Uganda: Ndugga Spreads the Hip Hop Gospel

Uganda: Ndugga Spreads the Hip Hop Gospel

New Vision (Kampala)

8 May 2008
Posted to the web 9 May 2008

Kampala

THE revolution of local hip hop (Lugaflow) might be causing ripples in the western world with ambassadors Babaluku and Krazy Native, Uganda's worthy ambassadors.

However back home, lugaflow has been so maligned regardless of the positive impact it has on society, most especially with the youth. - With that rather unfortunate situation, upcoming artiste Faizal Ndugga a.k.a Denzo 26 has embarked on a one man crusade to popularize local hip hop among the masses.

Denzo has lined up a number of free shows in selected schools when the new term opens and expects to launch his album on June 29th at Ssesse Gateway Beach Entebbe, his manager Charles Bukuwa says.

"It is very unfair. Local radio stations don't want to play our music even when it is evident, the music is out to sensitize the youth for positive change. Even the big corporate companies have refused to appreciate us. For that we have finalized plans to popularize the music locally." Bukuwa says.

He expects to be joined on the tour by other artistes equally persuaded by the fact that local hip hop is the only way to carve out our own identity. "Our music should be appreciated locally as it is appreciated abroad," says

Interestingly, Denzo riding high on the six track album Oh Uganda Yange (Oh My Uganda), where he raps about the rigours of war, poverty and need for positive change insists he's not out to simply show he can lugaflow.

"I want to promote something to show a nation in progress. Not many Ugandan artistes find the nerve to venture into lugaflow for it doesn't pay off immediately in monetary terms like it is with other musical genres. I'll not rest until lugaflow is genre is ingrained in us; for politics, religion, land and drugs, oppression are part of our daily lives." says Denzo.