Lumix Da Don

Lumix Da Don
Background information
Birth name	Patrick Lumumba
Born	(1978-02-21)February 21, 1978
Origin	Kampala, Uganda
Died	July 13, 2015(2015-07-13) (aged 37)
Genres	Hip Hop/Luo Rap
Occupation(s)	Hip Hop Emcee/Producer
Years active	1995–2015
Labels	Valley Curve Recordz
Associated acts	Easy Tex, Tha Rawfam, NL Squad, D-Trick, Phillo, Nob D, The Disciples of Apocalypse
Website	http://www.reverbnation.com/valleycurverecordz

Lumix Da Don

Lumix Da Don a.k.a Patrick Lumumba (February 21, 1978 – July 13, 2015) was an underground Ugandan rapper, record producer, founder and CEO of Valley Curve Recordz. He is also the producer with the most singles produced and recorded in Uganda. Although he was Northern Uganda's most visible personality, he stayed low-key in the Central parts of Uganda. He remained famous among the Old School emcees and some of the hardest Hip Hop fans.

Lumix is one of the best freestyle emcees that the African continent might hear in decades. Most of Lumix’s singles were either freestyles or were written 5–10 minutes before being recorded. Due to his catchy - crystal clear rhyme delivery techniques, Lumix Da Don earned his place as the most quoted artiste in Uganda.

Career

Lumix Da Don started his career in Jinja College School in Jinja district in the Eastern part of Uganda. While at Jinja College, he participated in rap contests where he proved he could have a place in the temple of Hip Hop. He started out with a group known as SNAG N' O and later on formed the Disciples of Apocalypse(DOA).

Lumix was also one of the founding fathers of Hip Hop in Uganda at large.^[1] This involved him going out and rapping in different night spots in Kampala in the company of other emcees like Lyrical G, Krazy Native a.k.a Saba Saba, Saint CA, Easy Tex, MC Yalla, Sylvester and Abrahams among others.

He is known to have won rap battles in Uganda that were organized at Club Silk making him 3 time battle winner for 3 years (1998, 1999 and 2000) consecutively.

In 2003, he recorded his first song titled "Get Down" but felt something was lacking in the production. He then embarked on mastering the art of production thus creating his own sound.

By 2005, he had fully baked a 14 track album titled "Inpe Ngeyo" literally translating to (You Don’t Know Me) from which he garnered a massive following in Northern Uganda. Lumix Da Don Single handedly made Hip Hop an Urban genre to be appreciated by the rural people. He then became so widely known for his catchy and crystal clear rhymes.

Production Style

He is arguably the best Hip Hop producer in Uganda and most likely Africa at large. Lumix's beats when listened to had a flavour to the string that would be quite catchy in melody. He mastered the art of production and therefore had a series of Hardcore Hip Hop emcees following his lead. The long catalogue of emcees included NL Squad(YBP,Tim Tovi and Big Pryce), Tha Rawfam, Detroit, D-Trick, Detroit, Fx, GNL Zamba, Lyrical G, Nob D, GOC(Guys Of Controversy), Heights, Fellipe amongst others.

His production prowess got him a slot as an Executive producer for the “Hip Hop Canvas” in 2006 in which a couple of emcees were involved. Some of them included Lyrical G, The LuoAncestors (Gipir and Labong), Emma Katya, Saint CA,Krazy Native and Easy Tex among others.

Lawraid Vibes, Easy Tex, Oukins, and Junior Lee are some producers that are known to have been mentored by Lumix Da Don. Many have made careers off his mentorship. Easy Tex is now a producer with DEG(Deuces Entertainment Group), Lawraid has been helping build careers in multiple studio’s including Urban Aksent, Junior Lee migrated to South Sudan and is running a studio there. Another notable emcee that grew under Lumix’s watch is GNL for whom Lumix mentored and produced for “Omusajja” in 2005. GNL now runs “Baboon Forest” a record label in Uganda.

Quotes

Lumix also unmatched poetical lyrical ability is often manifested in his rhymes. Below are some of his quotes;

Am a man now no turning back, you know the river don’t flow backwards - Lumix Da Don (Single: Incredible)

I reminisce the days I was younger, I dreamt of being a pilot that was my plot. But now look at me striking like thunder. Choosing a microphone was never a blunder. Am famous now - Lumix Da Don (Single: Life ft D-Trick)

My energy, I spend on positive things then wait for what the positive brings – Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

Patience pays and when you get paid and then it stays – Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

I have been slinging microphones all my life. Good things come to those that hustle. I will survive – Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

Everyday reminds me of loses. I peruse through my phone book hoping to find a name. Somebody that can bail me out in case shit came. No name on my visual so I gotta do the usual. Me against the rest, I gotta be the best. Put myself to test and yes I will thrive – Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

Put me on any steering wheel and I will drive and safely I arrive - Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

Am not scared of dying but am scared of dying broke. Am frightened by how time runs on the clock - Lumix Da Don (Single: Dreaming ft D-Trick, Philo)

You can never keep a good man down; you can never deny a real king his crown - Lumix Da Don (Single: Imagine ft D-Trick, Philo and Tpops)

I came here to fumigate, get rid of rapper snakes that Imitate. You irritate - Lumix Da Don (Single: Imagine ft D-Trick, Philo)

I might just be one of the best to do this well. Listen then you can tell the difference between a Pro and amateur - Lumix Da Don (Single: My Way)

I make music for those that bounce but can’t dance - Lumix Da Don (Single: Imagine ft D-Trick, Philo and Tpops)

I will take anybody that runs his mouth about VC(Valley Curve), break you like a wack rapper CD - Lumix Da Don (Single: Mathematics ft D-Trick, Philo)

One emcee from VC is harder than 20 Baboons up in the forest. Halla at me monkeys - Lumix Da Don (Single: Mathematics ft D-Trick, Philo)

After this track, emcees will need medication - Lumix Da Don (Single: Mathematics ft D-Trick, Philo)

This microphone is the source of my power. I rip rhymes by the hour - Lumix Da Don (Single: Imagine ft D-Trick, Philo and Tpops)

If you are feeling sick I know you are definitely healing - Lumix Da Don (Single: Try)

I spit fire burn up your empire. I came here to fumigate, get rid of rapper snakes that imitate. You irritate - Lumix Da Don (Single: Imagine ft D-Trick, Philo and Tpops)

I got hidden codes in my flow that you can never retrieve. Please believe you will bleed indeed. Should I Proceed? - Lumix Da Don (Single: Life)

I had to defy the odds just to slam on the board.I did it my way after they told me my music won't play - Lumix Da Don (Single: My Way)

In this lyrical framework, I attack with anger, it’s a miracle if you don't crack - Lumix Da Don (Single: Keep on Rising)

Every brand new day is a task to me but part of me, am never scared to take it on - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

Until that day when it's time to go, I remain yours truly. Still enjoying my glow - Lumix Da Don(Single: Easy)

I believed in myself that was my driving force. No need to pose and floss - Lumix Da Don(Single: Easy)

Every man on his own. Society respects you for what you own - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

Nothing is impossible where people worship money alot of them become canny n' funny, egotistical. No corruption? That’s impossible - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

You either make it or sink in misery - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

Even haters will remember the name. Am hated past the stars - Lumix Da Don (Single: Fame ft D Trick, Philo, Enygma)

My molecular structure is made of titanium - Lumix Da Don (Single: Fame ft D Trick, Phillo. Enygma)

L.U.M.I.X Da Don, am solid and am grown. My cover just got blown am famous - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

Am famous like the bible, famous like the Russian who made the AK47 riffle - Lumix Da Don (Single: Fame ft D-Trick, Phillo, Enygma)

My flow will take you back to the drawing board. War is what am bringing to the table - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

I will strive to survive any means necessary like them ancient missionaries - Lumix Da Don (Single: Easy)

This is the life that I chose; it’s my cross to carry. Uh huh! No hurry - Lumix Da Don (Single: Life ft D-Trick)

I spit flames burn emcees on their knees, smoking trees don't make you bigger - Lumix Da Don (Single: Incredible)

Don’t let people stress you to your grave. It’s your life to live so be brave - Lumix Da Don (Single: Life ft D-Trick)

Death

On 13 July 2015 at about 12:00 am, Lumix Da Don passed on due to Liver failure. He was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Laroo Division in Gulu district - Uganda.^[2]

His burial was epic as it's rumored that a school in Kitgum closed down for a while on the demise of the rapper as the moods there were very low. There was a 3-4 hour jam on Gulu – Juba road from about 11 pm (EAT) as thousands of fans gathered in disbelief while waiting for the body to arrive. His untimely death occurred at a time when most of the youth (students) were at school. It would have been even worse if the body arrived during day time. The numbers would be immeasurable.

On Wednesday (15 July 2015) morning the native Artiste's fund-raised for the legend through a car wash. The body was then taken to The District Council Hall for Public viewing for the whole day where thousands of fans paid their respects to him. It's also said that some businesses in the Gulu streets halted.

By 5 pm (EAT), there was a Football Match between the Artistes and Radio presenter's where all the funds raised were taken to the family. At about 9 pm there was a fundraiser concert where All Artiste's performed and the proceeds were passed to the family.

At 9 am (EAT) on Thursday (16 July 2015), prayers were held and by 1 pm (EAT) thousands flocked for the burial and there were performances at the burial scene.

It was said that Lumix Da Don is goin' to have a street/road named after his name. Lumix's picture is goin' to be stuck in the District Council Hall as one of Acholi greats. It's also said that there is goin' be a billboard in Center of Gulu Town in honor of the Legend.

Radio stations and individuals had also dedicated all their resources to playing Lumix's songs, tributes and the like. One of his last recorded singles "Try" went viral and is also a chat topper in the region.

"He (Lumix Da Don) liked Hip Hop; he introduced Hip Hop at the time many feared venturing in it. It was Hip Hop that my brother loved and no one in the family objected to it", said Ochan Ronald (Lumix's young brother)

Accolades and honors

In 2011, Lumix Da Don beat the odds s he was crowned as "Northern Uganda's Artiste of the Year"^[3] in Uganda's PAM (Pearl of Africa Music)Awards for the single "Dirty Job".

On 2 January 2016, he won a posthumous award for “Try” as the "Single of the Year" at the Northern Uganda Entertainment Awards (NUEA).

Lumix is also honored to be the foundation stone for hip hop in Northern Uganda and partly Uganda at large.

Condolences

Fans and the rap community in Uganda poured out their heart felt condolences to the fallen veteran Hip Hop general.^[4] Radio stations call logs were jammed as every fan wanted to say a word for him. Others did the same using the media platforms such as face book and twitter.

GNL Zamba had this to say; “He recorded my first demo for the songs yenze & Lukka on the Album koi koi at 3am after walking from ntinda centre with Easy teks to his house and we worked together on the Hip Hop canvass project.True Manhood song too, we Battled whenever we met, freestyled together. Lumix has been a true Pioneer of HipHop in Uganda. The loss of another Ntinda soldier, LugaFlow General, Friend and Ol'G. I will miss you Lumix.” Is what GNL Zamba posted on his Facebook page.^[5]

Another notable rapper Navio posted on his Facebook page; “Rest in Peace to the legend Lumix. An artist who came out of Gulu doing what he loved most - Hip hop. Rest in Peace to the Generale' Lumix!”

Discography

Lumix's works can be traced back to the following reverbnation page;

www.reverbnation.com/valleycurverecordz

References