"....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

Makubo Manji feat. DXL Magezi

SWITCHSTANCE RECORDINGS 
Quality music for advanced listeners!

"Switchstance" is taken from the culture of boardsports, meaning the skill used to change the stance (easily) by switching one's foot position. The stance in freestyle Snowboarding or Skateboarding, is either riding in "regular" (left foot forward) or "goofy" (right foot forward) position. This identifies a really skilled rider and opens up a whole new world of trick combinations.

The label's creed and therefore the style of its producers and DJs is to have ultimate freedom, whether in their musical movements or in "switching" between various styles. The aim of the label is to combine early musical influences such as Funk, Jazz, Latin, 90´s Hip Hop and Reggae with the most progressive techniques of electronic music production in order to create a new dynamic sound that pays respect to the diverse cultures it comes from. It is the soundtrack of the lives of artists that dedicate their time and energy to produce cutting-edge grooves for a conscious and openminded generation.

Inspired by the label members' and friends' lifestyles in music, boardsports, arts and travels; the sound of Switchstance is always in motion and reflects a unique vision and attitude towards modern life. 