“Ugandan fans carried me through some of my most difficult moments when I was starting out in the 1990s, and they continue to show me immense love today,” Redsan told Social Scene in an interview.
Three decades later, the Kenyan dancehall artiste has not forgotten the audience that stood by him during his formative years. After celebrating 30 years in music with a star-studded concert in Nairobi, Redsan is considering bringing the anniversary celebration to Kampala.
“I would love to bring REDSAN@30 to Uganda,” he said. “It is something I am seriously considering.” Held at Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on August 29, 2026, REDSAN@30 brought together some of East Africa’s prominent musical names, including Jose Chameleone, A.Y., Bebe Cool, Jua Cali, Daddy Owen, Necessary Noize duo Nazizi and Wyre, and Nyla of the Jamaican-American duo Brick & Lace. Kenyan musician Nameless made a surprise appearance.
The performers were artistes who had collaborated with Redsan or shared different chapters of his musical journey. He said the choice of guests was personal. “I had always wanted to celebrate this milestone with my fans, but I wanted the occasion to be truly special. That is why I invited many of the artistes I have worked with across my previous albums,” he explained.
Their presence, he added, demonstrated that the collaborations had created relationships that endured beyond the recording studio. “The line-up meant a great deal to me. Our collaborations were never merely about recording songs; they created lasting relationships and continued to bear fruit years later,” Redsan said.
Comedian and actor Hannington Bugingo, who attended the concert, said that sense of enduring friendship was especially evident backstage. Away from the performances, some of East Africa’s leading artistes caught up, chatted and reminisced about the experiences that had shaped their careers.
He described the occasion as a nostalgic reunion of musicians whose individual journeys had developed alongside the growth of the East African music industry. Among them were Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone, whose careers developed alongside Redsan’s during the emergence of a more connected regional music scene. Bebe Cool traces his relationship with Redsan to Nairobi in 1998.
What began as an association between young artistes pursuing similar ambitions grew into a brotherhood. “I look at the 30 years as life rather than just music. This is where we have made our lives; it is home and it is the path we chose,” Bebe Cool said.
He described the concert as a reunion of long-serving artistes and a reminder to younger performers that careers can endure. “Entertainment never stops. It stops only when you choose to stop,” he said.
Chameleone places Redsan among the artistes who helped East African popular music move from an era dominated by mime performances and karaoke to original compositions, distinctive sounds and a stronger regional identity.
“Redsan is one of the pioneers and architects of East African music. He helped create an East African sound that has lasted for three decades,” Chameleone said. “You cannot talk about Kenyan music without talking about Redsan, and you cannot talk about East African music without recognising him as one of Kenya’s defining representatives.”
The two artistes share recording history through Bageya, one of the cross-border collaborations that introduced their respective audiences to a wider East African music scene.
An early turning point in Redsan’s career came in 1998 when he won the Star Search competition at Carnivore in Nairobi. He later joined the Ogopa Deejays stable, which was instrumental in shaping Kenya’s popular music at the turn of the millennium.
His 2002 debut album, Seasons of the San, featured songs such as Julie and Wanipa Raha. It was followed by Red in 2004 and Pioneer in 2006, strengthening his standing as one of the region’s most recognisable ragga and dancehall voices.
Kenyan rapper Jua Cali said few artistes remain active long enough to celebrate three decades in the industry. “To perform with him was to celebrate him and to celebrate our legends,” said Jua Cali, who is marking 25 years in music in 2026.
“Redsan has contributed so much to taking our sound and Kenyan music to the world.” Gospel artiste Daddy Owen said it was an honour to be personally selected for the concert. He named Chameleone’s appearance as his favourite performance of the night.
“What a legend,” he said. Nyla attributes Redsan’s longevity to his talent, professionalism and devotion to dancehall. “The enduring love and support he receives from his fans are a testament to his talent, professionalism and genuine passion for music,” she said.
For Redsan, however, the larger achievement belongs to East Africa. “I have always had a vision of making East Africa a leading force in African music,” he said. “I am proud of what we have achieved through collaboration, unity and a shared belief in our sound.”
A Kampala edition would bring that celebration to an audience that helped transform Redsan’s Kenyan career into an East African story. For now, however, no date, venue or promoter has been announced.
Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram:https://t.me/Sqoop