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AML Artist Spotlight: “This is Hip-Hop” Introducing Batabazi, Boston Based Uganda Hip-hop Crew

I mentioned, recently, that East Africa, particularly Kenya, has been quite responsive and receptive to what I am doing here on AML. I enjoy receiving emails from East Africa as I want the diversity of sounds represented here on AML. In short, thank you to all AML industry folk and other visitors  from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malyasia, UK, US (my top countries). I appreciate you visiting me in my online home. 🙂

I am down for wherever AML takes me and really want it to be very organic in its growth. It is a stress release for me, really. 🙂 Writing, hitting the gym and dancing remain my most therapeutic ways of de-stressing and getting re-energized for my super busy life. Writing is not optional for me. I must write. 🙂

In any event, I have been hit by many from the East with encouragement, comments in my inbox  etc. One such group that recently hit me up is Batabazi, Ugandan Boston based hip-hop crew. Their manager is a fan who reads both AML and Ladybrille.

He sent some stuff he thought I should listen to. I liked it enough to share it with you all. I can’t think of a better way to close out Friday than the songs from Batabazi, especially the song “This is Hip-Hop.”

This group is solid and also includes female voices in the mix. Check on a couple of tracks and their bio below. By the way, AML artists (ladies) Ladybrille is running a contest to win a book by a seasoned American industry entertainment veteran Thembisa Mshaka. She wrote a book you all need to have. If you want to win a copy, click here to see how to participate in the contest.

Have a good weekend. Peace. I’m out.

-Uduak

‘This is Hip-hop’ Batabazi ft. Wordstorm

[audio:https://africamusiclaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/This-Is-Hip-Hop-Batabazi-ft-Wordstorm-clean.mp3|titles=This Is Hip Hop – Batabazi ft Wordstorm (clean)]

Batabazi feat Jackie Chandiru – Dirty Shame

[audio:https://africamusiclaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Batabazi-feat-Jackie-Chandiru-Dirty-Shame.mp3|titles=Batabazi feat Jackie Chandiru – Dirty Shame]

BATABAZI started making music in 2007. They are based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The name was chosen because the members wanted something to symbolize who they are as individuals. The word “Batabazi” is derived from a Luganda phrase “okutabaala” which means to wander or move from place to place. Batabazi’s roots are hip hop but are very versatile given the dynamics of the group and have recently done musicin R&B, Reggae and Genge.

Batabazi is comprised of five individuals i.e. four stage performers and a producer. They are PG (Mpagi Kironde), Jerome Black (Jerome Jjooga), Tasha (Roseann Kawesa), Gera (Gera Kiwanuka) and Mayor (Anthony Bbosa Balagadde). PG raps in English, Luganda and occasionally does Patwah & Swahili, Jerome is a lugaflow specialist. Tasha and Gera sing and rap in English & Luganda. Mayor is the group’s producer with a rich musical background in piano and traditional instruments, and in the past has had theopportunity to perform at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York.

The group certainly lives up to their name, “Batabazi” as they have wandered around in life and the world to get to where they currentlyare as a group.  PG was born and raised in Uganda. Growing up he was nick-named Bow Wow as he was always rapping.  In 2003, he moved to the UK and later to the USA. Jerome was born in Mombasa, Kenya and raised in Uganda. While in high school he started rapping in Luganda. He was also a good basketball player; it was through his basketball skills that he found his way to the USA in 2001. Tasha was born and raised in Uganda. As a child she always loved to sing. In 2003 after high school, she moved to the USA. Gera was born in the USA and was raised in Uganda. She started taking voice and piano lessons at a very young age. Because of her parents’ careers she was always on the move. In 2006, she moved back to the USA to pursue further studies. Mayor was born and raised in Uganda. While in high school in Uganda, he was a very active member of the Music Club. He is a trained musician and a talented pianist who plays by ear and once a member of his college choir. He moved to the USA in 2006. All five members have several things in common but more importantly their love for music is evident in everything that they do.

In 2009, Batabazi released a 20-track mix tape. The mix tape included their hit tracks “Turn it Up”, “Uganda Nka” and “Binsobedde”. 2010 proved to be a breakthrough year for the group as it saw them do several collaborations with well established Uganda musicians including Chagga, Peter Miles, Jackie Chandiru of the Blu3 fame, Ragga Dee, Vamposs, Navio and Raba Daba. They now have a total of 7 music videos. In December 2010 they released an 8-track EP titled “Set It Off” in preparation for their upcoming Mixtape release (2011) and Album release (2012).”

Africa Music Law™

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ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Credited for several firsts in the fashion and entertainment industry, Uduak Oduok (Ms. Uduak) is a fashion and entertainment lawyer, speaker, visionary, gamechanger, trailblazer, and recognized thought leader, for her work on Africa’s emerging global fashion and entertainment markets, and the niche practice of fashion law in the United States. She is also the founder of ‘Africa Music Law,’ an industry go-to music business and law blog and podcast show empowering African artists. Her work in the creative and legal industries has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including an award from the American University Washington College of Law for her “legal impact in the field of intellectual property in Africa." She has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at several institutions in the United States. For more information, visit her at https://msuduak.com.

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