Music Review: Paka Bukadde – Gabbie Ntaate

Last week, someone on social media described Gabbie Ntaate as "the best thing to happen to gospel music in Uganda over the last decade." My response was immediate: "Who?" I had never heard of her. Well, I probably had, but the name had not stuck.

I decided to look her up, because that is a pretty bold claim to make, and I turned to her latest single, Paka Bukadde.

Well, I still think The Collective UG is the best thing to happen to gospel music in Uganda over the last decade, but judging by this particular song, I can see why gospel folks are worked up about Gabbie Ntaate.

https://youtu.be/E-hdOp9Wheg?si=Tr5l6WxXUPlhEEw3

One of the biggest issues gospel music struggles with as a genre is the fact that many of the artistes that dabble in it take the genre for granted. Their approach often in: "Well, its gospel music, and I am not really looking to make money or anything like that, and as long as I mention the Lord, no one will say a thing against the song, so I may as well spew out anything."

This approach is obviously flawed. Gospel music makes money, and drives the evangelical industry, which is about as wealthy as it gets.

All you have to do is look at what the people who bring their A Game to gospel music have achieved. Kirk Franklin, the Winans family, Yolanda Adams, the list is a long one.

The Nigerians seem to have figured out (Moses Bliss being the obvious standard here).
And that’s what I admire about Gabbie Ntaate – she pulls out all the stops for this simple, but deliberately heartfelt song, Paka Bukadde.

The song is gorgeously produced, with obvious, high production values. Subtle
percussion and impeccable use of synth sounds give her a delightful bed for her vocals, and she has some pearly pipes on her.

The folks behind Gabbie Ntaate do not compromise on quality, that’s for sure.