Legendary Ugandan Musician Bebe Cool released a list of musicians who have done better musically in 2022. Taking a look at the list, you may wonder what is the purpose of Ugandan Music. Is it for education or fun?
Fortunately, you don’t have to scratch your head over that question. Bebe Cool himself answers it at the end of his list that was released on New Year’s Day.
Legendary Ugandan Musician Bebe Cool
“Uganda’s population is predominantly the youth. We must inspire these young people by doing right, not wrong. I believe the platform given to us as artists by God should be used for our good and the good of the people” reads a note at the end of the Bebe Cool list that was released on the Musician’s official Facebook page.
However, the noble words seem to be in vain. The Bebe Cool list contains artists with hit songs. Songs ( artists ) that are said to inspire the youths. Inspiring what? Education or fun?
The Purpose of Ugandan Music
Famous Philosophers Plato and Aristotle had differing ideas on the purpose of art. One saw it as a means of entertainment ( pleasure ) and the other saw it as a means of education ( refining the mind).
Plato thought of art as a key shaper of human character. He thus saw it vital that the arts be strictly controlled. This is because it was used as a means of training and educating the ideal citizen.
On the other hand, Aristotle thought of art as being an imitation of beauty. It certainly ought to bring entertainment and pleasure. That said and done. The purpose of Ugandan Music should at least fall into one of these theories. Or even both.
The Negative Purpose of Ugandan Music
You can bear with me witness that there are some songs you have listened to and asked yourself “ what does this artist really think releasing such a song? “
Getting back to the Bebe Cool list, he said the numbering is not that important. The 12 artists he shortlisted as having done well musically in 2022 include those with songs that make you wonder what the artist was thinking about releasing such a song.
Number one on the list is Grenade Official. Apart from being credited for the Picha song with Pinky, the other song totally has something wrong.” Babadana “ is the other song that Grenade Official is credited for having done well.
The song’s title loosely translated means “outlaws or bad gangs “. In the chorus of the song Grenade Official sings “ Tukubwa Masadana “ which means “ we are hit high by drugs “. The song further urges people ( the youth) to embrace party life, party all night, and go back home in the morning.
Another artist mentioned on Bebe Cool’s list is Mudra di viral. The trending musician is credited for his song “ Balo Balo “. This is another of those songs that are making waves but with not much positive meaning. Makes one wonder what exactly are these artists inspiring.
Popular Ugandan blog Sqoop Uganda placed Grenade official as a co-male artist of the year with Mudra di viral. They also credited the song “ Babadana “ and “ Balo Balo “.
It’s rather funny that even Sqoop Uganda writes that “ then there is Balo Balo,….. in fact, it’s hard making out what the song is about. It is simply a happy song about having fun.”
What can be done?
Plato urges aggressive measures in cases where poets and artists are misleading the nation. He suggests that they are banned from the nation/ republic or censored.
The good news is that in 2020 the Ugandan government had taken a similar step. New regulatory proposals were put in place that “required singers, poets, comedians, to submit their works and scripts for review and approval by government agencies before they can be released to the public.”
Government required singers, poets, comedians, to submit their works and scripts for review and approval by government agencies before they can be released to the public.”
The bad news is that the proposal has not taken full effect to date. By then a section of musicians came out to protest against the regulations. Saying that it would creativity and freedom of expression.
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