Yowe

Cheka Cheka

Much love to the team @ midihouse for letting me get into my house bag. I really enjoyed this set and i hope you enjoy listening too, the vibes will embrace you :)

Live Set For Midihouse At Encanto (Kampala)

"....good to go Culture Clash Radio!"
- Don Letts - BBC 6 Music - London, UK

5/5...Wow! Some real heavy vibes from Kampala"
- Dissastaman - Radio Z 95.8 FM - Germany

"Massive Hip-Hop sound and afro quality!"
- Saru - RDWA 107.5 FM - Die, France

"...This is an amazing album."
- Claude Howald - Roots Connection Sound, Switzerland

"powerful!"
- Scott Stevens - KAOS 89.3FM - Washington, DC, USA

"Feeling the power vibes on this! Boom!"
- Nicole Finerty / DubTastic Music - FLEX FM, London, UK

"WOW!!!!"
- Stephen Leins - Dub Embassy Würzburg, Germany

"Another great release from ancient astronauts!"
- Dubinn - DJ Junglist.lt - Barcelona

After paying homage to Africa with their 2021 release "ZIK ZAK" album, Ancient Astronauts once again turn their focus to the black continent, this time honing in on Uganda. Their latest offering, "Cypher Kabaka," is a collaborative effort with the indigenous Hip Hop crew BA Cypher Kabaka, hailing from Kampala, Uganda. This crew is dedicated to utilizing Hip Hop as a tool for positive social change and cultural empowerment.

The connection to BA Cypher Kabaka arose through DOGU's frequent travels to Uganda and the collaboration between his label, Switchstance Recordings, and the Ugandan partner label East African Records. All members of Cypher Kabaka were part of the Nilotika Cultural Ensemble and crossed paths with DOGU during the recording sessions for their album "Nyabingi Resurrection." This encounter sparked numerous freestyle sessions and laid the foundation for the idea of an album collaboration.

With one of the youngest populations globally, Uganda stands as one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, yet it remains among the world's poorest countries. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges for the Ugandan people. Fortunately, with the support of a special Covid-19 grant for music collaborations from the German Goethe Institute, Ancient Astronauts and BA Cypher Kabaka secured funding for this album project.

But who exactly are BA Cypher Kabaka? Their Hip Hop movement took root in 2014, starting with 7 core members. This album highlights the talents of Spyda MC, Phitzo Kiganda, DXL Magezi, Niina MC, Natural Calamity MC, Taye Mwasiba, and Nsonga Diasy. Also known as The Cypher Kings, they comprise a growing collective of rappers, singers, Hip Hop practitioners, Graffiti artists, DJs, and Breakdancers. Together, they represent various indigenous cultures of Uganda and strive to instill pride in African heritage and identity among youth by blending Hip Hop culture and elements with local languages within an indigenous cultural context.

Their music features conscious lyrics with uplifting messages, delivered in various local languages such as Luganda, Lusoga, Lunyole, Lulamogi, Runyaruguru, Runyankole, and many other dialects. Their message centers on addressing the challenges faced by ghetto youth and sharing African philosophies on self-knowledge, virtuous leadership, self-love, self-development, and confident expression.

With a focus on initiating positive social change, BA Cypher Kabaka engages slum societies to create platforms that foster confidence in African identities among young people and inspire economic growth through creative arts.

Given Ancient Astronauts' commitment to conscious and positive messaging in their music, eschewing the capitalistic trappings of commercial Hip Hop, collaborating with BA Cypher Kabaka was a natural progression. Music as a catalyst for societal change, uniting people, instilling hope, and empowerment lies at the core of Hip Hop. The fusion of indigenous African rhythms with Ancient Astronauts' meticulous production and Cypher Kabaka's lyrical prowess renders this album a gem in African Hip Hop. Its rhythmic flow echoes the cultural history and groove of Mama Africa, specifically Uganda. 

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa!

Cypher Kabaka

Streaming & Download

Ekyama Kyo feat. Spyda MC

Obutebbe feat. Taye Mwasiba, Phitzo Kiganda & Natural Calamity MC

Sema Nami

Boni

Je Suis

Lakum

Je suis

output. 2 /Mix

Freed Mushaga is a Singer from the eastern part of the DRC. He is an African Soul / Pop artist characterized by his scenic energy reminiscent of Angélique Kidjo, the vigor in his voice reminiscent of the suave Lokua Kanza and his vocal technique which borrows in a way from the journey of Michael Jackson and West African griots. 

Influenced by classic jazz singers like Ela Fitzgerald, Louis Amstrong, Jonathan Butler and, at the same time, African legends like Youssou N'dour or Miryam Makeba, Baaba Maal, Freed has created an original fusion of organic local music and African pop, infused with a classically-trained sensibility. Behind all of his music is a message - about peace, love, living together, justice, courage - while conveying intense emotion: hope, fear, aspiration and love. And Freed has always had one desire: to share his art with the world.

Freed has been singing and making the art of the stage his profession since 2020. He is well-known on the local scene in Bukavu, and has performed at the French Institute of Bukavu and at the Izulu 2021 Festival in front of a few hundreds of people to the national scene concert at the Halle de la Gombe in October 2021 in front of a wider audience.

Freed is a versatile creative and active networker, keen to broaden his experience. He has taken part in many local and international masterclasses, workshops and conferences to mature his artistic practice and sharpen his reflexes in the music industry. 
Freed is the Winner of the MUSIC IN AFRICA LIVE 2022 Program and Finalist of the Nigerian Challenge #SixtyPercentofUs 2022. He was nominated as one of Top 100 most influential personalities in South Kivu (2022), validated by Lokua Kanza and Gérald Toto, world music giants in the world. 

Director of the regional project JUA - WORLD MUSIC MEETING and part of the East African Records, Freed Mushaga's music knows no boundaries. He's built a loyal following in Kigali, Rwanda through his latest Sofar Sounds Show (March 2024), and in Kampala, Uganda, where he orchestrated several awe-inspiring events such as his Concert SPIRITUAL FOLK-JAZZ from CONGO and the hailed "Temporarity Show" with the support of Alliance Française Kampala and other regionally renowned cultural structures. Freed continues to accumulate more subscribers and more visitors on his social networks, such as facebook page which already has more than 16K followers and build a loyal community in the East African region.

Boni

Freed Mushaga

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