Uganda’s music scene isn’t just growing — it’s breaking boundaries in 2025. From Afro-fusion and hip-hop to spiritual ballads and experimental beats, Ugandan artistes are crafting a sound that’s bold, borderless, and unmistakably theirs.
Spotify’s Global Impact List for 2025 celebrates this surge. Described as a playlist of growth, fusion, and fire, it spotlights 30 tracks by Ugandan artistes—or collaborations featuring them—that have achieved international recognition, showcasing their rising global appeal.
Leading the charge: Key artistes and collaborations
Joshua Baraka has emerged as a powerhouse talent, showcasing his versatility. His emotionally fuelled single “Wrong Places” captivated listeners, while high-energy tracks like “No Bad Vibes” with Gyakie and Jazzy demonstrated his vibrant side. Collaborative works like “Behind” with KOJO BLAK and the “Cheque” remix featuring Bebe Cool position Baraka as a prominent crossover artiste.
The new wave of soul artistes, including Elijah Kitaka and Dax Vibez, has brought a tender yet powerful presence to the scene. Their collaborations, like “Good Idea”, alongside individual hits such as “Ekyange” and “At My Door”, have captivated audiences. Liam Voice also remains a fan favourite with songs like “Byamunda” and his impactful feature with Fik Fameica on “Biggwa”—a perfect blend of heartfelt lyrics and street credibility.
Pushing boundaries with experimental sounds
On the experimental front, MC Yallah and Goat are leading the charge in alt-rap, particularly with various remixes of “Nimerudi” by Malcolm Catto and The Heliocentrics. These genre-bending tracks highlight Ugandan artistes’ commitment to transcending sound and cultural boundaries.
Behind the scenes: Producers and emerging talent
Producers like Lucien, Blinded Beats, and Chris Burns are vital to this musical renaissance, crafting genre-fluid releases that span gospel (“Yahweh (Holy)”), live jazz (“My Joy” by Isaiah Katumwa), and pop-electronica hybrids.
What’s putting Uganda on the global streaming map isn’t just talent—it’s the daring mix of cultural heritage, sound innovation, and cross-border partnerships that’s setting its sound apart.
Other artistes on the list include Vinka, Azawi, Fik Fameica, Bigtril, as well as jazz star Isaiah Katumwa.
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