'UGANDAN HIP HOP'

Uganda’s hip hop scene began in the early to mid-1990s, especially among university students at Makerere University and elsewhere. The Bataka Squad, formed in the early 1990s are the originators of the Lugaflow style, using the native Luganda language. Other formative groups on the Ugandan hip hop scene in the early 90s include Young Vibrations, MC Afrik, DJ Berry, and Kaddo. Club Pulsations in Kampala was a hotspot for Ugandan hip hop in the 90s. In recent years groups such as Klear Kut, Milestone, Chain Thought Reaction and many more have emerged. In 2002 Klear Kut were nominated for the Kora All Africa Music Awards in the “Most Promising African Group” and “Revelation of the Year” categories. In 2003 Geoffrey Ekongot, Saba Saba aka Krazy Native, of the Bataka Squad, Francis Agaba, the late Paul Mwandha of Musicuganda.com, and Xenson formed the Uganda Hip Hop Foundation.

In 2003, the Foundation hosted the first Ugandan Hip Hop Summit and concert at Club Sabrina's in Kampala. It was so successful that they have hosted it every year for the past four years. In 2005 the [www.bavubukaallstarz.com Bavubuka All Starz] was formed under the leadership of Silas aka Babaluku of the Bataka Squad, with the mission of bringing hip hop music and community together to address social causes. Keko is currently one of the most promising and talented rappers in Uganda.

Maurice Kirya was born on 4thNovember, 1982 to Tony Munobi and Sophie Baguma, he was raised in Makindye, Kampala in Uganda. He has three brothers in the music industry; Elvis Kiryaa.k.a Vampino, Alex Kirya a.k.a Saba Saba and Leonard Kirya,who is an instrumentalist. Their other sibling is a girl and their grandfather was a musician.Kirya started doing music at 15years with a debut single Gunno Mulembe in 1988 which never hit. He then released his first album of 12 songs in 2000 which played for only a week on FM radios and went silent.After hiding off the music scene for some time, He came back with a new album which contains Malayika a love song which. Its lyrics are a sensation keeping it playing on many FM radios.He is a vegetarian but can eat fish occasionally. He hates milk and soda, only water and juice work for him. He neither buzzes nor smokes. He hates speed and has a phobia for planes.Maurice is so crazy about women that he would do anything to get one. He claimshe is a virgin after breaking up with his girlfriend. Before leaving his house,Maurice always wears his pedant which he calls The Innocence. He says it reminds him of when he had nothing.Kirya recently won a Radio France International Discoveries award as the Best Act from Africa. Kirya has written songs for jazz musician Brenda Nanyonjo,provided background vocals for singer and producer Steve Jean,and recorded the East African anthem with Susanna Owiyo from Kenya and Pauline Zongo from Tanzania. In 2008 Maurice joined hands with long-time friend and musician Kawesa to stage a concert, dubbed “Music with Heart”, that raised funds for children needing open heart surgery at the children’s charity ward in the International Hospital Kampala.”He has opened for jazz artist “Jonathan Butler”,and was chosen one of the tenbest live performers in Africa by“Sauti za Busara Music Festival”.He loves vintage stuff, especially cars. He drives a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle. He is also a good timekeeper.