Navio Spills the Truth on What Sets Him Apart in Ugandan Rap
Ugandan rap icon Navio, born Daniel Lubwama Kigozi, has long stood out in the local music scene for his versatility.
In a recent interview with The Evening Rush Reloaded, he described himself as a balanced emcee, a quality he likens to his boxing style.
I am balanced. It is like my boxing. I have the jab, the right and left hook, and the uppercut.
Unlike other rappers who focus on mastering one element of the craft, punchlines, metaphors, or rhyming, Navio says his artistry spans a wide range.
He reflected on his musical evolution to reinforce this point.
I was a conscious emcee when I started. Not gospel, but definitely inspirational. Actually, we did gospel stuff as well with Paul Kim and those guys before they passed away. So I did the gospel thing. I was a battle emcee in South Africa in those underground clubs with 500 chaps, everyone with a weapon, where I did those battles. I came back and did commercial music, ‘All I Wanna Know’ with Juliana and Klear Kut. We do hardcore again on my albums. So, I am a balanced diet.
Navio is now preparing for his tenth concert on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The event will be Uganda’s first orchestra hip hop performance, featuring his greatest hits with a full live orchestra.
