Babaluku opens up
We have known Babaluku from his Luga-flow hip-hop. He opens up to Music Uganda about his music, the current state of the hip-hop industry and the famous Bavubuka Foundation. Babaluku would prefer to describe himself as a community activist, entrepreneur, very innovative, visionary, nice to people and a people person.
About the Hip-Hop Career
He would like to describe his music as cautious music. His community work is inspired by his music. Through his hip-hop principles, he has learned the truth about himself and hip-hop has allowed him to share the principles and bring back the message to the young the people. It has also showed him that these would contribute becoming better Ugandan men and women.
His hip-hop community work is extended into a frame of work that allows the other young hip-hoppers to rap in their native languages. Through that, this year he has discovered a lot of talent and showed the power coming back to them, teaching that everything narrows down to the true sense of self expression.
Bavubuka Foundation
You have probably walked the streets of Kampala and seen the famous Bavubuka t-shirts. Personally the first time I saw them, I had to get my hands on one “hook or crook”. Now I gladly collect, they are a must have for anyone. With the T-shirts on the streets, one would become more intrigued and scratch their heads and want to find out more about the foundation. It all started when Babaluku invited me to the Bavubuka house. It’s a house filled with love, people willing to give back to community without expecting anything in return. Here the Bavubuka members (who mainly consist of people who don’t stay here and have sacrificed time for these young youth, got me asking myself “what is wrong with us who stay here”)
Bavubuka Foundation started in 2005 with the objective of providing a chance for self expression to young people in Uganda and to equip them the leadership skills to be great leaders for not only their country but for their world too. It started by the inspiration of delivering that all young people are capable of being able to achieve their dreams and goals if given the opportunity and resources in an uplifting environment.
The Bavubuka foundation has projects like Bavubuka All-stars, Creative Art, Media, Art, Music, Drama, Theatre and writing. Bavubuka Arts includes fashion, Logo design and graphics. Bavubuka Sports includes all sports. Bavubuka Girls entails Self Discovery, Young Woman empowerment, Literacy, Writing and Advocacy (teaching girls how to speak). Bavubuka Media teaches film production, Sound Production and Radio internship. Spoken Truth is about story telling, comedy, poetry and traditional presentations. Hip-hop Summit and annual event that covers the hip-hop forum which comprises of the dialogue about hip-hop in Uganda and the world, educating the Youth about the hip-hop industry, how to promote their music and their works, self identity, appreciation on of tradition and culture and also allowing them to teach and use hip-hop as a voice to represent their community.
State of Hip-hop in Uganda
The current hip-hop artist lack respect due to acknowledging the fact that…when we say hip-hop in the community…it should for building for a greater cause and not for selfish reasons or deeds. Until the artists learn the true definition of hip-hop, we will always struggle as a hip-hop community in Uganda. They must teach the children the truth and acknowledge the pioneers that have made hip-hop in Uganda what it is today.
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