There is a certain nostalgia attached to the music that raised a generation. Across the world, millennials are reclaiming the sounds, fashion and cultural moments that shaped their formative years. In Africa, that nostalgia has a soundtrack of its own, and Nigerian music from the late 2000s and early 2010s occupies a special place in it.
On Sunday, that soundtrack found its way to Thrones Lounge- Bugolobi, where Nigerian rapper Ice Prince Zamani headlined the monthly Singleton powered Big Meeting, ending October with a reminder of the era when Nigerian hip-hop was finding an increasingly enthusiastic audience across the continent.
Curated by The Singleton whisky, The Big Meeting has built its identity around good food, music, cocktails and the pleasure of spending time with friends, rather than the noise and spectacle often associated with Kampala’s nightlife.
This time, however, the event had a headliner capable of pulling an entire generation down memory lane.
And the day was about more than waiting for the rapper to take the stage.
Throughout the afternoon, revellers immersed themselves in the different experiences on offer. From the dope mixes from DJ Kamali, Dj Ssesse, and Lynda Ddane, to trying to create their own cocktails behind the cocktail station, using The Singleton single malt whisky.
The cocktail-making sessions offered guests an opportunity to move beyond simply ordering a drink, into understanding how a good one comes together. Some attempted familiar classics- such as the Whisky Sour, while others explored their own combinations.
“Can I just tell what one shot is without necessarily measuring it?” one reveller asked a mixologist, curious about whether it was possible to estimate a pour by the eye.
“It is…,” the mixologist explained, “… but that kind of confidence comes with experience.”
The exchange captured the spirit of the afternoon: an invitation to try something new, learn a little and enjoy the process. Food, drinks and music were not separate attractions but parts of the same social experience.
For Raymond Karama, The Singleton’s presence at The Big Meeting is about elevating such moments and creating opportunities for people to connect through shared experiences. This edition, however, carried an added significance. It brought together the pleasures of the gathering with the music of an artist whose catalogue holds a special place in the memories of many African millennials.
“The Big Meeting is about creating moments that bring people together, whether through food, music or discovering something new in a glass. Having Ice Prince perform in Uganda for the first time gave this edition a special vibe, especially for a generation that grew up with his music. At The Singleton, we want to be part of experiences that stay with people beyond the day itself, and this edition brought that idea to life,” said Karama.
A few minutes to 1 am, Ice Prince took to the stage, and the crowd was ready.
He opened with Particula that had fans singing the song word for word. He went on to sing something special for Lynda Ddane, in honor of her birthday. He later sang Molowo Noni, the collaborative hit featuring Samklef, D’Prince, Wizkid and Ice Prince. The song recalled a period when Nigerian artists were building a continental following through a combination of catchy records, distinctive music videos and collaborations that travelled well beyond their home market.
Ice Prince followed with songs that helped define his own place in the moment. Aboki and VIP drew on the confidence and swagger that made him one of the recognisable voices of Nigerian Hip-Hop during his peak years.
Then came Oleku, the breakout hit that remains one of the defining records of his career. For longtime fans, it was a return to the song that helped establish Ice Prince as a major force in African music and introduced his sound to listeners far beyond Nigeria.
Between performances, the rapper took time to acknowledge the crowd, thanking Ugandans for the support they have shown Nigerian music over the years. It was a fitting recognition of a relationship that has outlasted individual hits and musical trends.
The Big Meeting has become a gathering built around the simple pleasures of eating, drinking, listening to music and catching up with friends. With Ice Prince at the centre of October’s edition, those familiar pleasures met a powerful dose of nostalgia.
