The year 2019 has seen the rise and shift of power from the older and more experienced artistes to the younger, inexperienced but talented ones. With so many songs released, it becomes hard to pick out the top five.
In a year where we have had Ugandan songs dominate the African continent and seven-year-old rappers dominate the headlines, we try to pick out the crème de la crème and below are our best songs of 2019:
1. ‘Parte After Parte’ – Big Tril
Released towards the end of July, Big Tril’s Parte After Parte song has been, by far, the biggest song in Uganda this year. It has also stretched dominance to across Africa and has only been second to Davido and Popcaan’s ‘Risky’ on most African countdowns.
The song also acquired international recognition from several celebrities including Cardi B, Offset, Wizkid, Davido, Emmanuel Adebayor, Olamide, DJ Cuppy, among others, all who have expressed their fondness for the party anthem.
The song also won numerous awards locally including the Song of the Year award at the recently concluded 2019 Buzz Teeniez Awards. Big Tril is also on tour in West Africa where he was also invited for the Afrochella. A Big Chunne!
2. ‘Chikibombe’ – Levixone
Having topped 2018 with his big banger ‘Turn The Replay’, Levixone must have felt a bit of pressure in trying to outgrow his past glory. In June, he dropped ‘Chikibombe’ which many people couldn’t come up with a definite meaning, not even himself.
The gospel singer however managed to promote the song with a viral video in which several local celebrities appeared and the song has been a favorite for all kinds of people. It plays in the filthiest hangouts as well as the top churches around East Africa. That’s magical!
3. ‘Gutujja’ – B2C Entertainment featuring Rema
Mention 2019 today and many people’s minds will run to Rema Namakula, for obvious reasons. Well, where as she managed to remain relevant with issues to regard with her personal life, the songstress has also been a gem musically.
One of her biggest songs this year has been the collaboration with the B2C Entertainment trio. Produced by the talented Nessim, ‘Gutujja’ came around April and nobody saw a collaboration of the kind but it came through with the sweetest melodies.
The lyrics of the songs also made much sense later in the year in relation to Rema’s eventual marriage with Dr. Hamza Ssebunya. The song also birthed the words ‘Love Nigga’ and ‘Semyekozo’ which have been some of the biggest new words used in the local entertainment and social media circles this year. It deserves the third spot for what a ballad it’s been. Would you mind, would you mind…?
4. ‘Wire Wire’ – Bebe Cool
Of the traditional top three; Jose Chameleone, Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool, only the latter has managed to remain relevant through music. 2019 has seen the rise of political ambitions from Jose Chameleone who joined his friend Bobi Wine in the corridors of leadership.
That left Bebe Cool as the only legendary singer on the scene; we can add Eddy Kenzo if you badly wish on it. For some reason, Bebe Cool’s music sounds much maturer, composed and sweet for the ears now. Several songs released with spectacular videos too but the one that stood out has been ‘Wire Wire’.
Written and produced by Ronnie, ‘Wire Wire’ has had the ladies scream whenever it plays in clubs and even on radio for most part of the year. The video by Sasha Vybz also had our eyes wide open gazing at the beauty of Hollywood and that video vixen. Gagamel stood strong and they deserve the spot as well.
5. ‘Sunday’ – Slick Stuart and Roja featuring Allan Toniks
If there’s an artiste who has surprised us with a comeback this year, it has been Allan Toniks with songs like ‘Falling’ featuring Fille, and ‘Sunday’ with Slick Stuart and Roja. On ‘Sunday’, Toniks gave us the much required vocals and the lyrics written by Shena Skies just gave us a whole new meaning of Sundays.
Deejay duo Slick Stuart and Roja also had an awesome Mixtape Party and a good year in general. They have mastered the art of blessing our ears with some unique sound and ‘Sunday’ was the one for this year. The video actually won the Most Stylish Music Video award at the 2019 Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards.
Bonus Tracks
‘Bambi’ – Fresh Kid
How are you gonna talk about the Ugandan music industry in 2019 without mentioning Fresh Kid anywhere? The boy gave the stakeholders a run for their money without trying too hard. He came like a storm and for over four months, he dominated the news headlines going as far as being a topic of discussion in the Parliament.
‘Bambi’ came at a time when his young career was being discussed by abanene mu gavumenti and his fans must have felt like it was gonna come to a halt anytime. He deserves this spot for many other reasons.
‘Semyekozo’ – Eddy Kenzo
‘Semyekozo’ has been the song of December especially for how it came about and the sympathy people have accorded Eddy Kenzo. The year wasn’t the best for the Big Talent Ent. chief but he managed to stand strong and he indeed turned lemon into lemonade with ‘Semyekozo’.
‘Makanika’ – John Blaq
John Blaq is one of the biggest stars of the music industry for the last period of two years. This year, he erased any doubts from critics that he was a one-hit wonder as he blessed us with several other bangers. ‘Makanika’ stood out but Do Dat, Tukwatagane, Obubadi, Mama Bulamu, were all hit songs.
‘Omusheshe’ – Spice Diana featuring Ray G
Western Uganda had us for a ride with the breaking out of Ray G who has been doing music in that part of the country for ten years. ‘Omusheshe’ however bought him space in several music lovers across the country this year. Spice Diana as well had a good year with songs like Jangu Ondabe and Bajikona.
We look forward to a much more competitive 2020 and we can’t wait for what each artiste has to offer. Some of the artistes who stood out this year could as well go ahead and dominate in 2020 especially Big Tril because he has everything in his favor currently.
Read Also: Spice Diana is my Artiste of the Year