Mark Da Urban has hit back at Kenyan music star Bien after the Sauti Sol member claimed that Ugandan music “does not evolve much.”
In an interview with Galaxy TV, the dancehall artist rejected Bien’s assessment, arguing that Uganda’s music industry is more active than Kenya’s and moves at a much faster pace.
According to him, Kenya has talented musicians, but its music scene lacks the energy found in Uganda.
We are better musicians than Kenyans. Uganda’s music industry is far more active than Kenya’s. I have been to Kenya before, and their system is lacking. The musicians are good, but there is no vibe.
Mark said the speed at which Uganda’s music industry operates sets it apart, adding that artists have little time to slow down because competition is constant.
That is why they may not understand the way we do things because we operate at a much faster pace. They take a long time to organise themselves, but here there is no time. While you are preparing yourself, someone else has already released a big hit. Things move very fast here.
He also dismissed suggestions that Ugandan artists lag behind their Kenyan counterparts, insisting the industry rewards hard work despite having fewer opportunities.
Compared to us in Uganda, Kenyans lag behind when it comes to pace, even though they have access to better opportunities.
Mark concluded by contrasting how success comes in the two countries, saying Ugandan artists can transform their careers with a single hit song, which he believes is not the case in Kenya.
Here, one song can propel you and completely change your life. In Kenya, however, musicians need several hit songs because they really have to prove themselves.