How did you become an emcee?
My inspiration came from the Luga Flow Movement (Luga stands for Luganda, a local dialect widely spoken in Uganda though concentrated in central). The first time I heard a track in Luganda, I felt that it was part of me and since then the urge to be part of the movement grew.
My inspiration came from the Luga Flow Movement (Luga stands for Luganda, a local dialect widely spoken in Uganda though concentrated in central). The first time I heard a track in Luganda, I felt that it was part of me and since then the urge to be part of the movement grew.
Who are the Luganda rappers that touched you most?
I look at the legendary Bataka Squad (Babaluku and Sabasaba), Kwesto & Delax Ibraw, The New Hope Squad, Abeganda, and Sylvester & Abramz among others.
I started by organizing the Hiphop Nights then mastered the art of emceeing.
When did you start hosting the Hip hop Nights?
I was inspired in 2005 but became active in 2008 when hiphop was life.
Do you still host the Hiphop Nights?
I no longer organize Hiphop Nights. I organise and host the End of the Weak MC Challenge, which gathers the best of the best emcees and puts them to test.
I no longer organize Hiphop Nights. I organise and host the End of the Weak MC Challenge, which gathers the best of the best emcees and puts them to test.
End of the Weak (EOW) is a global hiphop movement that has established itself as an undeniable force on the hiphop music scene in North America to date EOW has organized events in the U.K., France, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, and Uganda. Now, members of the EOW family keep a finger on the pulse of the hiphop scene all over the world.
As a person that has organised lots hiphop shows, what have they done in developing hiphop in Kampala?
It has provided a platform for emcees in Uganda not just Kampala, the capital city, but to the West, the East and the North. The global connection is one aspect that am proud of.
It has provided a platform for emcees in Uganda not just Kampala, the capital city, but to the West, the East and the North. The global connection is one aspect that am proud of.
Let us now delve on the Luga Flow Army… Who is it made of?
A group of Five Members namely Cyno MC, St. Nelly-Sade, Fasie MC, Foever MC and I, Bana.
A group of Five Members namely Cyno MC, St. Nelly-Sade, Fasie MC, Foever MC and I, Bana.
Luga Flow Army, a rap group that fronts and protects the uniqueness of rapping and emceeing in local languages.
How many albums has the group done?
We are completing our first Album before the end year.
We are completing our first Album before the end year.
What is the title of the album?
We still have a number of options for titles to call it. But before we make the final decision, I cannot mention anything.
We still have a number of options for titles to call it. But before we make the final decision, I cannot mention anything.
Give us a hint of what the album is touching or the issues being raised?
We have released some tracks like Competition in a response and a reminder to local group that did Competition is dead.
We have released some tracks like Competition in a response and a reminder to local group that did Competition is dead.
Tuvudde Wansi means that we no longer underground emcees. We are taking the mainstream.
Other tracks include Ejje lyo which means your army, and the latest Ntalo that means war.
Away from the group up-coming album; you did a song called A Letter to Babaluku. What is it about?
First, A letter to Babaluku is a promo single off a mixtape that am finalizing called Uganda Passport.
First, A letter to Babaluku is a promo single off a mixtape that am finalizing called Uganda Passport.
The song is about the founder of the term Luga Flow. We call him the Grand of Luga Flow. Since 2009, I was like the next man to him (Babaluku) but when I left Bavubuka Foundation that he directs, things got bad between us. We no longer talk yet we were best friends. So, I decided to appreciate him through writing a letter putting my feeling to it.
I said all from the bottom of my heart that would fit a letter addressed to him. I am still stuck in the sense that, I don’t know yet if he will reply. I have only put my 2’s in the air for peace between us to prevail.
Do you think your friendship will get back to what it was before?
I don’t really think so. God knows. I guess life had to be like this.
I don’t really think so. God knows. I guess life had to be like this.
What was the cause of tension?
You know two kings can’t rule the same kingdom. I had to focus on the future of the End of the Weak – Uganda. So, I had to move on.
You know two kings can’t rule the same kingdom. I had to focus on the future of the End of the Weak – Uganda. So, I had to move on.
We can talk about your mixtape Uganda Passport that is underway. What is it about?
About me wanting to be a Global citizen but with a UGANDA PASSPORT. It has tracks like letter to Babaluku, Walk to Work, and You belong to me – all are in Luganda.
About me wanting to be a Global citizen but with a UGANDA PASSPORT. It has tracks like letter to Babaluku, Walk to Work, and You belong to me – all are in Luganda.
Where is it being produced?
My producer is Psalm of Bamboo 311.
My producer is Psalm of Bamboo 311.
We move to Ugandan hiphop in general. What are the challenges that Uganda hiphop is facing today?
The biggest challenge is that Uganda hasn’t fully accepted rap/hiphop in the local languages/dialects especially the media (televisions and radios) and the corporate community.
The biggest challenge is that Uganda hasn’t fully accepted rap/hiphop in the local languages/dialects especially the media (televisions and radios) and the corporate community.
The other challenge is many Ugandan mainstream hiphop artists wanna be Americans or Nigerians. This creates a very negative picture for what is represented as Ugandan hiphop in the media.
How can the above problems be changed?
Advocacy is imperative. We are a growing culture so we need to stay true to ourselves and time will tell. Let us more forums, more real hiphop platforms also teach the coming generation of what is good and bad. Then the future of Ugandan hiphop will be bright.
Advocacy is imperative. We are a growing culture so we need to stay true to ourselves and time will tell. Let us more forums, more real hiphop platforms also teach the coming generation of what is good and bad. Then the future of Ugandan hiphop will be bright.
