Kenyan singer Bien has clarified his recent comments about Ugandan music after clips from his appearance on the Let the Cake Podcast circulated online and prompted responses from several Ugandan artists.
Pallaso, Mark Da Urban, and DJ Selecta Jeff were among those who weighed in after excerpts from the interview showed Bien describing Uganda’s music industry as having a business model that works for local artists before saying the country’s sound “does not evolve much.”
The Sauti Sol member has now urged people to watch the full interview, saying the clips that have circulated online do not capture the complete conversation.
A few comments I made on a recent podcast are being shared without the full context.
He said he wanted to share his perspective, not disrespect Uganda’s music industry or the artists who continue to shape it.
I want to be clear: my intention was to share my perspective, not to disrespect Ugandan music or the artists who continue to shape and grow it.
Bien also encouraged people to look beyond the short clips and blog posts that have circulated online.
If you have only seen the blogs or short clips, they do not reflect the full conversation. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to listen to what I actually said.
He ended his statement by sending love and respect to the music community.
Much love and respect to the music community.