Dokta Brain Calls Out DJs for Favoring Foreign Music Over Local

Singer and songwriter Dokta Brain has taken aim at DJs he believes are pushing foreign music while neglecting Ugandan artistes.

Speaking during a sit-down on Deep Talk, the outspoken musician questioned the idea of “urban” identity in Uganda’s music scene.

He suggested that some DJs mistake exposure to foreign culture for actual connection, yet ignore local voices they can easily relate to.

People who act like they like urban music need to stop thinking that they are related to Chris Brown. You guys are just locals that got a chance to be enlightened a bit. And some of you are just pretending. You cannot tell me that you understand everything Kendrick Lamar says, but you can understand Joshua Baraka.

He used this argument to highlight what he sees as a contradiction.

While some DJs brand themselves as promoters of urban music, he says their playlists rarely include Ugandan urban artistes.

You find them saying that they play urban music, but you will never find them playing Maurice Kirya. They will barely play A Pass, and he has always been standing on the game of urban music. They will never applaud Ruyonga. Navio has had to fight for himself alone. Instead, they are playing Chris Brown.

For Dokta Brain, the issue is not about rejecting international music, but about losing touch with the local sound.

He believes being urban should not mean disconnecting from home.

I think we have some urban excitement and we mistake it for urban living. No. You can still be urban and at the same time understand the local vibe.