UGANDA:Hip Hop Tuesday Follow The Beat.

Ugandan broadcasters calling themselves “rap-orters” who changed the way news was delivered, after 3 hip-hop artists teamed up to deliver a weekly TV bulletin.

News Beat was screened in both English and the local language Luganda on NTV every Saturday before the station’s traditional news bulletins, and first aired last year.

Hearing hip-hop news may sound strange, but in Uganda, where the press faces government censorship and the country’s growing youth population often takes little interest in current affairs, a program  where self-styled rap-orters broadcast with “rhyme and reason” has become hugely popular.

The show was presented by Sharon Bwogi, Uganda’s “queen of hip hop” known a Lady Slyke Daniel Kisekka, also known as  the “Survivor”, and teenage rapper Zoe Kabuye, or MC Loy.

Sharon Bwogi, 28, also known as Lady Slyke has been active on the Ugandan music scene as an MC, rapper, song-writer since the late 90s. She is the first female to rap in Luganda. Slyke performed at local and international festivals such as the East Africa Talent Convention, Bayimba festival and Wapi. Her Mother Africa song featured at PAM Awards for best hip-hop song of 2005. Slyke believes in the power of music to empower youth. She is a tutor to many young artistes, teaching rap poetry and song-writing. She has collaborated with local artistes such as GNL, Vampino, Sylvester and Abrams, Jahcity, to name a few, as well as European hip-hop musicians. She is married to DJ Nesta and is a mother of two girls. When she’s not making music or anchoring, she designs jewelry and other fashion accessories.

Survivor, real name Daniel Kisekka, 40. He was the song writer, artiste and rapper in the team. He claims to have “music in his genes”. His late father James Lubyayi played with the Afrigo Band in its early days. His brothers Simon Base, Ian Kagimbo, Sylvester and Abramz are also artitstes. Survivor started writing rhymes at the age of 10 and, like most rappers of his time, he learnt the trade simply by imitating his favourite MCs before developing his style. He is passionate about sports, movies and visual arts. Besides spoken word, his mode of self-expression is painting. Survivor believes in exploring one’s full potential and pursuing one’s dreams.

 
At 13, MC Loy is the youngest rapping newscaster in Africa. Born Manuela Loy Zoe Kabuye, her family nurtured her talent and passion for music at 9 years, as she sang and danced in the family choir. In 2009, inspired by her older brother Xross Catalyst, she joined him in the BavubukaAllstarz project led by pioneer Lugaflow rapper Babaluku. At his side, she honed her rap skills and became a true wizard of the spoken verse. In 2011, MC Loy together with Xross, started her own squad 1816 Clique. She has been featured in multiple TV and radio shows, including Planet K on NTV, and also performed at Uganda’s golden jubilee celebrations. In Newz Beat, she is in charge of special reports. She enjoys swimming, playing football, riding bicycles. She is a social media fanatic and a fan of Lecrae, an American Christian hip hop artiste.

Today being Hip Hop Tuesday as Mdundo we give much respect to this group for showing the world that hip hop can be both fun and informat