APass Trashes Local Artists for Lack of Global Appeal

Renowned singer Alex Bagonza, popularly known as A Pass, has criticised the local music industry, claiming that most Ugandan artists are failing to make an impact on the global stage.

Speaking during an interview with local media, A Pass said the majority of songs produced in Uganda lack the quality and appeal needed to compete with international markets such as Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“Our artists are not doing enough to penetrate the global market. To be honest, most of the songs being played here cannot be successful in Nigeria or the UK,” A Pass stated.

The singer pointed out that Ugandan music lacks the relatable and polished sound necessary for international recognition, citing Nigerian artists as an example of how to effectively blend African rhythms with globally appealing styles.

“Nigerians have picked sounds from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa and come out with something unique. Ugandans need to do the same if we are to penetrate those markets,” A Pass emphasised.

He singled out fellow artist Moses Ssali, known as Bebe Cool, as one of the few attempting to elevate Uganda’s sound to international standards.

 “I think the only artist trying is Bebe Cool. He is doing something with the sound. It may be late or not, but what I am seeing in terms of sound shows effort,” A Pass noted.

The singer also defended Bebe Cool against critics who argue that his production style is overly expensive. 

“Even though some people say what Bebe Cool is doing is expensive, we can’t blame him because he is rich,” A Pass added.

He urged Ugandan artists to innovate by creating music that is relatable to global audiences, even if it involves incorporating Luganda lyrics into more internationally recognizable sounds.