Ugandan artists come of age

By Joseph BatteJust a short time ago, Paris-based Congolese musicians like Awilo Longomba, Kanda Bongoman, Lucky Dube, Oliver Ngoma and Shaggy et al were the names to drop. Why? Because of one simple reason: They pulled the largest crowds which, if translated into monetary terms, meant millions of shillings.Ugandan musicians have always been given an upturned nose treatment by the general public and dismissed as just flashes in the pan.During concerts featuring foreign stars, they mainly relegated to the role of curtain-raisers. Those local musicians who could not stand the trashy treatment fled the country and set up new roots abroad.But all that has changed. Ugandan musicians are now shaking things up and bringing in full houses in stadia and other big venues like the conference centre. In equal measure their recordings are hugely credible. Last Friday, Mango UTL Telecel, a multinational communications company with enough financial muscle to haul in Michael Jackson if they were inclined to, surprised wide-eyed journalists from the press and electronic media when they unveiled the package they will offer during the first anniversary celebrations at Nile Hotel Gardens on Sunday. It was our ‘backyard stuff’ with colourful names like Steve Jean, Jose Chameleon, Bebe Cool and The Amarula Family.The hip young artists sat in the conference and surrounded themselves with an arrogant air of superstars as they were introduced. To prove their star-status, instead of the drab-like airport carpeting clothing, they were casually but neatly garbed in the latest fashions imported in the country. They brandish the latest Nokia mobile phones and drive (second-hand) cars and, at the very least, powerful second-hand vehicles. Nobody could begrudge them their pompous airs.Steve Jean, who would have made a good fine artiste had he not chosen the music path, is now a remarkable singer who continues to set the standards of excellence both on the stage and in the recording studio as a hit-making producer. From the odd appearance on other people releases, rough tonsiled Jose Chameleon has become a hit machine and a top concert draw. The wacky Amarula Family, which was founded by singer-cum-disc jockey Black Messe, currently holds the top spot as the best comic act in the country.Those were considered luxuries for high government bureaucrats and well moneyed businessmen. Over the years, our young Ugandan musicians have focused on their artistic growth through working hard, recording and touring, and in the course of doing so, they have built themselves a strong fan base.Mango marketing manager Aldrine Nsubuga agrees: “Ugandan musicians, especially the hippish young ones, have improved a lot.I had the opportunity of attending Sanyu Carnival where Chameleon and Bebe Cool were featured last November. I was very impressed by their performances. They are not only stars who produce hit songs: Additionally, they now also command a big following.“However, we discovered that some of them have not held a concert for three years. Since Mango is a company that wants to associate with local entertainment, we decided to give these young musicians a push instead of bringing (the likes of) Lucky Dube, because this is, in essence, what they have been missing.”“Foreign musicians are not automatically fearsome because we have caught up with them both on the stage and in the studio,” says Steve Jean, adding: “In order to win back our Ugandan audience, we realised we have to beat foreign competition. Currently, I can inform you that the quality of our recording is far better than that from abroad and some neighbouring countries like Kenya.”Steve also adds that local musicians have had to improve because over the years, audiences in Uganda have developed sophisticated tastes. They will only attend concert that promise class.Bebe Cool adds: “Every step we make is now recognisable because we have worked for it. Unlike those days when artists were not serious, we have shown the public that we are dead serious about music and showbiz.“I can’t be an officer. I can’t be President, so what matters for me is only music, so why should I not be serious about it?” asks Bebe Cool.In other words, the warning is this: Anything that is above a Ugandan musician like Bebe Cool is in deep trouble.Steve Jean is even more brazen: “We shall kill them.” Not with AK47, but of course with music labelled:‘Made in Uganda by Ugandans.’