In the past, genres like jazz, blues, hip-hop, and African music have often been undervalued or taken credit for by non-black artists. This has created an unfair situation where black artists struggle to get recognition, fair pay, and the same opportunities as white artists. But Nyege Nyege is changing that by embracing diverse sounds and giving artists from all over Africa and the world a chance to shine. Nyege Nyege is an art collective based in Kampala, Uganda. Its founders, Arlen Dilsizian and Derek Debru, have created a cool vibe that combines local music with influences from all over Africa and beyond. The name Nyege Nyege has different meanings in the many languages spoken in Uganda, but in Luganda, it kind of means “the sudden urge to move, shake, or dance”, which is what the group is all about. They even have their own festival and two record labels, Nyege Nyege Tapes and Hakuna Kulala, where they mainly showcase talented black artists. (Main, 2018)
(Bloom, 2023)
The title track of MC Yallah’s 2023 album, “Yallah Beibe,” really captures the spirit and goals of the Hakuna Kuala label. It’s an upbeat song that blends electronic music with traditional African sounds, creating something totally fresh and authentic. It’s got catchy beats, deep basslines, and awesome synths mixed with Afrobeat melodies and infectious chants. The beat of the track is influenced by West African polyrhythms and the chants and vocals give it a real cultural feel. There are also electronic elements like the bassline and synths that make it sound more modern and futuristic, showing the innovative side of the Hakuna Kulala collective. They haven’t just sampled traditional sounds, they’ve blended them with electronic instruments in a way that works really well. Technology played a big role in creating “Yallah Beibe” with the production techniques and digital instruments used. The vocals have been manipulated to give them a gritty texture, similar to the chanting.
Overall, “Yallah Beibe” is a great example of how Hakuna Kulala combines traditional African influences with electronic music, resulting in a unique and authentic sound that celebrates the cultural richness of Africa while embracing contemporary and experimental music.
Yallah, M. (2023) ‘Yallah Beibe’, Yallah Beibe [Spotify]. Uganda, Hakuna Kuala. Available at : https://open.spotify.com/album/74FbvNoV00hE1ZcCohkoP3 (Accessed: 26 November 2023).
Bloom, M. (2023) MC Yallah: Yallah Beibe, Pitchfork. Available at: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mc-yallah-yallah-beibe/ (Accessed: 06 December 2023).
Main, G. (2018) Nyege Nyege: the Ugandan dance collective reversing colonial culture, The Guardian. Available at: https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2018/mar/29/nyege-nyege-the-ugandan-dance-collective-reversing-colonial-culture (Accessed: 06 December 2023).