New group rise on rap scene

By Phillip Matogo TRUTH and reality often form a contradictory pair. And yet they are inseparable bedfellows. Take, for instance, the rap scene in Uganda. The reality being here that Klear Kut, an amalgam of Versace-fine wordsmiths, embody what we call hip hop in Uganda. The truth, however, begs to differ. Of a piece with the general character of “dope rhymes” comes the rap group, Urban Life. Lyrical G, DAS Q, Exquisite, 2-Krukid and C-swift form the quintet that for all the modest publicity given to them have nothing to be modest about. This group, formerly known as Urban Thugs, is slammin’ ......in a manner of speech! With a clutch of accolades tucked away, including ‘Best New Act’ at the Sanyu Music Festival, Munyonyo, for their song Super Lyrical, these guys have brought some much needed umph to the rap scene in Kampala. Just how good are these ex-thugs anyway? “If rap was a sport, I’d stash a lot of medals/so give me my props and let me bang hard like heavy metal,” freestyles Lyrical G. The watery flow, verve and cockiness resident in these lines tells part of the story. The group has also earned a deal to record with Hope Mukasa at his Bava studios. A song will be dropped by Christmas. That song, the groups believes, will be their entrée to rap immortality: “We want to show cats out there what its all about, when we spin the rude-boy Lyrics,” says C-Swift. Well put, but whence cometh this self-assured air? Besides being cloistered at a place called The Basement (Lyrical G’s house) penning verbal witticisms, urban life have been inspired by Mobb Deep, Tha Dogg Pound and Escobar Nas. As a spin-off, they perform frequently at DV-8 Bar and Restaurant. Yet, there’s more: “After breaking through, we want to create affiliates. So watch out for upcoming acts like The Basement with the likes of K-won, Minus, Killer Instinct and P.L who are part of the urban life family,” touts Exquisite. The group, through wicked Lyrics, hope to reflect the realities of our wretched urban existence with, I might add, Orwellian irony. Say what? “On my way home, I look at the beggars on side walks/whose life has degenerated now they’re living like dogs!” Touche. ends