Nicole Mullen performs in Kampala

NICOLE C. Mullen is the only African-American who has won the prestigious Song of the Year award at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards in the US (Gospel music’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards) twice.

First in 1998 for On My Knees and in 2001 for Redeemer, which won her the Songwriter of the Year Award for 2001.

Her music is a unique blend of funk, R&B, pop, which she calls “funkability”. It is enjoyed by the young and old alike, black and white, pop and urban, among other apparently parallel groups.

Her lyrics have been described as, “cries from the heart; expressed to promote healing in a painful world by preaching that Christianity is the medicine and cure for the pain.”

Mullen put up a spectacular at the Love Kampala Festival at Kololo Airstrip. Hands were seen moving in every direction as she performed her popular song, the Redeemer during the free-of-charge festival on Sunday.This was not Mullen’s first time in Uganda. Few born-again Christians have forgotten her explosive performance at Christian Life Church, Bwaise in late 2004 and another one when she secretly appeared at the Speke Hotel in Munyonyo Kampala.
I must say,i have been lucky because i have covered all her concerts.Its at the base of this that i took a picture with her and her husband David Mullen. In 2004,When she went back to the US, she said coming to Uganda had made her realize that the poor “are spiritually blessed because they can witness first-hand the hand of God.”

She is a boisterous performer who, when not serenely worshipping on Redeemer and When I Call on Jesus, skittishly going about the stage in praise.

She is very active in charity. She established a mentor group for girls called The Baby Girls Club, which meets every Wednesday for fellowship, singing, dancing, eating, and craftmaking.

She and her husband, David Mullen, are youth leaders in their local church and they participate in Kids Across America summer camp for inner-city (disadvantaged Ghetto) youth.

Mullen is also active with the International Needs Network Ghana, an organisation that works to free Trokosi slaves in Ghana.

Born on January 3, 1967 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was raised in a Christian and musical family. Her mother who “prayed a lot,” had an enduring influence on her spirituality, as did her grandmother who taught her to blend singing with dancing.