By Emmanuel Obua(BFE Correspondent in Northern Uganda)
As some Ugandan rappers prioritize the accumulation of ‘clout’ over quality music, the industry’s growth seems to be at stake. This was made apparent when I heard an audio clip of a more experienced rap artist telling another younger rapper to focus more on becoming famous and attaining a huge following instead of actually investing in their artistry and working on their sound.
It felt disheartening, because although he had a valid point about people caring more about status rather than quality music, it seemed like a compromise of integrity that our industry might not be able to recover from. Though popular for a short time, trying to simply rely on one’s following to progress the hip hop world would only work for so long.
It would seem wise to establish more than just a wave of fans, but also create music with meaning, message, and value. What if we look at hip hop in a similar way to art and begin creating work with a sense of depth and meaning behind it? Not only could we begin to influence a wider array of people with our art, but also make a mark internationally. It might even give Ugandan rap artists an opportunity to challenge those who lead the international hip hop space.
With some Ugandan rappers seemingly focused more on creating catchy tunes that aim to generate clout and short-term fame rather than striving for lasting quality and relevance, there is cause for concern about the impact on the hip hop industry.
The pressure to become popular can lead to lazy hip hop releases which contain the same topics, but very little lyrical creativity. With a steady rise in rappers competing in the industry, Ugandan rappers must go the extra mile and set themselves apart from the crowd
It’s true that ‘popularity’ can be a difficult target to reach and we understand that as young artistes they are bound to face pressure from many quarters. However, rather than trying to acquire fame through their personality, fashion sense or even their behavior, we strongly believe it would be better for these young artistes to put their time and effort into the creative process and the musical substance.
The ‘clout chasing’ scene might bring some results for some of the performers, but there are a few examples of artistes, who have focused on delivering good music and creating impactful, meaningful content, that has had long lasting impressions and lasting value.
This brings to mind the great rappers like GNL. Zamba and St Nellysade , both known for their talents in conveying stories, their personalities, and beliefs through music. Such rappers with great content are no strangers to immense amounts of fame and popularity. Ultimately, hip hop in Uganda would benefit more if its creators prioritize substance over the trend of ‘clout’ .
