Enter Radio and Weasel

Stevens Muendo unveils Uganda’s controversial new kids on the block already giving established acts a run for their money

One year after they broke away from the Chameleone owned Leone Island Crew to form their own record label Goodlyf Studios, Mowzey Radio and Weasel Ma Nizo are now wading through Uganda’s showbiz storms the rough way.

Weasel, who happens to be Chameleone’s younger brother, had been his brother’s loyal sidekick before the two broke ranks last year.

He swiftly paired up with Radio, another long serving Leone Island Crew member and bounced back through their newly founded label, sending a strong statement to Chameleone — who has been on showbiz down low. And working against all odds, the two kids have not only become a threat to their brothers supreme reign but also a major force to reckon with. They now pose a threat to Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine, and all of whom have been in control of Uganda’s showbiz scene for the last 15 years, uninterrupted.

Early last year, Radio and Weasel stormed into the showbiz scene with a hit single Nakudata, their debut album title song, which was followed by the controversial song Zuena — both of which saw them rule music charts in Uganda before sweeping the 2008 Pam Awards in November, to the detriment of the giants, and shock of many.

Here to stay

"They called us kids and said we could not sing. But our time has now come and we are here to stay. It’s about time they retired," says Weasel.

"We decided to sing about Zuena (Bebe’s wife) because she is a beautiful lady. If Bebe is good like us (in his lyrics), we may consider recording a remix of the song with him," he jokes, playing down the verbal wars between Bebe and his brother.

"Well, Chameleone is our brother and we consider him as our musical father, but Bobi has supported us all through. He is the one who knows better what we smoke and drink," adds Radio, a statement which insinuates that the duo is closer to Bobi — who too happens to be their celebrity brother Chameleone’s rival.

The two had been working behind the scenes in Leone Island but little was known about their music talent until they left Chameleone’s Leone Island crew. According to critics, Chameleone, being well aware of their great talent did not want the two to share in the limelight for fear they would overshadow him.

Even after releasing Jennifer and Sweet Lady in 2005 — two singles which were received well by the media and Uganda fans — Radio remained a faceless star under the shadow of the Leone Island Crew.

Finally yielded fruit

"I had my limitations back then. Weasel, who is Chameleone’s brother, couldn’t be allowed to promote the songs with me. But we knew our day was coming, and our patience has finally yielded fruit," says Radio who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Psychology in Makerere University early last year.

It was then that the two started to strategise of forming a duet and breaking away from the massive Leone Island Crew, where Chameleone would continue to reign as the only king.

"We started working on our new songs and as we sealed our debut album, Nakudata, five of the six songs turned to be duets between the two of us," explains Weasel.

"This does not mean that we have no respect for our brother and the rest of the Leone Island Crew. We are only saying that we have grown up. We are rising to conquer new horizons," says Radio.

Nakudata and Zuena are a fusion of R&B and ragga. The unique blend of heavy bass line with Kwaito kicks gives the radio version of both songs an irresistible dance appeal.

But it was Zuena’s video that caused the stir all over Kampala after the two featured a lady who resembled Bebe Cool’s wife, also called Zuena.

What was more intriguing was the fact that Bebe and Chameleone (Weasel’s big brother) could not see eye-to-eye, yet Weasel and Radio, former Chameleone’s key strategists were here, praising her beauty.

A perplexed man

At first it looked like a mockery song to Bebe, who said that he had no time to hit back at small boys who were trying to rise to stardom, through his fame.

But his wife, Zuena, was of a different opinion. She took the song lightly, saying that if they thought she was beautiful enough to write a song about, then all was well with her.

It was no wonder that Radio and Weasel ended up dedicating their Song of the Year, Pam Awards accolade to her, leaving Bebe Cool a perplexed man to the joy of his other archrival Bobi Wine.

Since then, their songs have become club bangers across East and Southern Africa as Radio and Weasel working under Goodlyf Crew, are now preparing for a regional tour which starts mid this year.

Even though they remain humble by their overnight fame, Radio and Weasel maintain that a new music era in Uganda is emerging, warning the old guards to get ready for the hand over.