Taking dancehall into church

What sets the two characters apart is that Bly loses his simplicity when he gets on stage. His music takes him places as he jumps, shakes his dreadlocks to the rhythm and artistically engages his fans.

Of Coopy Bly’s music, the songs Bwaka and Sida Mukyalo could probably be the most popular. They are a dancehall force that has pushed their way past the limits of Christian adio, well into the secular and wild world. Bwaka, for instance, has that groovy heavy bass boost backing the very easy-to-fall for dancehall tune that on first hearing, you will not even consider the thought that it is a Christian song.

It preaches against societal vice, especially corruption, and berrates politicians for forgetting the masses once they attain power. And right there, you sense he is not just doing a sermon with his songs, but is offering a form of societal conscience.

The catchy tunes of his songs makes him appeal to the young, both in and out of the church. And considering that few have walked this path - Martin Sseku, Tickie Tah, to mention but a few, Coppy Bly is a welcome addition to Christian Dancehall music in Uganda.

rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com