When Uganda’s music stars came together for “Whistle” in the 2010s, the result was one of the era’s most notable all-star collaborations.
Produced by Just Jose at Swangz Avenue, the song brought together artistes from different musical backgrounds, including Rabadaba, Mun G, Cindy Sanyu, Navio, Radio & Weasel and GNL Zamba, among other prominent names.
But one major artiste who was expected to feature on the record was missing from the final version — and musician Viboyo has now revealed why.
According to Viboyo, Michael Ross was initially lined up for the collaboration, with the verse eventually performed by former Tusker Project Fame winner Davis Ntare having originally been written for him.
The plan changed after Ross heard the verse and decided that it did not represent him as an artiste.
Viboyo said Ntare had written the verse specifically for Ross, but rather than take on material he could not connect with, Ross opted out. The team subsequently kept the verse and allowed Ntare, its original writer, to perform it himself.
“The Davis Ntare verse was initially supposed to be Michael Ross’s verse. Ntare wrote it for Michael Ross and Michael Ross did not feel it, so they decided to keep it all that. He felt it wasn’t him,” Viboyo said.
That decision quietly changed the make-up of a song that would go on to bring together some of the most recognisable voices in Ugandan music at the time.
For listeners familiar with the final version, Ntare’s contribution became part of the song’s identity. But Viboyo’s account offers a glimpse into how collaborations can change in the studio, sometimes leaving the public with a very different record from the one initially planned.
In the case of “Whistle”, what began as a verse intended for Michael Ross ultimately became Davis Ntare’s moment on the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU8a0tuwFHc
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