Ugandan singer Kalifah AgaNaga believes financial investment plays a bigger role than language in determining whether an artist can break into the international music scene.
The singer argues that musicians do not necessarily have to record songs in English to attract listeners across different countries. Instead, he believes the ability of a song to travel internationally depends largely on the resources invested in its production, promotion and marketing.
Speaking about the global music industry, Kalifah pointed to Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz as an example of an African artist who has built an international audience without making English the primary language of his music.
“For example, Diamond Platnumz doesn’t sing in English, music is a language. We are always here dancing to Portico music too,” he said.
Kalifah further explained that people regularly enjoy entertainment from different parts of the world without necessarily understanding the languages being used.
He cited the popularity of Indian and Chinese movies as examples, arguing that audiences can connect with creative content even when they cannot understand the dialogue.
His comments challenge the idea that African musicians must switch to English to gain international recognition, suggesting instead that music’s appeal can cross language barriers.
However, Kalifah believes talent alone is not enough to compete effectively in the global music business.
He stressed that artists and other industry stakeholders need to understand the financial demands of building an international career, particularly the costs associated with producing quality music and ensuring it reaches the right audiences.
According to him, the budget behind a project can significantly influence its chances of gaining international attention.
“That is why Joshua Baraka made a $20,000 song because he had the budget,” Kalifah revealed.
Although he did not provide further details about the specific production or marketing costs behind the song, his remarks highlight the importance he places on financial resources in the music business.
His comments also add another perspective to the ongoing conversation among Ugandan musicians about international ambitions, following recent discussions involving Joshua Baraka and King Saha.
While some artists focus on language, musical identity and international collaborations as possible routes to global recognition, Kalifah is placing greater emphasis on investment.
Ultimately, his argument is that African musicians should not view language as the main obstacle to international success. Instead, he believes they must understand the business side of music and be prepared to invest in making their work competitive beyond their home markets.