Afrigo or Eagles: which is the best band in the land?
Mar 10, 2005
One was born in the 70’s and chose to call itself: Africa Go Forward band, which was later shortened to Afrigo
By Joseph Batte
One was born in the 70’s and chose to call itself: Africa Go Forward band, which was later shortened to Afrigo. They command respect both on the local and international scene. In the 90s, a bunch of baby-faced students broke away from Diamond Production band and formed the Eagles Production.
Over the years, they have become the toast of the town. The big question is: which of the two bands is the best? Music fans gave their verdicts.
Salim Uhuru, (mid 30s), Director of Uhuru Restaurant, Kafumbe Mukasa Road
Eagles Production is the best. The music they play is modern. Afrigo plays those same old rhythms yet music keeps growing.
Simon Segirinya, (early 20s) Sales Manager, Segico Disco
I have watched all the bands play live: Eagles Production are nothing compared to Afrigo. The way you hear Afrigo play live on stage is the way they sound on tape.
Eagles Production instruments don’t blend very well on stage. This is because their music is manufactured in the studio with the help of computers and other electronic gadgets.
Isaac Mulindwa, (late 30s), Pearl of Africa Music Awards Committee Chairman
Currently Eagles are tops. Yes, Afrigo could be better, but they are not popular now. These boys of Eagles Production have been consistent for some time. They sing about real-life issues that touch the public. The music style of the 70s, which Afrigo plays, appeals to few listeners. It appealed to music lovers in the 80s and 90s. But somehow they are stuck in time. Music keeps changing and musicians should be able to change with it. What has happened to Afrigo is actually what happened to Michael Jackson. At one time he was known as the King of Pop, but now his throne has been taken over. Another example is Jimmy Katumba and the Ebonies. They were hot in the 70s and 80s. Today they are no more. What makes the Eagles popular is their good thematic songs, which carry good massages. They are also modern.
Harriet Nachwa, (early 20s), businesswoman
Eagles Production is the best. They sing about social issues. For example, Haruna Mubiru’s Ekitooke Kiffa Nsalira. It advises men about taking care of their loved ones. Afrigo are still stuck in the 80s. To make matters worse, their beats are the same. Bwotonzigyeko Oludenderebu is old stuff that sends me to sleep. Afrigo should go for a modern beat and sing about love in a modern way.
Ronald Kimuli, 24, Mason
Eagles Production is the best because they play music that tickles both the young and old. Afrigo plays music for old people and there are no real life issues in their songs. Most importantly, they have forgotten what we the youth want. Afrigo are high class. They can never stage a concert here in Bunamwaya. Eagles have identified themselves with villagers, which Afrigo has failed to do.
Nakazibwe, (late 20s),
Toshiba Salon
When did Afrigo last release an album? I no longer hear them. But there is no doubt, the band ruling now is Eagles Production. They are youthful musicians that every young person identifies with. Afrigo band is only made up of veterans and they pull only old fans.
Nicholas Senkubuge, (early 40s), Technician
Eagles are the in-thing right now because they have young musicians. They play modern music. Afrigo plays the same old sound and have failed to explore new music styles.
Richard Aguma, (early 30s), richie Barber’s Salon
The Ugandan music is growing and the only band that is growing with it is Eagles Production. The 80s and early 90s certainly belonged to Afrigo, but today they are no more. All Afrigo songs seem to be produced the same way. The messages in them do not appeal to the youth. They also have old dancing queens. Their undoing is not recruiting young blood.
Desire Nkolo, (mid 20s), former Emitoes band member
Afrigo is the best and they will always be. Those young fans, who love Eagles today, will love somebody else tomorrow. Today Eagles may be ruling, but tomorrow their position will be challenged by another young band. Already Abdu Mulaasi’s Hommies are breathing down their necks. Bands come and go, but Afrigo will always be there..
Charles Kiwanuka, (teenager), Businessman
Eagles are the best. They produce many songs with good grooves and their themes are current. The band is also made up of good musicians who identify themselves with villagers.
Ronald Kizito, (late 20s), Technician
Man, Eagles Production is better because their songs and instrumentation are modern compared to Afrigo. You can’t really sell if you are stuck to one style like Afrigo. That’s what Ugandans have failed to realise.
Daddy Chongo (early 30s)
Afrigo will always be the best band for me because it is the first band I listened to when I was young. That long period has made them professionals. They play good songs and their music covers all ages. They are the only band with an international repute that Uganda can boast of. They don’t copy others like Ugandan musicians do. They have their own style. They are a perennial band, which is not going today or tomorrow.
Peter Kabanda, ( Early 30s), Computer Scientist
The best band is Afrigo. But if you talk about the most happening, then it is Eagles Production. However, there is a lot to do with being the best. You have to talk about quality, longevity and presentation. I will enjoy Afrigo at any time, but will only enjoy the Eagles only at a concert. The Eagles days are numbered. Afrigo music has the longevity and all the songs have that rare quality of becoming golden memories. Eagles songs are more individualistic. Afrigo band is a team. You don’t single out a musician whereas the Eagles is a collection of good artists under one umbrella.
Henry Lutalo, (mid 20s), DJ
The fact is Eagles are the best. Those aged 40 and above will tell you Afrigo is the best. But Eagles is ruling the charts right now. Afrigo beats are classic and meant for VIPs like President Yoweri Museveni. Eagles Ekitooke kiffa Nsalira is a club hit that appeals to the youth who are the majority today.
Apollo Kigonya, (late 20s), Teacher
The Eagles are the best band. They are contemporary. Their love themes are topically tickling. They have a youthful appeal compared to Afrigo. Afrigo has failed to change their music styles to match the modern times. They have all the experience but they are rigid.
Judith Mulembe, (mid 20s) Bulange
Afrigo is like a leopard that does not change its spots. They don’t change their music style. Eagles Production play modern music and sing about good social issues. Afrigo plays 60s style of music like Wambuza oba nga Nkwagala.
One was born in the 70’s and chose to call itself: Africa Go Forward band, which was later shortened to Afrigo. They command respect both on the local and international scene. In the 90s, a bunch of baby-faced students broke away from Diamond Production band and formed the Eagles Production.
Over the years, they have become the toast of the town. The big question is: which of the two bands is the best? Music fans gave their verdicts.
Salim Uhuru, (mid 30s), Director of Uhuru Restaurant, Kafumbe Mukasa Road
Eagles Production is the best. The music they play is modern. Afrigo plays those same old rhythms yet music keeps growing.
Simon Segirinya, (early 20s) Sales Manager, Segico Disco
I have watched all the bands play live: Eagles Production are nothing compared to Afrigo. The way you hear Afrigo play live on stage is the way they sound on tape.
Eagles Production instruments don’t blend very well on stage. This is because their music is manufactured in the studio with the help of computers and other electronic gadgets.
Isaac Mulindwa, (late 30s), Pearl of Africa Music Awards Committee Chairman
Currently Eagles are tops. Yes, Afrigo could be better, but they are not popular now. These boys of Eagles Production have been consistent for some time. They sing about real-life issues that touch the public. The music style of the 70s, which Afrigo plays, appeals to few listeners. It appealed to music lovers in the 80s and 90s. But somehow they are stuck in time. Music keeps changing and musicians should be able to change with it. What has happened to Afrigo is actually what happened to Michael Jackson. At one time he was known as the King of Pop, but now his throne has been taken over. Another example is Jimmy Katumba and the Ebonies. They were hot in the 70s and 80s. Today they are no more. What makes the Eagles popular is their good thematic songs, which carry good massages. They are also modern.
Harriet Nachwa, (early 20s), businesswoman
Eagles Production is the best. They sing about social issues. For example, Haruna Mubiru’s Ekitooke Kiffa Nsalira. It advises men about taking care of their loved ones. Afrigo are still stuck in the 80s. To make matters worse, their beats are the same. Bwotonzigyeko Oludenderebu is old stuff that sends me to sleep. Afrigo should go for a modern beat and sing about love in a modern way.
Ronald Kimuli, 24, Mason
Eagles Production is the best because they play music that tickles both the young and old. Afrigo plays music for old people and there are no real life issues in their songs. Most importantly, they have forgotten what we the youth want. Afrigo are high class. They can never stage a concert here in Bunamwaya. Eagles have identified themselves with villagers, which Afrigo has failed to do.
Nakazibwe, (late 20s),
Toshiba Salon
When did Afrigo last release an album? I no longer hear them. But there is no doubt, the band ruling now is Eagles Production. They are youthful musicians that every young person identifies with. Afrigo band is only made up of veterans and they pull only old fans.
Nicholas Senkubuge, (early 40s), Technician
Eagles are the in-thing right now because they have young musicians. They play modern music. Afrigo plays the same old sound and have failed to explore new music styles.
Richard Aguma, (early 30s), richie Barber’s Salon
The Ugandan music is growing and the only band that is growing with it is Eagles Production. The 80s and early 90s certainly belonged to Afrigo, but today they are no more. All Afrigo songs seem to be produced the same way. The messages in them do not appeal to the youth. They also have old dancing queens. Their undoing is not recruiting young blood.
Desire Nkolo, (mid 20s), former Emitoes band member
Afrigo is the best and they will always be. Those young fans, who love Eagles today, will love somebody else tomorrow. Today Eagles may be ruling, but tomorrow their position will be challenged by another young band. Already Abdu Mulaasi’s Hommies are breathing down their necks. Bands come and go, but Afrigo will always be there..
Charles Kiwanuka, (teenager), Businessman
Eagles are the best. They produce many songs with good grooves and their themes are current. The band is also made up of good musicians who identify themselves with villagers.
Ronald Kizito, (late 20s), Technician
Man, Eagles Production is better because their songs and instrumentation are modern compared to Afrigo. You can’t really sell if you are stuck to one style like Afrigo. That’s what Ugandans have failed to realise.
Daddy Chongo (early 30s)
Afrigo will always be the best band for me because it is the first band I listened to when I was young. That long period has made them professionals. They play good songs and their music covers all ages. They are the only band with an international repute that Uganda can boast of. They don’t copy others like Ugandan musicians do. They have their own style. They are a perennial band, which is not going today or tomorrow.
Peter Kabanda, ( Early 30s), Computer Scientist
The best band is Afrigo. But if you talk about the most happening, then it is Eagles Production. However, there is a lot to do with being the best. You have to talk about quality, longevity and presentation. I will enjoy Afrigo at any time, but will only enjoy the Eagles only at a concert. The Eagles days are numbered. Afrigo music has the longevity and all the songs have that rare quality of becoming golden memories. Eagles songs are more individualistic. Afrigo band is a team. You don’t single out a musician whereas the Eagles is a collection of good artists under one umbrella.
Henry Lutalo, (mid 20s), DJ
The fact is Eagles are the best. Those aged 40 and above will tell you Afrigo is the best. But Eagles is ruling the charts right now. Afrigo beats are classic and meant for VIPs like President Yoweri Museveni. Eagles Ekitooke kiffa Nsalira is a club hit that appeals to the youth who are the majority today.
Apollo Kigonya, (late 20s), Teacher
The Eagles are the best band. They are contemporary. Their love themes are topically tickling. They have a youthful appeal compared to Afrigo. Afrigo has failed to change their music styles to match the modern times. They have all the experience but they are rigid.
Judith Mulembe, (mid 20s) Bulange
Afrigo is like a leopard that does not change its spots. They don’t change their music style. Eagles Production play modern music and sing about good social issues. Afrigo plays 60s style of music like Wambuza oba nga Nkwagala.