• 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.

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  • 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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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

TOP UG 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. For ease of coming up with the list and reducing arguments we had while creating the list we divided UG hip-hop into two eras that’s before the Klear Kut (old skool)and the post Klear Kut era that’s after their break through. I chose the post Klear Kut era to be as the start of the new skool rapper’s era in UG hip-hop for a bunch of reasons and that’s a whole other article for some day. But don’t get me wrong I’m not using Klear Kut as the standard comparison for new skool rappers. So let’s move on to the criteria we used to come up with the names of the new skool rappers who made a killing this year; we considered lyrical ability, consistency, quality, originality, packaging, complete projects and one’s potential to be bigger brand.

CODE
 After the shut it down remix we were all waiting for CODE’s follow up after the entire star studded remix but CODE went ahead to prove us that he had bigger projects than the remix. He started a Revolution with his #CODEConnect platform that not only gave him a way of interacting with fans but also birthed ideas to keep him relevant. He followed up his conscious “revolution” track with Enter The Ring. With enter the ring that was CODE showing his own lane and has broken barriers on different stations and the web.

 Tucker HD
When they talk about Tucker this year the first thing to come to your mind this year is #TuckerTuesdays. With #TuckerTuesdays the Airportaxi co-pilot has stayed relevant, interacted with his listeners while maintaining his lyrical muscle which has seen him garnering respect from different people as one of the best lyricists among the new skool rappers. And without Talent Africa projects he has stayed consistent and ahead of his fellow rappers.

Benezeri
One mixtape, two albums and two concerts Benezeri shows that hardwork pays off and you don’t have to attain a stadium status to have a concert but rather know your target fans. Benezeri has managed to carry a message through his songs while at the same time he entertains his audience through songs like Zukukuka, Blest and others thus creating an impact on the youths of the country that listen to his music. One might argue that Benezeri deserved a much higher spot on the list but presentation of his product still needs polishing.

St.NellySade & Banamutibwa
2014 saw these two lugaflow army rappers releasing visuals for their projects like letter to Babaluku by Banamutibwa, Blessed Cypher, & Nina plan by St. Nellysade. Both St.Nellysade & Banamutibwa didn’t release any ground-breaking projects this year but we can’t over-look their efforts in organizing the End of the Weak world champions that happened recently in Uganda. They created a platform for young and upcoming rappers and there’s nothing more satisfying like providing a platform for one to achieve his/her dreams/goals. Furthermore you can’t speak about St.Nellysade’s 2014 without talking about his appearance on the UG Cypher one of the major projects that brought together the rap heavy-weights in the country which proves his relevancy and dominance in the Ugandan rap industry. St.Nellysade is the current president of End of the weak Uganda taking over from his fellow Lugaflow army rapper Banamutibwa.

Play 01
He is the other half of ‘House Ov Stone’ which is a combination of him and his elder brother who is a hip-hop producer. Play 01 has been a producer on one of the major projects this year on which he also happens to feature like the Blessed cypher in early January which he also edited the video for, his ‘Bad Manners’ track and of recent the ‘Blessed Cypher’ on to which he sampled Star wars theme song, blessed it with a verse and delivered a super hero themed track with assistance of his fellow rappers.

Patrobas
Patrobas is not on the list because of “256” though some of you have caught up with the track this year just because the video was released this but the track dates back to the July of 2013. But through his Dustiville umbrella Patrobas has stayed consistent with releasing tracks this year such as ‘talk around town, falling in line. He even went on to feature on one of the best hip-hop albums this year (Mith’s Destination:AFRICA) alongside other rap giants in the country.

Gravity Omutujju
Yes, Gravity Omutujju, you may not agree with his idea/sound of hip-hop but yeah he has contributed to the growth of the hip-hop industry. He has moved the genre on to the streets and to the common people in downtown markets which has helped to break a barrier for the hip-hop market. He has had more shows than most rappers in addition to his concert. If you have a product to sell that touches the common people in downtown streets and “boda-boda” cyclists then Gravity Omutujju is the guy to use to push the product. His lyrics resonate with the downtown people who make him relevant and his been consistent ever since “swagazilla”.

Nemesis
The first time I saw Nemesis it was back in 2013 at urban TV when Kyle had invited me to the shoot of one of his TV show episodes. It was also the first time I heard him rhyme/freestyle and as Kyle was closing the show I asked him what criteria he was using to choose people who freestyle on his show cause Nemesis was better than the other rappers that had appeared on the show that day. Fast forward to 2014 Nemesis signs with Baboon Forest and he has appeared on one of the major tracks out of the camp this year and of course we can’t forget his battle with Ruyonga.

 Honored Mentions; O.P.U, Flex D’Paper, Agee, The Sphynx, Fassie, Benny Black, Suspekt, Mal-X,

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

Thursday, December 11, 2014

DOWNLOAD: Road2DestinationAFRICA Mixtape - The-Mith

KIGOZI - NAVIO [Exclusive]


By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

If  you bumped Navio's PRIDE then this track must have been one of your favorite off the album if not the best. I would have opened the article with quoting some bars off the track but that's for next week when it's released officially. The song is named after Navio's real name so I guess this gives you a clear picture of what you should expect to listen to.

In addition to releasing the track, Navio will also be shooting & releasing the Visuals of "KIGOZI" with Jim Resley of Shutter films. Jim Resley has handled one of the most huge projects of 2014 like Atlas's "Aaah", Keko's 'Mutima', Mith's 'Go Hard' among others. We shall be getting Behind The Scenes of the shoot for you here on the blog.

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

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

KEKO ON HER MIXTAPE & 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 the rap queen to discuss her mixtape and her general overview of the Ugandan  hip-hop industry.

QN:  Good to have you here, let's jump straight to the mixtape. Why did it take this long to have a complete KEKO project?!

Hi, I have on the road a lot in my career, obviously after joining Sony it kinda restarted my career new material and all As a writer I needed peace and quiet to put the album together, that's still in progress but with the mixtape more work is going to be available for the fans as they wait up for the long awaited album.

QN: P.A.R.A.N.O.I.D?! Does the name represent anything to you and can you tell us about the craft/concept behind the entire mixtape?!

It could mean anything but for now it's simply 'Paranoid'. I didn't take any direction every song is a moment in time. My mind races a lot it's hard to stay stuck on one thing.


QN: What should we expect on the mixtape?! do we get to listen to the KEKO on tracks like 'How We Do it' or the KEKo on songs like "Let Go'?!

There's only one KEKO everything you hate and like. I know you miss me going over rap beats may be this could be your chance to judge me.

QN: To a certain extent do you think the mixtape is a reflection of your upcoming album?!

I can't say if it's a reflection of the album, I'm spoiled from loving a lot of variety my music is like a supermaket.

QN: You happened to be one of the major performers at the End of The Weak rap Queens show. Why do you think there's a wide gap between upcoming female rappers & well established rappers like you?! And how can that gap be bridged?!

I mean it's all about being relevant nowadays. Its harder now to stay original when standards are being set by Nicki and Iggy. I wish i knew the formula but I'm still learning.  I guess it's try to do the right thing and pray to God.

QN:  Finally your top new skool rappers in UG (including femcees) in no particular order?!

I don't think there's been any new stand outs. I have been in the game 4years now nothing new still.

Watch behind the scenes of Keko's upcoming video 'Mutima' off her mixtape here.



Connect With Keko
Facebook: Keko Town
Twitter: @Kekotown


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

Sunday, December 7, 2014

THE UG HIP-HOP FAMILY GATHERING


By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

In case you want to know the current state of Ugandan hip-hop or are there any people in Uganda that do/support local hip-hop then you need to attend the "UG hip-hop Family Gathering". The support goes further than quoting punchlines on social media, asking for free download links and page likes/follows. This will be the fourth edition of The Hip-Hop family party. It's an annual event where the fam (hip-hop fans), gets together to meet and greet. According to Cleo one of the major organizers behind it says this is where artists get to meet fans and vice-versa. "We will be having a lot of activity this year, like Freestyles and Cyphers, Grafitti. There will also be some surprise performances, Rap Battles and Battle of Producers. we shall also be officially releasing The S.U.P.E.R Cypher video" said Cleo. (you can download the S.U.P.E.R Cypher here)
This year's hip-hop gathering will be taking place on 13th December at Gabiros (Bugolobi). All you have to do to be a part of the gathering is send a contribution UGX 10,000 or more to 0779673778/0701824368 via mobile money and include details like the name. In case you're a rapper/producer & you want to participate or you want to offer any other kind of contribution you can get in touch with Cleo on facebook (Cleo Sphynx Murungi) or via twitter @Cleo_thesphynx.

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


Friday, December 5, 2014

VIDEO: KEKO - MUTIMA [BEHIND THE SCENES]


By Byaruhanga Felix (@TheNinjaFelix)

As Keko prepares for the release of her P.A.R.A.N.O.I.D mixtape, she shot the video of her lead single 'MUTIMA' that features Congolese Charmant Mushaga. The video was shot by Shutter Film's Jim Resley who has been behind most of the incredible projects like Mith's Go Hard Video, Patrobas's '256' among others. The shoot was graced by alot of personalities like Navio, Sylivia Owori & Gloria Wavammuno, so we expect some major cameos in the video. As we wait for the official video we present to the behind the scenes video (courtesy of shutter films), enjoy!



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


Thursday, December 4, 2014

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 does justice to the hook. Earlier last month Deuces Entertainment Group got the south-african based video director Sasha Vybz to bring the audio of the song to life. This video will see Atlas and his team closing the year while setting a strong foundation for his 2015. The video will be released in 3 weeks time but for now here are the behind the scenes images and the trailer.













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