It's only January 6th, 2025, but the music scene is already buzzing with anticipation! After what felt like a quieter 2024, everyone's eager to see what new sounds and artists will emerge. There's a lot of excitement surrounding both established names and rising stars ready to make their mark.
Here are some artists we're particularly excited about:
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Ava Peace: With strong management behind her, Ava Peace seems poised for a breakout year. Many believe her team is building her into not just a Ugandan star, but a continental force, potentially rivaling even established artists like Azawi.
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Nandor Love: Following the release of "Mpologoma" and "Kinawolovu" last year, Nandor Love is aiming high. Her songwriting talent is undeniable (she's penned hits for Ava Peace, Jowy Landa, and Recho Rey, among others), and she's expected to be a strong contender alongside Ava Peace.
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Zafaran: Zafaran's distinctive voice and thoughtful lyrics have earned her a dedicated fanbase. After a solid 2024, she has the potential to become a leading female artist. However, her trajectory may depend on the support of Swangz Avenue, her label, who hold the key to unlocking her full potential.
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Acidic Vokoz: After a breakthrough 2024, including a successful concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval, Acidic Vokoz has a chance to solidify his position. Like Nandor Love, he's a self-sufficient artist, writing his own material. His humble personality has also garnered him a lot of support. However, as Bebe Cool pointed out, he needs to increase his public presence to truly connect with a wider audience.
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Dax Vibes: The youngest of the Sentamu family is carrying the musical torch high. Following successful collaborations with Vinka ("belief" in 2023) and Ava Peace ("Tabbu" in 2024, which is still topping charts), the expectation is for Dax Vibes to step into his own as a solo artist and build upon the legacy of his family (Bobi Wine, Eddy Yawe).
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Joshua Baraka: Having represented Uganda internationally for the past two years, Joshua Baraka is expected to continue his upward trajectory. Known for his savvy approach to the music business and collaborations across Africa, the recent release of his "recess" EP sets the stage for even greater achievements.
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Bebe Cool: A veteran of the Ugandan music scene, Bebe Cool is still in the game and generating buzz with his upcoming album. Despite his single "circumference" not performing as expected, fans remain optimistic about the rest of the album's tracks.
These are just a few of the artists we're keeping our eyes on. We anticipate a year filled with exciting new music and memorable moments for music lovers.