He wants artists to make music that lasts!
By Curtis Campbell—
Platinum-selling, reggae-dancehall artist Busy Signal was recently welcomed to Uganda in fine style, as show promoters and the Ugandan government arranged a welcoming motorcade for the Bumaye singer.
“It was a lot of people, males, females, government officials and children. Persons where riding bikes and others were in vehicles, and I just got a chance to say ‘hi’ 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 but my first time going to that area, and it was overwhelming to see the love I received. I can’t explain it,” a seemingly happy Busy Signal told The Gleaner.
“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.
Busy Signal
“The reception for dancehall is good, but for reggae music it’s 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,” the artist said.
“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.
According to Busy Signal, both dancehall and reggae artists should work on their material if they want to have lasting careers on the world stage.
The Bumaye artist will be busy for the festive season with performances in Belize, Brazil, and again in Africa. “Normally, I would take a trip to the country and chill out a few days with mi grandmother. Drink some june plum juice and eat some real yellow yam. But right now mi just a put een the work because I was away for a while,” Busy Signal said.
