Veteran Ugandan musician Diamond Oscar has criticised the growing influence of money in Uganda's music industry, arguing that financial backing now gives artistes an advantage over those who rely mainly on talent.
According to Diamond Oscar, the industry has changed significantly from the era when musicians depended largely on creativity, talent and their ability to connect with audiences through their music.
He explained that artistes today can gain visibility quickly when they have managers or investors with enough money to finance their projects and promote their music.
Diamond Oscar noted that financially backed artistes can invest heavily in production and even secure airplay on major media platforms, giving them an advantage over talented musicians without similar resources.
“This wasn't the case in our time. We used to create music straight from our souls and on our own. It was about talent, and not money as it is today,” he partly said.
While acknowledging that talent remains important, Diamond Oscar believes financial investment has become a major factor in determining how quickly an artiste gains exposure and builds a following.
The veteran musician also jokingly suggested staging a concert featuring musicians from Uganda's old generation against artistes from the new generation.
He predicted that the younger generation would struggle against their more experienced counterparts, adding another layer to his criticism of the current music industry.