Songs about struggle are a cornerstone of the genre. Brooding tales of desperation often become heralded classics. Everyone can relate to being down on one’s luck, and we all need motivation to get us through.
Hip-hop on the other hand is the music of the people, and the sound of grumbling bellies sets the beat. In the game of life, it’s eat or be eaten, and only the hungriest survive to tell their story. In 2010, GNL Zamba released “Ensi Bwekuba Blow” off his “Speaking In Vernacular” album, a song that went ahead to be a classical anthem in the Country as it loosely based on his own life, painting the picture of a young man who knows in his heart he can achieve despite the obstacles life continuously throws in his face thus teaching all the other hustles to emulate him. You must be quick to seize opportunity when you hope to succeed against all odds, and Zamba uses this song as a way to remind aspiring individuals to give everything their all when the crack in the door makes itself known.
“Ensi” is a phenomenal song that should resonate with fans who are also struggling to win in the game called life as GNL relays a tough message on what struggling means to him and in the musical video that portrays the message of surviving in life and make a way, he is quoted; “ To Many in Africa, life is a wet blanket of frustration. So, as we weave our web of hope, we become warriors for survival” and the intro says it: “ Kano akayimba, nkadediketingidde ba champions ba hustle / Ba chali ensi newebagunda, and everybody thinks they cant get up / they still find that strength to get up / That’s what champions are made of”.
On this song, Zamba puts the horns and upbeat on the struggle, giving hustlers and dreamers something to hold their head up to while staying steady on the grind that even if you come from low beginnings, your ambition, resilience and drive can lead you to bigger and brighter tomorrows. But Zamba knows it takes more than just dreaming to make it. You’ve got to dig yourself out of the hole with hard work like he did: “ Bwosoma mu mawulire nti kati Zamba yaguze oguyumba, nange jjukiramu ka time wenalinga omupangisa / Bwosoma mu mawulire nti Zamba yaguze akamotoka, nange jjukiramu time wenalinyanga bodaboda”
Zamba’s chorus is equally as poignant and will stick to your brain as well. He recites, “Ensi bwekuba blow, nawe jiwe punch / tokirizanga nsi eno kuteeka wansi”
As the title of his song suggests, GNL Zamba had plenty of ambition and hustle to survive the depressing poor life and we are safe to say that he finally made to success and one of the Ugandan artists that continue to influence and inspire fellow peers in the music industry and everyone who is struggling with life.
“Ensi Bwekuba Blow” even after almost 13 years after its release still gets major play all over the country, it’s a timeless hit that will be played even after a century.It’s got a slick beat that sounds like sunshine and palm trees, because Zamba finally made it from the ghettos of Kawempe to records. His life has become the quintessential hip-hop backstory, and many rappers continue to live in his shadow even when he goes into a sabbatical. Arguably the greatest Ugandan rapper of all time, everything about Zamba’s life represents the “struggle,” and no doubt speakers will bump his beats for eternity.
Enjoy the song below:
