On 12th August, Bebe Cool held a successful listener’s party at Masq London, Restaurant and Bar.
This highly anticipated event brought together some of the UK’s leading media personalities from BBC, Westside Radio, The Beat London, and Represent Radio, as well as select Bebe Cool fans living in the United Kingdom.
The evening’s host, Olamide Grace, a presenter at Represent Radio, kept the audience engaged and led a thought-provoking conversation with Bebe Cool about the Break the Chains album.
Bebe Cool said the album represents a journey of challenging himself to take on a task that most local artistes might be afraid to attempt.
“For a long time, people have made it seem like Africans should not have ambitions. We were made to believe that some dreams were not for us. This album is me going where most thought we couldn’t go,” he said.
The Afrobeats-centred album, featuring songs such as African Love with Yemi Alade, Games alongside BBC’s DJ Edu, and Cheque with Joshua Baraka, has sparked conversations and introduced his music to new audiences.
The listening party attracted over 100 Londoners who enjoyed canapés and drinks—some reconnecting with friends, while others made new connections.
But that was just the beginning. On Friday, Bebe Cool, alongside Jamaican artistes Adonia, Sha Simone, Dub Plate, and Shaky P, appeared on the famous DJ AG Online Street Party.
DJ AG is known for his street mixes, which are simultaneously streamed on YouTube and TikTok. This year, the platform has become a staple for global stars such as Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Burna Boy, Will Smith, Ciara, Rita Ora, Craig David, and, from Uganda, Joshua Baraka.
Bebe Cool thrilled the audience with a performance of his award-winning Fire Anthem before launching into tracks from his new album. He performed Hidden Agenda, Circumference, and his collaboration with Joshua Baraka, Cheque.
As is tradition, at the end of every performance DJ AG asks his guest who they would like to see pull up next on the platform. Some artistes use the opportunity to introduce new talent, while others mention global superstars.
YG Marley from Jamaica, for instance, endorsed Davido; Burna Boy picked J Hus; while Diamond Platnumz chose Zuchu.
When his turn came, Bebe Cool named Jay-Z—a choice that has stirred debate among Ugandans, with some arguing he should have picked a Ugandan artiste for promotional purposes.
In his defence, Bebe Cool explained that DJ AG has worked hard to grow his platform, and he believes that featuring Jay-Z would only elevate it further.
Break the Chains is Bebe Cool’s first album in ten years, and he is determined to shift the focus from impressing physical audiences to winning over digital streaming platforms. With Uganda still recording low streaming numbers, he chose to cast his net wider.
He has since toured Kenya, Tanzania, and now the UK, with plans to explore other territories.
Released on 30th May, Break the Chains is available for streaming on all major platforms.
