Biography

Geoffrey Oryema (16 April 1953 – 22 June 2018) was a Ugandan musician who gained international acclaim for his unique fusion of Swahili, Acholi, English, and French languages in his music. Born into a prominent family, tragedy struck in 1977 when his father, Erinayo Wilson Oryema, a cabinet minister in Idi Amin's government, was murdered. This event led to Oryema's exile from Uganda at the age of 24, during the height of Amin's rule. Remarkably, he escaped the country hidden in the trunk of a car.

Oryema's poignant songs often reflected his nostalgia for Uganda, the "clear green land" of his youth. His musical journey reached a turning point with the release of his second album, "Beat the Border," where he showcased his vocal prowess and songwriting skills. Notably, Oryema collaborated with renowned artists such as Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno. He also toured with WOMAD in various countries, including Australia, the USA, Japan, Brazil, and Europe. In 1994, Oryema's band performed at Woodstock 94, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the iconic festival.

Peter Gabriel's Real World label played a pivotal role in Oryema's early career, producing his first three albums. Later, he joined Sony International in France, where he had settled during his exile.

Oryema continued to contribute to global music events, participating in the LIVE 8: Africa Calling concert in Cornwall in July 2005. He also collaborated with 1 Giant Leap at the Live 8 Edinburgh concert.

Residing in Paris, France, until his passing in 2018, Geoffrey Oryema's legacy lives on through his profound musical contributions. His ashes were laid to rest in Anaka.

Geoffrey Oryema's discography includes:

1. "Exile" (1990)
2. "Beat the Border" (1993)
3. "Night to Night" (1996)
4. "Spirit" (2000)
5. "The Odysseus/Best Of" (2002)
6. "Words" (with Melanie Gabriel) (2004)
7. "From The Heart" (Released on Long Tale Recordings) (2010)