Ugandan Dancehall Music: Origin, Evolution, Top Artists and Latest Trends
2 October 2020
[Photo Credit: Cindy Sanyu Instagram]
By Gloria
Dancehall music genre originated from Jamaica in the late 1970s. By the early 2000s, the genre had become popular worldwide and by 2010, it had mainstream success allover.
According to Wikipedia, dancehall was a sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. With digital instruments changing the sound, dancehall music developed faster rhythms.
One of the main characteristics of dancehall music includes the constant use of Jamaican Patois rather than the standard English used in Jamaica. The genre focuses on instruments termed as Riddims on which more than one artistes jump on to freestyle.
In Uganda, Dancehall music has been one of the most popular music genres for over 20 years and Jamaican artists like Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks greatly inspired our very own stars like Ragga Dee and Rasta Rob MC to try out the genre.
Fire Base's Bobi Wine is also a notable figure when it comes to dancehall with his songs being a clear replica of Jamaican music. Other artists who have been successful on the genre include Jose Chameleone, dancehall queen Bella, Rabadaba, Irene Ntale, Bebe Cool, popular duo in the 90s Peter Miles and Menshan who lifted the Ugandan flag so high abroad when they shared stages with great acts like Shaggy, Chaka Demus and Pliers among others.
Download Cindy Sanyu Music for Free on Mdundo
New school artistes like Ziza Bafana who has time and again self-proclaimed himself as the King of dancehall music is a face to reckon. In 2017, the late AK47 claimed that he popularized dancehall music in Uganda after his the release of his hit single, ‘Gal Ah Bubble’ featuring Diziza.
One of the biggest female dancehall stars that are highly trending in the music industry is Cindy Sanyu. She may have been the only reigning female sensation in the dancehall genre, winning most of the awards in the category in the local awards.
In fact, Cindy revealed that the only female artist that she feels is better than her in the genre is Grace Nakimera. She says she got the inspiration to go for this genre from Mikie Wine. Dancehall music has totally replaced reggae music, mainly because it is quite simpler for all young talents on their first try in music. And with this genre being the theme in bars and night clubs, artistes are trying so hard to have their music on replay in these places, making it one of the most common genres.
Dancehall has also been vibrant when it comes to merging different genres together through collabos. For example when Juliana Kanyomozi jumped on Vampino's Kwekunya Kunya remix, Navio's rap on Bobi Wine's Bad Man from Kamwokya among others.
Leave your comment