Babaluku

Babaluku (aka Silas Balabyekkubo), is an award-winning musician, producer, community youth activist and social entrepreneur. A founding member of Uganda’s legendary hip hop group, Bataka Squad, Babaluku is known for introducing Luga Flow to Uganda’s creative scene. This unique and powerful style of positive Hip Hop music has inspired youth in Uganda to embrace and celebrate their native languages, culture and tradition. Babaluku is dedicated to changing lives and giving hope to young people from the ghetto slums of Kampala to war torn Northern Uganda. Through the Bavubuka Foundation Babaluku supports projects that are calling forth the spirit of Ugandan people in creative arts, youth empowerment, education, community development, sports, fashion, journalism, and community-building events.

Born and raised in Uganda until the age of twelve, Babaluku’s creative spirit is driven by his desire to honor and highlight his musical roots while creating unique, fresh and relevant music which inspires unity and directs attention to the power of the spiritual.

Babaluku has shared the stage with many globally acclaimed artists, including Michael Franti, Shad K, Okai and KRS-ONE. In addition to his own album, Luga Flow Revolution, he has been featured on legendary international hip hop albums such as Close to My Roots by Black Star Line, Internationally Known by Nomadic Wax and Officially Offside by Khulumani Group.

Since 2007 Babaluku has amassed a multitude of awards including a Pearl of Africa Award for Best Hip Hop Single and taking home Buzz Teen Awards top honor for Best Hip Hop Artist. He also garnered international acclaim as the featured artist in the documentary Diamonds in the Rough which won the Audience Choice Award at Dances With Films Festival and Best Feature Documentary at Peace on Earth Film Festival. In 2010 Babaluku was honored by the Ugandan Cultural Association for his Excellence and also chosen as Pioneer of the Year by the Words Beats & Life Remix Teach-In Awards.

It doesn’t end there. Babaluku is also responsible for creating Spoken Truth, a monthly event and the first urban spoken word movement in Uganda, which provides a platform for poets and artists in all areas to showcase their work and express their passion. In addition Babaluku has hosted and been the prime sponsor for the Uganda Hip Hop Summit which has been celebrated as the annual highlight of Uganda’s Hip Hop scene for the last nine years.

2012 promises to unveil the next masterpiece album from Babaluku, aptly titled All Spiritual.