with his wife Miriam Tamar, joined the George Floyd protests in the USA.

Personal life Through the success of his music career, GNL was able to open a sports bar and bought land around Uganda.

GNL Zamba wedded his wife, on 29 April 2018 at Cielo Farms Vineyard, Malibu, California. Together with his wife, who is also a musical artist, they formed a musical group called Nsimbi.

In 2020, Zamba and his wife decided to return to Uganda to settle.

Best Hip hop single

GNL Zamba Best Hip Hop Artist

Best single

Song of the year

Best single

Best Group

GNL Zamba Best male artist

GNL Zamba Artist of the year

GNL Zamba Best hood rapper

Best Hip Hop single

GNL Zamba Artist of the year

GNL Zamba Best male artist

Best single

Best Hip Hop single

GNL Zamba People's choice digital media

Baboon Forest Hottest group

GNL Zamba Artist of the year

Best Hip Hop single

GNL Zamba Best male artist

Best Hip Hop single

GNL Zamba Best male artist

GNL Zamba Artist of the year

Best Hip Hop single

Best group

Best male video of the year

Video of the year

Best group

GNL Zamba Best Hip Hop artist

GNL Zamba Best Hip Hop artist

Best Hip Hop single

GNL Zmba Best Social Impact Through The Arts Award

African rapper of the year

Nsimbi Best Debut Album

Leo Ni Leo Best World Beat Song

Dunia Ni Matembezi Best Narrative Music Video

Acholi Boy Best Spoken Word

Discography

Koyi Koyi (Riddles of Life), 2009 The Spear (2020)