Sometimes, you go out to eat, not because you’re hungry, but because you’re looking for a nice fine dining experience. You pick the ideal restaurant, and you hope they do not disappoint. You know the chef is top tier, and once you look at the menu, you’re spoilt for choice. The ambiance is right, the service is great, so you go ahead and place your order. As you wait, the anticipation eventually leads to hunger. You’re ready! It gets even worse as they bring out the cutlery, the salt, the pepper… And then you see the waiter bringing out your plate – bliss, relief, eagerness, FOMO! And finally, you dive in…

This is how I felt in the build-up to Kohen Jaycee’s “Rwebembera” album. The rollout was right, the push was visible, the dates were set, the tracklist was released and we were certain that we were in for a masterpiece. Chef Kohen Jaycee had cooked up a full-course meal and we were ready to be served.

At the end of September 2023, Kohen Jaycee dropped the first single off the album. “Ability” was the warning shot, and we should have taken it more seriously. We loved the song, as one would expect from a Kohen x Axon collaboration, but we might have underestimated the level of work being done in the background.
In May 2024, Kohen Jaycee released his second single off the album “After 10:30”, reminding us of his range and ability to go from love ballads to break-up songs, all the way to straight “Kidongo Business”. Finally, in August 2024, a couple of weeks before the album dropped, Kohen Jaycee dropped his third single off the album, “Dancé” featuring Cxnrvd, Nutty Neithan, and Denesi. Given the title, the vibe is self-explanatory, and boy, have we danced to it since then.

When I said Kohen Jaycee had been in the kitchen and that he was a top-tier chef, understand that these first three singles, however nice they were, could not have prepared us in any shape or form for what we were yet to listen to. They were simply tasteful and delightful appetizers that were meant to get us ready for the main course. Rwebembera was released on 30^th August 2024 and had several eye-catching legendary features such as Maurice Kirya, Azawi, Elijah Kitaka, Levixone, A Pass, Navio, and Keko. Kohen made sure to include some of our favorite rising stars like Akeine, Lagum The Rapper, and Kenya’s Maya Amolo to round off the collaborations on the project.

If you’ve been paying attention to Kohen Jaycee’s music, the first thing you will notice is that he started the Rwebembera album exactly how he ended his WENA II EP. Yes, the “Ninyowe Rwebembera (intro)” is an extract from the ending of “Look My Way” featuring Abaasa, which is the last song on WENA II. That alone shows us the amount of thought that goes into the work that Kohen puts into his projects. It’s all connected, and we are here for it!

He then proceeds to take us through the inspirational phase of the album, giving us Ability, which is followed by “The way” featuring Levixone. He goes ahead to remind us that he is on a journey that started a while back, letting us know that he (RWEBEMBERA) is here for us on “Nva Wala” featuring Maurice Kirya. This story continues with “Rulendere” which is a tribute to his grandmother, where Kohen refers to a folk song that she used to sing to him. A song that tells us that he has found something precious. It is only right that this phase is closed off with “Tell Me More(Theodore’s Interlude)” which is a song for his son, because there is nothing more precious than the love he has for him.

The album then shifts as Kohen takes us into a celebratory mood. If you aren’t dancing to the next few songs, then you have not passed the vibe test. Kohen turns up the heat, giving us “Gundeze”, “Dancé”, “Byoyagala” featuring A Pass, “Oboniire” featuring Lagum The Rapper, and “After 10:30”. Back to back fire, simply because he can. This phase is closed off with a super feature, as Kohen Jaycee gives us “Endagililo” featuring Azawi, further highlighting the fact that chef Kohen was serving a full-course meal cooked with the finest ingredients.

The third and final phase of the album is probably my favorite. Kohen Jaycee activated RnB beast mode giving us “Night like this” featuring Kenya’s Maya Amolo and UG Hip Hop great, Navio. The RnB was so contagious, that Navio started his verse singing too. He then gives us “Weekend” featuring the legendary Keko, which makes it back-to-back epic RnB- Hip Hop collaborations!

His RnB prowess is further shown on probably my two favorite songs on the album, “Wanting You” featuring Elijah Kitaka and “Bwoba Ompulira” featuring Akeine. Top-tier songwriting magic was shown in these songs. From melodies to structure, arrangement, style, vocals… ABILITY!

Kohen Jaycee finally sends us off with his outro “The Raising Echoes” where he sings along to a folk song with his Mother. The perfect farewell after this 18-track journey. The album as a whole is Kohen stepping into the Rwebembera shoes, a name that has been handed down for generations in his family. A name he has had to earn. He opened up, he shared, he was vulnerable, he had fun, he put himself in our shoes, and allowed us to take a walk in his too. This is why we can all “Sing” together, and say Ninyowe Rwebembera.

Stream RWEBEMBERA HERE

By Ziyal Amanya (@ziyalogy)

I’ve notoriously found sneaky ways to avoid Kampala’s outdoor events, especially during the daytime. The idea of navigating crowds or ‘having to fit in’ kept me at home or at more intimate gatherings. However, this past Sunday, a surprise invitation and curiosity led me to attend my first Blankets and Wine.

Turns out, Blankets and Wine is more than just a music festival. It’s also a bit of a communal gathering—think of a happy village square. This edition’s crowd felt just right, with revelers casually strolling around, lovers holding hands, friends lost in animated banter, and cocktails disappearing almost as quickly as they were poured. Both stages, positioned at opposite ends of the grounds, drew sizable attention, but what really caught my eye was how it felt like a hangout for artists, lovers of live music, and art. They mingled in groups, and it wasn’t uncommon to find yourself sharing jokes over drinks with the very voices that dominate your playlists.

Mootownoh on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG

The afternoon kicked off with performances by Andereya Baguma and Mootownoh. Despite their different genres—Andereya is a singer, while Mootownoh is a rapper—they both have cultivated growing fanbases and significant support. Their fans sang along to every line, joined in on the performances, cheered them on, and seemed genuinely happy for them, almost as if they were watching a friend up there. It’s been clear for a while that what sets the new wave acts apart is their approach to collaboration and community. They seem to be having a lot of fun creating together, focusing on the art rather than just commercial success.

Karun on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

Regional artists also graced the stage, bringing along their unique sounds. Karun from Kenya performed, formerly part of the hip-hop group Camp Mulla, who were a continental big deal about a decade ago. She’s been making impressive music as a solo artist, but the crowd here seemed unfamiliar with her work. It made me think about the challenges artists face when breaking into neighboring scenes. Despite this, Karun delivered a soulful performance, and I hope that earned her some new fans. Kivumbi King from Rwanda followed, and I thought it’d be interesting hearing him collaborate with The Homie.

Joshua Baraka on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

As the night progressed, Joshua Baraka took the stage, delivering several captivating minutes of what he called The Braka Jam Session—a set that kept the crowd literally insane with happiness, even with Kampala’s unpredictable weather. Baraka is evidently a favorite among the new crop of artists. Yes, he’s definitely charmed his way up, but his talent is undeniable. Interestingly, while Baraka was performing hits that have garnered nearly 500,000 monthly streams, his partner DJ Etania was on the other stage, delivering a fiery set of her own. Talk about couple goals.

Blu*3 on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

The highlight of the evening came when Blu*3 reunited on stage! The nostalgia! Not even the rain could dampen the moment! They started with solo performances—Lilian Mbabazi exciting us first, followed by Jackie Chandiru, still as energetic as ever, and then Cindy Sanyu, the “King” herself, right before they hit the stage together as the full group.

They ran through their catalog—though only a portion, as they have so many classics. The chemistry among the trio is still strong, and their closeness after all these years is evident. Standing there, awkward on the outside but having the time of my life on the inside, it hit me how much impact these three women have had on our music scene since their debut on Coca-Cola Popstars. Bands like Blu3 have shaped the urban sound we enjoy today, from songwriting to style. Performing “Nsanyuka Nawe” felt like a homage to themselves, one another, and their collective journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I keep saying it’s sad how little we have done with the treasure trove of beautiful stories in our entertainment industry because… how do we not have a Blu3 documentary or book yet? Their story is one worth telling!

Blu*3 ended their set with the surprise appearance of Navio, joining them on their hit “Wind It Up.” Like I said, friends hang out.

Sun-El Musician and Simmy then took over, transitioning us into a lively rave with their house beats and immersive effects. It’s impressive to see such a dedicated house music fanbase in Kampala, or am I just late to the party? Amapiano has also been a significant part of Kampala’s nightlife, with DJs like Etania making a name for themselves in this genre. Sun-El and Simmy have smooth chemistry, and she kept the crowd engaged, though not effortlessly. Simmy playfully remarked that fans weren’t giving her the energy she’s used to—I guess from her obviously more energetic crowds back home. I think we were all a bit exhausted by that point.

Over at the DJ stage, talents like AO The Walker, Em That Guy, Flo Moon, Etania, Masaka Masaka, and R3ign Drops kept the energy alive throughout the day.

AKA Dope Band on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

AKA Dope band backed the lineup of artists. I recall past experiences at events where live bands were, to put it mildly, less than stellar—often off-key and just not quite it. But I was genuinely blown away by how tone-perfect and on-point this band was. They played flawlessly for hours and kept up with the diverse styles of each performer.

Blankets and Wine might be where artists and fans mingle freely, where lines between performer and audience blur, but it’s also a great way to confront your social anxiety, take risky fashion decisions, and pretend that dancing terribly is a form of artistic expression.

The next edition of Blankets and Wine is scheduled for December 15, 2024.

Afro B, the trailblazing artist known for his viral hit “Drogba (Joanna),” is back with a bang, unveiling the much-anticipated music video for his latest single, “Wo Wo Wo (Ebony).” This international collaboration features US trap sensation Rich The Kid and UK rap heavyweight Rimzee, making it a cross-continental musical extravaganza that is sure to captivate audiences worldwide.

Widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrowave and Afrobeats, Afro B infuses influences from the Caribbean and Latin America with traditional African elements. The result is a unique blend of hip-hop and dancehall that creates a captivating and infectious sound. With his breakout hit, “Drogba (Joanna),” amassing over 350 million streams in 2018, Afro B has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the global music scene.

In “Wo Wo Wo (Ebony),” Afro B collaborates with US trap sensation Rich The Kid and UK rap heavyweight Rimzee, creating a fusion of styles that adds an extra layer of dynamism to the track. The music video promises to be a visual feast, complementing the infectious beats and showcasing the trio’s musical chemistry.

Afro B’s musical prowess has earned him recognition from top-tier platforms such as Billboard, BET, BBC Radio 1, Capital, Hot 97, Power 105, The Fader, Rolling Stone, and NME. The success of his previous collaborations with artists like Wizkid, Slim Jxmmi (Rae Sremmurd), DJ Snake, and Sukihana has solidified his status as a global music sensation.

“Wo Wo Wo (Ebony)” is a continuation of Afro B\’s signature style, blending punchy rap lyrics, his silky vocals, and a melodic instrumental crafted by ATG (known for his work with Burna Boy, Kelly Rowland, and Darkoo). The single serves as a tantalizing preview of what Afro B has in store for 2024, promising more of the infectious beats and cross-cultural collaborations that have become his trademark.

With the release of “Wo Wo Wo (Ebony)” and its accompanying music video, Afro B continues to push boundaries and showcase the power of cross-continental collaboration in the world of music. As we eagerly anticipate what 2024 holds for this Afrowave pioneer, one thing is certain – Afro B’s influence on the global music scene is only set to grow stronger.