TAKEAWAYS

• Mesach says songs once enjoyed months of radio and TV exposure.
• He believes social media now shortens the lifespan of music hits.
• The veteran musician says his generation handled criticism differently.

Veteran musician Mesach Semakula has weighed in on what he believes is affecting the longevity of Ugandan music, pointing to the fast pace of the internet and social media as major factors.

Speaking to Sanyuka TV, Mesach was asked why musicians today struggle to produce hit songs that remain popular for long periods compared to music from his generation.

According to the veteran singer, Uganda is moving at a much faster pace, with the internet increasingly determining what people talk about and listen to.

“Back then, when our songs were released, they would play on radio and television for at least three months,” Mesach explained.

He said that extended exposure gave audiences enough time to learn the songs, memorize the lyrics and eventually turn them into lasting hits.

However, Mesach believes the situation has changed, with musicians now sometimes getting only two or three weeks in the spotlight before another story or song takes over.

“If an artist is lucky, they will get a run of two to three weeks, then something comes up and people stop listening to the music,” he said.

Mesach also noted that social media can quickly turn public opinion against an artist, with people sometimes ganging up on musicians online and influencing others to stop supporting them.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by his generation, Mesach said they also dealt with criticism and anger but handled such situations differently because of how they were brought up.

He stressed that this does not mean artists of his era never responded to critics, but their approach to handling controversy differed from what is seen today.

Mesach is currently preparing for his November concert, which will also celebrate his 50th birthday.