Lango’s Hip-hop and Dancehall king real name Innocent Ocen better known as Inno Rap Jaguar has blamed the media for taking sides when promoting music in Uganda.
While having an interview with Kampala Sqoop’s Emuk Benjamen, Ocen cited reasons he doesn’t believe in equality in the media including TV and Radio presenters who only play Luganda songs or those done in any other languages but as long as they are done by artists based in Buganda thus promoting only those songs.
“The biggest challenge we have faced for a long time is TV and Radio personalities playing only a select kind of music and not showing any attention to other from mostly upcountry. And some of these channels have the effrontery to call themselves National media houses. I thought a national platform would be able and willing to play all music cutting across the Country? But it isn’t the case in Uganda,” he said.
Ocen believes that all good music can penetrate the whole country if Radio and TV stations among other platforms do not take sides and leave out music which according to him is even better than the one promoted.
On whether music in Uganda pays, Ocen revealed that it only does if one is soo talented and is very eager about it.
“Music in Uganda only pays very few artists, those who really do it with their life but to me, music doesn’t pay that much, it’s like business, school business where this year you earn and close the next year. But trust me, artists easily get recognition from the public and this has helped most of us access public offices without much difficulty and this is better than nothing!”
The Hip-hop top star disclosed his love for Cindy Sanyu and Winnie Nwagi and if given chance, he would really love to scoop collabos with those big names. Ocen also yarns to share stage with GNL Zamba and Feffe Bussi among others.
Ocen advised upcoming artists on getting to know their target audience first before they start recording music for broadcast and streaming.
“It’s not about going to the studio to record music just like anyone else in studio but its key to first establish your audience because you may end up recording for only your girlfriend, wife, child and only close friends.”
The ‘Mr. Opene’ hitmaker prides in love and trust from his fans in Lira and the whole of Acholi region who believe in his brand and are always respecting it to the fullest. With over 10 music albums from the time he started doing music which consists of hits like; ‘Pe Goba,’ ‘Iwuru Awura,’ ‘Pe Ijali,’ ‘Who is Who’ and ‘Woro Mite’ among others, Ocen pledged to continue dropping good music for the country, one with meaningful messages.
