Within this East African Country resides a booming and thriving music scene that consists of Ugandan rappers. Within this untapped market of Ugandan rap artists is an opportunity for true hip hop heads from around the continent to embrace the Ugandan hip hop culture, along with the culture of Uganda itself.
Though not a moderately small country, the country of Uganda only holds about 45 million people with a large percentage of the population living in or near the city of Kampala. With a smaller population compared to other countries with well known rap scenes, the roster of Ugandan rappers is not as prominent as Uganda’s African counterparts, but it is on the rise.
While pop music in Uganda may outshine Ugandan hip hop, due to the fact there are continental or regional pop stars who hail from Uganda unlike the Ugandan rap scene, there is no doubt the fastest growing genre consists of Ugandan rappers.
Today, there is roster of over twenty top Ugandan rappers artists from various backgrounds in one of the world’s most diverse rap and hip hop scenes. While artists like GNL Zamba, Keko, Navio, Ruyonga among others are some of the most known rappers, there are numerous underground and up and coming artist that are just as talented that prompted us to make a list of the Top 10 Fast-Rising Rappers To watch out for in 2023 and here is our next candidate.
Hoffeim Byenkya
Hoffein Byenkya real name Kweku Louis Byenkya Argonyo was born and raised in Uganda but Ghananian by Origin. He lost his mother (Byenkya Fatuma) in his early childhood and so he grew up with a single father( Gameli Joseph Argonyo),the king to his castle who was once an SC Villa player in the early 90’s.
Hoffein says that his dad lost himself ever since the death of his beloved wife in the early 20’s and since he was a traveller, he wasn’t always there for the family making Hoffeim to live a highly challenging childhood.
“I had my studies in alot of schools during my primary section since I used to shift in different areas of my relative places but the most iconic schools that triggered my love for Hip-hop music where Mengo Primary and Alpha and Omega Primary school”
While at Mengo Primary, Hoffeim says that they used to have rap battles during lunch time in form of rhyming were each rapper had to alter out lyrics of his beloved rappers.
“Using GNL’s Koi Koi hit song and then the late Nampere Mulekwa’s “Radio” song I knocked out each and every participant. I remember winning all battles I got involved in”, Hoffein notes.
“I always wonder how rappers GNL Zamba and Mulekwa could twist words like they did in those songs and I got intrigued. I Listened to “Story Ya Luka” too and the dude(GNL) was so unreal and since I loved doing challenging work, I give it a try and good enough I found out that (rap) it was a talent hidden inside me”.
Hoffein notes that he had hardships during his times of schooling due to school fees and other stuff but luckily enough with God by his side, he was able to acquire a bursary as he was good at playing football. Its through football therefore that his playmates nicknamed him his now stage name “Hoffein”, derived from a one football club in Germany under almost the same name as he used to train in that football club`s Jersey.
“During my Secondary school at A Level I wrote ma first full song entitled “lito”. With the help of my best friend we recorded it using a phone recorder and a speaker which was used as sound for the instrumental”, Hoffeim notes.
The young rapper says that he looks up to rappers like Gnl, Big Sam Yiga, the late Nampera Mulekwa & the late American rapper 2pac.
“My first song recorded in studio was “Dear Mama” which is in memory of my late mother. I couldn’t control the pain and I always felt like I needed to be heard and Hip-Hop was the only way I could express the love I have for her since I missed her lots”.
” I wrote this song in bits since my form 6 and by God on my side I was able to accomplish ma mission whereby I released both the audio and video last year 2022″.
The “dear Mama” audio was produced by Abrah keyz and Mungu Jean-Marrie from Chord Africa in Makindye and the video was directed by Still breezy beats.
Hoffein says that he has some new projects dropping soon this year and we all just just cant wait indeed.
“I know I am a younger rapper with fortune, a hard worker with dreams to put footprints on UG’s Hip-hop and I always show Peace Love & respect for all Legendary rappers that have laid down bricks to build the something we desire and love so much”, he ends.
