Does Strictly Soul need a musical reset?

There was a time when a good song was more than a dance-floor hit. It was something to memorise, sing word for word and dedicate to someone special. At Strictly Soul’s Independence edition, revellers relived those days, when R&B and hip-hop soundtracked teenage crushes, high school parties and lazy Sunday afternoons.

Held at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya on Thursday, the event drew music lovers dressed to impress and ready to reconnect with the songs that shaped their formative years.

Inside the dome, familiar faces, smart outfits and hits by Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Nicki Minaj and other international stars set the tone for an evening of nostalgia. Revellers sang along to tracks they had not heard in years, while Captain Morgan Muck Pit shots offered an extra flavour to the experience.

For former Miss Uganda Quin Abenakyo, attending Strictly Soul for the first time, the music brought back memories of 2010–2015, an era she considers one of the sweetest periods in contemporary music.

“Those were the days when music was real and sweet. Lyrics meant something, and the messages were effective,” she said, recalling the influence of Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled and Nicki Minaj, whose music dominated playlists and conversations around Young Money Cash Money.

Abenakyo said she enjoyed reconnecting with the songs that defined an important chapter of her life.

Calm before the storm: Strictly Soul fans catch up for a chat before the action. Photo by Ranell Nsereko

Hamza Ntege was transported to high school parties and relaxed Sundays when radio was a major source of musical discovery. Unlike today’s streaming culture, listeners often had to wait for their favourite songs to play, making each familiar tune feel like an event.

Nabirye Carol also enjoyed the experience, describing it as memorable and praising the DJs’ song selection for keeping the crowd engaged.

“This was the music of my time in high school. That is why I was singing along word for word to most of the songs,” she said, adding that the absence of Gen Z revellers gave the event a distinctive feel.

Crysto DJ brings a local flavour.

Ugandan DJs Eyo Marcus, Bamos DJ and Crysto DJ warmed up the crowd before the night’s main act, DJ Kai, whose Strictly Soul concept has built a following among lovers of R&B and soul.

Crysto DJ stood out for blending international favourites with Ugandan classics, demonstrating that nostalgia need not be imported.

A DJ draped in a Uganda Cranes flag entertains the crowd at Mestil. Photo by Ranell Dickson Nsereko

When he played Iryn Namubiru’s Nkutekewa, the dome erupted. Tracks such as Versace on the Floor and Breathless also drew enthusiastic responses, underlining the crowd’s appetite for familiar melodies.

But beneath the singalongs and nostalgia, the evening raised a question: Is Strictly Soul becoming too predictable? The event has established a recognisable formula, but for some revellers, the familiar playlists are beginning to offer fewer surprises. DJ Kai remains the central attraction, yet some guests felt that his selections were becoming repetitive across editions.

His taking two sets in one night also prompted questions about whether the programme could give supporting DJs more time to showcase their range.

Crysto DJ’s reception offered a compelling example of what a broader musical approach could achieve. His seamless movement between international R&B and Ugandan classics injected fresh energy into the familiar format.

More room for local selectors could give each edition a stronger identity, while introducing audiences to songs and interpretations they might not expect.

Does Strictly Soul need a musical reset?

There was also room for a tribute set celebrating some of the legendary voices that shaped soul and R&B, including Freddie Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, Peabo Bryson and Aretha Franklin.

A carefully curated musical tribute could have added emotional depth to the evening while reconnecting younger listeners and long-time fans with the roots of the genre.

The crowd gets immersed in the Strictly Soul Experience at Mestil on Independence Day eve. Photo by Ranell Nsereko

Instead, the playlist occasionally ventured into newer territory, including Heaven's Baby by Burna Boy and Ayra Starr. Such selections are not necessarily out of place, but they raise an important question about how broadly Strictly Soul should define its musical identity without diluting the appeal that built its following.

For Sandra Againe, Innovations Project Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), however, the event's appeal lies in the shared experience of enjoying familiar music with friends.

“Strictly Soul is a memorable occasion for R&B fanatics to explore Muck Pit while they sing along to some of their all-time favourites, which is exactly what has happened at this Independence edition of the event. With our new rum offering, our goal is to always elevate any experience with an unexpected flavour twist with friends,” she said.

Emasu Oscar, a marketer, also associated the music with an era of waiting for favourite songs on the radio, recording tracks and sharing them with friends. Hearing artists such as Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks and Nicki Minaj again, he said, revived memories of school, friendships and shared musical experiences.

Ultimately, Strictly Soul delivered what many revellers came for: familiar hits, carefree singalongs and a trip back to their younger years.

But nostalgia alone may not sustain a recurring event indefinitely. With a loyal audience, an extensive catalogue of classics and local DJs capable of bringing fresh interpretations to the music, Strictly Soul has room to evolve.

More adventurous selections, longer sets for supporting DJs and thoughtfully curated tributes could help restore an element of surprise.

After all, the question is not simply where revellers were when these songs first played. It is whether Strictly Soul can make them feel something new when they hear them again.