Rema
There’s no doubt, this kind of music, a Ugandan sub-genre of Afro-Pop, is good music. But it is usually limited in its reach of appeal to a certain section of Uganda’s music consuming market, only in the local Luganda-speaking market that is not usually seen as hip and modern.
But that is starting to change. Because now we are seeing such songs get crossover appeal and starting to sound modern and cool even. If you have been listening to songs that Iryn Namubiru has been doing of late, you will know what I mean here. Or even Angela Kalule for that matter.
Rema has now added her name to that growing list. And of all good acts she has appeared in, this is the best of them all. She finally sounds like a really good, home-grown wife-material girl, you know, not like the ghetto spoiled-brat bad-girl she sounded like while featuring alongside Bebe Cool in previous songs.
The song gives her a chance to test her vocal range, dwelling in a mid-pitch sound in the verses and chorus, before stretching herself to a high soprano along the bridge that adds colour and depth to the song. And the reaction to this song, on the airwaves and on the dance-floors, will tell you just how much appeal the song, and indeed the genre, has got across sections of music fans.
It’s a good listening experience, and a sign that maybe there’s more to come from this girl.