• TOP NEW SKOOL-RAPPERS 2014

    By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix) If you’ve clicked that link thanks and if you don’t see your name or your favorite new skool rapper’s name below don’t catch feelings just share your thoughts with us via twitter @TheNinjaFelix or @TheTribe_UG.

    Read More
  • KEKO ON HER MIXTAPE AND UG HIP-HOP [Interview]

    By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix) As we wait for 13th December for the official release of Keko Town's upcoming P.A.R.A.N.O.I.D mixtape (which we shall be hosting on our blog) I caught up with

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  • NEW DAY - ATLAS ft. Lillian Mbabazi [Behind The Scenes]

    By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix) New Day is one of the singles of Atlas Da African's upcoming album 'Loyalty Before Royalty' and it features the talented Lillian Mbabazi who;

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Sunday, August 24, 2014

All About You-SONNY [REVIEW + DOWNLOAD]



By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

After the “No Other” release back in March, Sonny is back with “All About You” whose story line is based on a true story. All about you was officially released on 23rd August and it premiered as Sonny’s first solo project. Mostly, we have listened to her on features or on tracks where she features people like Essie, Benny Black Ciddy & others.

On a Lawraid Vybz crafted beat, Sonny melodically croons across a solid R&B beat with her lyrics that will make you stay to listen. It’s no surprise that whenever Sonny gets on a track, you will get the best of her, which shows that she knows her way around making a great sound.

She’s always on her A-game no matter the project be it a hip-hop track or one of her R&B ballads which makes you look forward to her next project. She’s already working on three other projects but for now, it’s all about you. Enjoy! [Download]

Connect with Sonny:
Facebook: Sonny Soweez
Twitter: @Sonny_Soweez
Reverbnationhttp://www.reverbnation.com/sonnysoweez
Hulkshare: http://www.hulkshare.com/SO-NNY
Instagram: @SonnySoweez

Contact Writer:
Facebook:Byaruhanaga Felix
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix 
Email: TheNinjaFelix@gmail.com


Thursday, August 21, 2014

#EnterTheRing (DECODED)


The concept for Enter The Ring came at a time where I felt that young MCs in UG Hip-Hop weren’t doing enough for themselves in as far as brand building and creating a legacy is concerned. We have talent, yes, but the gap between the more established rappers and the “new school” kept growing. This song directly challenges any New School MC to Enter The Ring with the big dogs. Battle them. Compete for Airplay. Out-rap them at shows. Build bigger brands than theirs. Let them know that the gap is closing and that we are ready to live up to their legacy - and surpass it. On a personal level, this is my way of saying, “I’m coming for you.” Originally, I was supposed to pick a verse but everyone has a favorite verse so I decoded the whole song.
"Pen in my Holster"

[Verse 1 - CODE]
Yeah,
I am the Poster Child for New MCs (Whaaaat?)
Pen in my Holster, Finna Spray this Beat (Whaaaat?)

 I open the track with the same mentality that any NEW MC should have. I feel this way and anyone who listens to my music knows there is truth when I say; I am the Poster Child for New MCs. I represent them. I speak for them. I am the definition of growth from writing lines in a prep room to sharing stages with the artists who paved the way for me. I have the most complete brand. I am the face of the New MC. My pen is my arsenal and I am determined to put this beat to rest. Permanently.

I Spit the Truth (Yes)
Have to be ruthless
Pure Flows for You Foes
That spit that Truth less

My music always has an element of honesty. Why? Because that’s the only way one can make REAL Music. Sometimes I might come off as brutally honest but if you feel offended, GOOD. Listeners won’t be deceived one bit so lying to them in a song just to up sales and popularity is the best way to fail in this industry. I have built a flow unique to CODE and the content of my music will always be a reflection of me, my state of mind and how I feel.

"So, allow me to Rage War"

So, allow me to Rage War
On You Punch-Bag Rappers, You Ready to Go?
Am Ready to Brawl, am steady here making you fall
Round of Applause, When every word drops to the floor

Someone asked me online during my #AskCODE session, who a Punch-Bag rapper is. This is any young MC who limits his expression of rap music to PUNCHLINES. The only way for the new school to bridge the gap is if we practice song-writing and concept creation when it comes to our songs. Sadly some rappers feel pressured to stick to the former. I briefly talked about it in Revolution but since then, only a few took heed. Now I am ready and am aiming at anyone who didn’t listen. I WILL run circles around you with the very punchline rap you hold so dear and I WILL close that race by dropping a well-driven track, concept and beat well designed and I WILL bask in that applause.

"Hate it or Love it, The Underdog’s on Top"

Hate it or Love it, The Underdog’s on Top
‘Bout to shake up a Heavyweight, begging me to stop
The Reality – CODE is back
Check Yourself
Where Am at is where The Truth is at
Lets Go

I end the first verse with a declaration of the same ambition as 50 Cent in Hate it or Love it”. In Life, the only way you can (and should) compete is with the guy at the Top. Shake up a heavyweight just to let him know his spot isn’t permanent.  Give him hell until he fights back or watch him move aside.

[Hook -A PASS]
Must know by now
Must know by now
Any where mi go bare Gyal follow
Must know by now
Must know by now
Any where mi go bare Gyal follow

A Pass, being his mad talented self, followed up on my declaration at the end of Verse 1. They must know by now. If they don’t, then they should. There is truth to this song. We have what many might call the X Factor. The unspoken truth that we do pull attention and we can cause debate. Bare gyal isn’t a reference to women alone. 

When I was down, never your concern
Till my flow taller dan antenna
When i was down never your concern
Till my flow taller dan antenna – tenna

It’s easy to ignore an artist when he hits a performance slump. Or even for the simple fact that your tastes and preferences tend to change quite often. It’s also hard to ignore a song that hits all the right notes all in one-go. In most cases, this is the determining factor for many MCs when it comes to the Ring. When they don’t have a good song out there, they second-guess themselves, thinking their flow isn’t good enough and fall back to the shadows of the crowd. Which prompts me to ask…..?



[CODE]
Unh,
Won’t you Enter The Ring (Yeah)
No Ropes, No Holds Barred
With these bars that I bring (Bring)
Unh,
Won’t you Enter The Ring (Ring)
No Ropes, No Holds Barred
With these bars that I bring (Murder
)

I follow up where A Pass left off. Instead of second guessing yourself as an artiste, I ask, “Won’t You Enter The Ring?” Where anything goes? Where it’s not about your status? Where it’s just Pure Raw Talent? And Rappers know firsthand what could happen to them in a ring - (Murder).

[Verse 2 - CODE and A Pass]
Mann, I’ll have you Pacq-ing Out this Holy-field
You don’t deserve this ground; you ain’t built to kill (To kill)

The song speaks heavily under the theme of a Boxing Ring. We have all seen the Under-dog rise. We have all seen the Greats fall. The story of triumph is easy to tell. But the pain of struggle can be a hard pill to swallow. Truth is, not all rappers are built for the Ring. It’s a holy ground, of sorts. Once you step on that sacred platform, everyone will come at you. Media, Fellow MCs, EVERYONE. You need to be built to kill, almost literally. I make reference using a bit of wordplay to a few of my favourite boxers in this verse. Manny Pacquiao and Evander Holyfield.

And Me?
I grow still, Broke outta the pipeline like an oil spill
Ignitin’ the right rhymes, Let them boil still
Am getting Complex, You took a Chill Pill

Growth as a musician is a big deal for me. I do everything within my power to be a better artist than I was with every subsequent song I release. Yet unlike most of my peers, I also let my singles marinate. Music needs to be appreciated. While we take time to craft songs that up the listener’s experience (what simple minds call being Complex), they either dumb down or take a chill pill.

Who Jah Bless No Man Cyan Curse
(Dem Cyan Keep a Good Man Down) – It Won’t Work

When writing Enter The Ring, I drew inspiration from reggae music. I listened to a lot of Damian Marley and one song in particular - a track called Solid as a Rock by an artiste called Sizzla. That song really set the tone for this second verse and influenced the couplet above. 

Leonardo with this Art form
I Bar-fight when I write
And on stage, Am Mic-Tight, son (Mike Tyson)
Track Killers where I come from
You can’t claim the crown if you ain’t never seen the Throne, son

Rap and Music in general have always been the most physical art forms. Some consider Music to be the most powerful expression of self. I feel the same way when it comes to my music. I feel that with music I can be the highest expression of me. And there is no Higher. My skill likened to some but second to none. Bar-fights are an every-day thing. Vicious.  No Rules. Anything goes. And when I write bars, you can see the brutal honesty in my words. Anything goes. As far as stages go, every one of them is a platform and when I get on one, I leave the best version of CODE in the audience. So I bring my A-game on the Mic, the same way Mike let his jabs echo across the ring. I am blessed to know MCs who would gladly battle any one and murk a track with no regard. You can only add brag to the royalty you claim if you can out-rap every other rapper and force them to stick to their lanes. Till then, you won’t even see that Throne.
[A Pass]
Say Dem a Love mi Dem a Hater (Do know)
Say Dem a Love mi Dem a Faker (Fake Bwoy)
But If mi no lead some bwoy cyan follow
Dem hate A.P ca mi run Kampala


A Pass returns to help me finish my verse and he adds a layer to the verse that I personally did not see coming. You say you have fans that love you but the same fans will gladly choose the MC with a song hotter than yours. It’s not a bad thing (we should embrace the competition, if any) but some artists have this mentality that fans belong to one person. The harsh reality is you work hard for your fans but they can very easily be taken from you. The only constant is that they will rally behind the Leader of the pack, not his second-in-command. Truth is the only Leader. And someone has to lead but you can’t be the one to follow if you tell people lies.

Hook

[Verse 3 - CODE]
I must warn you
Don’t Enter the Ring with the Lord of the Rings, huh
It’s not a simple thing

Reference to the Popular Movie and Boxing in general. In the same way, the Lyrical Ring is a “kill-or-get-killed” situation. Battles aren’t what they used to be. Careers can be heavily damaged in that ring. Yet, for any upcoming MC, you need to grow through it. Go a few rounds with the best. Take that loss and Learn how to win.  It’s not a simple thing when you enter the ring with Lyrical Kings.


"Never been a Puppet on the Scene, ‘Cause you never see me there
Am the Dude on the Strings"

Never been a Puppet on the Scene, ‘Cause you never see me there
Am the Dude on the Strings
None of that Tic-Tac-Toe Rapping
Flows like K.O’s, Man that’s my Thing

Puppet-master. Dude on the Strings. Needless to say, you can see the influence some rappers have on others. You create a classic fusion of hip hop and pop and there are two other tracks that come after that which sound exactly like yours. Some go ahead and ask the producer to “ReMAKE” the beat. Others go as far as jacking your flows and song titles. Their Excuse: “…So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin it wrong/You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song” It worked well for Jay, but won’t work for you. All because their own material is Tic-Tac-Toe. Personally, I have more than one unique flow. That way, you can’t box me in.

Funny but Music’s not a Joke to me
Am tryna make a Classic, Wanna Help? – Talk to me


This needs no explanation. If You don’t take yourself seriously….then no one will. You sound weird on your first track and your voice still squeaky but a few more nights in the booth get you where you want to be. In this business, you don’t get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate for. So get as much help as you can. Classics are hard to make. Always a joint effort. Never a one man show.

I let my pen make my statements
See, Am good with Hit songs but I’ve never been Complacent
I tried to make Trys with Lyrical Strides
Sidestepping niggas that see me with Negative eyes


I don’t brag. I let my music speak for me. I get a lot of help from a lot of the older MCs and they have given me some priceless advice. Fear No One in this business. Not even them. Stay humble but never stay idle. Keep recording. Keep writing. Keep polishing your skill. There will be traitors / negative eyes on this path so keep your circle small.

‘Cause They Scared, about me and my Come-Up
Never see me coming like a DJ Switch Up
Backspin your whole career with my Skills
Enter The Ring – See how that feels.


A few Dee-jay references here and there. The abrupt change of pace when a deejay uses the backspin effect during a set. I hoped this song would have the same effect. Before the younger MCs spiral down into the depths of mediocrity, I hope this song reminds them that there is a huge difference between a Complete Artist and an MC. Go bar-for-bar in the Ring just to remind each other that there is always more to the table that we can bring.

Connect With CODE:
Facebook : www.facebook.com/TimothyCode
Army of CODE : www.facebook.com/groups/armyofcode
Twitter : www.twitter.com/TimothyCODE or @TimothyCODE
Instagram : www.instagram.com/TimothyCODE or @TimothyCODE
Tumblr : www.timothycode.tumblr.com
Youtube : www.youtube.com/user/TimothyCODE

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The-Mith Breaks Down "We Should Go" [Interview + Download]


By Byaruhanaga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

As we wait for the official track list &  official release date of Mr.So UG's second album "Destination:AFRICA" we decided to catch up with him on this week's #DestinationAFRICA edition. We had a quick chat about his first single off the album WE SHOULD GO [Download Here] that features Navio & Nigeria's Ikechuwku plus the progress of the entire album.

QN: What's good?! It's good to have you here for this week's #DestinationAFRICA edition. To start off how far with the album?

I am 95% done with the project. I think. But I'm also a perfectionist, so I am never satisfied with a project. So I might re-record the whole thing all over again.

QN: Let's talk the first single you released off the album "We Should Go" that features Navio & Ikechukwu. First off why did you specifically choose those  MCs to jump on to the track?

Having two MCs wasn't the plan. It was going to be The Mith ft. Ikechukwu, but i couldn't hit some notes in the chorus. Luckily for me, Navio is very versatile. So when I asked him to do the hook, he jumped on it and "We Should Go" was born.

QN: What was the creative process and your inspiration for this particular track?

I had always wanted to work with Ikechukwu. So when i called  him, and he said, 'send me the beat', I sat down in studio all day with Sam Lamara and we built the whole thing from scratch. I told Sam I wanted to be challenged and he delivered a beat that did exactly that to me.
As far as inspiration goes, I was just trying to put together a smash. So, that particular was inspired by the sound at that time. I wanted something "current".

QN: How did Navio end up lending vocal contributions and without a verse on the track?

Funny story. He came through to the studio because the traffic was crazy. So he heard me "saffaling ova deya" in the studio and tried to give me a few pointers on how to deliver the hook.
So I told him to just jump in and do it for me. Initially he was like no, but when I told him it featured Ikechukwu, he did it quick time. He knew the song needed to be done well.


QN: We (at The Tribe UG) have always been interested in the flow of your lyrics. Do you free-flow or do you actually sit down & have an actual writing session in the studio?

With this album, I have been trying to have fun. So  a lot of the verses come up as I am clowning in the studio. I will get a flow that works, stick to it, put words around the flow.
On my previous projects, I'd sit down with a beat for a week, just writing verses for it. This was a lot more fun involved

QN: You're slated to perform at Navio's concert, what should we expect? Any exclusive to be performed off Destination:AFRICA?

I have given out too many exclusives. This time I will just do a  proper performance and slide I think. Or may be I will do a Ka exclusive track, you can never know.Just make sure y'all check in to Kati Kati, Saturday August 23rd.



Connect With The-Mith
Facebook: TheMithMusic
Twitter: @TheMithMusic
Instagram: @TheMithMusic
YouTube: TheMithVideos

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

Thursday, August 14, 2014

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU-NAVIO BTS #NavioConcert23rdAug



By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

The last time Navio had a concert was in 2011 and this year he is back at it again on 23rd this month at Kati Kati. It will be a day time show and Navio with his team have catered for all music fans thus non-hip hop fans and the real hip-hop fans considering the line up of artists going to perform that day; artists like chameloene, Mith, Enygma, Keko and others.

At the concert Navio will be releasing a new track with Vampino title "We Rule" and a brand new video for his "Something About You' a track off his third studio album "PRIDE". So, we managed to get a few shots from behind the scenes of the video shoot. Photo Credit @TshidiDotCom/DreamCast Creation(http://www.tshidi.com/)

23rd August no holding back, see you at kati kati.
#NavioConcert23rdAug






Connect With NAVIO
Facebook: NAVIO
Twitter: @NavioMusic
Instagram: @NavioMusic
YouTube: NavioVideos

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

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Koz 'N Effekt On The-Mith's #DestinationAFRICA [Interview]



By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

If you aren't new to this blog and Ugandan hip-hop in general, then Koz'N Effekt isn't a stranger to you  nor your playlist. He featured on our list of the top UG Hip-Hop producers and he has lent his production skills to a bunch of joints Line 4 Line, Kampla Si Bizimbe all off The Mith's TWOS (The Week Of September) and its intro. So, as the first edition of Mith's #DestinationAFRICA we decided to catch up with him to tell us about himself, production and of course Mr.So UG's upcoming album.

QN: Glad to have you here! To start off, tell us more about the man behind the board. Who is Koz-N-Effekt and what inspired him to become a producer?

Thank you very much for having me. Well, Koz N' Effekt is your regular guy with a deep passion for music; I have been making hip-hop music since 1998, but decided to take my game up a notch in 2001 (I guess, I felt ready then). 

I can't really point a finger at what inspired me...all I know is that i have been drawn to music since my childhood. Naturally, it became a part of me...hence the desire to create for myself.

QN: Listening to your music, you seem to have a raw and deep approach in your production. Why do you decide to have this approach and what message are you trying to send out there?

My understanding of hip-hop music started in the '90's, a time when raw, hard-core hip-hop from the USA underground was crossing borders. Legendary producers like Pets Rock, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre and them had (and still have) a big influence in my appreciation for hip-hop production.

secondly, I personally believe that hip-hop, being a genre that originated from the streets, should still have that "street element" if the culture is to be preserved.

QN: Let's talk about The-Mith's "Destination:AFRICA" , how many tracks do you entirely produce off it?

haha, I actually do not know how many tracks I have on that album. The album is still in production, you know, things are subject to change. some tracks can be pulled off the joint, others can be added. That said, I think I have three tracks off #DestinationAFRICA

QN: Describe for us a typical Mith Session. Does he walk in and you play him a couple of beats or  he explains his concept to you then you start from scratch?
Actually, it is a bit of both.
Sometimes, he calls me up, explains his concept to me and what his intentions are, then I take it from there. He is a very cautious artist. He is always up to some huge plot. So I try my  very best to provide a canvas that will suit his vision. This back and forth communication is a very interesting process I must say (pause).

Sometimes, I just e-mail him beats, and he gets back to me with what he has chosen which is usually all, haha.
I appreciate the fact that he is not afraid to experiment with random beats.

QN: On Destination:AFRICA  Mith tries to bring a new sound that I can call African on tracks like "Winner", "iHustle" which have got a huge response and rotation in different media houses. Do you think this kind of sound will define UG's hip-hop or the entire music industry in general years to come?

Definitely! First of all, it is a new sound. Secondly it identifies with our "Africanness", an element that has been tricky to include (for lack of a better word) in UG hip-hop
I believe that #DestinationAFRICA will be a very influential album in the definition of a Ugandan hip-hop sound.

QN: You have worked both with Navio & Mith On joints like "Allow Me", what makes their sessions different and enjoyable from other artsits?

These gentlemen are creative and professional. I like to work with creative minds that are not afraid to experiment. Their sessions are humorous, which even brings out more creative energy. I feed off that type of energy to make music.

QN: As a producer who has contributed to The-Mith's first album and his sophomore album what should we expect that's different from his past projects?

I like to think that The-Mith has evolved as an artist, he has always had a solid plan for his projects, but i think he is on the next creative level with this one. Expect a fully original work that SHALL definitely leave a mark on the face of UG hip-hop.

QN: Lastly who are your top 5 UG rappers (apart from The-Mith of course) & producers who have earned your respect?

Ahh...5? Tricky.
Well, right now, my favorite hip-hop producers are The Samurae, Aethan, Just Jose, Abstract Tim and JT (in no particular order)
Top 5 rappers, even trickier: Enygma, Navio, Abramz, BigTril, Ruyonga, Nelly Sade, AirporTaxi, Benny Black...I could keep going.


Connect Koz 'N Effekt
Twitter: @iKozneffekt
Instagram: @iKozneffekt

Connect With The-Mith
Facebook: TheMithMusic
Twitter: @TheMithMusic
Instagram: @TheMithMusic
YouTube: TheMithVideos

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


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Destination: AFRICA [The-Mith]



By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

It’s 2:00AM in the morning and I find myself navigating through pages on The-Mith’s old blog. I land on this post “MY QUOTE PROCESS” where he explains the entire process he goes through when he gets a concept. He talks about the how, when and in what way he will capture the listener’s attention when writing about a given concept. Under the hash tag #DestinationAFRICA we too intend to give you the how, when & what process of creating this album.

Destination: AFRICA is the Mith’s sophomore album and every week on Wednesday we shall be releasing an online #DestinationAfrica special edition coverage. One can easily call it the “Destination: AFRICA Documentary” but being broadcasted/streamed online. These editions will involve a lot insight on the creation process of the album thus; from the album cover release, interviews with producers on the album, exclusive release of tracks/collaborations on the album, behind the scenes of videos off the album up to the final release of the album.

How to be part of Destination: AFRICA.
Anyone can be part of it all you have to do is follow @TheMithMusic across all social media platforms & use the hash tag #DestinationAFRICA. It will also involve a lot of give-a-ways from mix-tapes to merchandise and hopefully the album. See you every Wednesday!



#Destination: AFRICA

Connect With The-Mith
Facebook: TheMithMusic
Twitter: @TheMithMusic
Instagram: @TheMithMusic
YouTube: TheMithVideos

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