Wuuyo paints Izabel in a sombre mood

That trend continued over the years until her latest single 'Wuuyo' (He/She is Here) ­– a step into Afro-fusion. The new offering is a triumphant and collaborative Afro-soul song with guest vocals from musician Kenneth Mugabi who also wrote the lyrics.

The two artists were admirers of each other's work and wanted to create music together. But between travels and local concerts, there seemed to be no perfect time. So towards the end of last year, they revisited the idea and decided to record together.

In 'Wuuyo', their voices blend beautifully and glide smoothly over the sounds from guitars; acoustic, bass and electric, as well as the piano, which was played by Izabel. The two detail the theme of forbidden love – a relationship dilemma that William Shakespeare immortalised in his novel, Romeo and Juliet, but with no similar dramatic ending.

Izabel sings: "Taata kkiriza gun'omutwalo. Gali amaziga gaakalira mu katambaala k'ono..." (Dad accept the dowry because this guy has wiped all my tears away). These lines embody the track, as it shows their desire to have the freedom to be together, but the girl's father is set to disown her if she does not heed his advice against marrying from a lower-class family.

At the age of 26 years, Izabel's solo projects have kept the act in underground nightclubs in the capital, Kampala, with only a cult following. This collaboration was for her to see how well she could fit into a new genre. She sang quite well and in the video, her delivery was on point; she brought life to the emotion in the song.

This collaboration with Mugabi will go a long way towards exposing her to a larger local live music audience. Mugabi, who gave us 'Onina', 'Nkwegomba' and 'Embeera', has established himself as an Afro-soul artist and set the bar pretty high. He is known for exhibiting genuine emotions and limitless musical ability. For close to a decade, he has been quietly chipping away, becoming a crowd puller at festivals and live concerts around the county. He is now the man who lies at the heart of Afro-soul in Uganda. His third album People of the Land is set for a release later in the year and will explore themes such as human trafficking, environmental conservation, love and domestic violence.

Izabel's fans may not know which direction her career will take next, but whatever it is, she has the talent to make it work. This collaboration demonstrates that she does not have to be confined to one genre. It would be best for her to keep her mind open and explore more genres through collaborations with other artists.

As it stands, 'Wuuyo' is a great song that is yet to get enough attention since its release on 8 February.

Watch ‘Wuuyo’ below:

Artist: Izabel ft. Kenneth Mugabi
Album: Wuuyo
Year: 2021
Producer: Joses Arins