Music of Uganda
Ugandan music is as diverse as the ethnicity of its people. The country is home to over 30 different ethnic groups and tribes and they form the basis of all indigenous music. The Baganda, being the most prominent tribe in the country, have dominated the culture and music of Uganda over the last two centuries. However, the other tribes all have their own music styles passed down from generations dating back to the 18th century. These variations all make for good diversity in music and culture.
The first form of popular music to arise out of traditional music was the Kadongo Kamu style of music, which rose out of traditional Ganda music. Later music genres drew from Kadongo Kamu, making it one of the most influential music styles in Uganda. Currently, because of the effects of globalization, Uganda, like most African countries, has seen a growth in modern audio production. This has led to the adoption of western music styles like Dancehall and Hip Hop. Current Ugandan popular music is part of the larger Afropop music genre.
A GLIMPSE ON NORTHERN UGANDA
In the northern part of the country, various tribes like the Acholi and the Langi have their own styles of music. The "okeme", which is a thumb piano, is popular in this region since having been brought in the early 20th century by Congolese porters. Locally made papyrus flutes are also common. Vocals are delivered in a group by various singers, most times male. Constant stomping and jumping, alongside shaking of the head and neck, are common features of dance from this part of the country.
Day? Tuesday 16th December, Time? 11:05 am. I am live in the kingdom of the Fire Base Hierarchy to catch up with producers, Washington and Tony, the souls responsible for some of the region’s bingers such as Bam Bam, Funtula, Dembe, Suunda, etc
Puzzle: So what are your names?
Washington: Man, am simply Washington David Ebangit. My Dad’s Dr. Ebangit and he’s a Pastor as well (meanwhile Tone jumps into the interview room to take his seat with such a friendly smile)
Puzzle: Who inspired you into production?
Washington: Man, that was the group ‘First Love’, especially Nicholas Mayanja. He actually produced my first album at a home studio in Soroti.
Puzzle: Oops! By the way, what schools did you attend?
Washington: I went to Shimoni Demonstration School, Royal Oasis and Eagle Nest for my O and A levels (He passes a hand through his dreadlocks like a superstar)
Puzzle: So when did you join the Fire Base Studio?
Washington: That was late November 2002 through Tony who then introduced me to Bobbi Wine and later Eddie Yawe, the CEO. It’s been a great experience.
Puzzle: Now, while at it, what songs have you produced for example?
Washington: Man, I have had the pleasure of co-producing Bobbi Wine’s Bam Bam, Sunda, Wootoba E.t.c.
Puzzle: And about the P.A.M awards plus the industry?
Washington: I shall say it the ‘nth’ time! The P.A.M awards were not fair. But thank God we still doin’ our thing, plus the media often ignores we people on the board. The producer is always the kingpin!
Puzzle: What’s are the toughest moment while producing Joint?
Washington: Boy! That’s mixing and editing. It’s always a testing moment.
Washington: I actually went to school with Ziggy D at Shimoni. We were in the same class and shared the same seat. He’s a wacky character (He runs to the studio as an Artist calls out his name for Help).
Puzzle: So are you seeing somebody?
Washington: I have a lovely girlfriend. Anything for her if you ask me.
Puzzle: Finally Dudes, the festive season’s here. What gift would you like to receive?
Washington: Just get producers recognized. That’s to precious for me.
MUSIC INDUSTRY
Today, Uganda has a vibrant music industry that plays a fundamental role in the social and economic lives of many. Musicians are the main celebrities in Uganda and all entertainment content from the mainstream media will most times be about music or musicians. The private lives of musicians are closely followed by many Ugandans. Music concerts, most times called "album launches", are very popular. Many companies spend huge amounts of money on sponsoring these music concerts and advertisements for the concerts are very common on radio and television.
The emphasis on music concerts comes from the fact that very few music artists make a worthwhile income from sales of their music on physical media. The lack of any distribution structure means that there is little to no incentive for capital investment in artist development or music sales. There are no genuine record labels, with most of the companies that are refereed to as labels being merely artist management companies. Because of these inadequacies, there is a severe strain placed upon musicians to find profitability and sustainability in making music. However, this somehow does not seem to deter new musicians from developing, as there is a very healthy production rate of young and talented musicians.
There have also been efforts at organizing the music industry, with the Uganda Publishing Rights Society (UPRS) and Uganda Musicians Association being prime examples alongside a number of music awards organizations like PAM Awards. Attempts by some of these organizations to make use of an under-utilized and largely ignored copyright law to generate revenue from music distribution have proved fruitless. These are some of the challenges facing the music industry in the country and indeed are very similar to the ones facing most music industries around the world.
Gira Emmanuel
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