Bebe Cool Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Ugandan Music Industry Dynamics

Veteran Ugandan artist Bebe Cool, born Moses Ssali, has once again sparked controversy following remarks made during a recent TikTok live session — comments that many in the music industry have interpreted as dismissive and emblematic of deeper issues within Uganda’s entertainment scene.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, Bebe Cool has built a reputation as a bold, outspoken figure. His unfiltered opinions and self-assured attitude have earned him both devoted fans and outspoken critics. However, his latest remarks have reignited criticism, especially among fellow musicians who accused him of gatekeeping and stifling competition.

During the livestream, Bebe Cool was perceived to imply that success in Uganda’s music industry hinges more on influence and media presence than on artistic merit — a notion that did not sit well with many. Artists and fans alike pushed back, accusing him of contributing to an ecosystem that favors a select few while marginalizing emerging talent.

Critics argued that Cool’s comments highlighted a larger, systemic issue: media dominance and power structures that often determine an artist’s visibility and success. For young or independent musicians, breaking into the mainstream can be an uphill battle, particularly in an environment where a handful of figures seem to command disproportionate influence.

In response to the uproar, Bebe Cool issued a clarification the following day, claiming that his statements had been misinterpreted. But his explanation did little to quell the discontent.

Instead, tensions escalated after he doubled down during a weekend interview on Galaxy TV, where he brushed off criticism and suggested that many of his peers were simply too slow to understand his message.

“The issue with Ugandans is that, rather than learning, they are constantly fixated on the negative. I will not waste my time on slow people,” he said.

“There are musicians who do not even comprehend what I am saying — they are full of disrespect. I will follow those who think quickly.”

Bebe Cool’s remarks only deepened the rift between established acts and aspiring artists, many of whom see his comments as reflective of an out-of-touch elite unwilling to support a more inclusive and merit-based music industry.

While Cool maintains that his focus is on encouraging quality music and sound financial decisions, the backlash underscores a growing frustration with the perceived monopolization of influence and opportunity within Uganda’s entertainment industry. The incident has sparked broader conversations about equity, media access, and the need for structural change in support of new talent.