When Mpagi Kironde a.k.a. “PG” met Jerome Kiwanuka Jjooga a.k.a. “Jerome Black” in 2005, the pair started featuring on tracks together. They later linked with Salim Ssesanga a.k.a. “Phase” in 2007 to just hang out and freestyle in the basement. This was the subtle beginning to a group that is now known to many as BATABAZI WARRIORZ.

The name was chosen because the members wanted something to symbolize who they are as individuals, the movement they stand for as a whole and appeal to both the Ugandan and non-Ugandan crowd. The word “Batabazi” is a Luganda word from the phrase “okutabaala” which means to wander or move from place to place looking for greener pastures like nomads do. The second word “Warriorz” is self explanatory. Jerome Black describes Batabazi Warriorz as “a movement that extends beyond just the artists and the music we make, somewhat an army fighting for a cause; fighting for positivity and togetherness amongst our people.”

A lot of people get caught up in the hype and tend to forget where they came from or where they are heading. Over the years, the Batabazi Warriorz have stayed grounded and true to their roots, both morally and spiritually. Even though they are out in the Diaspora, Batabazi represents Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Africa all over. PG says, “We carry Africa on our shoulders everywhere we go. Our music transcends different barriers and reflects on places we have been to like Jamaica, Haiti, Europe, The Middle East and Asia.”

Batabazi’s music can be heard all over the globe because the Batabazi Movement is a global one. Down the road, the group has been blessed with remarkably talented individuals such as Anthony Bbosa Balagadde, a pianist and cousin to renowned Ugandan producer Steve Jean, Shalto “Surgeon” Byamugisha who integrates Lukiga and Lutoro into the music, Natasha Kawesa a.k.a. “Tasha Fierce” who sang the hook to their hits Uganda Nka and Turn It Up (Watch the Music Video at the top), Patrick Ssozi a.k.a. “P. Ssozi” who was featured on the group’s latest hit single Mukwano Sembera and is also a producer with Nasar “Nazz12G” Kasirye. The latest addition to this dynamic movement is Namagera Kiwanuka a.k.a. “Gera K.”, an upcoming solo artist who is currently recording on her debut album and has numerous collaborations with Batabazi. Gera K. and Batabazi launched the debut single titled Omukwano Mungi at UG Flava and Vamposs show in Washington D.C. on Saturday July 25, 2009 and the fans loved it! Omukwano Mungi is a reggae tune with a catchy Luganda hook and rap verses by Jerome Black and PG and is definitely a tune to groove to with that special someone in your life. There is more in store from Gera K. and Batabazi. The group is currently under the management of BaSe Entertainment of Boston, MA which comprises of DJ Batenga and DJ Sentie.

UNAA Times had a chance to catch up with the Young musicians behind the Batabazi Movement and had an insightful Q and A. Here is a report from that interesting conversation:

UNAA Times Online: So tell me how you guys were inspired to write “Turn It Up”?

PG: Well, see. The beat was originally made by a close friend of the group called Anthony Tombs.

JB: Yeah, and we were in the studio when we came across it and were like what have we been waiting for. The beat says it all. We had to jump on it.

PG: All we could think about was turning it up and putting the track on replay.

JB: Then PG started singing the hook according to how he felt the beat. And the rest is history. We played the track over and over. So it made sense to write a song about putting the song on replay.

UNAA Times Online: Did each member of Batabazi write their own lyrics? Or do you have one person who composes all the words?

JB: We sit down together and get a theme and write according to what we want the message to be. Then we sit together and critic each other to make sure we are all on the same point.

PG: Yeah, everyone has their own swag and style of rapping which in my opinion makes the collaboration fresh and exciting.

UNAA Times Online: Where do you draw your inspiration for the lyrics?

JB: (laughs) basically from the life we live. You can’t really write about things you don’t know.

PG: and the things we go through too; the good, the bad and the ugly. So if anyone wants to see who we are and what we’ve been through, they can hear about it in our music.

UNAA Times Online: Are you all able to rap in Luganda?

PG: of course. (laughs)

JB: well, (chuckles to himself). Oh yeah. We all try to integrate the different languages we know.

PG: When Jerome does Luganda, he doesn’t write. It just comes like second nature to him. But my style is a little different. I can also rap in Patwa and a bit of Kiswahili because I’ve visited Jamaica and I try to put all of that into my verses.

JB: Yeah, I do Kiswahili too. We also do the latest slangs back home, and break down the American street slang in Luganda so that even the most localized person in Uganda can understand.

PG: Yeah, and relate to it. Like when Jerome says swagga yange eli nga obutwa. Yeah and neda si munyaga omwana muganda pure nga kibaba. Those are all ideas of different lines we’ve used in our verses.

UNAA Times Online: How did you decide on the names of each person in the group?

JB: Everybody came up with their own name that suits their character.

UNAA Times Online: Who is the group clown?

PG: (laughs and looks at Jerome) Who is the group clown?

JB: (laughs) that has to be surgeon

PG: yeah, that dude stays funny.

UNAA Times Online: and the most serious?

PG: ha. That’s obvious.

JB: Yeah, I’m the oldest

PG: and he always keeps us in check.

UNAA Times Online: How do you manage to sing together if you don’t stay near each other?

JB: Music is our life. It’s like water in a dessert. No matter where you are, you gotta have it. So it brings us together. The music keeps us grounded.

PG: Yeah, that’s how we start the day and that’s how we end it.

UNAA Times Online: What message would you like people out there to take away from this song?

PG: Don’t take life too serious. Enjoy every moment

JB: It’s simple: to turn it upppp!!!! Life is supposed to be fun. No matter what you do, you gotta make sure you’re happy.

PG: Yeah, don’t be there listening to the radio and turn it down or keep it low. Turn it up and put it on replay.

UNAA Times Online: A word of encouragement to budding rappers out there?

JB: hmmm,

PG: No matter what, don’t let no one put you down.

JB: Life is what you make it. Can’t nobody make your life but you. You decide what you wanna do in life. Do it and be about it.

PG: Yeah, manifest your destiny

UNAA Times Online: When is the album coming out?

JB: Specific dates haven’t been decided yet, because we just got a new addition to the group (Gera K.). And we want the tracks we’ve done with her to be on it.

PG: We’ve done about 50 tracks so far, and we want to choose the absolute best 10 out of all of them

JB: Yeah, and since we aren’t the first to do Hip-hop in Uganda but we want the whole album to be PERFECT and leave a lasting impression.

UNAA Times Online: How can people buy your music?

PG: Right now our music is free to listen to on the internet.

JB: Yeah, until the classic album drops, we will continue to share it with our fans online through Facebook and YouTube. The links are www.facebook.com/batabazi and www.youtube.com/ugwarriors

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