Biography:
GNL Zamba, born Ernest Nsimbi, is a Ugandan hip hop artist. He was born on 29 January 1986. He is credited for bringing rap and Lugaflow style of music to mainstream radio and other media in Uganda.
His father was an electrical technician and his mother worked for Uganda Transport Company. The entire family later moved to Kawempe, in Kampala after the Ugandan Civil War. In his secondary school, he was chairman of junior literature club, member of the debating team and head writer of the Kiira Mirror.
He later joined Makerere University where he graduated with honours with Bachelors in Environmental Management
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 initiativesGNL
GNL started his career in 2005 when he was part of the Hip Hop Canvas which was a project organized by Platinum Entertainment's Shadrak Kuteesa aiming to empower the youth to express themselves In this project. He, together with other artists recorded the award winning song, Mother Africa.
In 2007, he made his debut in the Ugandan musical scene with the song, Soda Jinjale
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 and in August, he performed his first concert with the release of his album, Koyi Koyi, comprising eight number one singles which was praised for bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary sound.
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 2010, he performed at the 'We Love Africa Music Festival' in Denmark
In November 2011, GNL returned to United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Concerts and also performed at the 23rd UNAA convention.
In September 2012, he performed at the Selam African Music Festival in Sweden and at GNL Zamba Live in Norway.
In April 2014, GNL had VIP concerts in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town in South Africa. GNL then relocated to United States 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 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.
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
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.
Awards
• 2019 256 hip-hop Awards – African rapper of the year
• 2014 The Arts Award – Twaweza Best Social Impact through arts
• 2013 Uganda Buzz Music Awards – Best Group
• 2013 Club Music Video Awards – Video of the year
• 2013 Club Music Video Awards – Best Male Video of the year
• 2013 Kadanke Awards – Best Group
• 2013 Kadanke Awards – Brest Hip Hop Single
• 2012 Uganda Buzz Music Awards – Best Male artist
• 2011 Uganda Buzz Music Awards – Hottest group (Baboon Forest)
• 2011 International Education Conference – People’s choice Digital media
• 2011 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop single
• 2010 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop single
• 2010 Uganda Buzz Music Awards – Best Hood rapper
• 2009 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop single
• 2009 Press Association Awards – Artist of the year
• 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop single
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