{{Short description|Ugandan musician (born 1988)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Naira Ali | image = Naira Ali portrait 04.jpg | native_name_lang = lg | birth_name = Nabattu Naira Ali | alias = Naira Ali | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|12|05}} | birth_place = Masindi District | occupation = Songwriter, musician, performer | label = Purple Chord Africa }} '''Nabattu Naira Ali''' (born 5 December 1988) best known as '''Naira Ali''', is a Ugandan musician and performer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ugandan artistes that are under-celebrated |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/1509358 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=2000 Ugandans to attend UNAA convention |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/1497856 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Platform |first=Ugmuziki Online Audio Streaming |date=2022-05-07 |title=Naira Ali Biography, Her Music Profile, Age, Education, Husband, Real Name, Net Worth - ugmuziki.com |url=https://www.ugmuziki.com/artists/naira-ali |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Ugmuziki Online Audio Streaming Platform |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-28 |title=Ugandan music industry has developed massively, says Naira Ali – Kampala Sun |url=https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/ugandan-music-industry-has-developed-massively-says-naira-ali/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531145131/https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/ugandan-music-industry-has-developed-massively-says-naira-ali/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Early childhood and education == Nabattu was born on 5 December 1988 to Ssesanga Ali and Ssesanga Hawa,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Luggya |first=Jude |date=2015-01-23 |title=Date with a celeb : Naira Ali talks music and motherhood – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201501/four-one-one/date-with-a-celeb-naira-ali-talks-music-and-motherhood.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> She is from the ''Enjovu'' (which means Elephant) clan in Buganda.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mutabuza |first=Elijah |date=2021-02-06 |title=Who is Naira Ali? Things You Didn't Know About Her |url=https://timesuganda.com/who-is-naira-ali-things-you-didnt-know-about-her/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Times Ug |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130111356/https://timesuganda.com/who-is-naira-ali-things-you-didnt-know-about-her/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
She got her primary education at a Muslim Girls Primary School and was awarded her Ordinary level certificate in 2004 at East High School. She was a member of the East High School entertainment club, known as "Da Bliss Club".<ref name=":5" />
In 2006 she obtained her A level certificate at Kibibi Secondary School, where she served as an entertainment prefect.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" />
In 2012 she graduated with a Bachelors of Industrial and Fine Art, majoring in graphics and fashion desiging from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts (MTSIFA) at Makerere University.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" />
A mother,<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=chimplyf |date=2017-10-17 |title='I Can't Wait to get Pregnant Again'- Naira Ali |url=https://chimpreports.com/i-cant-wait-to-get-pregnant-again-naira-ali/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=ChimpReports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BigEyeUg3 |date=2017-12-08 |title=Naira Ali reveals her age, it will leave you shocked. |url=http://bigeye.ug/naira-ali-reveals-age-will-leave-shocked/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=BigEye.UG |language=en-US}}</ref> Nabattu relocated to the US in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruby |first=Josh |date=2022-04-03 |title=Naira Ali Reportedly Returning to Uganda |url=http://mbu.ug/2022/04/03/naira-ali-reportedly-returning-to-uganda/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=sqoopadmin |date=2022-04-02 |title=Naira Ali returning – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/202204/four-one-one/naira-ali-returning.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-28 |title=Naira Ali, Kenzo to perform in USA – Kampala Sun |url=https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/naira-ali-kenzo-to-perform-in-usa/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131160830/https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/naira-ali-kenzo-to-perform-in-usa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fans demand for Iryn Namubiru show following successful Juliana concert |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/141563 |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Music career === She wrote and recorded her first song with Dove MC at the age of 14 in True Vine Studios {{Sic|hide=y}}and produced by Didi in 2001.<ref name=":2" /> She was signed by Purple Chord Africa, a music company, in 2015.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruby |first=Josh |date=2021-10-01 |title=Naira Ali showcases her rich lifestyle in 'Bukodyo' visuals |url=http://mbu.ug/2021/10/01/naira-ali-showcases-her-rich-lifestyle-in-bukodyo-visuals/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2019 she performed at the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) convention which was aimed at promoting cultural diversity and economic empowerment through creating a strong diaspora community. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago alongside other musicians, including Kenneth Mugabi, Jose Chameleon, and John Blaq.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mugalu |first=Moses |date=2019-04-03 |title=Ugandans brace for 31st UNAA convention |url=https://observer.ug/news/headlines/60300-ugandans-brace-for-31st-unaa-convention |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=The Observer – Uganda |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ogwal |first=Lawrence |date=2019-07-18 |title=Artistes John Blaq, Geo Steady, Naira Ali and Fille denied USA visas – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201907/four-one-one/artistes-john-blaq-geo-steady-naira-ali-and-fille-denied-usa-visas.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BigEyeUg3 |date=2019-05-02 |title=2019 Annual UNAA Convention Launched |url=http://bigeye.ug/2019-annual-unaa-convention-launched/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=BigEye.UG |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Music albums ===
* "Sounds of Naira Ali"<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Muhindo |first=Clare |date=2015-05-22 |title=Naira Ali unveils album at listeners party today – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201505/news/events/naira-ali-unveils-album-at-listeners-party-today.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> * "I am Naira Ali" was released in 2018<ref name=":2" /> * "Naira Ali" was released in 2020<ref name=":2" />
=== Singles === Her singles include;
* Okikola Otya<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5"/> which was her breakthrough single * Binyuma<ref name=":0" /> * Masala<ref name=":0" /> * Shy Girl feat. Bafana<ref name=":0" /> * Nakupenda<ref name=":0" /> * Sikyalinda<ref name=":0" /> * Serial Killer<ref name=":0" />
== Awards and recognition ==
* In 2009, she was among the top 10 finalists for Tusker Project Fame.<ref name=":2" /> * In 2009, she was the best central and southern up-and-coming artist at the Diva Music Awards.<ref name=":2" />
== Other activities and achievements == Naira has always supported Music For Life Africa (MULIA) Foundation Children. MULIA organises annual charity concerts under different themes on which they raise funds to support vulnerable children with talents and also the Mulia Cultural Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buule |first=Kizito Moses |date=2022-12-05 |title=MULIA Foundation Children organizes Charity Education Concert at Collins Hotel Mukono |url=https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20221205/146324/mulia-foundation-children-organizes-charity-education-concert-at-collins-hotel-mukono.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Watchdog Uganda |language=en-GB}}</ref>
She owns Global Datacard, a graphics design and printing company.<ref name=":5" />
== Controversies == Nabattu was born into a Muslim family; her father Ssesanga Ali allegedly denounced and disowned her for singing the song titled "Sinze" which is a gospel song. She responded to this by assuring that she "believes in God."<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Muhindo |first=Clare |date=2015-12-18 |title=Naira Ali unbothered by family's reaction over new gospel hit – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201512/four-one-one/naira-ali-unbothered-by-familys-reaction-over-new-gospel-hit.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2019, Naira Ali together with other artists who included Fille Mutoni, John Blaq and Geosteady were allegedly denied US visas to perform at the UNAA convention because they lacked performing permits.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crispus |first=Mugisha |date=2019-07-20 |title=Panic in USA after 5 Ugandan artistes, comedians are denied Visas |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/2019/07/20/panic-in-usa-after-5-ugandan-artistes-comedians-are-denied-visas/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Nile Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kisakye |first=Allen |date=2019-07-19 |title=UNAA: Artistes John Blaq, Fille, Geosteady to travel as planned |url=https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/showbiz/20190719/72726/unaa-artistes-john-blaq-fille-geosteady-to-travel-as-planned.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Watchdog Uganda |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== See also == *Jose Chameleone *Nandor Love *Fik Gaza *Alien Skin *Azawi *Bebe Cool *Keem Fame Rich
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Naira}} Category:1988 births Category:Ugandan women Category:21st-century Ugandan women singers Category:Living people