f there is a rollout that has shaped the future of local music rollouts, it is definitely Bebe Cool’s rollouts.
He will be releasing his highly anticipated album, Break the Chains, later this year and has already released two singles from it—Circumference, which came out at the beginning of the year, and the latest, Motivation.
Bebe Cool launched something he called Motivation Week, which he said will be an annual event taking place in the week following Valentine’s Day.
During a roundtable discussion where he announced Motivation Week, he also told the media professionals present that he was releasing the second single from his album, Motivation.
One thing that has kept Bebe Cool at the top of his game over the years has been his ability to adapt. From the time he embraced Bax-Ragga in 2016 to jumping onto Amapiano, he has constantly proved he’s not a one-trick pony—which is the point of his soon-to-be-released album, Break the Chains.
At least judging by the two songs released so far, Bebe Cool has taken Afrobeats by storm, leaving no stone unturned.
Produced by his right-hand man, Bushington (real name George Kagoda), and Melanin Boy, Motivation is a mellow Afrobeats single that expresses a man’s deep affection for the love of his life.
Since Bebe Cool launched the song alongside a series of motivational talks and a roundtable discussion, one might assume the song would reflect his struggles and triumphs. However, what he delivers is one of the most beautiful love stories.
Bebe Cool takes things a bit easier on this song.
Unlike Circumference, where many Ugandans argued that they could hardly connect the song to him, Motivation tries to balance who Bebe Cool wants to be with the Bebe Cool Ugandans have known for the past 25 years.
No, the song doesn’t have reggae or dancehall influences, but there is a distinct Bebe Cool personality in Motivation that reminds listeners of his songs like Freedom and Love You Everyday.
Motivation is a catchy song, an earworm that lingers in your mind. You might find yourself unconsciously singing, “My motivation…” And while you may not immediately recall the lyrics that follow, you can’t wait for that moment to come around again.
The Motivation video was directed by Garrick Williams and Bushington. Williams also directed Circumference, bringing the same finesse from that video to this one.
Motivation is colorful and continues the theme of veiled women, first introduced in Circumference. However, Bebe Cool doesn’t dwell too much on this concept in the new video. Instead, he strives to remind us that true love isn’t defined by appearances. Through striking imagery and unconventional casting, he emphasizes that we love people for who they are, not how they look.
The choice of Bebe Cool’s love interest—a heavily tattooed woman—reinforces this message.
A significant part of the video portrays Bebe Cool and his love interest as each other’s right-hand partners. She is his ride-or-die, and together, they make crucial business decisions.
The Motivation audio was mixed by Brian Putaralski and mastered by Jesse Ray, with Anel Lukwago and Anko Ronnie as the studio engineers.
Motivation is currently streaming on all music platforms.
