Pine Avenue 5, a Gulu based music label has denied allegations in the media that it bribed its way to win the HiPipo music competition.
The award was held at the Serena Hotel in Kampala on February 4. It attracted various artist and music groups including well known artists like Radio & Weasel.
At a press conference on Friday at the Northern Uganda Media Club, OJ Maxewel, one of the Pine Avenue singer said: ‘‘I don`t know why people don`t want to concede defeat. It is not true. But it [the award] will help me prove to them that I am worth this award,’’ said OJ Maxwell, one of the music stars signed under Pine Avenue.
The lanky Maxwell is a well-known artist in northern Uganda with popular hits like ‘‘Catchy Lover’’
The Daily Monitor on Friday had a cover story in its society page ‘‘Sqoop’’ in which two of its entertainment writers wrote of Pine Avenue 5’s win: ‘‘our source said Pine Avenue 5 dug deep into their pockets to carry the award home. It cost them Shs 500,000’’ read part of the story.
Pine Avenue says the allegations are untrue.
Founded in 2005 by Richard Okot , a London based Acholi man with an interest in music, Pine Avenue 5 has a Bungalow which acts as its offices in Pece division in Gulu municipality. The building also has a music production studio and rest rooms.
The spokesperson for label Felix Okun of the Gulu based music said they won because of having a big fan base.
‘‘How much money do we have that Radio and Weasel cannot get to buy this award?’’ Okun wondered while referring to music household names Radio & Weasel.
Okun added that Pine Avenue 5’s win is a honour for music lovers in northern Uganda. Artists signed under the label are established names in the northern Uganda music scene but are less known in Kampala and its society writers.
