Over the weekend, Bebe Cool stirred controversy when he claimed that Uganda currently has no global artist, not even the Grammy-nominated Eddy Kenzo.
“Ugandans just don’t know the meaning of the word global. They misuse it. Kenzo only has one song out there, that doesn’t make him global,” Bebe Cool stated during a candid conversation with media personality Kasuku.
While Bebe Cool emphasized that his comments were not intended to start a fight, his remarks quickly drew backlash, especially from Kenzo himself.
The Big Talent boss did not mince words in his response, branding Bebe Cool selfish and ignorant of the realities out there.
“He is speaking to fulfill his personal need. I don’t have to go into a debate with anyone to prove my worth musically,” Kenzo told a local TV station.
He further noted that his international achievements, including a BET Award, a Grammy nomination, and sold-out performances across continents speak louder than Bebe Cool’s opinion.
While the exchange may seem like just another round in the ongoing Bebe-Kenzo feud, it raises a more nuanced question: What does it really mean to be a global artiste in the Ugandan context?
Is it based on international awards? Streaming numbers? Global tours? Or recognition by Western media and platforms?
Bebe Cool appears to define global status by dominance across multiple markets, multiple hits charting outside Africa, and a consistent presence in the global mainstream.
Kenzo, on the other hand, has a résumé that includes international tours, features on global platforms like CNN and BET, and the viral success of Sitya Loss which introduced Ugandan music to millions worldwide.
