Tobingamba is trending, But why? A skeptical look at Acidic Vokoz and Ava Peace's hit

MUSIC REVIEW

I decided to look up trending music this week. Let us have a look at what the people want.

One of the most highly rated songs in Uganda is Tobingamba, a collaboration between Acidic Vokoz and Aza Peace (someone named her as the top female artiste in the country – we are not sure what that person was drinking).

Tobingamba was produced by Nassim Productions, who is possibly the busiest producer in the city. Nassim is also really versatile, so I will more often than not, give his work some extra attention. He adapts to the artiste that he is working with.

What do I like about Tobingamba?

Nassim has worked the song from a Zouk perspective, which is not common place these days. It gives the song a great, laid back groove which is something of a reprieve from the amapiano craze that is hounding the industry currently.

Nassim has a knack for getting the most out of the artistes he is working with, and he does so to great effect on this track. Ava Peace in particular sits well on this track, though Acidic Vokoz sounds a little like someone tampered with his vocals. Maybe that’s just my ear.

Nassim’s non-intrusive production style ensures that this track is easy on the ear. He recognises that he doesn’t have a classic melody on his hands but he makes it easy to swallow.

The song’s shortcomings? It is rather bland, and you are left wondering how exactly it is trending. Probably some cynical algorithm manipulation. Say what you will but the song is trending.

The song has a half decent music video it is riding on, one depicting puppy love and all that gooey stuff. The colourist does some great work on the video – it looks great. But it is still puzzling as to why this particular track is trending. On the plus side, this is probably the best I have heard from Ava Peace in a while.