Singer Bebe Cool is not like his name suggests. He has never been cool. Every now and then, he is spewing fire or fanning it. Currently, the Uganda music community is in turmoil. And this has been caused by Bebe Cool's list of his 2017 top entertainers. The list consists of 16 musicians, most of them are the new kids on the block; Vinka, Fik Fameica, Ykee Benda and others (You may have seen the list by now)
The list has raised mixed reactions among musicians and many observers.
First, it was Kenzo who popped out to question the list. He says his song "Jubilation" crossed borders, and rocked the air waves in 2017 so he deserved to be credited. He also criticized the act of an artiste publishing his/her personal assessment of the music business. “It divides the industry,” he said. He went on to call Bebe Cool, Immature , unpatriotic and that his actions are facilitated by ego.
Bebe Cool retaliated, saying, Kenzo cannot compete with artiste of the moment like Fik Fameica. This back and forth spilled over to other industry players.
Weasel chipped in telling Bebe Cool to stop shouting and join his wife, Zuena in baking cakes.
Then Bebe replied, “Weasel's performance fee is lower than one cake made by Zuena.”
Weasel ceased fire and singer A pass joined in. He attacked Bebe Cool saying that the Gagamel boss releases popcorn songs. “He should not be making lists. He should first learn how to write music,” A pass attacked Bebe Cool.
A Pass is a certified attention seeker so he was enjoying it. When Geosteady, who appears on Bebe’s list, came out to defend the list, A pass saw another opportunity to stay relevant.
In a statement released by Geosteady, he dared Apass and Kenzo for a music battle.
A pass responded by calling Geosteady a low grade artiste who should battle with faded singers like Barbi J. When this landed in Barbi’s ears, he crept out of his cave and called A pass an urban excited boy who is doing comedy instead of music.
Gravity Omuttujju later offered to discipline Apass . “I will drive to his home and punch him if he continues to speak negatively about musicians," he said.
On Friday, Bebe Cool was hosted with A pass on Spark TV where they engaged in an exchange of musical thoughts, particularly about the list and Save Uganda music.
Bebe Cool fired shots at Kenzo and Bobi Wine.
On the show, A pass froze, he was not as loud as he is on his social media platforms. He bowed out, and after the show they posed for a picture in which A pass sat on Bebe Cool's laps like a child sits on his father’s.
Whereas some may say, this chaos could injure the music industry; Bebe Cool says it is helpful. “Musicians are going to work hard now. We have started the year in high gear," he said.
The music business has been cold, prompting artistes to start a campaign dubbed, Save UG music, but with Bebe’s sneezing, everyone is on fire trying to produce quality music.