Ugandan music icon Moses Ssali, known as Bebe Cool, believes East Africa holds immense potential to dominate the global music scene but only if artists and audiences embrace regional unity and collaboration.
Currently on a media tour across East Africa promoting his new album Break The Chains, Bebe Cool has been vocal about the need for artists from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, and South Sudan to break down borders and support each other.
Appearing on NTV Kenya’s The Trend, Bebe highlighted that the region boasts a combined population nearing 500 million. “If just 10% of East Africans consistently streamed local music, our artists would become global stars,” he said. “With 20 million monthly listeners on platforms like Spotify, we won’t chase global festivals—they’ll come looking for us.”
Bebe also reminisced about East Africa’s cultural golden era from the 1980s to early 2000s when cities like Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam were African cultural hubs, attracting international artists, filmmakers, and evangelists. At the time, East Africa TV was the only regional music channel, and the local party and hip-hop scenes were thriving.
He recalled his early inspiration, watching a Kenyan artist perform alongside reggae legend Buju Banton in Kampala. That moment pushed him to Nairobi to pursue his dream, joining a wave of Ugandan artists like Jose Chameleone who found creative breakthroughs in Kenya.
The cross-border collaborations birthed powerful unions, most notably The East African Bashment Crew (EABC), featuring Bebe Cool, Wyre, and Nazizi. Their songs like Africa Unite, Fire Anthem, and Kube ruled the airwaves and earned international recognition, including two Channel O Awards.
EABC’s success opened doors for artists like Nameless, Redsan, and Chameleone to become staples at regional concerts, while acts like Bobi Wine, Wahu, AY, and Professor Jay kept the collaborative spirit alive.
But Bebe Cool says this unity faded. “We became comfortable and retreated to our countries,” he explained. “To reclaim our space, we need cross-border tours, collaborations, and support from media and producers. Just 40 committed artists can elevate East Africa globally.”
Wyre echoed this sentiment, stressing that today’s digital tools make collaboration easier than ever. “Artists must take initiative,” he said.
When asked about the region’s international appeal, Bebe emphasized the global status of stars like Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Harmonize, Alikiba, and rising acts like Joshua Baraka and Bien. “These are international artists. We must recognize and celebrate them,” he said.
His new 16-track album Break The Chains blends Afrobeats, Afropop, Afrotech, and Afro-house, reflecting Africa’s evolving sound. It features collaborations with Yemi Alade, Joshua Baraka, and UK-based DJ Edu, showcasing Bebe Cool’s commitment to a pan-African musical identity.
As he continues his regional tour—including a stop in Dar es Salaam—Bebe Cool’s message remains clear: united, East African artists can lead the global music revolution.
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