The annual Uganda Hip Hop Awards (UGHHA) took place on December 13. This event occurred at Somewhere Else, a new venue and a change of dates. The organisers announced a change from the usual mid-year timeline. The awards in the earliest years would happen towards the end of the year.
The Award ceremony was marked by surprise wins and performances from seemingly more new artistes than older ones. There were lots of first-time performers on the UG Hip Hop stage. In my opinion, this shines a light on new talents. It also celebrates the culture at large. One of the key highlights was seeing Northern rappers Ecee and Tworthy performed together energetically. They still cheered for one another even though Ecee won the Northern rapper of the year – that’s the cultural unit. Xydan the Rapper also set the tone for the event. Then we got an impromptu performance of “Wacha Maneno” by Lagum the Rapper and Denesi.
MC Yallah received the Lifetime Achiever Award. Ninja C won Female rapper of the year. NUVEYLIVE emerged as best Media Personality. Viboyo Oweyo also hit the stage. These were other exciting moments.
The Mith, Ruyonga and Ecee were the night’s biggest winners each of them bagging two awards.
The event happened at Somewhere Else after about 3 years of the Awards being hosted at MOTIV. Adele Kiele and Mr Skillz were the night’s hosts.
The UG Hip Hop Awards have continued to celebrate Ugandan Hip Hop annually. The Awards were first held in 2016 organised by The Tribe UG. This year marks the 8th edition. And like every year, the awards shine a light on old, new, and even unknown creatives. They do this as an effort to promote Ugandan Hip Hop, especially the producers, rappers, and Deejays.
NOTE: The Hip Hop Give Back award was not presented this year. It is a unique award the organisers give to individuals giving back to Hip Hop.
Hopefully breaking or dance one day would be added as a category.
Now here is the full list of winners:
- Sweet 16 (Verse of the year)
Nile Flow “New Stream” Stillken Music ft Play 01 - Northern Rapper of The Year
Ecee – More - Rookie of the year
Nsokwa – Where to Start - Inspirational song of the year
Mboniire – Isabirye Mitch ft. Kabera Angel, KekoTown & Joses Arins Emanzi
- Collaboration of the Year
LEAN – Ecee & PsychoYP featuring Rhoma BTW & Zaylevelten. - Video of the year
Wacha Maneno – Lagum the Rapper ft Denesi - Central Rapper of the year
Big Sam – Ndi OG Remix - Song of the year
Ruyonga – Parte Yani ft Zex Bilangilangi & Wonder JR - Rap Fusion of the Year
Parte Yani – Ruyonga ft. Zex Bilangilangi & Wonder JR - Lyricist of the year
The Mith – CONVERSATIONS - Eastern Rapper of the year
Saint Just – Jesus In my DNA - Producer of the Year
Trappex Booming - Western Rapper of the Year
KNK (KAMP NA KEVI) – Omukago - Female Rapper of the Year
Ninja C - Male Rapper of the Year
NAVIO - Album of the Year
Ndi Muto – Rickman Manrick - Mixtape of The year
SYSTEEMU – The Mith - Deejay of the Year
DJ Jefas - Diaspora Act of the Year
Judah Rapknowledge Da Akbar - Media Personality of the Year
NuveyLive - Lifetime Achievement Award
MC YALLAH
We look forward to the next year. As usual we salute all the winners and nominees and we continue supporting the creatives by sharing, watching or listening to their works.
(Photos: UGHHA)
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