BABALUKU DISCUSSES B-GLOBAL GATHERINGS & UG HIP HOP

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjafelix)

When they mention Babaluku the first thing that comes to your mind is The God-father of LugaFlow in Uganda which is right but when you sit to level with him one on one he is more than just a lugaflow rapper, he is a teacher and more than that to the Youths who have gone through his BAVUBUKA FOUNDATION. He approaches hip-hop in a different way from which it’s widely viewed in our country which is entertainment.

My mind does a rewind. I arrived at the Bavabuka Headquarter which is located in Namasuba in the afternoon. The place is a bit loud with calm Pan-African rap music playing in their lounge and people rehearsing in the other room. The place has a creative flowing African vibe about it with some of awards they have won up on the top cabinet of their library.

Some Of The Awards At Bavubuka HQ

I was given a quick tour of the place by the Bavubuka coordinator Gilbert Daniels and a briefing of whatever goes on at the Bavabuka Foundation with all its sections (Bavubuka Allstarz, Bavubuka Sports and Bavubuka Dynasty). At this moment as the tour goes on Babaluku comes into the room while rapping along to the music playing while holding a bunch of books and he adds them to the library (a lot of learning goes on at the Bavabuka home). After the briefing with Gilbert the interview with Babaluku kicked off with my major interest being about the B-Global Indigenous Gatherings Of 2013.

QN: What’s up man? It’s dope to finally meet a legend in the game. First off let’s talk about the B-GLOBAL INDIGINEOUS GATHERINGS, that’s going to take place what does one have to do to be part of it and all the details of the event.

Thanks man, the five day event [B-GLOBAL] is the brain-child of celebrating a
decade of hip-hop in Uganda. When we were going to celebrate a decade last
year you know, we wanted to do uniquely very different than we ever done
before. There has never been a hip-hop festival in Uganda; there’s never been an
event that has ever gone for more than two days for hip-hop. So we wanted to do significantly something that will carry the greatness of saying that at ten years at a decade we did a 5day series of events that were in commemoration & celebrating the journey of growing indigenous hip-hop at in Uganda. So, we started B-GLOBAL Gatherings to open up space for Ugandans not to treat hip-hop as an entertainment platform but as an education based foundation.

So, we believe when we improve on the education and we invest in the demographic of youthful culture that are coming up we will get a new force that will be part of the hip-hop community to get into the circles and be influential. So that’s where education becomes key so we have to grow hip-hop from the angle of just being an emcee, a deejay or a b-boy to attaching ourselves to the relevant platforms that are growing in Uganda.

 I mean B-GLOBAL is literally in solidarity with all indigenous communities around the world. So what B-GLOBAL does for us, it keeps our voice on a global platform for all indigenous communities around the world to know there’s a voice of hip-hop in Uganda, it stands for the values of indigenous people of Uganda, it encourages and promotes all the moral values that comes with the indigenous expression. You know that’s why B-GLOBAL is one of the most authentic visions to ever hit hip-hop in Uganda. The Gatherings will take place at The HUB KAMPALA and they'll free.

QN: Let’s discuss hip-hop in Uganda? What are your views on its current state since you’re one of the people that started it?

I have positive and negative about it but let me start with the positive views. Hip-hop now in Uganda is a success and a voice. People are starting to listen and we’re able to draw a significant difference with that kind of music. It has worked in the demographic of the young people who are marginalized to be able to have an opportunity now, to have a voice at the table. Not only that but hip-hop from the entrepreneurial perceptive has given young people unconventional methods of being able to find ways of employment to support other communities.

The Negative side of it is lack of education and information. You see because we’re an entertainment based culture it’s easy for us to gravitate from the joy and the happy moments. At the end of the day we forget to do research and learn about what we do in our specific fields. And of course there’s the colonial syndrome of not having an authentic approach or desire to resonate our own indigenous expression whether it’s languages or way
in which our stories.


QN: You’re known to criticize English rappers in Uganda, why?!

First and fore most because the content is irrelevant. If you’re in Uganda and
you’re rapping about Uganda why should you use metaphors that are from New
York? Why not use Ugandan English context of expression because we have our
own language and context of expression here.

 So, you know it’s not criticism it’s not doing the knowledge, it’s not doing the 5th element. If you’re an emcee from UG hip-hop requires you have to be original, so what’s your originality that’s what I would ask all the English rappers. So it’s not criticizing English rappers I careless if they rap in English or anything, my thing is that be relevant to your people. Don’t just sound like 50cent then drop a little Elly Wamala (R.I.P) then you say you represent Uganda.

QN: Why English rappers would you say are on the right track representing Uganda or are relevant like you put it.

The closest to it is Krukid (Ruyonga) and that’s because I have known him for a while I have seen his work while he was in America. There are some of his songs hat I understand that have been more of better songs about Uganda than a lot of rappers that are on the ground here.

And also Atlas he has a good attitude being a kid who is raised in Canada to
represent his country well both mentally and musically. You know when you have
a conversation with him about the context of hip-hop he could tell you a lot about originality.

Lyrical G too he has stayed true to the game from back in the day when I met him up to now. He showed up with 16bars in luganda for the first ever studio session I had with him.

Babaluku is one of the originators of Lugaflow and the top influential rappers in uganda (see full list here). Through his Bavubuka Foundation this year they have organized a five day hip-hop forum known as  the B-GLOBAL INDIGENOUS GATHERINGS that will be finalized with the hip-hop summit on the last day. There will be different guests like Heat Wave from Canada to grace the forum and our own Ugandan rappers (Atlas, GNL & Others). So, starting on the 22nd of December make your way to The Hub Kampala and celebrate Ugandan Hip-hop.

B-GLOBAL GATHERINGS SCHEDULE

Contact the writer;

Twitter: @TheNinjafelix

Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed

Email: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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RUYONGA DISCUSSES VICTORY LAP & KRUKID.

By Byaruhanaga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

The Victory Lap Mixtape is  a follow up to Ruyonga‘s successful & critically acclaimed album Victory Music. It features a lot of  refixes from different African songs and some hip-hop hits of 2013 (let Nas Down JCole, Don't Kill My Vibe Kendrick & others). I linked up with him and we discussed it and also talked about Krukid.

QN:What's good boss?! According to your blog u had decided to take a break from music but you are now dropping a mixtape, what prompted the come back?!

The mixtape was already mostly done by the time I'd made the announcement. I'd always intended to give the hardcore fans a special treat for free for all the support I'd gotten this year. Just some easy listening. And I didn't feel it right to short change them on that one.

QN:So, let's talk VICTORY LAP, what influenced this tape? Is it a follow up of the "Victory Music" album?!

 It's actually more of a B-Side extension. The excess energy that had no place on the album which was a defined project. Albums are very constraining for me, and this was how I would let loose during the proccess. Just some nice clever thoughtful music and musical interpretations of music I'd heard and had appreciated for some reason or another. Most of the music on Victory Lap isn't even originally mine, this tape was really a creative outlet of a different kind.

QN:By any chances did the Krukid (the one who raps, who doesn't do evil) come out on the mixtape?!

Lol I don't think so. That chapter in my life is over, there's alot of unreleased music with his name on it, but this isn't it. This is for Hip Hop and music heads though.

QN:BTW where can the fans get the old "Krukid-Music", cause most of them know that you were around from back in the day but they never got chance to listen to it. 
They'd have to Google Krukid or go to Torrent sites and look up my name. That or maybe hope I release some of this other stuff I have, although I just dont know how that would work.  
  
QN:Okay away from the mixtape, describe for us a typical Ruyonga Studio session. 
I write and record really fast. Many times I write in studio. Sometimes JT will have me leave or do it later just so I don't do it to get it done. I'm a hustler mang, this music thing is something I was blessed to do. 

QN:What's your take on the hip hop industry locally right now and Ugandan rappers on the African scale?! 
We have the talent in spades. We just need to seriously work on our image and marketing. And individuality, we seem to copy a lot.

QN: Which mainstream or underground Ugandan rappers have earned your respect and why? Apart form The-Mith & Enygma. 

Tucker HD is a Beast, homey makes it look easy. Big Tril is on the rise, Benny Black is a problem though technically rwandese, Flexx D Paper gets his style on, LG, GNL, Sylvester n Abramz have stayed true, Navio has expanded, different cats are respected for different reasons.  

QN:Which female Ugandan rappers (underground or mainstream) works those bars for you? 
Sphynx, Mai Muna, Keko got bars that's well known, there's a few others whose names slip me right now.  

QN: Lastly, any words for the upcoming rappers who aspire to be in your position some day. 
You were never put here to be me. What greatness has God put on the inside of you to uniquely reveal? Focus on that.

In case you haven't got or listened to the mixtape check SoundCLoud, DatPiff, AudioMack  just google it or follow this link www.africanhhb.com.

 Connect With Ruyonga;
Facebook: Ruyonga
Twitter: @RuyongaMusic
Blogger: Ruyonga Blogspot
Wordpress: Ruyonga.com
Website: www.ruyonga.com




Contact Writer;
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Email: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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BIGTRIL DISCUSSES WHITE SHADOWS.

WHITE SHADOWS ALBUM COVER

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

On the 29th of this month Baboon Forest head Bigtril will be dropping his first
official album at club venom (entrance UGX 20,000 just). I caught up with him and we discussed a lot of things about his album, the state of hip-hop in Uganda as a genre and this is how it all went down.

Qn: What’s good boss? First, things first you announced a mix-tape last year “Dreams 2 Reality” but the fans waited but you never dropped it, what happened?
 
All is good, just wrapping up the album. About the mix-tape we discussed as a
label and we decided to pull it back, because me as BIGTRIL as an artist I’m past the level on a mix-tape. We felt that I was ready for an album so we held it back, but the music is available online people can download it.

Qn: Okay, let’s discuss WHITE SHADOWS the album; is there any inspiration
behind the title of this album?

White Shadows is my first studio album dropping 29th November. White shadow
is more of like a movement I don’t want to live in the dark (back) no more i just
want a white shadow (the brightness). Basically when you listen to the song
“White Shadows” you will know what I’m talking about.

Qn: Let’s dive into the craft and making of the album, how many tracks are on
the album on collaborations?

Basically this album has 12tracks with collaborations from artists like Evon (inside outside), Fille, Keko, Toniks, Dreign and others. Different producers have been able to contribute to its making like Sam Lamara, Dreign and others.

Qn: Sometime last year on a certain radio interview I heard that you had
collaboration with Ice Prince which you didn’t mention among the features on
this album what happened. I also realized that your album has few rappers what
are you getting at?

Yeah, the collaboration with Ice Prince is still in works due to the time difference
we have as artists and it will feature on the next album, in fact there are a lot of
international features that will be on my next album like Stella Mwangi and
others. My album has few rappers because I wanted it to be a Bigtril album; I just wanted to own it basically.

Qn: On this album you relax a bit, kill a few commercial tracks here and there,
what happened to the Bigtril on tracks like Drain Me Dry, Straka Money and the
like?

On this album I went "Trizzy-Trizzy", I just wanted to create an album that all
people can easily enjoy and have fun. I still bring back the hard core BigTril on
tracks like Boda-Boda Swag. Secondly, when you’re on a record label you have to loosen up a bit and make more money.

Qn: How much is the album going to cost and where can the fans get it from?

The album will cost UGX 15000 (12tracks) and in a month’s time the Deluxe
Version will be released (15tracks) and also a DVD of the album will be released.
The album will be available everywhere in all shops like Nakumatt, Garden City, music land and other shops that will be communicated.

Qn: Comment on the current state of Ugandan Hip-hop.

I think the Ugandan hip-hop right now has a future, I mean you have the old
school people like Babaluku, Mith, Navio doing their thing, then you have artists like me and the new school rappers. Literally the future is bright because artists are being nominated at the Channel O awards like Navio, Keko. I do believe the future is bright and we headed in the right direction.

Qn: Lastly give us your top 5 Ugandan rappers that are not from Baboon Forest
Entertainment.

Without baboon forest entertainment that’s hard but in no specific order my top
 5 Ugandan rappers are; Keko, Enygma, The-Mith, Navio and Ruyonga.

 

Tomorrow Bigtril will be answering questions from the fans via his twitter account @BIGTRILKAIZA, from 2-4PM. Just tweet your question "@BIGTRILKAIZA , @TheTribe_UG" and use the the hash tag #WhiteShadows.  

Connect with Bigtril
Twitter:@BIGTRILKAIZA
Facebook: Bigtril
website:bigtrilofficial.com

Contact Writer:
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed 
Email: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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#MIRRORS: ART AGAINST CORRUPTION

By Mubanza Haggai (@mubanza)

 With the hip-hop culture approximately 30 years old all over the world, it’s an art of expression that we use to bring out issues affecting our society.

On 22^nd November, Mirrors was held for the first time at the Uganda Museum striking a balance between, fashion, spoken word, social art and music to highlight how corruption is an unnecessary evil, hinders development and we as Ugandans should stand up against it. The event was initiated by Hellena Okiring and her team.

The show started at around 7:45pm and was graced by amazing performances with the likes of Saint Nellysade, Jason Ntaro, Beverly Nambozo, T-Bro, Milege Band, Slim MC, Edwin Ruyonga, Big Tril and Benezeri who unveiled part 2 to Zuukuka, a sequel to a song that raises issues about corruption within Uganda.

The event was sponsored by Open Mic Uganda Action Aid, Open Mic, Fenon, Ketoro, Smile Telecom, SWATT, Spire films and designs, Jennifer Ayikoru and Drop Creative.

T-Bro
#KigaFlow #Ekitaguriro

Benezeri & BigTril  #BodaBodaSwag #Blest

Milege Band

BigTril & Benezeri

Benezeri, Ruyonga & BigTril Performing Zuukuka Pt.2

Ruyonga #VictoryLap

SlimeMcee

Contact Writer:

Facebook: Mubanza Haggai
Twitter: @mubanza
Email: mubanza@gmail.com

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GEMS OF WISDOM BY DREW DE'ALOI AYENI [BOOK REVIEW]

 By Yuriy Grigoryants (poet, writer, spoken word artist)

Poetry is an acronym for "SOUL Happenings"...Time travel to the past, future and back again... Poems are one of the natural wonders on our Earth, part of man’s nature, in certain ways they are like all other creatures surviving in the wilderness. When poems are seen as living beings, individual entities, they can take away your breath, their very existence can change your life, truly shift your understanding of reality. The vision of Drew De'aloi Ayeni flies to unlimited heights, yet it appeals to a reader, as it vibes in unison with our thoughts and feelings, which we through away as something that prevents us from succeeding in daily routine (making money, despising, envying, or even fighting neighbour, etc., etc., etc.). Drew did not through them, as we do, he decided to work with them and see what's good in it for all of us. As for the form: it's amazingly masterful, with the abundance of “SMART” words, yet it is entertaining, engaging (I am sure many of us will dive into dictionaries after reading his poems). The style is very rhythmic, singing every word. He calls himself the African Wordsmith, and he is. But that playful attitude towards chosen words somehow intertwines with depth of thoughts, spirituality... lots of love for fellow human beings. His poetry is what I call “real food plus dessert for the mind”, as opposed to “chewing gum” of many of modern writings. The most important thing is, that he stands out among the majority of poets who try so hard to be “down to earth” with chosen topics and style, that they forget that we can fly. Drew's thought flies freely, and he is not afraid to fly and invites his readers to this flight with him in a very loving, amicable manner. I think you should allow this contact to take place, because once it has happened you will want to return to it and double check. Was he so bold? Were those insights so true? Was he really speaking to me? Yes. Yes. Yes and yes. These are poems for all who are willing. These are poems for you.
GEMS OF WISDOM  will have an audio version voiced by Rugged Made(rapper) and it's release date is yet to be announced. In a few days we shall have a 1-on-1 interview with Drew telling us all about the book and how it can be accessed.

Connect With  Yuriy
Facebook: Yuriy Grigoryants
Website: http://ygrig108.wix.com/yuriy-the-poet

Connect with Drew:
Facebook:Drew De'aloi
Facebook Page:Drew De'aloi's-Poetic Notes

Twitter:@Drew4real256
Email:ayeni3000@gmail.com

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CAMPU BY TUCKER HD [SONG REVIEW + LYRICS]

CAMPU ILLUSTRATIVE ARTWORK [Cover Art]

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)  

“Dope Track After Drop Track/
We Keep Moving That Audio Opium…”
Tucker HD (Public Service Announcement)

It only felt right I started this song’s (#Campu) review with those bars. Tucker is at it again on his #TuckerTuesday, moving that audio opium from BURN now to #Campu (dope track after track). Campu Life is produced by Sam Lamara a.k.a The Samurae of Talent Africa and artwork developed by Frank Whizzer. The art work gives you a quick preview of what you going to listen to, a rolex on the side, pen-books and shs.1000 notes. Campu Life focuses on those campus stories that everyone who has been to campus has at least gone through. Tucker goes ahead to lay down hard bars proving his lyrical strength as he is also sending a message on different topics like AIDS rise among students.

Good job Tucker and The Samurae, I give you (rate) four ROLEXES out of five (4/5).

See song lyrics below:

From Olympia, Valley Courts, to Nana, Ark & Akamwesi
The campus nightlife's a Straka Mwezi
8 to noon, tweeting, whatsapping in the lecture room
The hardest part about tests? Sitting next to whom?
Guys talking slick, tryna lead your friends on
99% of those? They keep them in the friendzone
She's something that you could have son, not that you are bad
You're sweet but can't compete with her sugar-dad
Outside her hostel, probably donning a Rolex watch
And your meal-time's your only Rolex, watch
You got game but no match, its real evident
Walking that talk, like I should run for Guild President
Papers the next day, party the entire night
Leave for class, pull our pens out then we firefight
Sexual network, affection leads to sex and
Rather than risk infection, some opt to use protection
Listen please, while you split some trees, beers and pleasantries
AIDS is on the rise like tuition fees
This life aynt a joke, without money, how funny
Some after heights, and some jumping off the balcony
The sextapes, folks do what they're determined to do
Lecturers striking, their payrise from the government due
Through it all you gotta focus, you don't plan to see
Your Graduation turn into a Dark Twisted Fantasy..

MUBS waddup? MUK waddup?
MUBS waddup? Nkozi waddup?
KYU & KIU
I C U all in UCU
You know the rest, it's The Taxi
Yeah, you aynt gotta ask me
Got Martha Smallz in the backseat
She just like it like that, see?
With LL this The Taxi, I'm OUT!

#THD.
Download Link

 Connect With Tucker;

Twitter: @TuckerHDMusic

Facebook: Tucker HD

Contact Writer;

Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix

Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed

Email: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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YEGO NIGHT: 3rd EDITION

By ByaruhangaFelix (@TheNinjaFelix)

So, I’m supposed to write a maximum of 400 words but for this with the experience I had I’m going to let it slide. This was the third edition of #YegoNight & personally I have attended two, the one which took place last month and this month’s edition. It happened at Route256(Opposite MTN indoor Arena Lugogo).

For those of you who don’t know about Yego Night, it’s a hip-hop event that happens every first Wednesday of the month put together by the Yego Production house. Different hip-hop artists come together both underground & mainstream rappers to put up performances for the fans of Ugandan hip-hop. So last night we had GNL, Santana with his 100Acres team (M.I.C &
Big ST), Lyrical G, Lillian Mbabazi, Klear Kut (JB & The-Mith), the Ugandan hip-hop commandos (Enygma & Ruyonga) and DJ Global on the decks. The night started with freestyles from different new school rappers like So Severe, Benezeri, Forever Mc and a few underground rappers like BB Muwanvu who in my opinion had the best freestyle.

Every rapper put on a great show and of course the amazing Lillian Mbabazi. One of the performances that really got my attention was GNL’s, as he was performing he paused the music for a few minutes to pay respect and appreciate all the rappers that came before him like Lyrical G. This is one thing that all young rappers & the fans need to learn, RESPECT. You may be the hottest rapper at the moment but that doesn’t mean you disrespect those that came
before you. I have seen it with a few young upcoming rappers and some of us the fans which destroys the industry.

I firmly believe Yego Night is what the Ugandan hip hop industry has been missing, a night that will bring the fans and the rappers together every month instead of waiting for hip-hop concerts which as we all know take long happen. It’s also a place where the fans can get on a one on one with their favorite rappers and ask them a few questions. So, it’s us the fans to keep such hip-hop events running by attending them and buying merchandise that’s being sold at
these events. You don’t need to wait for #YegoNight to be announced just know that every first Wednesday of the month is all about Ugandan hip-hop at the Yego Night so come through and support. I want to send special thanks to every rapper that came through, JT (CEO Yego Productions), Ruyonga and the entire Yego team ( Osqa, Pearl, Cleo & the others) for such a
dope monthly night. Ruyonga is dropping his mix tape “Victory Lap” this Saturday at the Hive Mukono let’s all be there and support.



Contact writer;
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed
Twitter:@TheNinjaFelix
Email: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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JB [JBaller] DISCUSSES GAME OF THRONES [Vol.1], HIS ALBUM AND THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED KLEAR KUT ALBUM.

Games Of Thrones Vol.1 [Cover Art]

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

On 18th October 2013 JB a.k.a JBaller (C.E.O Blackstorm Ent.) was supposed to release his Game Of Thrones Vol.1 Mix-tape but due to some features and material that was supposed to be added to the mix-tape  was pushed a few weeks ahead (date to be announced soon).

 

So, I decided to catch up with him to see the progress of the mix-tape  production and our conversation went along these lines.

What's good boss?! Where have you been it's been a minute since you made a major appearance on the UG hip-hop scene? What's keeping you busy these days?!

JB: Im good man hustling day by day. Yeah I’ve been a little quiet working on Game Of Thrones, and my first solo album. When I get into my creative mode I kinda go into my creative cave lol. A couple things have been keeping me busy. I’m in the process of talking to some international management in Canada. A few people have heard my material and are interested in what I can offer. So I’ll be able to have my music heard more on an international level, not just on the UG/East African scene.

So, let's talk about your upcoming mix-tape "Game Of Thrones", why the name Game Of Thrones?

JB: Well while I was in the studio and writing the material I was watching the Game Of Thrones series. I chose to entitle the mixtape the same, cause I kinda compared it to the hip-hop game. Every mc/artist want to be number 1, be the king. It’s a competitive business sometimes you have to go to war to get to the top, or defend your rightful place in the game.

Briefly walk us through the making/recording of this mix-tape, generally the whole experience.

JB: Well I’ve been working with a young talented producer called Play1. I did most of the recording at the new Baddi Studios in Makindi. The process I took to start on this project myself and Play went through his whole hard disk of beats. This guy has hundreds of beats from different genres, styles, and sounds. I also had material that I had written to other known songs. So I told Play to remake a beat around the original instrumental I wrote the song to with the same tempo. I also have some pretty nice features on this project like Rabadaba, Keko, Klear Kut, Lillian, and more. It was nice working with them usually we’re hanging out with each other but never got the chance to work with one another. So once we got into the studio the chemistry was already there cause we’re close and know each other.

Nice!!! When you returned to the music scene you dropped a mix-tape "The Prequel" now it's Game Of thrones we(as the fans) were hoping for an album what's taking you long to drop one?

THE PREQUEL MIX-TAPE

JB: I am working on the album. Creating an album is a little more complicated than a mixtape. There’s allot more that comes with an album, and when I drop mine I want it to be perfect from production, quality, art, and marketing of the project. Probably the album will drop next year summer.

What should your fans expect on this mix-tape that you haven't delivered to them yet and what makes this mix-tape different from the previous one?

JB: The fans can expect a more developed JB as far as being an artist. My delivery, subject matter, and writing skills have improved. On this project I’m giving you a glimpse of what you’ll get on the album to come. I get more personal on life, spiritual issues, and love. I believe the fans will not be expecting that side of JB so it will be real interesting I know they will love it.

How much is it going to cost and where can people get it both online and offline?

JB: You will be able to pick up the CD at Bold in Kisementi for only UGX 10,000. You’ll be able to get the other locations where it’s sold from my social media accounts.

What makes JB different from other rappers in the industry?

JB: My style, life experiences, how I can take issues and from the western world and relate them to matters here in Africa that we go through. I guess it's an advantage growing up on both sides of the world. I fell in love with hip-hop in the south in the states, and developed my style there. So when someone hears me they hear the emotion that southern hip hop artists have in their delivery.

What do you think about the current state of the Uganda hip-hop industry?!

JB: The state of the industry now has come a long way. From the days of DV8 in the early 2000’s UG has developed some good hip hop talent and has managed to get the genre to the fore front of the corporate market. We still have a long way to go in developing better musicians, producers, and even film production. We are getting there. Uganda has some of the best raw talent in East Africa. With the right molding in the next few years and us as an industry, country, and people sticking together we will go further than anybody in Uganda would have thought. Not even just hip hop but as Ugandan music in general.

Which (mainstream or underground) hip-hop artist has earned your respect and why?(One who is not from Klear Kut)

JB: There are a couple guys that have got my respect. Ruyonga is one, its good to see him getting his success cause he’s one of the mc’s that have come up from back in the day with us. Enygma is nice. I really like Tucker HD from AirportTaxi. He is going to be a beast in the next couple years.

Lastly we know that klear kut is working on a joint project( album), can you leak something about the project or something we should expect? Is it going to have Abba Lang (Langman) and Papito on?!

JB: Yeah it’s going to be crazy. The only reason it’s taken so long cause of our schedules and we want to get everyone on the project. Plus we want to make a classic album. We can get in the studio and put tracks together that’s nothing. We could give you two albums like that by December. But we want to put together a master piece, but don’t worry its coming real soon. I believe we’ll leak some tracks to tease the fans in the next couple months, or weeks. Yes Papito and Langman will be on the album the whole Klear Kut crew all five members.


JB  was born January 16th 1985 in Montreal, Canada. With Jamaican background, at the age of 4 JB and his parents moved to Kampala Uganda. He always had a love for music learning how to play the drums at an early age; he would play during the Sunday morning services. Later on in his life he gained an interest in rap and decided to further his talents in rapping. Returning from school in the States he linked up with old school friend Navio and formed a group called Killa Millz. Not too long after they linked up with three other friends named The-Mith, Langman, and Papito and formed Klear Kut.

With Klear Kut, they managed to release 3 albums (Mind, Body And Soul, K-Squared and Klear Discussion) that have received critical acclaim. ‘Mind, Body and Soul’, their first album garnered them 2 nominations at the all Africa KORA... Awards (Best Hip-Hop Artist and Revelation of the year), making them Uganda’s first ever group to receive such success.Like they say the rest is history.

Now back from  the States after years, JB is in the studio and he released his first solo project THE PREQUEL which is going to be followed by Game Of Thrones, his solo album and a joint album with Klear Kut.

Connect with Jb;

Twitter: @JballerUg 

Facebook: J Baller Ug

Get his music on hulkshare: Free Downloads

Follow
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Faceboook: Byaruhanga Felix Felifed
Em@il: felixbyaruhanga@gmail.com

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