Veteran Ugandan rapper GNL Zamba has stirred controversy with pointed remarks about fellow artist Gravity Omutujju, calling him an “empty tin” and a “noise maker” during a recent media appearance after the Yenze Hip Hop Festival.
The festival, intended to showcase and celebrate Ugandan hip hop talent, faced a noticeably low turnout.
This prompted questions from fans and media about the absence of major names like Gravity Omutujju, who is frequently identified with the genre.
When asked about Gravity’s absence, GNL offered a diplomatic yet sharp response:
“The organizers contacted nearly every artist, but maybe some weren’t within budget, or others didn’t have clarity. And also, some feared I might shadow them.”,he said.
He continued with a veiled jab: “I don’t want to mention names, but that one is a noise maker.”
GNL later dropped the pretense, explicitly describing Gravity as an “empty tin”—a local phrase implying someone who makes a lot of noise but lacks substance.
The comments reignite a long-standing debate within Uganda’s music scene, particularly between mainstream performers and those seen as hip hop purists.
While Gravity Omutujju has consistently positioned himself as a leading figure in Ugandan hip hop, critics like GNL argue that his music lacks lyrical depth and authenticity within the genre.
