MAURICE KIRYA AND KENNETH MUGABI

Image from Qwela hang edition 1

As far back as the contemporary music world has existed, people have made comparisons and pitched talented music acts against each other. It was there in the 1960s with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, in the 1980s with Prince and Micheal Jackson then in the 1990s Britney Spears and Christine Aguilera or even in the Hip Hop world came the  East and West coast comparisons. Closer to home in our little meagre world in Kampala, we have had Kafeero and Basudde, Bebe Cool and Chameleon, Bobi Wine and Bebe, Juliana Kanyomozi and Iryn Namubiru and most recently I am reading pits of Maurice Kirya against Kenneth Mugabi.

Image from www.patheos.com

Most times these comparisons and petty "fights" are actually totally nonexistent; just media fabrications either to sell stories, records, concerts and brands or just fanning the social mags for internet trolls to stay entertained. These days with the internet freedom we have, everyone now feels a need to air their opinion no matter how irrelevant, no matter how ill informed. We are now all mighty experts. Heck, by writing this I realise I am also throwing in my two bits perpetuating the game!

I have followed Maurice Kirya 's music journey as far back as 2002 and most recently Kenneth Mugabi's seemingly quick rise from 2013 when I first encountered him at a Qwela rehearsal where he was undergoing artistic developed. Although the two acts share some similarities in genre, both doing variant blends of Afro-soul, both play guitar (usually acoustic) I would say right there the similarities end.

Many times I  too have been compared with Kirya but what these comparisons don't address is that being in the same niche doesn't necessarily make us enemies neither does it  mean that we deliver the same music. Not all Italian restaurants offer pineapple topped pizza. Mugabi being the newer act, exhibits some vocal similarities with Kirya but their exploitation of the medium is widely different.

Mugabi at Qwela Junction crooners edition.

For one Mugabi writes largely in Luganda and his beautiful poetry is more in line with Elly Wamala and some older cats of that era. He weaves his words like he was there in times long past bringing back phrases one may have forgotten existed. This is very evident in the prose of a song like "Kibunoomu" that are plugged in the moment but somehow make the listener nostalgic at the same time. Also his fusion of local instruments such as the ndigidi (a one stringed violin relative ) gives his music an identity that is distinctly his.

Kirya live 2016

On the other hand Kirya has a more modern approach that references neo-soul in his sound. As well as using both English and Luganda. He has a play with words and language that quickly resonates with audiences; an uncanny instinct to reflect and tap into the pulse of what is buzzing. This is very evident in songs such as "Boda boda" and my favourite of his "Wooye " in which his prose is beautifully impressionistic akin to a paintng. His words usually quickly capture and frame moments in a way that is easy to relate to.

Their performance styles are both passionate but I find that beyond that, they differ greatly. Kirya being more vivid vocal energy and dynamic presence whilst Mugabi goes for the more emotive and intimate singer-songwriter come-away-with-me approach. The important thing is that they both entertain, keep the audience engrossed and are memorable performers. Each is representative of a certain kind of Ugandan today; they connect.

With all these differences and yes some similarities, there are bound to be comparisons but I find it odd why there is any need to pit them against each other as in "who is better?" Who cares? My liking of oranges doesn't make me hate apples, both are fruits but taste widely different.  And why the heck can't I like both! Perhaps a cocktail. Listening to Kirya's "Horses in the sky " pleases me and so does Mugabi's "Naki" but each in very different ways, igniting different impulses and engaging different emotions. At this level of appreciation as a listener, the question "who is better?" is totally insignificant and trivial. Taste is a very subjective thing, to each listener his/her own and as such, comparisons like this are immaterial. What is relevant is the beauty of the artistry and how it is connecting to audiences. Everything else is cow dung!

Just enjoy the music!

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