Singer and Mpaka Records boss Ykee Benda has drawn a clear line in the sand regarding his former artist Dre Cali — confirming that a professional reunion is completely off the table.
Speaking during an interview on the NOW Media Ug podcast, Ykee Benda addressed long-standing questions surrounding Dre Cali’s departure from Mpaka Records and whether the two could ever collaborate again in the future.
His answer was firm.
And unambiguous.
He said it would be “impossible” for Dre Cali to return and work with him again.
The statement immediately reignited conversations about one of Uganda’s most discussed label exits in recent years.
But that’s not even the most important part…
According to Ykee Benda, the fallout stemmed from Dre Cali’s decision to leave Uganda for Canada while still under contract with Mpaka Records — a move he described as both painful and disappointing at the time.
He admitted that the situation left him angry and emotionally affected, especially given the expectations within a structured label arrangement.
However, he also clarified that forgiveness had already taken place long before any formal apology was made.
And that’s where things get interesting…
“I can forgive him because I forgave him even before he ever thought about asking for forgiveness,” Ykee said.
“But what differentiates a real man from an unserious one is how you handle things.”
That comment added a deeper layer to the discussion, shifting the focus from personal conflict to professionalism and industry conduct.
For Ykee Benda, the issue is not just about departure — but process.
He emphasized that artists should handle exits with respect, communication, and structure when parting ways with management or record labels.
“If I start to work with you, it’s important to leave how you came,” he noted.
And then things got really interesting…
To support his point, Ykee Benda reflected on his own early career journey with Badi Music — the label that played a key role in his rise.
He recounted how his breakthrough came after releasing “Finger,” which eventually led to a formal partnership with Badi.
According to him, he took time to evaluate the opportunity before signing, even asking for two days to make a decision before officially joining in 2016.
That decision, he said, marked the beginning of a structured and respectful working relationship.
But just as importantly, he also highlighted how he exited the label in 2017.
And it was done differently.
Ykee explained that he sat down with Badi Music management, discussed his future direction, and formally requested to be released from the contract.
“We agreed on some things and I left,” he said.
That experience, he suggests, is the standard he expected from Dre Cali as well.
And the contrast between both exits is now at the center of his argument.
The internet had thoughts — and reactions followed quickly.
Some fans praised Ykee Benda for emphasizing professionalism and contract respect in Uganda’s music industry.
Others felt the situation could have been resolved privately rather than revisited publicly years later.
A few also expressed sympathy for Dre Cali, suggesting that international relocation and career uncertainty may have influenced his decision at the time.
But regardless of perspective, the conversation highlights a recurring issue in the industry — artist-label exits and how they are handled.
For readers following Uganda’s music business landscape, Ykee Benda continues to position himself not only as an artist but also as a label executive with strong views on structure and discipline.
His comments reinforce a broader message about accountability within the industry.
And for Dre Cali?
The door, at least according to Ykee, remains firmly closed.
One thing is clear — in Ykee Benda’s book, how you exit matters just as much as how you enter.