BEBE COOL LIST 2025
(Part One)
2025 has been an action-packed year, filled with activities that one may view either as obstructions or as fuel for Uganda’s music industry. However, 2025 was better than 2024 in terms of creativity, as younger artists broke boundaries of the norm, pushing audiences to accept almost anything. Of course, the reality is that anything can be music.
That said, there have been outstanding individuals who continue to define the right direction of music and shape audience appetite based on personal taste.
Lets get into the list...
*Bebe Cool – Break The Chains album
Bebe Cool’s decision to produce Break The Chains, an album rooted in global-appeal genres dictated by current trends, was unmatched.
The album could have faced significant resistance locally due to its new sound, but beyond our borders, the Afrobeat and Afro-tech tracks met and exceeded expectations of revellers across the globe. Bebe Cool was not afraid to reinvent himself and align with trending global sounds.
The decision to release a full album also reintroduced the album mindset into the Ugandan music industry—something that defines the professionalism and global stature of an artist.
An artist without a professional album will never fully be considered a professional artist. That is why albums matter.
Break The Chains, with songs like Hidden Agendas, Cheque (feat. Joshua Baraka), Home, Motivation, Circumference, Hips Don’t Lie, Rectangle Love, among others, is easily the album of 2025.
In conclusion, Ugandan artists must focus more on albums rather than singles, because the global market has shifted to richer content creation. The more songs on an album, the more visual and audio content an artist can generate—leading to wider reach and longevity.
Kudos to Top Rasta.
*Joshua Baraka – Wrong Places
Undisputedly the best young talent in terms of global sound, Joshua Baraka did not disappoint in 2025 with his single Wrong Places off his latest 12-track album Juvie.
While the album title may not yet be widely recognized in Uganda, it carries the biggest Ugandan songs on the global music market. This success comes with heavy financial investment, intentional decision-making, and strong focus.
Joshua Baraka was not afraid to stand alone and sound different in a market dominated by other trends. Beyond studio work, his global performances further prove his reach and penetration into the international scene.
Congratulations, "Baby Elephant."
*Elijah Kitaka – Ekyange, Daily Bundle, Go Remix ft Karole Kasita
For the first time since the inception of The Bebe Cool List, I am highlighting my best local male Ugandan artist: Mr. Fashionista, Elijah Kitaka.
Without a doubt, this guy will go global—it is only a matter of time. The reasons are simple: humility, patience, no unnecessary competition, extreme creativity musically and fashion-wise, a unique cracking voice, and, of course, the solid team at Swangz Avenue behind him.
In 2025, Kitaka was involved in four major music projects—a rarity since the early years of this list.
Surely, I would love to do a collaboration with Elijah Kitaka.
Congrats, kiyaye.
*Dax Vybz – At My Door, Good Idea ft Elijah Kitaka
With At My Door and Good Idea featuring Elijah Kitaka, Dax Vybz has once again earned his spot on my Kiwatule list. He is clearly the most talented in that family.
I used to feel that he sang through his nose and carried a lazy body language, which irritated me a bit. But then again, every artist has their own style.
I give him credit for not relying on his brother while pushing his own music. Keep going, young man—the Ugandan environment is now well set to create stars like you.
*Kapeke – Kaba
Making a comeback on the Bebe Cool List in 2025 is Kapeke—one of the artists I hosted at Tondeka e Kiwatule 2024.
On stage, I mentioned that because of his style, fashion sense, and cheeky music hooks that stick in listeners’ minds, I wouldn’t be surprised if he outcompeted many.