Northern Uganda's artiste Acholi Rapper Lobby has finally addressed years of fan speculation about his absence from the music scene.
The singer revealed that he deliberately put music on pause after reaching what he describes as the natural peak of a Northern Uganda artiste’s career.
Lobby said the decision followed years of constant messages from fans asking why he was no longer releasing music, with some critics even suggesting he had run out of ideas.
He admitted he ignored the comments for years but chose to respond now after careful reflection on his career and lifestyle.
According to Lobby, music in Northern Uganda reaches a ceiling once an artiste attains a certain level of fame. At that point, he argued, there is little left to chase except repeated circulation of the same success without real growth.
He noted that fame, income and recognition all have a pinnacle in the region. He further criticized the local awards system, stating that accolades are often based on an artiste’s relationship with event organizers rather than the impact or influence of their music.
Despite releasing several hit songs, Lobby said he never won a single award in Northern Uganda because he stuck to his principle of performing when paid and walking away without political affiliations.
While local awards eluded him, the rapper said he found recognition outside the region, including at the Uganda Hip Hop Awards.
He expressed pride in those achievements, saying they proved his contribution to putting Northern Uganda music on the national map.
He also credited himself and a few other artistes with shifting the region’s sound from the dominant South African and Congolese afrobeat influence to a smoother, ambient and danceable style that gained acceptance beyond Karuma Falls.
Lobby added that his era also introduced professional branding and raised the standard for quality music and video production in the North.
Explaining why he pressed pause, Lobby said his mission had been accomplished. His goal, he stated, was always to make Northern music appreciated beyond its borders under the mantra Lapil Wii Kaka.
For him, success meant the music flourishing outside Pece, Lacor, Kitgum, Pader, Pakwach, Lira, Apac and even South Sudan, which he described as essentially the same audience.
He emphasized that breaking out of the region did not mean abandoning Luo for Luganda, but rather creating Luo music with a vibe and tone that could appeal to non-Luo speakers.
He acknowledged that the new generation of artistes appears to be following that path and expressed confidence that the industry is heading in the right direction.
Lobby concluded by thanking fans for their love and support, saying he would be nothing without them. He assured listeners that his break was temporary and that he would soon resume duty to meet their demand for new music.
He revealed that he is working on a full album titled Keeping Up With Me, with several songs already recorded. Production duties have been handled by top producers including Nase Avatar, Matikoz and Nogo Classic, who he said have worked to make the listening experience worthwhile. Details about the release will be communicated through his new management in due course.
