Rap is music created by those who express their thoughts through rap. Rappers rap about real-life problems they are facing and what life throws at them.
Rappers do not use a large vocabulary or complex beats for rap songs. They rap only for the sheer purpose of telling their stories. If one ever wondered how rappers could get over great, they may watch how they rap.
Every rap has a flow to it, and every rap has the meaning and emotions of the song encoded in every word. It is also important to notice no chords, scales, or other instruments are used in rap.
These rappers are so good at getting over everything from anger to hurt that they end up standing out from the crowd. Rap music has a powerful impact on millions of people around the world and in Uganda, the footprint has been highly evocative.
That above is no diss to other genres of music in Uganda. As BFE Media, we love dancehall, reggae, Afro-beats and all other forms of music, but we just happen to think hip-hop is the best and we have 10 reasons to prove it.
1. The Lyrics
No other genre of music packs as many multi-layered, dual-meaning and witty lyrics in three minute and 30 second songs. Seriously, picture Iryn Namubiru singing: “I should probably just date that Nsimbi boy, ’cause I also got all the money, boy.”
2. The Slangs
Part of what makes rap lyrics so appealing is the slang that MCs use to paint their picture. Spitters like Zamba have created a language that everyone uses, so keep that in mind the next time your grandmother says “Ani Aluleeta?”
3. The Fashion
No doubt hip-hop has been influencing everyday fashion since the 1980s. So when you see almost everyone with fitted hats on their heads, bling bling under their necks, others putting on hoodies and you’ll understand the influence.
4. The Dances
Whether it’s the Wop, the Dougie, twerking, the Nae Nae, or the Shmoney Dance, hip-hop creates the coolest moves around. Don’t fight us on this.
5. The Battles
There is no other genre of music as competitive as hip-hop. Not only is there a robust battle scene, even the biggest rap stars in the USA go at it: Jay Z vs. Nas, 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule. In Uganda we have seen a lot of that including that Mulekwa vs St Nellysade or Baba vs Ibraw battles. If Sheebah and Spice Diana were MCs, one of them would’ve surely dropped the ether by now.
6. So Many Collaborations
As competitive as hip-hop music is, there is no other genre that collaborates more. Not only do rappers lend their voices to artists outside of the genre (Keko on Radio and Weasel`s “How We Do It” and Navio on Bobi Wine’s “Number One”), hip-hop artists also know how to make a great posse cut especially in cyphers. In what other form of Uganda music are artists as big as GNL Zamba, Ruyonga, Navio and Keko make songs together? We’ll wait.
7. Social Voice
Rappers often get criticized for glorifying violence and praising materialism, and while it’s all true, those criticisms only tell a part of the story. MCs like Babaluku, St Nellysade, GNL Zamba, Judas Rap Knowledge are just a few of Ugandan rappers who use their voice to speak on social issues and what`s affecting many Ugandans.
8. Aliases
Not only do rap artists have the best names, they also have the best aliases. Zamba has GNL aka Mr Amaizing, aka, Ani Aluleeta, aka Kyapa Ku Buli Continent, and Ghetto Story Teller and initially in attempts to change it all to just “G” similar to what American rapper Big Boi who has aliases like Daddy Fat Sacks, a.k.a. Lucious Left Foot a.k.a. Billy ocean a.k.a. Francis the Savannah Chitlin Pimp takes the crown.
9. Commercial Appeal
When Ugandan big companies want to hawk their products, more often than not they’re calling on your favourite rapper. There have been a number of corny rap commercials, but when they get it right, it really works.
10. GNL Zamba
Forget hip-hop, Zamba is the coolest dude in Ugandan music. He’s married to Miriam Tamar, friends with almost everyone in the art industry. He’s still delivering top-notch music, organises hip-hop nights at his newly revamped BFE while ushering in new talents at the label that also doubles as a media company that is dedicated to uplifting East Africa`s Hip-hop and continually raising the bar for his contemporaries not forgetting the mentorship he gave to his former two signees, Mun G and Big Trill who are now some of the biggest names in Uganda`s music industry
