Bebe Cool list: Here are his favourite artistes of 2023

"Crysto Panda is an artiste I think deserves more than what he has gotten," said Cool, real name Moses Ssali.

He lauded Panda for being consistent. Bebe Cool noted that he loved Panda's song Empele because it was popular and introduced a new style of dancing.

Empele, whose audio was released on December 7, 2022 -- was produced by D’Mario and mastered by Artin Pro. Panda and Dokta Brian came up with the lyrics.

Cool also said he loved Mukisenge, the collaboration between Crysto Panda and Winnie Nwagi. He was also impressed that Panda continues to organise and promote his events, including Empele Festival, which is underway at Forest Park Buloba. Bebe Cool said he was to perform at the event.

Bebe Cool praised King Saha for taking his advice on drug abuse.

The Question hitmaker was impressed by Alien Skin's songs like Party, Twayiseko Dda and Binyuma Bitya (with Clever J).

Vryoota was named the breakthrough artiste of 2023.

Alien Skin was named artiste of the year.

Vinka was praised for releasing hit songs but Cool said she needs to do things beyond music to keep in people's faces through media.

Bebe Cool said he started consultations for his list on December 1 and some of the people he consulted are deejays. He said he has a committee of people that comes out with the list.

He said the list is aimed at recognising artistes for their input in uplifting the music industry and he has also promised to start giving out houses, beginning with artistes that will feature on the 2023 list.

Below is Bebe Cool's full statement:

2023 is now behind us and I hope you all achieved your life desires. Whatever didn’t go according to plan, there’s always another chance. And I hope 2024 brings you and yours favors.

Here’s my much-anticipated list;

1. Alien Skin (Party, Twayiseko Dda, Binyuma Bitya ft Clever J)

The cardinal duty of a legendary artist like Bebe Cool is to offer guidance, counseling and knowledge to everyone. However, it depends on those who choose to positively relate and embrace it. Last year I spoke about Alien Skin with good music but retaliating behavior but this young man took the advice, and polished his image which is evident to everyone by his current dress code and public address. Alien Skin is not your normal good artist by vocal capabilities, but rather an impressive creator of his own style with the “I don’t care attitude”. This is important for young people to have confidence and believe in whatever they do, anywhere. Uganda is a land of opportunities and grabbing one is your choice. Alien Skin grabbed his.

Alien has come back on top of this list with two major hit songs -- Party and Twayiseko Dda followed by several statement songs that might not have made it to clubs and airwaves but were vibrant on social media. Such songs include Kisunda, Kubalumya Mitwe, Ready Fi War, Obwenzi and I am Me. He reminds me of the old days of Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone fresh from Nairobi, not forgetting Bobi Wine when we integrated beef and showbiz into the music. The audience had a lot of things to talk about hence paying attention to our songs. Alien mastered the art of social media and beef, integrating the two into his music, thus sealing this year as the Artist of the Year. Well in, my friend, and good luck.

2. Vinka (Bailando)

Vinka has the biggest song among female artists this year. She has successfully and strategically been positioned by her record company Swangz Avenue to have big songs with other artists. These include Believe and Chekecha. Even if she doesn’t own these songs, she shares credit for expertly executing 2 of the best collaborations of 2023.

3. Dax Vybz (Believe)

I bring him third because I was surprised that such a good song came out from Dax, an individual I thought would not have a vocal range. I was truly surprised by his urban execution despite the fact that he hails from Dangala Kamwokya. I credit Dax for this masterpiece, only if he maintains this direction, he will surely make it, as a surprise among his averagely talented brothers.

4. Eddy Kenzo (Balipila Boda)

And if up to now you haven’t known who he is, now you should know that this is the typical Eddy Kenzo style. Balipila Boda appears on the list as it surprises me and many how it penetrated the audience. A hit song is widely embraced by the audience and it is.

5. Rema Namakula (Tonyt)

Rema Namakula this time appears on the list. I have seen her emerge as a young talent. Her success doesn’t surprise me at all. I congratulate her for appearing on the Bebe Cool list 2023 with Tonyt and I definitely wish her all the best in 2024.

6. Joshua Baraka (Nana)

“Oooonana baibie” is one of the biggest songs of 2023, even bigger than the artist himself. This young man with a special talent amongst many is expected to excel but only if he works hard. His music directs to a trending afro–beat sound which the Ugandan audience wants to see Ugandan artists engage in. I wish him the very best and I am sure he is in the right direction.

7. Ugaboys and Selecta Jeff (Salary)

Surely Uganda is an amazing country as the president always says “anyone can survive here”. So many artists came up with ideas but this was the best idea among many. It makes sense depending on how you analyze life. “Wabula-Bwenafuna ku salary njakunyulwa e’baala”.

8. Omega 256 (This year)

Indeed this year we have a ‘regional’ artist breaking through on the Bebe Cool list against many odds. This shows that you don’t need to hail from Kampala to have a big song in the industry. I want to give flowers to this artist and pledge my support to her whenever she needs it. Congratulations Omega 256 and I wish you good luck.

9. Vyroota (Risk and Twafuna)

Congratulations, Vyroota for emerging as the breakthrough artist on the Bebe Cool list. Indeed this young man has talent and it’s not the first time I have heard about his name. However, the challenge is upon you to prove because you have competitors in 2024. Embrace them and continue singing nice melodies. Best luck.

10. Omutume Planet (Kyaayi We’njaye)

The year began at the peak with “Emboozi ya chairman”... The only problem with such songs they are difficult to follow but it doesn’t take away the fact that you appear on the Bebe Cool list despite the negative “content”. My young people enjoy the music but do not imitate the content. Stay away from drugs.

11. Crysto Panda (Empele & Mukisenge)

Down to earth. A good young man. Panda is an extremely hardworking individual who deserves everything. This year on Bebe Cool list, I want to appreciate the consistency and improvement Panda has made. Empele is a big song and Mukisenge is big and growing through into the new year. Congratulations Crysto Panda. I can see a light at the end of your tunnel, just like a crystal. All the best my boy.

12. King Saha (Money)

With one and a half songs this year, King Saha appears on the Bebe Cool list with Money and maybe Ebiseera Ebyo if given time and thought. Talent with this artist is not questionable and we still wish him the very best in using his great voice.

13. Gravity Omutujju (Okwepicha)

As earlier said, anyone can survive in Uganda, Okwepicha is a viral statement song with a hidden meaning but it has made an impression on the local ground. Wabuyu appears again.

Gospel

14. Gabie Ntaate (Cheza) & Titus Kuteesa (Ndimulokore)

These are good songs that only need the gospel fraternity to push. Gospel is important in this industry and I call upon the gospel artists to work harder to push the gospel more to the circular world.

15. Bebe Cool (Question)

It’s difficult for me to include myself on this list, for I make the list. The likes of Jose Chameleon, Bob Wine, Bebe Cool, Juliana, Afrigo Band and Maddox Sematimba among others still serve their audiences with their old music. However, it doesn’t eliminate the fact that they are still in the race. With the fly-est video, Bebe Cool comes on this list among legends with Question raising the bar high, challenging the rest of artistes to invest in good sound and video works for the good of the industry. We can only compete if we invest.

Collaborations

This year was covered by a lot of collaborations, more than singles. I don’t know whether it is a lack of self-confidence or artistes are too busy. But surely from time immemorial, I have said collabos tend to weaken individual merit. All said and done, good music is good music and I want to applaud the collaborating artists.

Note that collaborating within the same audience doesn’t give you an extra reach but I would prefer cross-border collaborations which definitely introduce you to new audiences. But I still recognize the goodness of these collaborations that made it to the Bebe Cool list.

1. Carol Kasita – Chekecha ft. Winnie Nwangi & Vinka; Tetunazina ft. Gravity.

2. Fik Gaza- Banana ft. Jose Chameleone.

3. Fik Famaica – Bwepaba ft. Sheebah.

4. Hatim & Dockey – Did I die ft. Sheebah.

5. Ava Peace – Shabada ft. Mudra D. Viral.

6. Feffe Busi – Pretty Pretty Remix ft. King Saha.

7. Jowie Landa – Sugar dada ft. JPC & Twafuna ft. Vyroota.

Comedy

The Bebe Cool list would like to appreciate the comedy sector of entertainment as music and comedy work hand in hand and on this note, let me appreciate an individual who has put up an outstanding effort to give Ugandans an option. I give Alex Muhangi his flowers and call upon all Ugandans to continue to embrace comedy as it is also an important source of income for the young generation.

In conclusion, I congratulate every artiste who has made it to the Bebe Cool List, and to those who did not make it, it doesn’t mean you did not perform well but rather our colleagues worked a bit extra than us hence their extra hard work deserves recognition.

The Bebe Cool List would like to offer free studio time to a tune of three songs at Gagamel Records and also offer three free video camera opportunities to shoot their videos to all the artistes mentioned. This offer is subject to an artiste having his/her own producer and booking studio time two weeks before the programme. The video camera is subject to 150 dollars as facilitation for handler and security.

Disclaimer

The numbering does not necessarily reflect position.