8 songs that trended on social media in 2023

1. Okwepicha

This song by Gravity Omutujju became so big on social media that it inspired an impromptu concert at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. Omutujju had hosted a massive concert in 2022, so fans didn't see another concert coming in 2023. But because of the song's massive success, Omutujju saw an opportunity to organise another one in 2023 and cash in on the trend.

The song's title is now used as a verb to refer to having sex. Okwepicha was produced by Bless Touch at Crefila Records. Its well-received video, which was filmed by Aaronaire, features the comedian Amooti Omubalanguzi.

2. Chai Wenjaye

This song, whose title loosely translates to tea spiced with weed, created a lot of buzz on social media. It's one of the most controversial songs of 2023.

Sang by Omutume Planet, Chai Wenjaye trended massively on all social media platforms. It has over 1.6 million views on YouTube and it was produced by Dropper Beats at Ark Records, with a video that was directed by Zattabu. It remains Omutume's most popular song.

3. Salary

The song that brought together a deejay and a singing duo has lyrical content that communicates how an average Ugandan spends their salary. It was especially popular in the corporate world, explaining its massive success at events and clubs.

Salary, which brought together Selecta Jeff and Ugaboys, was produced by Dny Beats, with a directed by Railroad Pictures. It's still the duo's most popular song on YouTube, followed by Freaky Friday featuring Eddy Kenzo which has close to 300k views.

3. Balippila Boda

The song is off Eddy Kenzo's Blessings album on which he collaborated on some projects with Morgan Heritage, a Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae band.

Some songs on this album were also considered for the 2024 Grammy nominations.

Because of the attention it got on social media, Balippila Boda, which was produced by Daddy Andre, is the only popular song on the album, probably because of its funky beats.

Its video, which has 1.1 million views on YouTube, was filmed by Director Pest of Grate Make Films.

4. Banana

Without the remix of this song that was originally sung by Fik Gaza, Jose Chameleone may not have had any hit in 2023.

The song has garnered massive attention on social media, especially since the owner of the original version broke out because of TikTok.

Fik Gaza tapped Jose Chameleone for the remix of his club banger Banana which now has over half a million views on YouTube.

The song’s video was directed by Wax. The original version was produced by Rinex and its video was shot by Badrum.

5. Nana

Joshua Baraka's breakout song is among the earworms that attracted the most TikTok challenges in 2023. Baddies, as they say in social media speak, enjoyed dancing to it and they made sure they made several videos for their followers on social media.

The video of Nana, at 3.4 million views, is the third most-watched Ugandan music video this year. It was directed by Prnz. The remix, featuring King Promise, Joeboy and Bien -- also has over 1.1 million views.

6. Cheza for Yesu

This song by Gabriella Bridget Ntaate was produced by Josh Wonder and because of social media hype, its video has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Ntaate wrote the gospel earworm herself.

Its beautiful video was filmed by Edrine Paul who also directed those of Last Chance by Acidic Vokoz and Labisa, the song that brought together Bobi Wine, Nubian Li, Feffe Bussi, Zex Bilangilangi and Sizza Man.

7. Bailando

Vinka's Bailando is the most-watched song on YouTube in 2023 at 4.3 million views. The song had an excellent reception thanks to the groovy beats produced by Daddy Andre who also wrote the song.

Daddy Andre, who also goes by Andre on the Beat, also produced Engine Ekyamuka by Spice Diana & Bentiboys Africa and Balippila Boda by Eddy Kenzo.

The video of Bailando was directed by Marvin Musoke, who also directed other popular songs like Omwenge by Azawi, Nothing by Elijah Kitaka, Omwana (Juliana Kanyomozi), Elijah Kitaka and Vinka’s Tutu Mama and All Over You by Vinka.

8. Njalwala

Aaron Mukwaya, alias AaronX, hit Jacob Beats' studio to record Njalwala, the most viral song on TikTok currently.

Ever since the AI version of the song was done using Alien Skin's voice, the ballad has gone viral, earning AaronX, who only has two songs on YouTube, the attention of heavy hitters in the industry, including music promoter Abitex who has tapped him for his prestigious Enkuuka show.

Enkuuka is an annual one-day fiesta organized every December 31 at the Kabaka’s Palace in Lubiri, Mengo by Buganda Kingdom together with CBS radio to wrap up the previous year and open up the new one, under the watchful eye of the Kabaka.