The debate over Bien‘s comments about Ugandan music has taken another twist, and this time, events promoter Nobat believes the Kenyan singer achieved exactly what he set out to do.
Speaking on Vvaawompitewo, Nobat argued that Bien’s criticism of Uganda’s music industry was always going to spark conversation, adding that the Sauti Sol member understood how to use controversy to capture attention.
His remarks follow Bien’s claim that Uganda’s music “does not evolve much,” a comment that sparked debate across the entertainment industry before the Kenyan singer later clarified that he never intended to disrespect Ugandan music.
Nobat, however, believes the controversy served another purpose.
Ugandan music has its own identity. The Kenyan artist said what he said to generate attention and get people talking about him. You need to understand how the media works. His intention may even have been to find a way to break into the Ugandan media, and here we are talking about him.
Beyond the controversy, Nobat defended Uganda’s place in East Africa’s music scene.
He pointed to Jose Chameleone‘s popularity in Kenya, arguing that Ugandan artists have crossed the border and become household names in a way Kenyan musicians have yet to replicate in Uganda.
Look at the musicians we have, for example, Jose Chameleone. He is a hero in Kenya, but we do not have a Kenyan artist who is considered a hero in Uganda. There is no Kenyan artist with that kind of status here.
While Bien has since urged people to watch the full interview before judging his remarks, Nobat insists Uganda’s music has built its own identity and needs no outside validation.