Africa Is a Country

Independence Day in Uganda

Independence Day in Uganda

By
Sean Jacobs

Today’s Ugandan Independence Day. Over to the very popular Radio and Weasel and “Toko Toko” (Talk And Talk). Sample lyric: “They can do thee talk / But I will do thee walk.” Not sure if they’re talking politics as people–well opponents of Life President Yoweri Museveni have been walking a lot in Uganda these days. As for Radio and Weasel, by the end of the video they fly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wBBj24Cq8A

No celebration happens without Bobi Wine. Here he has a verse on Wilson Bugembe’s latest.

http://youtu.be/T2ej-_wiJl8

Angella Kalule is an exponent of the breezy style that Ugandan musicians own. Here’s her tune “Katikitiki”:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSSCjXiBGVo&w=600&h=369]

And so is Iryn Namubiru. The video is a bit ridiculous:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjiNM1RSAG4&w=600&h=369]

BTW, what’s with the overwhelming pop (and bling) sensitivity of Ugandan hip hop music? It’s like Puffy took his shiny suits and migrated to Kampala. Anyway first up Mun J’s “Gira Tugire,” above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45oC6M6UsSs

Finally, more hip hop courtesy of Baboon Forrest (yeh, that’s the group’s name) with “Sesetula”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q_E4x1bvP8

Further Reading

No one should be surprised we exist

The documentary film, ‘Rolé—Histórias dos Rolezinhos’ by Afro-Brazilian filmmaker Vladimir Seixas uses sharp commentary to expose social, political, and cultural inequalities within Brazilian society.

Kenya’s stalemate

A fundamental contest between two orders is taking place in Kenya. Will its progressives seize the moment to catalyze a vision for social, economic, and political change?

More than a building

The film ‘No Place But Here’ uses VR or 360 media to immerse a viewer inside a housing occupation in Cape Town. In the process, it wants to challenge gentrification and the capitalist logic of home ownership.