Across the border, the Head Honcho himself Yoweri Museveni alias M7 just recently won his umpteenth presidential term in Uganda in the teeth of literally beaten, battered and bruised veteran opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye. Yeah, a chap who was kept under siege or lock for most of the election period. And another friend-turned-foe, Amama Mbabazi, the man whose name sounds like a moniker for a music band, also fell in this election. Talking of which, many Ugandan musicians long sold their souls to the Chief rapper of ‘Oh yes, Ssebo’, his almost guaranteed victory, assuring them of goodies and spoils of the feast.
Last year Bebe Cool, Jose Chameleone, Rema Namakula, Mun*G, Haruna Mubiru, King Saha among others declared their political stance by recording a video that was used as the NRM party campaign anthem – ostensibly targeting the Ugandan youth vote.
“I’m proud to say that all responsible Ugandan musicians are ready to back the father of the nation Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his campaigns and I thank you fellow singers because it is important to appreciate where we are compared to where our country was before,” said Bebe Cool during an interview with a Ugandan website.
As many Ugandans keep crying for change from a 30-year old presidency, one could almost sing ‘Bawling for Soup’ to Bebe Cool: “Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and way before Nirvana. There was U2, and Blondie, and no blacks on MTV. (It is still so uncool) to still be, preoccupied, with 1985.”
The artistes, who already have numerous accolades, have been known to use the ‘partnership’ to further their careers. I mean, if the President gives you the green light to make money, grab the opportunity by the horns and run with it, never mind the Constitution. Or your conscience.
Artistes are known to lead flashy lifestyles, reside in the most enviable of mansions, engaged to the most stunning and vivacious of lasses and well, brandish classy, elegant and exquisite cars. Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Jaguars, Audis, you name them; they drive ‘em.
Thing is, most Pulsers never question the source of their affluence and whereas it might be right to conclude that they are fruits of their toil under the glaring sun. We wouldn’t be breaking anyone’s back by pointing out that most, if not a majority, have politicians or wealthy businessmen in the offing ready to give a spine to the artistes as they maintain their image, and manage their popularity. After all, the entertainment industry thrives on the make-believe.
The General Elections are around the corner and the campaign season is creeping in with a majority of the political noses ditching camp and affiliating themselves to better-smelling new outfits that will hopefully see them gain political mill and mileage in 2017.
Artistes too have been caught in the political web -not contending for seats per se- but pursuing politicians, promising to support them; for a meal ticket of course. Talk of singing for supper.
A straight off the top example would be Gidi Gidi-Maji Maji who raked in a fortune after they got the former President, Mwai Kibaki and the millions of supporters singing to the Unbwogable lyrics in the run-up to the 2002 elections.
Their status as entertainment music mandarins was catapulted and they were soon considered a formidable force.
“After that (song) we got a big recording deal in South Africa and after that we blew the entire country. It was the biggest song for the campaign and it was all over. We got a lot of contacts, and contracts, and we travelled all over the world. There’s no continent that we haven’t been to, to perform. It was a breakthrough. I remember at that time I could not pay my fees and after that I cleared all my fees in one fell swoop. It was a blessing!” confessed one half of the famed duo.
Flash Forward to 2013 and as is the norm, those who endorsed the current president Uhuru Kenyatta were rewarded by having their pockets fattened and as time would see it, they went on to hold the keys to some government institutions. Jaguar holds position of a NACADA board member and Big Ted is in State House working for the Big Man.
This culture of musicians getting ‘blessings from the god king above’ long began in Congo, or the Zaire as it was then known, under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, the Cock who roamed the Hen yard, leaving fire in his wake.
Lingala musicians used to dream of being recognised by a foreign promoter scouring the nightclubs of Kinshasa and being flown abroad to Brussels or Paris to record that contract first cassette that would then break into the continental, even international market, a la Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide or Pepe Kalle, living in Europe and only returning home once a year to perform for adoring throngs. Plan ‘B’ was simply to be ‘discovered’ and handpicked to sing praises about Mobutu, and get a briefcase full of cash for your efforts, and a choice of a black Mercedes, Peugeot 605 or all-terrain Jungle Jeep.
What Mobutu had done was cultural corruption – appropriating the angelic voice and role of the griot who traditionally sang the king’s praises in the nineteenth century – in favour of the sycophantic court poet, the fog-horned imprimatur animateur, limited to yelling one-line Mobutu choruses for the masses.
Our Nigerian ‘brodas’ probably know this better than us, which is evidenced by the lifestyle in their music videos. Many question how the musicians are able to produce one video after another, but when such a populated country sits on an oil rig, the answer seems rather obvious: Oil money.
The country boasts of wealthy politicians and businessmen who presumably are behind the Lamborghinis and mansions rented out for music videos, reality shows and anything entertainment.
They are the king makers who play the role of branding artistes, giving them the image that so many desire. President Buhari, who was elected in during last year’s election even lauded the artistes in Nigeria, saying that they were a key factor in driving out the former government.
“You – our artistes, gave hope to our people and persuaded them to believe that things could really change. Musicians and actors across the length and breadth of Nigeria mobilised the citizenry to stand up for peaceful, orderly and transparent elections. You preached both peace and hope leading to democratic change,” said the president in an address during the Kaduna Music Festival last year.
He added: “In appreciating talent, we have a duty to ensure that we do not turn our backs, or reduce the creative sector to something that we engage only during elections. We who have been inspired or benefitted in other ways from creative talent owe an obligation to help ensure that the talented can live on their gifts. Those who identified with us, sang, danced and rapped for us when we were seeking office have earned the right to our recognition.”
It is common knowledge that the artistes behind the new regime are already reaping big from endorsements in Nigeria, as a result of their talents and being in good book with Bwana Buhari.
P Square, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Wiz Kid, MI, Phyno and Olamide are among the top ten artistes maintaining that lifestyle, with backing from corporates and the government.
