It should be noted that the Ugandan music Industry is wide and vibrant and therefore plays a significant role in the social and economic lives of the Citizens.
Most of the popular musicians in Uganda are the biggest local celebrities and in this case, they are made up of different music genres with Luganda and English mostly used in the songs and recently Swahili to pave way in the international audiences, the following are some of the most popular Genres in the Ugandan Music Industry.
1. Kidandali
A stylistic music Genre featuring the use of native sounds and samples, the word is from the Luganda native Ugandan Local language which can also mean local party or celebration.
It is currently the most popular music genre in Uganda which is believed to have followed closely to Kadongo Kamu and was almost a modern style of Kadongo kamu. The emergence of Kidandali came with renowned musicians like Dr.Jose Chameleon, Bobiwine, and Bebe Cool and later joined by the fellow young artists including Spice Diana, Sheebah Karunji, Ziza Bafana,Dj Micheal, Vinka to mention but a few.
2. Kadongo Kamu
This Genre is believed to have emerged from the traditional music in Uganda. Kadongo Kamu is a Luganda word meaning “One Guitar” and its music is referred to by this name because of the role played by the bass guitar which is in most times the solo instrument used in this music’s creation.
Amongest the pioneers of this kind of music is Fred Masagazi and it is also believed that Kadongo Kamu was founded by Christopher Sebaguka and Elly Wamala in the early 1960’s and were followed by a number of musicians including Herman Basude, Paul Kafeero, Fred Sebata, and Bernard Kabanda.
3. Dancehall
The Dancehall in Uganda is believed to have taken after the Jamaican music Dancehall and therefore one of the most popular and influential music styles in the entertainment industry.
Currently Dancehall music, during the 1990’s this Ugandan music was popularly known as Raggamuffin in Jamaica and the first Ugandan artists to make an impression were Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton who became an inspiration to other artists like Ragga Dee, Shanks Vivi, Rasta Rob among others and were later joined by Jose Chameleon, Dr Hilderman, Raba Daba, Ziza Bafana to mention but a few.
4. Hip Hop
Hip Hop in Uganda was modeled after the American Hip Hop and has therefore influenced the young music generation who have embraced the genre including dressing styles, speech and walking.
However, the Klear Kut and Bataka Squad were the first two Hip Hop squads in Uganda in the early 1999’s followed by GNL Zamba in 2008 and has over the years continued to grow with more competitive artists like Fefe Busi, Gravity Omutuju among others.
5. R&B
This Genre encompasses the musical style of most of the Ugandan artists since it allows all the musical experimentation in any language hence accommodating either the upcoming as well as the renowned musicians in the country.
However, the most prominent musicians in this music genre include Juliana Kanyomozi, Naava Grey, Maurice Kirya, Rema Namakula among others.
In all these music genres, the main choice of language that cuts across all of them is Luganda with some artists choosing to mix both Luganda and English in order to drive a clear message to their different fans and audiences.
