As the prominence of African hip-hop artists has spread throughout the continent, so have we seen the emergence of influential artists in the diaspora. Particularly interesting, is to further examine the increasing popularity of contemporary Ugandan rappers in the diaspora and how their style of musical expression often conveys their experiences of being of African heritage, while living abroad and attempting the arduous challenge of achieving success in the hip hop industry.
Common themes seen within the music of African artists in the diaspora include commentary on social issues such as racism, prejudice, exclusiveness and, as well as topics of identity and heritage.
Ugandan rapper and Grime MC from North London Double S is an artist who serves as a great example of the variety of musicians that can be found in the diaspora, having his own individual style and expression. Yet, his lyrical content often conveys similar messages surrounding black empowerment, feeling like an outsider, racism, and social issues; emphasizing the responsibility that many African artists in the diaspora feel over challenging stereotypes and the importance of social activism and engaging in civil society through popular culture.
Those who are not familiar with what Grime music is, its a UK-based genre which draws in elements of reggae, dance and rap music, developed around 2002 in London, evolving from the club music of the time, predominately Jungle and UK Garage.
Double S was part of the Grime collective Marvell, which is part of Alwayz Recordings and in 2008, he was regarded as one of the Grime’s scene’s artists to watch out for in the March 2008 issue of Rwdmag where he stated that his motivation to do well came from a year in Uganda where he saw a lot of youths that he is much more fortunate than.
As one of the founders of Tottenham’s Shoddy Crew, Double S picked up kudos for his fast lyrical flow, joined the music group Marvell and toured extensively with Skepta, doing Grime rap while maintaining his African roots and using his art as a vehicle for social and political commentary in some.
Born in Uganda as Bashir Bazanye and raised in England, the majority of his career accomplishments as an artist, MC, and poet have occurred during his time living in England, where he has had a fair amount of success, winning numerous Uganda Diaspora and AFRIMA awards, including “Best Hip Hop Single” and “Best male rapper ” who has already done songs with prominent figures like English female iconic rapper Stefflon Don, famous rapper Chipmunk whom they reside together in Tottenham and have toured with simultaneously. Also doing collaborative projects with Ugandan artists Eddy Kenzo and Rickman.
In 2018, Double S says to have got a phone call to be part of a song called “Wavey” by famous producer Cliq that saw him receive a plaque of 200,000 records that got sold in United Kingdom making him the only African Artist living in the diaspora to have ever reached that mark.
As a teenager he used to take regular visits to pirate radio stations Axe FM and Heat FM, in which he used to showcase his talent as an active member of his former crew Shoddy Crew. During the summer of 2004, Double S went away for a year to he’s home country Uganda for extenuating circumstances, returning in 2005 to become one of the Grime scene’s most promising young talents.
Below is a freestyle he did in 2008 with Chipmunk, Vertex and Shocka at prominent British DJ`s show Tim Westwood:
