The Canaan Gents are committed to riding a wave of success since meeting at Uganda Christian University Mukono.
The award winning gospel cappella group has released songs that include Live Your Ways, He Lives, Nkwagala, Azaaliddwa and Sing.
Samuel Lubwama, one of the group’s outstanding baritone, spoke to UG Christian News about their 5-year-faith journey and desire to inspire others.
It’s been 5 years down the road…5 years of sharing the stage, celebrating achievements, seeing yourselves through challenges and transition. Mark, Charles, Isaac and Samuel, can I boldly say that these are the Canaan Gents 2016 voices and faces?
Samuel: We make 5 this very year. We are under a transition, reason being we have two members who will be going for further studies. Actually, Andrew Peter Nyombi already left for further studies. So we could see a few new faces.
Who sings which voice today and what is each one of you working on off stage?
Samuel: Charles sings all voices a part from bass; he’s a lyricist and a visual artist. He went to Makerere University where he attained a degree in industrial Art.
Marc Tugume sings Tenor and he’s a lawyer by profession. He went to UCU and in his free time, he watches movies, listening to music.
Kawuki Isaac sings bass. He went to St. Lawrence University; he’s an entrepreneur and also does farming. In his free time he swims, plays football and watching movies.
I (Samuel Lubwama) sing baritone, soprano. I am also a vocal saxophone. I a model, lyricist and an IT specialist. I went to UCU. During my free time, I listens to music, plays a bit of rugby, gym and play pool.
How many Albums/songs do you have?
Samuel: We don’t have an album out yet but, we have 5 songs on the market.
No instruments allowed (a cappella), does this kind of music get any easier. How do you go about selecting and writing your music?
Samuel: Well, if you love what you do, even when it gets hard you keep going because you have a driving force. The group has three lyricists, Ssentongo Charles, Catherine Mirembe and Samuel Lubwama. We all get different inspirations and thus prompts the writing of our music.
How did you come to thought of creating an a cappella group, trusting that it could be successful when there were no professionally sound gospel a cappella groups at that time?
Samuel: The love for this very genre and then the vision God blessed upon my heart gave us the zeal to keep moving on even when hardships came our way. We knew that this kind music would be successful due to the fact it is unique and different.
A cappella music is certainly irresistible. Now, this is unavoidable, could be that one of the readers is actually here to observe if we asked this sensitive question – relationship wise… are you guys all married… Searching, engaged… not searching…what is up?
Samuel: (laughs) All I can say, according to the laws of our land, your either single or married. So all of us are single. As for who is searching and all, I shall not speak for the rest when it comes to relationships.
Your music has received attention from an audience, in and out of church. Why do you think people are gravitated towards you wholeheartedly?
Samuel: First and foremost, we’re humbled that our music is crossing boarders and, all we can say is, all the glory and honor we give back to God.
Back to the question, I think the uniqueness of the music and the art involved brings about that bit. The other thing is the content, once your music has a message and the people can relate to that message, this makes one connect to the song(s).
Power 104.1 FM… What has it been like getting noticed by the Christian media brand, working with them on the forth coming concert (#PowerfmPresents) ?
Samuel: Its been an honor and its a very humbling experience. We have learnt a lot and were sure this information we have gotten is going to be very useful in our musical journey. Great thanks to Power 104.1 FM for this awesome opportunity.
What next after 28th July?
Samuel: A lot is in stock, we shall drop our first album, we have a couple of songs and we shall be releasing them probably next year. On the 28th we shall have an EP on sale with the songs that are already on the market.
Amen. We certainly look forward to the concert. Heard that all the boys.. Gents I mean, have had the rehearsals intensified.
Samuel: (Laughs), sure!
I am trying to figure out something, of course I haven’t got to its conclusion. 5 years… 5 songs on the market, strong royal audience. What am I missing?
Samuel: Lolest, Don’t know what you are missing! (Laughs)
I am amazed. To me, it takes God, that is all I can say.
Samuel: Very True.
aaron@ugchristiannews.com/Courtesy Photo – Canaan Gents
