Platinum selling reggae-dancehall artiste Busy Signal was recently welcomed to Uganda in fine style as show promoters and the Ugandan government arranged a welcoming parade for the Bumaye singer.
"It was a lot of people males, females, government officials and children. Persons where riding bikes and others where in vehicles and I just got a chance to say high to the people and kept it lively. The motorcade was arranged by the government in collaboration with the promoters and people just joined along it was my fifth time going to Africa and my first time going to that area and it was overwhelming to see the love that I received, I can't explain. I performed for three hours, during which I even changed my clothes and returned... big people type of vibe. The stadium is made to carry 42,000 persons and they managed to squeeze in 50,000 and I did two shows and they were sold out," Busy Signal said.
"The reception for dancehall is good, but for reggae music its bigger... songs like Reggae Music again and my rendition of The Gambler reggae style are very big songs in Uganda. The world is a very big place and reggae music gave birth to dancehall, hip hop, reggaeton and such. But outside of Jamaica reggae music is the biggest thing, no disrespect to dancehall. But we were always told this by the elders and based on what I have seen from being all over the world, reggae music is known worldwide. I am just thanking the people who believe in me, my versatility, my lyrics and melodies. You are never going to have Busy Signal just doing one kind of music," he said.
The heavily booked artiste also advises local artistes to desist from making music that are easily disposable. According to Busy Signal both dancehall and reggae artistes should work on their material if they want to have long lasting careers on the world stage.
"The world does not look on what is running Half Way Tree or Portmore or the little corners. When you spin the globe you can't see Jamaica because it's a little dot, yet we put out so much greatness. We just have to focus on creativity and study the music. Know people like Nardo Ranks, Papa Levi, U-Roy, King Stitt and nuff more. It's not about singling bout flossing, who rich and who bruck. It's about music and quality," Busy Signal said.
Busy Signal - All In One [Official Viral Video]