Big win for Ugandan music in Battle of Champions

How do you gauge an artiste over another? Music delivery and output, fashion statements, stage presence and energy, crowd or fans response, lyrical content or number of songs? The jury was out on musical nemeses Bebe Cool and the Goodlyfe duo of Radio and Weasel as they squared it out on stage at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds on Friday.

The Goodlyfe duo kicked off the eagerly awaited musical battle, an opportunity they utilised to not only size up to Bebe Cool, but also prove themselves. But Bebe Cool, who started on a slow tempo in the first three performance segments, or rounds if you like, said he was only rehearsing as he kept seated on a chair.

Thereafter, he proved he still holds his forte in an energetic stage presence that lasted an extra hour after Goodlyfe had left stage.

On that front he proved to his contenders that he is a musical giant whose number of songs outweighs theirs.

Even then, Goodlyfe’s performance was powerful and engaging. Basically fans irrespective of their musical camps had a good time.

And yes clearly the bigger winner in all this even as these artistes musically squared it out was Ugandan music particularly because the Battle of Champions show was taking place within metres of another concert by Jamaican star Busy Signal. Kyadondo Rugby Club was almost filled to capacity, showing that fans had endorsed Ugandan music.

At this show, fans were happy to see Jose Chameleone take a seat in the audience to support Goodlyfe, a duo that he helped cut its musical teeth under his Leone Island Crew, though they later fell out with him. Perhaps the show was the long awaited re-union.

“Big up and much respect to you Jose Chameleone,” Mowzey Radio said attracting applause from the crowd. Weasel, Chameleone’s younger brother, was grateful and expressed his appreciation for his presence in the house.

From 9.15pm to 3.45am, both Goodlyfe and Bebe Cool entertained the crowd with songs and words as they expectedly threw jibes at one another. The emcees on both sides amplified the war of words but also for entertainment as they sought to prove the artiste they represented was better than the other. Longtime friend Omulangira Ndausi was Bebe Cool’s emcee, while Krackers comedians Afande Kerekere and Dicanio emceed for Radio and Weasel.

Zuena was supportive of her man and many times got on her feet to dance to a tune by Bebe. When Goodlyfe performed their song Zuena, which was not only dedicated to her but fanned the war of words between them and Bebe, she only smiled and shared jokes with her friends.

Friendly competition
There were no sharp exchanges per se but utilisation of stage time by the musical contenders to prove to one another that they could sing, perform well to a live band, dress fashionably, engage their fans and prove that they are the better party. Most importantly was that for the first time, the two competitors performed on one stage though there was a wire mesh to separate them, especially as they were only recently not seeing each other eye-to-eye.

The fans were divided with each camp shouting, singing along and dancing in support of their artiste. Many held up placards with words either praising their favourite artiste or “dissing” the opponent.

Jose Chameleone was simply crazy and in a hyper mood and he openly showed support for Goodlyfe. At some point he held out a placard with the words, “RIP Bebe Cool”. Bebe Cool told him off later on.

The entertainment at this concert did not just elicit good stage performance, Bebe and Goodlyfe made some fashion statements too. Goodlyfe arrived dressed in a school uniforms with a badge of Goodlyfe with a motto reading, “Where music lives”. Radio and Weasel were like school-going pupils, holding out their metallic suitcases.

Bebe Cool dressed down for the opening moments and later on severally changed into suits, Chinese attire, a pilot’s outfit, among other outfits.

In fact he confessed that the time allocated was not enough for him to dress in each of the outfits he had planned. Goodlyfe changed several times too, though theirs was more everyday urban attire as opposed to Bebe Cool’s costumes.

“Welcome back from the long awaited concert of this year, the battle. I would like to thank all my supporters for the love and respect you all showed me. I wish I could pay you back. I also want to thank Radio and Weasel for the outstanding performance they put up yesterday. Thank you all Ugandan fans for choosing the battle, you guys made us proud. Who is next?” Bebe Cool posted on Facebook after the battle, of course adding to the debate on social media on who was better of him and Goodlyfe.

Nation Media Group’s brands, Daily Monitor, KFM, Dembe FM and NTV Uganda were part of the flagship sponsors of the Battle of Champions, which was organised by Benon Kasekende of BK Afrobeat Inc and Abbey Musinguzi of Abitex Promotions.
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What fans say about the show

Emmanuel Nsobya (Makerere University Student): Radio and Weasel won the battle. The reason is they sang songs that their fans danced to right from the start to the end, which Bebe Cool didn’t do. Some of his songs were new to the revellers so they didn’t excite them.

Stery Nambooze (Kyambogo University): I am a staunch Gagamel fan and from the start I knew Bebe Cool would win and he managed to prove it. He was good while playing live music, he also has the experience which Goodlyfe still lacks.

Ronnie Agaba (Businessman): What amused me during the show was that Chameleone was in the crowd trying to show support to Ugandan artistes. I thought having not been on good terms with both artistes, he would be at the Busy Signal concert, which was held at the Cricket Oval.

Felix Eupal (Journalist): I preferred the Goodlyfe performance and the way the crowd was reacting to them, it really showed that they were in full control of the battle. Bebe Cool also had nice songs.

Nelson Kafeero (ICT Consultant): Both the Gagamel Band and the UB5 band played nice, it showed that they were both fully prepared and they had rehearsed because the way they played really rhymed with the artistes.

Ismail Lwebuga (Makerere University): The way the Goodlyfe boys came on stage dressed in uniforms like students was really nice. No one expected that.

Thomas Alex Ediu (Businessman): I liked both performances but Bebe Cool’s live performance was really outstanding. When it comes to live music, I think he stands out as one of the best in Uganda.

Brenda Abbo (S.6 vacation): The show was said to begin at exactly 8pm but it didn’t begin in time, it also ended very late in the night. I didn’t like the way the organisers failed to manage time.

Errah Zamani (upcoming artiste): As an artiste, I think this was not only a battle, but a musical experience. I liked the fact that Bebe Cool and his arch rivals Radio and Weasel were singing for the same crowd. This had never happened before and I think it was good for the Ugandan music industry.

Florence Nalubega (businesswoman): I liked the stunt Bebe Cool pulled; he first came one stage dressed in a shabby way. When the emcees from the Goodlyfe side made fun of him, he came back dressed smartly in a suit to tell them it had just been a rehearsal and that the show had just began, that was after three sessions of singing.

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