The music of Uganda is broad and diverse, ranging from traditional indigenous music to Ugandan versions of many contemporary genres. Uganda is home to over 65 different ethnic groups and tribes, and they form the basis of all indigenous music.
Genge music is a genre of hip-hop music influenced by dancehall, originating from Nairobi, Kenya in the 1990s. The term "Genge" was coined by producer Clemo and popularized by Kenyan rappers Jua Cali and Nonini at Calif Records. The genre is commonly performed in Sheng, a mixture Swahili, English and various local dialects. The word "Genge" itself comes from Sheng slang, meaning "a group or a mass of people."
Hubert Mbuku Nakitare, commonly known by his stage name Nonini, is a Kenyan rapper and former radio presenter. He is often referred to as the Godfather because he is very well known.
David Mathenge, better known by his stage name Nameless, is a Kenyan pop artist.
East African urban music is a popular music genre of the three countries customarily grouped as "East Africa": Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The genre is basically an offshoot of western popular music, particularly hip hop and funk, somewhat influenced by more traditional African music. Kapuka, genge, and bongo flava are some of the subgenres which have arisen in this style.
Bebe Cool is a reggae and ragga musician from Uganda. He started his career around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but moved back to his native country a few years later. Bebe Cool was one of the first artists affiliated with Ogopa DJs, a production house and record label in Kenya.
Joseph Mayanja, better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone, is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.
Swabri Mohammed, better known by his stage name Redsan, is a Kenyan reggae and ragga musician. He is one of the most renowned ragga and dancehall artists in East Africa. His popularity has extended to the rest of Africa, parts of Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.
Calif Records is a Kenyan record label based in Nairobi's California estate, known for the Genge genre of music.
The Kisima Music Awards is an annual awards program that recognises musical talent in East Africa. Despite being Kenyan-based the scheme awards artists from a variety of countries, predominantly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and incorporates a range of music genres.
Boomba music, also referred to as kapuka, is a form of hip pop music popular in Kenya. It incorporates hip hop, reggae and African traditional musical styles. The lyrics are in Swahili, Sheng or local dialects. It is associated with the Ogopa Deejays and is believed to have originated in the late 1990s with artists such as Redsan, Bebe Cool and Chameleone. It went on to dominate East African airwaves after the release of the Ogopa Deejays' first album in 2001, which included artists such as the late E-Sir, Nameless, Mr. Lenny, Amani, Mr. Googz and Vinnie Banton amongst others.
Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage name Jua Cali, is a Kenyan rapper and record producer. In 2000, together with record producer Clemo, he founded Calif Records where he has been ever since, producing music which dominated East African music alongside Jose Chameleone of Uganda and Mr. Nice of Tanzania. Jua Cali performs in Swahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.
Gal Level is a R&B female duo from Windhoek, Namibia, made up of Daphne Willibard and Frieda Haindaka. They are very popular in Southern Africa, and other African countries. They are produced and managed by continental music producers Ogopa Deejays of Kenya. They have been compared to US girl group Destiny's Child.
Kleptomaniax is a rap group from Nairobi, Kenya. The group consists of three members: Roba, Collo and Nyashinski.
Lovy and Christian Longombas were a duo from Kenya performing a mixture of Hip hop and Soukous. Christian Longomba died on March 13, 2021 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2015.
Deux Vultures is a musical group in Kenya performing hip hop and pop music.
Radio & Weasel was a Ugandan music Duo that performed under their record label Goodlyfe Crew a Ugandan music group with lead performers being singers Moses Radio and [Weasel Manizo]. Moses Radio provided smooth RnB vocals while Weasel's contribution is a fusion of reggae, ragga and dancehall vibes. Because of their prominence, Moses Radio and Weasel formed their own duo known as Radio and Weasel. The Lead singer Moses and Vocalist Radio died on 1 February 2018 from brain injuries after an assault by a bouncer at a club in Entebbe. Radio's attacker threw him down about 3 metres (9.8 ft) onto a concrete pavement which resulted in massive intracranial hemorrhage. Radio and Weasel also formed The Goodlyfe Crew. The crew saw many changes in its set-up but at various times included Chagga, Lenin Briton, and Lawrence. Many of its members had their own solo projects and collaborations.
Charles Njagua Kanyi, professionally known as Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer, and philanthropist.
Judith Nyambura Mwangi, who is better known as Avril, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. She was formerly signed to Ogopa Deejays, one of the leading music production and record labels in Kenya. As a singer, she is known for the singles "Mama", "Kitu Kimoja", "Chokoza" and "Hakuna Yule". As an actress, she is best known for playing Miss B'Have on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money (2012). Avril's contributions to the Kenyan entertainment industry have earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award, one Golden Mic Award and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.
Odi pop is a Kenyan music style which involves localized hip hop and draws influences from reggae and Dancehall music to build on an African Rhythm base performed in sing-along rap in heavy Kiswahili/Sheng language. There are several sub-genres stemming from this umbrella term including Gengeton, Dabonge, Debe and others. The music is spearheaded by Kenyan youths and most of them are pursuing their careers as music groups opposed to solo careers.
