Carol Nantongo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Carol Nantongo |
| Born | November 17, 1995 [1] Central Region, Uganda |
| Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Golden Band (former) Solo Artist |
Carol Nantongo (born 17 November 1995) is a Ugandan singer and songwriter. She first gained prominence as a member of the musical group Golden Band before launching a successful solo career. [2] She is known for her powerful vocals and a string of hit songs in the "Band Music" genre, a popular form of Ugandan pop music.
Her notable songs include "Ndagilira," "Oliwa," "Kamese Tambula," and "Tukiggale." [3]
Carol Nantongo was born in the Central Region of Uganda to John Mugerwa and Rose Namagembe. She was raised in the Kyaliwajjala and Namugongo suburbs of Kampala. [4] In interviews, she has spoken about experiencing significant financial hardship during her childhood. [5]
She attended Sunset Primary School and Kireka Grammar Primary School for her primary education. She then joined Kira Secondary School for her O-Levels but was unable to continue to A-Level due to financial constraints. She later pursued vocational training in hairdressing. [4] [6]
Nantongo began singing in church and school choirs. Her professional music career started around 2015 after she was introduced to veteran musician Mesach Semakula, a director of Golden Band. After a successful audition, she joined the band, which was one of Uganda's most prominent "band music" groups, having evolved from the original Eagles Production. [6]
With Golden Band, she gained valuable stage experience and recorded her first songs. Her collaboration with fellow artist Dr. Hilderman on the song "Ndagilira" became her first major hit and brought her into the national spotlight. [7]
In February 2020, Nantongo officially announced her departure from Golden Band to focus on a solo career. She cited a desire for more creative independence and the need to advance her career, as the band's activities had slowed due to some directors focusing on politics and other ventures. [2] [8]
As a solo artist, she achieved even greater success. She released a series of popular songs and collaborations, including "Tukiggale" with Eddy Yawe and "Sirwana" with Sheebah Karungi. Her music solidified her position as a leading female artist in the "band music" circuit. [3]
In December 2024, she held her maiden solo concert, titled "Live in Concert," at the Hotel Africana in Kampala. The concert was a commercial success and was attended by many of her former mentors from Golden Band, who came to show their support. [9]
Carol Nantongo's music is firmly rooted in Uganda's "Band Music" genre, which blends elements of Afrobeat, pop, and traditional Kadongo Kamu storytelling. She is known for her powerful, clear, and emotive vocal delivery. Her lyrics often explore themes of love, relationships, perseverance, and social dynamics, which has made her music relatable to a wide audience. [3] Despite the "band singer" label sometimes being used pejoratively in the local industry, Nantongo has embraced it, stating that the genre has transformed her life and is a source of pride. [5]
A list of some of her most well-known songs includes:
Carol Nantongo has been recognized for her work with several awards and nominations from various Ugandan music award bodies.
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Zzina Awards | Best Breakthrough Artist | Herself | Nominated | [10] |
| 2019 | Best Female Artist | Nominated | [11] | ||
| 2024 | Best Contemporary Artist | Won | [12] | ||
| 2023 | Best Fans Team | Nantongoholics | Won | [13] | |
| 2017 | Uganda Entertainment Awards | Best Female Artist | Herself | Nominated | [14] |
Carol Nantogo was born 17th November 1995 in the Central region of Uganda...