- In a recent podcast, Ugandan music icon Bebe Cool claimed that fellow artist Eddy Kenzo is not an international artist.
- Comparing Kenzo to Tanzanian star Diamond Platinumz—who also struggles to be labeled global despite international collaborations—Bebe Cool argued that East African musicians, including Kenzo, have not yet reached true global status.
Ugandan heavyweight musician Bebe Cool, whose real name is Moses Ssali, has claimed that Eddy Kenzo is not an international artist. During a local podcast, the singer was questioned about how the Big Talent boss achieved global recognition despite lacking the financial support that Bebe Cool has invested in his Break The Chains Album.
Bebe Cool expressed that he does not wish to belittle Eddy Kenzo, but he believes he isn’t an international artist.
He recalled being told by a Tanzanian journalist that even Diamond Platnumz is not considered an international artist, despite the efforts he has put into his career.
“I really don’t want to engage in a fierce discussion about Eddy again, but what do you mean when you say he’s an international artist? He’s simply not. I was in Tanzania recently and a journalist mentioned that there are no international artists in East Africa, even with Diamond Platnumz coming close. He has worked diligently, promoted his brand, and frequently collaborates with global artists, yet Tanzanians still don’t see him as there. However, I prefer not to focus on these trivial matters; let’s instead work on promoting our music, and it will reach that level,” he stated.
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Bebe further challenged Kasuku to name any of Kenzo’s songs that have achieved global success, and the response was limited to Sitya Loss.
The Weekend singer has earned a handful of international awards, including the BET Award, and has performed in numerous countries worldwide, but it appears this still doesn’t satisfy the criteria to be labeled an international artist. According to some, Kenzo is the closest Uganda has come to having an international star.
In Africa, it is generally accepted that Nigeria is the only country with international artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, who can fill stadiums and arenas outside the continent.
