TAKEAWAYS

• Kenneth Mugabi says he does not sing much English because he feels he expresses himself better through local language and a Ugandan musical identity.
• The singer rejected the idea of tailoring his music for international audiences, stating that his music is not specifically made for the global market.
• Mugabi believes music transcends language barriers and used South African artist Ringo Madlingozi as an example of music he enjoys despite not understanding the lyrics.

Ugandan singer-songwriter Kenneth Mugabi has opened up about why he predominantly sings in local language and uses a distinctly Ugandan style in his music, insisting that his artistic choices are driven by authenticity rather than a desire to appeal to international audiences.

Speaking during an appearance on the NRG Ignition show hosted by Mr. Henrie, Mugabi explained that he does not feel he expresses himself as effectively in English as he does in his native language and cultural context.

According to the singer, this is why he often incorporates a Ugandan accent and local influences into songs such as Take Me Back and Woman, among others.

During the interview, Mugabi was challenged on whether using more English in his music could elevate him to bigger international platforms such as the BET Awards. However, he maintained that his music was never intentionally created with the global market in mind.

“If you were in the UK, and you listened to my music… do you think you would recommend it to someone who’s not Ugandan?” he questioned.

The singer further noted that the music industry presents artists with numerous pathways and formulas for success, but much of his journey has involved doing the opposite of what is traditionally expected.

“The few things we’ve achieved have come from music, not anything else, and music is a global language,” he said.

Mugabi emphasized that audiences do not necessarily need to understand a language to appreciate good music. To support his point, he cited South African music legend Ringo Madlingozi as one of his favorite artists.

He specifically referenced the song Sondela, revealing that despite not understanding the language used in the track, he continues to enjoy listening to it.

“I don’t even understand what he’s singing, but I always listen to his songs,” he explained.

For Mugabi, the power of music lies in its ability to connect emotionally across cultures and languages. Rather than tailoring his sound to fit global trends, he prefers to create music that feels genuine to him and allow it to find its own audience wherever it resonates.