Saba Saba

LUGAFLOW is a staple brand in local hip-hop today. Everyone, including the president is rapping. But do we ever stop to ask about the genesis of Lugaflow? Many young Lugaflow fans think GNL Zamba started it all.

But Lugaflow’s real roots are found in the works of Bataka Squad — a group of teenagers who used to rhyme in Luganda at hang-outs in the mid 1990s.
SabaSaba aka Crazy Native (Alex Kirya), 33, was part of that squad and with nostalgia remembers how everyone thought they were crazy with their sound; including radio presenters and club Dee- Jays of the day.

After productions like Ssesentula and Atooba, their music got some airplay.
From then, the rap squad which included Momo MC (now Dee-Jay Momo), Lyrical G, Babaluku and Saba Saba then called Krazy Native, never looked back. Although some members took on different careers, Sabasaba and Babaluku are still together, flying the Ugandan Flag in the US.

The Lugaflow artiste is working on his album, Kap of Coffee, to be dropped this year. Saba Saba also owns and runs a record label called Tujjababya and a clothing line both based in the US.

But why did he (together with the Bataka Squad) choose to rap in Luganda and not any other language? How come he never raps about women, sex and money? “We wanted to sound home- based and we opted for social awareness rap because we wanted to change the communities in which we lived through our music,” he says.

To reflect this quality of social awareness, Saba is planning a hip-hop convention this year, as a platform to educate the youth on the importance of hip-hop culture in their social lifestyle. - New Vision

9. BATAKA SQUAD Track : Kyandada Country: Uganda
Saba Saba aka Krazy Native, Babaluka & Tshila spent their early years running from place to place to avoid political turmoil and fighting. They created the group Bataka Underground who became one of Uganda’s most successful hip hop crews. Saba Saba co-founded the Ugandan Hip Hop founda-tion and organizes the annual Ugandan Hip Hop summits. They live between North America and Uganda, working on their solo carriers but never letting down their community: Babaluku founded The Bavubuka Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the youth. This song is taken from the Bataka revolution album.
Documentary: Diamonds in the Rough, a Ugandan Hip Hop revolution
www.myspace.com/sabasaba45 http://www.myspace.com/coolbabs - Afrolution

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
From the ashes of 4 decade of war, AIDS and corruption in Uganda, Africa, The Bataka Squad artists, Babaluku and Saba Saba, rise to forge a revolutionary path using music. They are on a mission to empower the forgotten youth of Africa from within, while spreading their message of hope around the globe. Narrated by Spearhead singer Michael Franti, follow the Bataka movement to amplify the spirit of the next generation in this musical journey. It only takes one voice to raise a nation. - POEFF

Not many Ugandan musicians find the nerve to venture into Hip-Hop music, but the Bataka Squad will not rest until the music genre (luga flow) is engraved on the local music scene.
The duo (Alex Kirya formerly known as Krazy Native) and Babaluku (Balabyekubo Silas) featuring Sarah Tshilla are out with a new 21 song album, Bataka Revolution.
Whereas most of the songs on this album sound fresh from the studio, they were written in 2005. Little wonder though, this has always been their style- working ahead of time. "You will be surprised but we have already written the music that we shall be producing in 2008," says Saba Saba.
The album is a touch from reputable producers like Infin8 from Audio Minds in Canada, Sweden-based Kado, New York's Jeremiah, Belgium's DJ Glue, Uganda's GK, and Makem Def Wanlov from Ghana.
HIP HOP LOYALISTS: Even when radio stations won’t play their music, Krazy Native (left) and Bababluku will not change their style.
With most of the songs revolving around pertinent issues like politics, religion, land and drugs, the album serves as a voice for the oppressed and a medium of communication for the youth.
The mode of expression employed here however, is hostile and whether this music will successfully find its way into Uganda's music industry, whose songs are usually of a low mode of self expression- lies in doubt.
"This is who we are; hip-hop is the way of expression. We express ourselves the way we feel, and the situation in which we are," says Saba Saba. - Daily Monitor

As the first ambassadors to take Ugandan native rap (Lugaflow) to the Hollywood platform, Krazy Native a.k.a Saba Saba, brother to artistes Maurice Kirya and Vamposs and Silas Balabyekkubo a.k.a Babaluku, son to deceased evangelist Deo Balabyekubo have been the pillars sustaining Ugandan hip-hop on the world scene.

Their dream of seeing native Luganda rap (Lugaflow) gain status in the major leagues as a well-respected form of music representing not only the youth but the people of Uganda has finally come true. Early this year, they embarked on a global mission, which started at the African global hip-hop summit in South Africa where they rapped in native Luganda and shared platform with world famous musicians like Awadi, Knaan, Pro kid, Proverb, Tumi and The Volume and Guru of Gangstarr. In June, the Bataka Squad premiered Diamonds in the Rough, a documentary about the realities of hip-hop, the youth and the people of Uganda, at Cinespace, a theatre in Hollywood.

After the movie, the duo staged concerts across the US, from Connecticut to Washington D.C, New York, Boston, Arizona to Los Angeles and San Francisco. In New York, they performed at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, famous for hosting world celebrities including Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Angelina Kidjo.

Most recently, in September, they performed with festival creator and Singer/musician Michael Franti to a crowd of 70,000 at the Power to the Peaceful Festival in San Francisco.

The duo under their music with a positive change and their project Bavubuka All Stars, met former US President Bill Clinton at the Millennium Network’s Inaugural Reception, a concert and fundraiser for the Clinton Foundation. They were privileged to rub shoulders with award-winning actors like Jeffrey Wright and celebrity musicians like John Legend among others.

It has been a very rewarding and long year for the Bataka Squad, more recognition not only outside Uganda but also back home. They have been nominated for the first time in the PAM awards in Babaluku’s Utake collaboration. Bataka Squad has elevated to that level of the Ugandan people understanding the true message in positive music especially the younger generation that is seeking the truth and direction.

Through this music genre, youth all over Uganda are being motivated not only to address the realities of their day to day life but also taking responsibility to navigate towards the solutions. With their next solo album Cup of Coffee in the pipeline and their Tujja babya the hard way album already here and hitting, only the sky can be the limit to their success. - Daily Monitor

OCAL Hip-Hop group, the Bataka Squad, is set for bigger things. The rappers will be performing at the inaugural Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in Hartford, US next month. Babaluku, Krazy Native and Theila, make up the group.

Krazy Native will link up with Babaluku who is already in Vancouver, USA while the other group member, Theila (the only lady) will not perform.

The debut festival is slated for April 21 to April 23 at St. Vernon Circle at the intersection of Vernon and Broad Streets of Hartford. The city also harbours large African refugee/immigrant communities, specifically from Somalia and Ethiopia.
It will be a weekend of celebration of diverse music, dance, film, and spoken traditions.

The three-day event will feature performers from Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Haiti, India, Mexico, Iraq, Korea, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Australia, France and Uganda. Performances will be in over seven different languages: English, Spanish, Swahili and Portuguese among others, while Uganda’s flag-bearers, the Bataka Squad, will sing in Luganda.

“We call it Lugaflow (rap in Luganda). This is rap identified only with the Bataka Squad. We won’t rap in English because we have to promote Luganda and Uganda in the US,” said Krazy Native.

Several award-winning documentaries will be presented and screened by their directors. Bataka Squad’s film on Hip-Hop in Uganda, Diamond In The Dough will also screen at the fest.
Within the three days, there will also be lecturers and artistes leading discussions about the global phenomenon of Hip Hop music and culture.

They will also discuss the role of this music genre in increasing social and political awareness and uniting communities.

A festival is sponsored by Trinity College’s African Studies department, Music department, Human Rights Program, Tutorial College and Modern Language department.

The Bataka Squad set out in 1994 and has been in Uganda’s rap game the longest, according to their recordings.

The rappers were also PAM Award nominees last year for Best Hip-Hop single and Best Hip-Hop Artiste/group.
- New Vision

A poster of the film
Title: Diamonds in The Rough
Genre: Documentary feature
Length: 75 minutes
Stars: Babaluku, Krazy Native,Rah-P, Abramz and Sylvester
Director: Brett Mazurek
Preview by: Jude Katende

UGANDAN rappers Babaluku and Krazy Native of the Bataka Squad and the youth project Bavubuka All Starz will soon release their documentary, Diamonds In The Rough.

The documentary is about shading light on the uprising culture of hip-hop in Uganda and how the youth are using it as a form of expression to get through their tough conditions.

In 2004, Mazurek came to Uganda to shoot a documentary about the displaced children in the North. As political forces in Uganda continued to hinder his attempts to travel north, Mazurek realised there was another story to be told.

He discovered the essence of true hip hop to the rappers, who are the voice of a new generation, inspiring the youth to pick up a microphone instead of a weapon.

Defying many critics, their musical revolution has now brought them from Uganda to Hollywood, but their aim of uplifting their people back home is unwavering.

The 75-minute long documentary will make its debut screening on Wednesday, May 9 at Cinespace in Hollywood.
Babaluku will be heading to California soon to link up with Krazy Native to represent Uganda and the hip-hop movement for positive change.

“This is going to be a celebration of Bataka Squad’s achievements in our 10 years of struggling to change the youth in Uganda and our community,” Babaluku said.

He said the documentary will be shown in Kampala in December. - New Vision

TANZANIAN BLOG - Bongo boombap

THE SHOW WAS AT THE AFRICAN CHANNEL TV - Afican Channel

When I think of African hip-hop, I think of that swelteringly hot day in Soweto. I think about a generation faced with violence, illness, extreme poverty—and coping with incredible energy. With talent, creativity, motivation.

All over Africa, artists are channeling their hunger for change into hip-hop. They’re speaking out against police repression (shout out to Krazy Native), challenging corrupt governments (shout out to Gidi Gidi Maji Maji), calling out warlords (shout out to K’naan), and protesting the use of child soldiers (shout out to Emmanuel Jal). And they are making seriously dope music while they’re at it.

Many are using independent entrepreneurialism to fund community development projects. Groups like Black Sunday, R.I.S.E., the Ugandan Hip-Hop Foundation, and Black Noise sell self-published books, self-produced CDs, and handmade clothing. They funnel the funds that they raise into arts, education, and mentorship programs for the youth coming up.

Don’t get it twisted, it’s not all about politics. There’s guys that rhyme about crime, sex, and/or partying. There are abstract, experimental, poetic guys that aren’t political at all. There are grimy street stars that lean left. There are dudes that are feeling 50 and dudes that dig Mos—plus lots of dudes that love 50 and Mos.

African hip-hop as a whole—with all its disparate sounds and styles—is currently experiencing a renaissance. It’s an exciting time, one full of hope.

Let me leave you with a quote from my friend Sol, speaking about his new TV show to the Georgia Straight newspaper in Vancouver:

“We’re trained that people in Africa are waiting to die,” he said. “But poverty is not a strip ticket to death. It’s a space where community is formed and people care about each other. They love harder, care harder, fight harder, and dance harder. They’re making songs and making babies, and everything is happening at a breakneck speed.”

Here’s my current African hip-hop play list:

Pro Kid “Soweto” (South Africa)

Proverb “My Vers’d Love” (South Africa)

Black Noise “Getcha on the Floor” (South Africa)

K’naan “Soobax” (Somalia/Canada)

Krazy Native “Wansi Wagalu” (Uganda)

Iron African “Cheers for Rap Money” (Uganda)

Gidi Gidi Maji Maji “Unbogable” (Kenya)

Positive Black Soul “Boul Fale Remix” (Senegal)

X Plastaz “Msimu Kwa Msimu” (Tanzania)

Emmanuel Jal “Gua” (Sudan/Kenya)

Mode 9 “Flawless” (Nigeria)

Randy P “Sexy Lady” (Cameroon)

Reggi Rockstone “Eye Mo De Anaa” (Ghana)

Bhubesii “Sowe-to Stylz” (South Africa)

Tumi & The Volume “People of the Light” (South Africa) - Tara Henley

DaBet Music has signed a deal with the Ugandan hip-hop artist, singer/songwriter and human rights activist Saba Saba in which DaBet will provide exploitation and collection services. The agreement includes an option for future songs written and produced by Saba Saba.

According to the press release announcing the deal, Saba Saba, previously
known as Krazy Native, co-founded the Ugandan Hip Hop Foundation and was a founding member of the Ugandan hip hop group, Bataka Squad. DaBet Music was formed earlier this year by attorney Angela Rose White, the daughter of the late songwriter David Rose and the COO of the David Rose Publishing Co.

In other moves, DaBet also signed to provide administration and publishing services to Irish singer/songwriter Paul Casey, who has had three of his songs featured on the ABC Family Network television series, ?Wildfire.?

The company has also signed an agreement to provide publishing services to singer/songwriter Benjamin for his song ?If You're Fly.? The agreement
includes an option for future songs written and produced by Benjamin. In
addition to Benjamin, DaBet Music is already administering interests in
songs performed by such artists as The Platters, Ike & Tina Turner, Count Basie, Little Richard, Cher, Cass Elliot, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Dinah Shore. - Edward Christman

Uganda's own Krazy Native, aka Saba Saba is currently in the United States making a voice for Ugandan youth on the international level. From filmmaking to concerts to record producing, Saba is representing Uganda on all levels. However, the journey has not been without struggle or hardship, especially as this has been Saba's first taste of the American way of life: one that leaves each to his own, contrary to Ugandan's community-driven lifestyles. Beautiful moments of inspiration and hope have kept Saba's morale high though, and as the following account of his journey demonstrates, Uganda is making its mark on the international hip-hop scene through this artist's many talents.



Rhyming in Luganda, aka Lugaflow, is Saba's specialty; one that he was able to demonstrate on a number of occasions on his journey through the U.S. The significance of Lugaflow lies not only in the level of skill it takes to deliver rhymes but through the underlying authenticity of rapping in one's mother tongue; it is about keeping it real and not denying one's own roots. Thus, rapping in Luganda emanates Ugandan pride, and this was exactly the case as Saba delivered performance after performance to audiences who had never heard the language. The response from the public couldn't have been better; from New York performances in Prospect Park (Brooklyn), to the Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival in Connecticut, performance in Boston Lugaflow made waves. Throughout the incredible journey, Saba also had the opportunity to rock the mic alongside artists such as Michael Franti.
- Jane Musoke-Nteyafas

Had the pleasure of meeting Krazy Native, a.k.a. Saba Saba (MC with the infamous Bataka crew) and Francis Agaba (hip-hop activist) from the Uganda Hip-Hop Foundation while I was in South Africa. They gave a talk at the EYA's World Urban Cafe about the work that they're doing in UG. The organization runs a weekly hip-hop night, a web site, and does educational tours about hip-hop activism in schools throughout Uganda and the African continent.

Krazy Native also heads a community anti-drugs/anti-poverty youth organization called Bavubuka All Stars. He founded Bavubuka after discovering an infant in a dumpster while filming a music video in the slums of Kampala. [Edit: Actually, I got this wrong. The foundation was officially started by Babaluku and Aaron Kim Elton in Canada. Krazy Native was the representative in Uganda.] He paid a woman $20 to look after the baby while he was on tour. He came back several weeks later and adopted the girl. Her name is Aaliyah and she's now a year old. It only took 20 bucks to save her life.

Krazy Native recently released a single "Tuja Babya," which was nominated for Best Hip Hop Single and Best New Artist of the year in the PAMA (Pearl of Africa Music Awards) in East Africa 2005. You can check the video here (L.A.'s DJ 3rdi is shooting a documentary about UG hip-hop called "Diamonds in the Rough." He also shot KN's vid.)

You can hear a hot KN/Bataka track here (select "Uganda Project," then "Audio," then "Wansi Wagulu"). I love the hook! Saw KN do the track live a couple of times in Joburg and I was humming it all the way back to Canada.

Big shout out to Krazy Native, Francis, Babaluku (a.k.a. Mr. Africa), and DJ 3rdi. - Tara Henley