The Difference Between UG Hip-Hop back then at DV 8 & Now -Lyrical G [Interview]

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

On Thursday (14th May) Lyrical G will be holding an event at Mask Lounge Bukoto dubbed "Lyrical G & Friends: A Feel Good Music Experience" (entrance UGX 10,000) so I decided to catch up with him to talk about a lot of things in relation to Ugandan Hip-Hop, it's growth and how it was back then rapping at DV 8 before major hip-hop concerts started.


QN: What's good boss?! It's good to have you here at The Tribe UG. Let's get into it. You've 8 albums to your name what keeps you going  in studio & the energy to release a new album every year?!

Hard work and dedication to what I do keeps me going..I'm a big fan of music and love creating new stuff that's why I try hard to drop an album every year. More-so every album is a step forward in my  growth as an artiste...

QN: Can you walk us through your first two albums? There creation & how the Lyrical G then used to create music from the time he thinks of a concept until it's executed.

1st 2 albums were a learning experience..as is often the case,a debut album will determine if an artiste has what it takes to stake their claim..I was blessed to work with the best in the game(Steve Jean)..hence my Live From East Africa album did exceptionally well both locally and all over the East-African region.
2nd album allowed me to stretch my creativity even further in that I was able to work with other producers and also flex my production a little deeper..it also allowed me to have control over who and what I recorded.

QN: In the due process of recording all these albums how have you evolved & embraced the changes that have come with the industry while staying true to your art?!

I have grown and evolved into a better artiste..I have been around for a minute and have seen the industry grow and change..you have to embrace change and move with the times..my 8 albums are proof of that.I never compromised my style to satisfy anyone..rather I kept it real from the jump.that's why I've managed to stay relevant for this long.

QN: What's the difference back when you started out rapping then at DV8 & now where rappers can hold concerts?! Apart from social media of course?!

Difference between DV8 and the present situation is we were able to showcase to many people seeing as we performed with artistes from other genres of music..nowadays you have rappers performing to hiphop/rap fans alone...social media has played a big role too cause now all you have to do is record and create a buzz for your works and put that work out when you feel like it..back then it was almost calculative since you had to compete with many other genres.

QN: As a rapper who has been in the industry for a while & as one of the people who laid a foundation for the UG hip-hop industry what are your thoughts on the current hip-hop landscape in relation to the Ugandan music consumption?!

The current hip hop scene is really buzzing..a lot of new names and faces some of whom I really feel..just goes to show that if you work hard you will get somewhere..keep working..and pushing.

Connect with Lyrical G
Facebook: Lyrical G
Twitter:  @GmcLyrical
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/lyricalg

Contact writer;
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix FeliFed
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Email: theninjafelix@gmail.com

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The Touch Down Cipher - Urban Aksent [DOWNLOAD]

DOWNLOAD THE TOUCH DOWN CIPHER (4.8MB)

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

Whenever Urban Aksent artists come together to do something/announce that they're dropping something, you always kept anticipating what has been said on the verses especially after seeing the artist line up. This particular cipher was put together by Levi Boy (C.E.O Urban Aksent) who put together a dope project that features different languages (like Rukiga & Luganda) and a femcee. The cipher features Nes G, Jhay Efekt, Sulphuric, St. Nellysade, KracBone, N.I, Rugged Made, Agee & T-Bro who deliver bar after bar on a beat produced by Beats So Sliq & Big Mart.

The Cipher is opened by an intro from Nes G who discourages "online rap gangsters" and encourages more love in the rap game by doing ciphers. Jhay Efekt kicks the first verse with the "Desire flow" followed by Sulphuric who spits incendiary lines. Not forgetting the storyteller St. NellySade who delivers his lugaflow bars exceptionally and the "QUEEN" Agee who kicks her lines among KINGS. As we wait for the video of cipher (to be shot by Nes G) you can download the cipher here and let us know what you think of it via facebook (The Tribe UG) or twitter (@TheTribe_UG)

Contact Writer;

Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix

Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix

Email: theninjafelix@gmail.com

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The-Mith Discusses SMASH & UG Hip-Hop. [Interview]

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

Earlier this month SMASH premiered on Urban TV with The-Mith as it's new host and Dj Crim as it's on air DJ. The show was re-branded with major focus being on African content (hip-hop) and making more lively, which gave UG's hip-hop a much bigger platform. The show runs on Saturdays 8:30 PM and re-runs on Thursday 11:30 AM. So I decided to catch-up with The-Mith to discuss a number of things about the show and what it means for Uganda's hip-hop as a whole.

QN: First Things First how's the Destination: Africa Release aftermath treating you?! BTW Some Money?!
Hahaha, we'll talk about the money later on..... But the aftermath has been Great. I'm happy people liked the music. We put a lot of work in that project, and to see people connect with the songs, has been such a dope thing.

QN: Congratulations On Presenting Smash?! How's this show going to be different from the previous smash or any other Saturday musical show airing on TV?!

We took what Kyle had done, and made it bigger. We got a set location, got in Dj Crim and just made it bigger. And because it's 100% Hip-hop, It's totally different from other shows.

QN: Why didn't You & the whole team at the station make it 100% Ugandan Hip-hop?! 'cause that way the genre gets more exposure?!

Well, the show is 80% Ugandan HipHop. That is more than what most shows are doing. We'll eventually get to 100%, but for now, that 80% is pretty good.

QN: Real Quick walk us through a typical planning session for an episode of smash. what do you consider when coming up with the top 5 videos & the artist you host?!

We look at the songs that are making noise across the continent. We check out top radio countdowns and check which songs are trending and all. There's a lot of music that's out there, a lot of HipHop. But the whole team works at getting it right.

QN: Now you're doing TV, pushing singles off destination: Africa, pushing TMMG & in the process of recording a klear-kut album. Does it ever get hectic at any point for you doing all this?!

Not at all. The music I am working on, can only be helped by all the music I am listening to cause of the show. It's a great learning experience.

QN: Now That there's a UG Hip-Hop show on TV & some radio programs dedicated to UG hip-hop, what do you think are some of the loopholes that need to be filled in order for the genre far ahead of others?!

This show is a platform that I hope, all artists will jump on. We have to kill that old mentality, where we keep music to our circles. This is a moment where everyone can come through and push their music. That is the most important step. Get the music out there, the rest will fall in place after that

Connect With The-Mith

Facebook: TheMithMusic

Twitter: @TheMithMusic

Instagram: @TheMithMusic

YouTube: TheMithVideos

Contact Writer;

Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix

Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix

Email: theninjafelix@gmail.com

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BLACKness - Drew De’aloi and Keizy Zulu Shabazz [POEM]

By Drew De’aloi and Keizy Zulu Shabazz
A poetic collaboration between two masters of the pen, Drew De’aloi and Keizy Zulu Shabazz in celebration of the #BlackHistoryMonth

Drew De'Aloi

Please let me be CLEAR with my words to your ears...Better hear this message absorb into your psyche' like nanomites absorb into Cancer cells precisely...You see, I AM black......blacker than the ashes of the mountain's base… Blacker than the Moon's dark face I AM......starkly dark, I am the STARKness of the darkness... Got a big black heart for the cold and for the heartless... I AM Blackness... Blackness with exactness... Blackness with no accent... Blackness with NO practice...and certainly by NO accident...

I AM the Negro...the Negroid...the dark void that is devoid of colors artificial... I cannot be colored or highlighted with ANY drawing utensils... I AM the dark clouds, the storm clouds RAINING, nature's PAINTING, the beautiful earth-tone brown on its canvas...The smooth rhymes within the lines of poetic stanzas...

I AM knowledge and wisdom, an African Proverb...observe how wise words emerge from the hot sweltering depths of me, purposely freeing my sisters and brothers with PASSION from their mental entrapment...

I AM the Sun's prodigal kinky hair follicle...I am the locks, the twists, the braids, and the dreads...The wave patterns and fades on countless black heads...I am the doo rags, sneaks, and baggy pants, I am the hip hop music that makes the world dance...I AM the master of ALL music, from jazz to funk to rock to blues...I am the showstopping pop-locker, the floor knocker with Tap shoes...

I am the Nubian, the Nuwabi, Moroccan man, the Somali...The Kushite, the Kemetan, A LUO-tribal warrior...protector.­..I am the... High Priest, Healer...Architect, the Mir builder...Scientist and Mathematician, Old World style Magician...The Military Tactician...the Inventor of inventions...I'm the Pharaoh on the throne making dyNASTIC decisions...

I am the OLDEST sculpture...the oldest ever molded...They tried to hold me and control me, but I can never be folded...The unbreakable creation, the SPEAR of the Zulu nation, sharper wits than obsidian, more ancient than Dravidians...I am the dawn of civilization, before timelines were listed...I am the first to ever develop a concept of the spirit...I am the melanin that's fueled by the gleaming sunlight...I am the Nephthys, that gives serenity to the night...I am the gods of Kemet...I am eternal...the future...I am STRONG...PROUD...BLA-CK...and BEAUTIFUL.

Keizy Zulu Shabazz I am Hominus Africanicus...an Al-Kebulan god, the Black Adonis... I dictate my own fate, so I am my own Dominus...My own ruler, my own Sultan... My volcanic passion for life burns HOT...so my emotion is molten… I was cultured in the loins of the Congo Chiga Dynasty, Melanated nativity, My Soul Glows

Black Matriarch, I was wrapped in scented Kente Clothes Clung to the back of the motherland, my humble abode My feet walked the plateaus of Nubia Ruled over vast lands like Nabongo Mumia Gliding ships of the Blue-Eyed Promethians

Bestowed Knowledge Ogun took strides to Forage Esoteric wisdom to cement the Afrikan Spiritual fiefdom That was tore down by Babylonian Kingdoms

Visions of my ancestors beam through these words I uplift my people with Faith and Works Talismans etched on my Makonde Mask Pouring Libation on great ancient Nations

I dance in the rain and break bread with the Dogon Hogons I am Marcus Garvey in his Prime The mental yoke on the Afrikan Mind Breaks every time I Rhyme

Craddle of the Kumi Rock painters I am reminded of Sundiata Keita By Egyptian hieroglyphys written in sand by the Saharan tempest To a real Naggah, Cleopatra was an evil temptress

I gnaw at Eurocentric thought with philosophies of Kihura Nkuba I am an original pyramid Builder Consecrated in Kement wearing bark cloth velvet Dashikis Dreaded Rasta, My Fist in the Air Peace to Afrika, Peace to the Gods and Peace to Nyabingyi

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

Twitter:@Drew4real256
Email:ayeni3000@gmail.com

Connect with Keizy:
Facebook: Keizy Zulu Shabazz 

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Restart - PL@Y (Free Download)

Download Restart - PL@Y (6.6MB)

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

2015 in Ugandan hip-hop keeps getting much better as the year moves on. Restart is the new single off Pl@y's upcoming EP "Mother Daughter Wife ". Restart is Pl@y's first song release since 2011 and as you listen to it you will realize that he has been always creating music for a while without releasing it for reasons (which we will find out in his interview about the EP). Like any other Pl@y you've listened to before, expect content & wordplay on this one too but yet also entertaining. Restart is also produced by Pl@y which shows us what to expect on the EP.

Contact PL@Y;
Twitter: @Pl@yofficial256
Facebook: PL@Y
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/playofficial256

Contact writer;
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix FeliFed
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Email: theninjafelix@gmail.com

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St. Nelly-Sade's Stories Of Elevation [Interview]

By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)
Vote The Tribe UG in the ongoing 2015 Social Media Awards as the best entertainment site by following the link www.socialmediaawards.ug/vote/

This Thursday (26th/02/2015) the luga-flow Army rapper St. Nelly-Sade who is also the current president of End Of The weak Uganda will be releasing his second studio album "Stories Of Elevation: Omulondo N'Engero" at the Mask Lounge Bukoto. (entrance 10k). The album will cost UGX 15,000 and it will be the first hip-hop album to be released this year out of the many anticipated albums coming out this year. The album release will be accompanied with an MC challengeas one of the projects End of the weak intends to run this year.  I managed to have a discussion with Nellysade about the creation of album, the UG hip-hop industry in relation with rappers establishing themselves as brands and the possible reunion of the luga-flow army.

QN: Thanks for having the interview with us today. First things first, let's discuss the name of the album any deeper significance to the title of your album, “Stories Of Elevation: Omulondo N'Engero”?

Omulondo is what you can eat and add something on you. You can't eat ''Omulondo'' and stay the same. You either get man power or grow big some parts of your body. I've been using this word since last year because it simply reflects the current state of my Lyricism these days, I keep on growing big each day. Engero, these are stories you will find on my album. So, Omulondo n'engero are stories that you will listen to and elevates you. You won't stay the same. Most of them are true day life stories.

QN: What's the inspiration behind this album & how has its creative process been like?!

The inspiration behind this album was the desire to make the world a better place. There is a lot of things happening in our communities but we go on ignoring them. Most of these stories are things that happen in our villages, our cities, in the parliament, everywhere. So i got more inspiration from the environment and what i always see from where i come from.

QN: How is this album different from your previous offering "The Translation"? What do you expect to achieve with this album that you didn't with your previous album?

What makes this album different from The debut album ''The Translation (Okutaputa)'' is the growth and maturity in me. From delivery, lyricism and the art of storytelling is different from the last album. Also, this album will be a statement of this generation's creativity and passion for self expression.

  QN: When working on this album did you have pressure to put out work that's more dope than your first album "The Translation"?! 

No, the fact that I take time to perfect my craft, I did not have pressure to put out work that's more dope than the first album. That's like competing with myself. Haha!! This time I opened my mind to what lies beyond the surface to embrace new ideas, new realms and perspectives. Everything has been moving into the direction I wanted them to be.

QN: As you say that the album is about story telling was it important to you that you feature artists that relate to the stories on the songs?! Which Features should we expect on the album?! 

Yes the album is about storytelling. It has inspirational, entertaining and educative stories. So I was choosing artists depending on what they can do best. Expect the best from The-Mith, Ruyonga, Mulekwa, Agee, Patrobas, Herninjanes, Sonny, Shena Skies, Poetic Ambiance(USA) and Moth.

QN: What are your thoughts on the current hip-hop scene, with emphasis on rappers building themselves as brands? Do you think the UG hip-hop industry can be lucrative?!

I like the fact that rappers these days understand that HipHop is not the biggest genre in Uganda. It's their role to make a change now. But it also makes me sad when new comers try build themselves as brands with intentions of getting quick money and end up switching to Kidandali that HipHop doest pay. It's like living your life according to a book written several millenia ago but you call a 5 year old laptop ''outdated''.

QN: Lastly should we expect a luga-flow army joint project sometime to come?! 

Yeah, just like Wu, expect a Luga flow Army reunion sometime to come. Peace and love

Vote The Tribe UG in the ongoing 2015 Social Media Awards as the best entertainment site by following the link www.socialmediaawards.ug/vote/

Connect With St. Nelly-Sade
Twitter: @St_Nellysade
Facebook: St. Nelly-Sade
Reverbnation: reverbnation.com/nellysade

Contact writer;
Facebook: Byaruhanga Felix FeliFed
Twitter: @TheNinjaFelix
Email: theninjafelix@gmail.com

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