Music veteran Viboyo Oweyo has named his five all-time favourite Ugandan musicians, highlighting legendary artists whose sound, creativity and influence have left a lasting impression on him.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Baboon Forest, Viboyo was asked to choose his top five Ugandan artists of all time. His selection brought together musicians from different generations and musical backgrounds.
At the top of his list was the late Philly Lutaaya, whom Viboyo praised for the quality and distinct sound of his music.
“Because he sold records and if you’re to listen to music, the sound of music then, I think he was the only Ugandan with that sound. Listen to a Philly Lutaaya song now and you’ll understand, the sound is crisp.”
Viboyo also selected Jose Chameleone, pointing to the singer’s popularity beyond Uganda and across East Africa.
“That dawg needs respect also. Tanzanians fight for Chameleone, they even want him to be theirs. I think he’s the most busy East African within East Africa.”
Third on his list was Madoxx Sematimba, with Viboyo highlighting the amount of music he believes the singer recorded during his time in Sweden.
According to Viboyo, people who were in Sweden during that period told him Madoxx had recorded much more music than the public knows about.
“He’s sitting on music he recorded years ago and that if he ever released, it’ll blow us up.”
Viboyo’s fourth pick was Mowzey Radio, his former collaborator and one half of the celebrated Goodlyfe duo. He praised Radio’s creativity and lyricism while stressing that his appreciation went beyond their personal working relationship.
“He was a great artist, not just because I worked with him but if you listen to his music, his creativity, his lyricism… Radio was a person that we should all appreciate.”
Rounding out the five was the late Herman Basudde, the celebrated kadongo kamu musician.
Viboyo singled out Basudde’s songwriting, comparing his approach to that of a hip-hop artist and highlighting “Ebiyita Ekiro” among the songs that stand out to him.
“His music is deep. Actually he used to write like a rapper, like a HipHop artist.”
From Philly Lutaaya’s distinctive sound to Mowzey Radio’s lyricism and Herman Basudde’s songwriting, Viboyo’s list spans multiple eras of Ugandan music while reflecting the qualities he values most in an artist.
His five picks: Philly Lutaaya, Jose Chameleone, Madoxx Sematimba, Mowzey Radio and Herman Basudde.