Coopy Bly was born Emmanuel Edwin Kusaasira on December 5, 1989 to Patrick and Justine Buyinza. Together with his sister, the two of them were raised by their parents in a Christian family setting in Makindye, on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda. Coopy Bly’s musical talent was first exposed when he led campfire songs at his first scouting camp in his primary school days. He was then inspired to join the school choir for the last two years of primary school.
In 2003, after joining secondary school, Coopy Bly took advantage of both his parents working in the UK at the time to pursue his music dream, knowing very well they would not fully support his music alongside his academics. Using his savings from his pocket money, Coopy Bly recorded his first song ‘Shiny money’ from Dream Studios and returned to school the following term excited and eager to have his friends listen to his song. In the same year, 2005, Coopy recorded his 3rd song ‘Glorify’ which was quite popular for the following 2 years, giving him the chance to perform at gospel shows with big gospel artists of the time, including one of his role models, Martin Sseku.
Coopy Bly then recorded the reggae song ‘Ghetto Love’, and with it shot his first music video in 2006. ‘Ghetto Love’ managed to get good airplay in EATV, East Africa’s premier music television channel.
By 2010, Coopy Bly had recorded more than 9 songs and was looking forward to completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences at the University so he could have a lot more time for his music career. In the same year, Coopy Bly released ‘Bwaka’, a song hitting at homosexuality and other vices in society, reminding people that judgment day is near. ‘Bwaka’ was a massive hit and was considered by many as his break-out song, getting a lot of radio airplay and accumulating TV and Radio appearances for Coopy Bly. Coopy Bly went ahead and released other hit songs such as ‘Kulunga’ and ’Kumbaya’.
In 2011 Coopy Bly released hit song called ‘Nyweza’ which got him nominated for several awards including Olive Gospel Awards, Buzz Teenies Awards and Groove Awards in Kenya. The music video of Nyweza became so popular that it crossed over to secular music circles, making Coopy Bly recognised throughout East Africa.
On the 6th of May, Coopy Bly launched his album at Watoto Central in Kampala, performing a number of live songs, including number one hit ‘Sidda Mukyalo’ to the full house that were in attendance.
In 2012 Coopy Bly toured around Europe performing in a number of schools, churches and public shows throughout Germany and The Netherlands. After his tour he was nominated for a number of awards in the ‘Olive Gospel Awards’ and was crowned ‘Best Male Artist of the Year 2012-2013’.
In February 2013, Coopy Bly released the music video of ‘Sidda Mukyalo’ which got massive airplay and a positive response throughout East Africa. This cemented his status as an indomitable artist lyricist in East Africa, and he was nominated as ‘Best Male Artist- East Africa’ in the ‘Africa Gospel Awards’ held in the UK. In 2013 Coopy Bly also performed on the same stage with International Artists including Sho Baraka, Benjah, Kris Erroh, Pompi, Mag44 and ‘Daddy Owen’.
He has since continued to release hit songs including ‘Genau’, ‘Anjagala’, ‘I Do’, ‘Muve Mundolo’, ‘Fire’ and ‘Lwokano’ amongst others which he will be released on his second album this year, 2014. Coopy Bly as produced collaborations with several other gospel artists including Sseku Martin, Voltage, Sifa Boys, Katalina and many others. Coopy Bly has been featured in numerous different magazines including ‘The Beat’ and several newspapers. He has been invited for several TV and radio interviews as well as shows at prestigious venues including ‘Namboole- Mandela National Stadium’.
Coopy Bly is just starting his journey in the music industry; however he is still considered one of the most influential youthful gospel artists in Uganda. In the past year he has also had great success in appealing to older generations because of his style and deep, meaningful lyrics.
When asked what he has planned for his fans this year (2014), Coopy Bly quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9; ‘What no ear has heard, no eye has seen, no human mind has conceived, what God as prepared for those who love him’. Coopy Bly is expected to launch his second album in 2014, after shooting a number of music videos, including ‘Onsalangako’, ‘Anjagala’, ‘I Do’ and ‘Kilo’. So stay tuned for what is expected to be a big year for Ugandan Gospel artist, Coopy Bly.
