Daxx Kartel says Ugandan music industry praises looks over talent

• Daxx Kartel says the Ugandan music industry often praises artists for their looks instead of talent.
• He explained the difference between performing artists and recording artists.
• The Baala singer described himself as a performer who thrives in high-energy live shows.

Dancehall artist Daxx Kartel, best known for his song Baala, recently shared his views about how talent is recognised in Uganda’s entertainment industry.

While appearing on NBS After5 on NBS Television, the singer spoke about what he believes is a growing issue in the industry — the tendency to praise the wrong qualities in artists.

According to Daxx Kartel, many people today focus more on an artist’s physical appearance than on their actual musical ability.

“They appreciate someone for their nice body and say they’re a good artist, yet in reality the person sings like a success card,” he remarked.

The Baala singer went on to explain that there is a clear difference between a performing artist and a recording artist. In his view, the Ugandan music industry needs to better understand and respect that distinction, just as it is done on the global stage.

He also pointed out that some artists may not necessarily be photogenic but still possess exceptional vocal ability. For such musicians, he suggested that focusing more on audio releases and listening albums rather than visual presentation might be the better path.

“There are artists who aren’t photogenic but have very good delivery, so such an artist should stick to audios and listening albums,” he said.

Daxx Kartel further described himself as a performer whose real strength lies in live entertainment. He explained that while some musicians are more suited for calmer events like weddings, his style fits better in high-energy party settings.

“I’m among those artists who don’t even need a hit song because I am a performer,” he added.