Is Gravity Omutujju a Rapper? Ugandan Hip-Hop Artistes Disagree

To many Ugandan music fans, Gravity Omutujju is a household name in LugaFlow and a key figure in the hip-hop scene.

Ask around randomly, and most will confidently say he is a rapper.

But within the Ugandan hip-hop community, several respected artistes strongly disagree and are not afraid to say so.

Over the years, some have argued that his style leans more toward commercial entertainment than authentic hip-hop.

Now, female rapper Keko is adding her voice to the chorus of criticism, joining the likes of Navio, Feffe Bussi, and Viboyo, all of whom have previously dismissed Gravity’s classification as a hip-hop artiste.

In a recent media interview, the “How We Do It” hit-maker was honest about where she stands.

“Gravity is a rapper? Okay. I know his music but I would not put him in the hip-hop category because akuba bidongo,” she said.

Her statement echoes sentiments shared by Navio as far back as 2019.

In September of that year, Navio was quoted as saying, “I do not regard him as a rapper. He is just a performer. There are people who rap, you cannot put him in that category.”

Feffe Bussi, another prominent name in the hip-hop fraternity, first spoke out in 2018, stating that Gravity is not a rapper.

Fast forward to 2024, and he doubled down on that stance, saying Gravity does not do hip-hop but instead performs something he referred to as “Hipopo.”

In the same year, Viboyo also weighed in during a media appearance, stating bluntly that Gravity is not a hip-hop artiste.

Despite the criticism, Gravity continues to enjoy mainstream popularity and a loyal fan base.

But the ongoing debate raises a larger question: what defines a rapper in Uganda today?

Is it lyrical complexity, cultural authenticity, or simply the ability to command crowds?