Story One: Pretty Nicole
The year that was presented some interesting challenges and insights into our country. I think that there are three or four stories that illustrate these complexities. The first story is one of a young girl who calls herself Pretty Nicole. She came to the attention of Ugandans on Twitter when someone filmed her being beaten by a ‘rival’ female who had found out that she was involved with her boy friend. Netizens shared this video and as a result a measure of justice was served to the angry young lady. Then a flurry of events took place where Nicole was placed into a school which she promptly escaped. A few scandals about some leaked videos followed. Desperate pleas from her mother to get her back into school. She responded but what was notable was her concern about the system and her request that she join the music industry as an entertainer. The young girl is barely fourteen. But at that age you are really starting to feel like you have an effect on the world. Your bust and your curves are being noticed and you are starting to make a dent on a largely skewed male population. All things considered, you are in your prime in your teens but with little guidance.
Many of those who have gone before you and succeeded or not with their degrees often complain about the education system and Pretty Nicole is no different. She is having trouble seeing how valuable what she is being taught is while at the same time realising that quite a number of not so educated youth are making a killing in the Entertainment Scene.
As we speak the numbers reveal that the number of students who registered for Primary Exams has decreased drastically. So you really cannot blame her.
Here is where social media comes in. As we speak it seems the young girl has amassed quite a following. I recently looked at her page and found that she had landed an influencer deal. Not bad for a kid who wanted to drop out. Maybe she will have a chance to finance her own education or entrance into the entertainment world.
Story Two: Alien Skin
This young man is built different. His music has taken the country by storm. He even has the guts to take on Bobby Wine (this is a no go area just ask some famous Pastors). You see the Ghetto President as he is affectionately known has a following that does not take criticism of the principle lightly. But when someone rises to the level where they can take jabs at the GP, then you know something is cooking. In the bigger picture of the Ugandan political scene, the playbook that is being used is similar to what happened in Kenya in the late nineties and frankly to this day is the same strategy. At the height of the democratization of Kenya or some could argue from its very begining, the two party system was exploited through its leaders by creating tribal alliances and factions which later led to the blossoming of personalities and later parties galore. So the Democratic Party of Uganda, Forum for Democratic Change as well as UPC have all had some sort of split or struggle as to who serves as flag bearer with internal coup d’etats being normalized.
Back to the music. Alien skin has emerged as a breath of fresh air for an industry that some could argue was suffering from a hernia. There was a sesne in which some of those who felt like they helped pave the way for others were feeling entitled and expecting the upcoming artists to kiss the proverbial ring and pledge allegiance. The ability to appreciate those who have come before you goes without saying but there are many ways to do that. Some have chosen to redo music done by those long gone while others have decided to use monetary gifts. All this helps. But this struggle for dominance is real and permeates the Radio Stations as well as the ecosystem of event cordinators and promoters and MCees.
His music is different. He seems to be having a conversation with his audience and this suits his style. But there is no mistaking the fact that the young people are taking in his stuff and dancing to it. And that is all it takes really. In the bigger picture we struggled to find a universal voice or a defining tune for the country, but my guess is that we are pretty close.
Story three: Champion Gudo
A few years ago a young boy called Fresh Boy hit the scene with his music. He made an impact and was quickly snatched by one of the leading Primary Education Institutions for a scholarship. This was about two or three years ago but it set a precedent. Ofcourse the school saw this as a marketing win but others also saw an opportunity. The young boy excelled and continued to pursue his career in music but he seemed to be guaranteed a pretty successful future. Enter Alien Skin and champion Gudo. As already described, Alien skin was making waves but as is the nature of our culture in which Kings often invited promising young people into the court to raise them as leaders, Champion Gudo was taken on to learn the ropes at least by association. There was a back and forth where many said that the young boy needed to be left alone to study while others called it a publicity stunt. If memory serves me right, the young one was offered a place in a school? What followed was interesting. Some parents shared a letter with the school’s management stating that they preferred that their children study in a safe space independent of ‘these other children’ (my words). Maybe this is really the way of our society. Classify and separate by wealth or color and manage the distribution of wealth and power by these groupings?
What are your thoughts?
PS these photos are taken from Social Media Accounts.
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