Uganda: Watch Navio and legend Elly Wamala team up on classic remake

The single samples of Wamala’s classic hit, first recorded nearly half a century ago, giving it not only a fresh spin but breathing new life into Uganda’s nearly forgotten rich musical era.

“The collaboration is rooted in an appreciation of our past, present and future,” Navio said. “When ’Hamadi’ first came out, it was a song that struck a chord with the people at the time because of its real, uncompromising and storytelling. [As such] it was important to the family of Wamala that the track be brought back to life.”

Wamala’s soft vocals and the song’s simple yet elegant arrangement provides the perfect counterpoint to Navio’s edgy lyricism.

The track was produced by Baru and the video directed by Sasha Vybz. It’s Navio’s first song off his 2022 album Vibes Out The East to be made available on major DSPs. Navio said that the making of ‘Hamadi’ was a memorable experience because the song shows exactly what it means to be Ugandan.

Born Daniel Kigozi, Navio is one of Uganda’s top hip hop artists. He started his career in 2001 as part of a music group called Klear Kut before going solo in 2008.

Wamala is one of Uganda's most celebrated musicians. He is credited for creating the kadongo kamu genre with the release of his debut song 'Nabutono', which became the first Ugandan single to be released on vinyl.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Wamala received numerous awards including Uganda's Musician of the Century Award in 2001 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Pearl of Africa Music Awards in 2003.