Kampala, Uganda: Celebrated Ugandan musician and industry icon, Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, has released his much-anticipated Bebe Cool List 2025, highlighting standout artists, albums and songs that defined the year he described as a worrying decline in Uganda’s music industry.
The annual list, which Bebe Cool has published almost every year, has evolved into one of the country’s most influential informal industry reviews, blending rankings with personal commentary on creativity, professionalism and global ambition.
“This is my way of encouraging young artists, recognising effort, and calling the industry to a higher standard,” Bebe Cool said in remarks previously shared with The Observer. “It’s not about popularity alone — it’s about creativity, consistency, and professionalism.”
2025: ‘Action-Packed but Direction Matters’
Describing 2025 as “action-packed,” Bebe Cool said the year presented both obstacles and opportunities for the music industry. While he acknowledged that younger artists had “broken boundaries of the norm,” he argued that true progress lies with musicians who shape direction rather than merely chase trends.
“Anything can be music,” he noted, “but outstanding individuals are those who define the right direction and shape audience appetite.”
Album of the Year: Bebe Cool – Break The Chains
Topping the list was Bebe Cool himself, recognised for his album Break The Chains, a project rooted in Afrobeat and Afro-tech with a deliberate global focus.
“The decision to release a full album reintroduced the album mindset into the Ugandan music industry,” he said.
“An artist without a professional album will never fully be considered a professional artist.”
Despite concerns that its sound might face resistance locally, the album resonated with international audiences. Tracks such as Hidden Agendas, Cheque featuring Joshua Baraka, Home, Motivation and Hips Don’t Lie cemented its status as the standout project of 2025.
Joshua Baraka: Global Sound Breakout
Joshua Baraka earned praise as the best young Ugandan talent in terms of global sound, driven by his single Wrong Places from the 12-track album Juvie.
“Joshua was not afraid to stand alone and sound different in a market consuming other sounds,” Bebe Cool said, pointing to his growing international performances as proof of global reach.
Elijah Kitaka: Local Star with Global Destiny
For the first time, Bebe Cool highlighted a local male artist as his standout pick: Elijah Kitaka. “This guy will go global, it’s just a matter of time,” he said, citing Kitaka’s creativity, fashion sense, unique voice and support from Swangz Avenue.
Kitaka featured prominently in 2025 with projects including Ekyange, Daily Bundle and Go (Remix) featuring Karole Kasita.
Other Notable Male Artists
Dax Vybz, despite being the young to Bebe’s long-term rival Bobi Wine, returned to the list with At My Door and Good Idea, earning praise for independence and growth.
Kapeke made a comeback with Kaba, a hit Bebe Cool predicted could outcompete many peers due to his hooks and stage presence.
Female Artists Recognised
Among female artists, Lydia Jazmine was recognised for her album The One & Only, which Bebe Cool said elevated her professional standing.
Vinka made the list with Lala, while Sheebah Karungi earned credit for her post-maternity comeback.
Other mentions included Ray G, Uncle Chumi, and rising name Tracy Melon.
Collaboration of the Year
The top collaboration of 2025 was See You Tonight by Cindy Sanyu and Omega 256.
Song of the Year
“If I were to choose the song of 2025, it would be between this, Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka, or Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka,” Bebe Cool said.
Other notable collaborations included Kapati (Alien Skin & Naxx), Wanula (Ava Peace & Temperature), Ekisododo (Lil Pazo & Latinum) and Misolo Boka (Mad King ft Nandor Love).
A Stark Warning on Industry Decline
Bebe Cool concluded with a sharp critique, arguing that 2025 was weaker than previous years. “2025 has been weaker than 2024; 2024 weaker than 2023; and 2023 weaker than 2022,” he said, blaming laziness, low confidence, excuses and drug abuse.
Reflecting on his early career, he recalled travelling to Nairobi by bus at 23 and hustling in an era with limited media platforms.
“At age 23, I travelled to Nairobi by bus and hustled in a country where I knew no one. Uganda then had fewer than 50 radio stations, fewer than 10 TV stations, and no social media. Still, I hustled, made good music, supported brothers like Jose Chameleone, teamed up with Bobi Wine, collaborated across East Africa with Wyre and Nazizi, recorded global hits like Fire Anthem, Kube, and Fire Burn, won Kora Awards, received MOBO nominations, and performed on global stages like 46664 for Nelson Mandela.
Because of music and hard work, I met global icons such as Nelson Mandela, Will Smith, Chris Rock, Amy Winehouse, and Lewis Hamilton and many others. Today, many Ugandan artists focus only on the local scene, which isn’t bad, but it’s too small given today’s advantages: more radio stations, social media, better technology, and government support,” he concluded.
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