Finally, January comes to an end. The last weekend of the month is here and here is music analysis and reviews that made January quite an interesting one to start off the year with. Of course, the year is just getting started. We expect great music, breakout talents, awards and drama! There has been not much at the start probably due to the political climate and either way, here are the talking points, musically speaking.
SONG OF THE MONTH: Ndikwikundira By Ruyonga, Mith, Lillian, Kahiri
Definitely, this is the finest song of the month. Its refreshing appeal, smooth lyrics and blend of traditional elements has made it the most outstanding song of January. “Ndikwikundira” brought out the strength of the four artists; two phenomenal singers sandwiched by two respected lyricists. To garnish it all, Samurae’s deep understanding of music stretched him out of his comfort zone of making roughly textured hip-hop beats to soft and smooth the texture. The song is all about love. Love in its purest form. A man swearing to love and care. A man extending his love subscription to lifetime. This is a song that brought out a proudly Ugandan sound. For those who fancy wrapping their arms round the curvy hips of beauties from Ankole or Kigezi, this is a song you have to memorise. It will enhance your chances of becoming an In-law to some State house fellas by 99.9%. Its an uptown song though it will be a favourite in Western Uganda timelessly. Ladies and gentlemen, “Ndikwikundira” takes the GOLD AWARD.
SILVER AWARD: “RTD. COL”
This Kadongo Kamu song, despite its political over tunes, is an impeccable work of art. With dignity and respect, he gracefully gave his subject an honourable image. He weaves his lyrics in and out while seductively convincing the listeners to cast the vote in favour of one retired colonel. This is where the “Tubonge Nawe” artists missed an honourable place in the books of history. Even the less deserving Idi Amin and Mobuto Ssesoko had more dignified songs in their honour not just a rough chaff piece of praise. The presidency deserved more respect and “Tubonge Nawe”, despite the star studded line up, fell short of that! Rtd. Col takes silver award.
BRONZE AWARD: Nsitakira By Under Cover Brothers.
Well, this is a band trying to explore a signature sound. “Nsitakira” had a well delivered instrumentation though the vocals are flat, no serious portrayal of the emotions in the song. However, there is a huge room for improvement and third place has quite a huge starting point.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Calm Before The Storm – Tucker HD
Blame it on the pint sized local hip hop market, this song would have been “up there”. The beef between Airport Taxi’s Tucker HD and Timothy Code of the ” Enter The Ring” fame is already bringing excitement to the fans. Tucker HD comes off as a pure lyricist, Battle rapper armed with lethal lyrical arsenal, the hallmark of a real rapper. Code has made a reply earlier today ” Hands In The Stadium”. We hope for more drama and most importantly, music next month.
FLOPS OF THE MONTH.
Top Flop: Ddembe by Bobi Wine
Truth be told, in “Dembe” Bobi hardly makes any attempt to sing. It is simply a speech on a beat. More of an attempt to ride with the times. Claiming that its banned does not help either, when we want to listen to a speech on a beat, “Another rap” is more comforting and hilarious reference.
Another flop: Viva Africa by Eddy Kenzo
This song deserves to be roundly ignored like the other “Happy” song. Oh, you don’t even remember it? Thank you. People are happy that way. In “Viva Africa” Kenzo makes a vain attempt to sound Pan African. He simply mouths on the catchy beat. As long as a beat is catchy, he gets you hooked but on a muted beat its one hell of a incoherent speech probably recorded at a boda boda stage. The reason it does not sound genuine, Kenzo himself does not sound convinced by his own ideas. There is a gross lack of belief in the lyrics that resorts to mentioning random names of stars from Drogba to Juliana. See Mr. Kenzo, Wiz Kid moved on from Azonto, he gave us Igbelaou, Davido moved on from Skelewu. These two flops should stop taking us for granted. Some have inner ear for music beyond names.
Staff Writer