Rédaction Africa Links 24 with News Ghana
Published on 2024-02-10 10:37:04
Bashir Lukonge, also known as Bash Luks, is a prominent Ugandan music executive who has recently conducted an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of East African countries within the music industry. Despite Uganda trailing behind Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, Bash Luks highlights areas where Uganda demonstrates superior performance.
Bash Luks, the founder of Lot Fire Records, a music label, and a highly regarded young artist in the region, emphasizes that financial constraints have hindered the progress of Ugandan artists in the past. He points to Tanzania as an example of a country that was able to provide top-quality instruments to its artists as early as the 2000s. Tanzanians were noted to have substantial wealth, allowing them to make significant investments in their music industry, resulting in a remarkable 45 studios compared to Uganda’s 15 at the time, which surpassed Uganda in terms of resources and infrastructure. Additionally, Bash Luks attests that Tanzanians have shown faster progress compared to Ugandans due to their highly patriotic fan base, contributing to the rapid rise of artists like Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, and Ali Kiba, who are celebrated as national treasures by the entire country.
However, despite Uganda compensating for its lack of resources and patriotism with an abundance of talent, Bash Luks believes that Uganda produces more musical talent compared to neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya. He asserts that while these countries may have the necessary equipment and passion, they cannot match the singing abilities of Ugandan artists. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging this talent to develop the music industry in Uganda.
Bash Luks delivered these insights during the jam session at the 2nd edition of the Nva Mubende Festival in Mubende, where he encouraged his fellow artists to recognize the importance of collaboration within the festival. He also expressed disappointment towards some artists from Mubende who have chosen not to perform in the festival since its launch in 2022, signaling the need for greater unity and support within the local music community.
In conclusion, Bash Luks’ analysis sheds light on the strengths and weaknesses of East African countries in the music industry, emphasizing the importance of financial investment, patriotism, and talent in driving progress. The Nva Mubende Festival serves as a platform for artists to come together and showcase the richness of Ugandan music, and Bash Luks’ call for collaboration and support underscores the importance of unity in advancing the music industry in Uganda.
Overall, Bash Luks’ observations and insights provide valuable considerations for the development and growth of the music industry in East Africa, highlighting the unique strengths and areas for improvement for each country. By leveraging these strengths and addressing the identified weaknesses, the region can work towards creating a vibrant and prosperous music industry that celebrates and elevates the talents of its artists.
