Raymond Joseph Mugerwa (born June 4, 1988), better known by his stage name Ray Signature aka Uncle Ray, is a Ugandan singer-songwriter and music producer from Kampala, Uganda. Ray Signature has written and produced songs for several prominent artists in East Africa, including Irene Ntale, Rema Namakula, Juliana Kanyomozi, Fille, Allan Toniks among others. Signature also produces music for campaigns like Reach A Hand Uganda.
Ray Signature | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Raymond Joseph Mugerwa |
| Also known as | Kasenyanku |
| Born | June 4, 1987 |
| Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Website | https://raysignature.com/ |
Life and career
editRay Signature born Raymond Joseph Mugerwa was born on June 4, 1988. Ray Signature's dad is a retired pastor so he grew up in a religious family, of eight children with Ray as the third born.[1] He studied from Buddo Junior School for Primary level, Seroma Christian High School, and Progressive Secondary School for O'Level and later the prestigious Kings College Buddo for his A-Level. He went ahead and enrolled for a degree in Fine Art from Michelangelo School of Creative Arts.[1] He started his music career in 2008 under the group Big Tyme[2] that was mentored and managed by Sylver Kyagulanyi at Sikia records.[1] Bigtyme was composed of Ray Signature commonly known as Uncle Ray, Lary Chary and Oscar a.k.a. Scar. They released songs like Apple, Sophia alongside Rabadaba and Miss. Uganda alongside Tanzanian rapper Kalla Jeremiah among others.[3]
Solo Career (2011–present)
editThe group broke up in 2011 and Ray went ahead to pursue a solo career, releasing his first song, Kasenyaku, that made it to various radio and TV countdowns in the East African region.[4] The song gained both positive and negative criticism, with critics saying it's copied from Me and You by Nigerian duo Brackets.[5][6] He went ahead to release more music as a solo artist as well as songwriting for various artists.[7][8] He has done collaborations with some of the top artists in Uganda, with his songs making it to various countdowns.[9] He has collaborated with African music stars as well on songs like Never let her go featuring Roberto from Zambia of the Amarula hit single, Katambala with Irene Ntale among others. He has shared a stage with some of Africa's finest artists like General Ozzy, Roberto, Too 4 Real, Nyanda among others.[10]
In June 2018, Ray signed with Storm Interactive.
Recently, Ray Signature is signed under an ultrasound record label known as NileOne Academy where he has been able to record his first love single, Mon Amie his EP Made in June.
Philanthropy
editReach A Hand Uganda (RAHU)[11]
Discography
edit- Kasenyanku
- Naloba featuring Mun G
- Ebigambo
- Sikuta
- Who you are featuring Allan Toniks
- Katambala featuring Irene Ntale
- Gwe Asinga featuring Fille
- Never let her go featuring Roberto from Zambia
- Private Party featuring Two for Real from Rwanda
- Towakana alongside Ziza Bafana
- Nabosa
- Mon AMie featuring Naava Grey
Studio albums
editUltimate Rebirth (2018)
edit- Birala
- Too Bad ft Deejay Pius
- Don't Break My Heart
- All the best
- Where Are You
- Koona
Songs Written by Ray Signature
edit- Gyobera by Irene Ntale
- Olindaba by Irene Ntale
- Nzena Nzena by Irene Ntale
- Gwe Aliko by Irene Ntale
- Sitaki by Rema Namakula
- Nseya Nseya by Juliana Kanyomozi
- Deep in love by Rema Namakula
- Guno Omukwano by Lydia Jazmine
- Double trouble by Fille
- Wandisaki by Rema Namakula
- Like I do by Baninas
Personal life
editIn December 2015, Ray Signature was involved in a near fatal accident, in Kamwokya.[12]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Ray: The singer who pens signature tunes for others". sqoop.co.ug. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Bigtym Crew Uganda Celebrities | HiPipo". hipipo.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "LARY CHARY AND RAY SIGNATURE BEWITCH SCAR OF BIGTYME CREW". howwe.biz. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Challenges Song Writers Face in the Ugandan Music Industry.. Ray Signature Breaks It Down – Chano8Chano8". chano8.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "The Observer". observer.ug. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Ugandan Singers Plagiarizing Lyrics – Xclusive.co.ug". xclusive.co.ug. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Ray Signature Gives Tips On How To Write A Hit Song – Chano8Chano8". chano8.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Ray Signature pens new song for Bruno K". Bigeye.ug. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Top 50 Hot Ugandan Collabos That Have Rocked Local Airwaves". Bigeye.ug. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "East and West Africa's music stars to light up Kigali | Kinyarwanda, African Music, African Artists, Rwanda Music, Rwanda Entertainment". tukabyine.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Uganda: Brick 'n' Lace's Nyanda Named Rahu Ambassador". allafrica.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Singer Ray Signature in Near Fatal Accident Scare, Survives with Menacing Injuries – The Investigator". theinvestigatornews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.