Interview: Ugandan rapper Sylvester Kabombo

Well known for his fusion of traditional instruments and hip hop beats, the rapper will be releasing his single ‘Tutambule Fembi’ (Let Us Walk Together) next month. As one of the artists who have done so much to uplift hip hop in Uganda, Kabombo has made a mark with his distinctive socially conscious messages and energetic performances, which have taken his fans on a spiritual journey to the heart of Ugandan issues.

Music aside, the rapper runs a clothing collection that has helped the popularity of his brand, with most of the messages on his T-shirts and hoodies bearing his song titles or phrases.

Additionally, he has been at the forefront in spearheading music projects aimed at empowering young people in Uganda through the creative arts.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: From your experience, is music an effective way of bringing about social change?

SYLVESTER KABOMBO: Art has been used as a tool for social change for a very long time because of its effects on the masses. Music in particular puts rhythm and melody to situations that we go through in our day-to-day lives, and when it gets our attention it cautions, sensitises and gives us solutions. You can learn and be entertained at the same time.

Has music, particularly hip hop, impacted any change in the local communities that you have worked with?

I have held various workshops with communities around the country and some of these artists have gone ahead to also share the knowledge to more and more people by doing community outreaches. Some beneficiaries have started their own initiatives that provide free platforms to emerging artists. It’s a good thing because we all have something that we can add to one other.

As artists we must never forget that we are privileged and therefore we should help others find and make new potential spaces in which they can discover something about themselves that they can hopefully feed into their communities.

What are the most challenging aspects of working in the area of socially engaged music?

For me, socially engaged music is a very independent mode of self-expression. However, it depends at which level you’re socially engaged. If you’re at a level where the government feels that unlawful acts are exposed through your music, then you would be in their good books. If not, you will be seen as a radical artist by those you expose.

But I also believe that people don’t have to listen to problems all the time. They also need moments to listen to a love or party song for fun and still be inspired. I try to strike a balance with my music.

Last year you were among a group of African artists that took part in a pan-African artist dialogue on music and activism dubbed Your Music Your Voice. It was hosted by Goethe-Zentrum Kampala. Tell us about your experience.

It was indeed a great experience meeting likeminded artists from various African countries. I realised that some of the problems we experience in the Ugandan music industry, such as censorship, are the same. The difference is in the magnitude at which we experience them. It was also interesting to discover how they have used social media to influence change in the communities in situations where the government has placed a ban on their music.

Tell us about your role as hip hop coordinator at Bayimba Cultural Foundation.

I work for Bayimba Foundation as the hip hop coordinator for Youth and Hip Hop Uganda, a project that provides free artistic as well as developmental and leadership skills to the youths in Uganda. My role is to organise trainings, performances, meetings and other related work. Since 2011, we have held workshops in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Arua, Kitgum, Lira, Mbarara, Gulu, Soroti, Fort Portal, Masindi and Kampala.

Your well-known song 'Omulya Mamba' has an interesting arrangement and fusion of traditional Ugandan sounds and hip hop beats. What is the song about?

It’s based on an old Baganda proverb which says that one wrongdoer can tarnish the name of the whole clan or community. The song cautions people to be mindful of the company they keep. Just like in the saying, ‘Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.’