User:James Diner/sandbox

Joseph Watema (born 13 January 1994), better known as Monténégro, is a Ugandan singer-songwriter, mostly recognized for creating the art rock project I'm a 7.

Early life and education
Watema was born to parents Samuel and Diana Mupiiti, and has two brothers and two half brothers. He grew up in Kampala, Uganda with his nuclear family. Watema attended the prestigious St Mary's College, Kisubi which he credits for having aroused his "curiosity with regards to performing arts, given that Literature in English was a compulsory subject at the school". He climaxed his secondary education from Vienna College Namugongo in Wakiso district.

I'm a 7
Monténégro formulated the concept of I'm a 7 in 2015, three years after graduating from high school. He would then shortly go on to jam with Zia Khalid, a childhood friend, over an acoustic five-piece original set. Monténégro then posted the five acoustic pieces on Deezer. Soon, he conceived the idea of releasing a low fidelity LP and thereafter embarked on a year-long countdown to the release date of their debut album; via the act's Facebook page. He enlisted sessionists to aid him in performing and recording wr0kgdu in different make-shift studios installed at various locations including sessionists' residences, Alliance Francaise center in Kampala and St Paul's Cathedral Namirembe's backyard. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered from September 2015 to January 2016, and was finally released on July 7th 2016.

Genres and influences
Watema's work with I'm a 7 has been acclaimed by local critics as "genre-busting" music. I'm a 7's debut album showcases a stylistic image that would see the act come off as "funk-infested 'feel good' rockers, rythm and blues traditionalists, 50s-rock and roll revivalists, folk pilgrims, heavy rock enthusiasts, alternative conformists, and ultimately experimental nomads." Monténégro has cited artists ranging; from retro acts to futuristic pioneers, spanning a broad array of styles. During various interviews, Monténégro has consistently said of the following artists to have influenced his artistry;  aesthetically,  vocally, historically, and  philosophically, respectively. Namely: Elvis Presley, the Bee Gees, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Roxy Music.

Personal life
Joseph Watema is a non-denominational christian. He has professed to possess a Biblical worldview that permeates both his art and daily life. Watema lives with his parents in Kawanda, Wakiso.

Studio albums

 * wr0kgdu (2016)