LUGA FLOW REVOLUTION

Uganda’s hip hop scene began in the late 80's and fully surface in the mid-1990s, especially among university students at Makerere University and elsewhere. The Bataka Squad also formally  known as Bataka Underground, formed in the early 1990s. As the originators of the Luga flow Movement, Exploring the creativity of street Language Bataka based this genre on their  knowledge of the Swahili Word "Lugha" which means Languages. They officially were the first hip hop group who journeyed to bring to light the power of  using the native languages in hip hop as a tool of expression seeding the youth voice of uganda to open up global awareness through Indigenous hip hop. Other rap groups on the Ugandan hip hop scene in the early 90s include Young Vibrations, MC Afrik, DJ Berry, Prim-N-propa, Kaddo, Public Image, Jammed Edition, ill mob and Milestone.

Luga Flow is the true definition of Indigenous hip hop  in Uganda. It has inspired many others to seek the depth of their roots to showcase their uniqueness in the hip hop Culture - The Luga Flow Platform was established to create a voice for the youth in Uganda and inspire a next generation of Advocates and leaders who will use this indigenous context of hip hop  as a tool of self Liberation, encourage peace building and represent the authentic truth in their villages, cities, towns and the world

Since 2005 the Luga Flow movement pioneers Saba Saba and Babaluku made a seriously commitment  to take Indigenous hip hop on a global platfrom, with all heart and passion it was time to let the world know the truth about hip hop in Uganda below are some of major global historical moment of the power in representing their indigenous truth. 

Saba Saba representing Bavubuka Foundation & Bataka Squad at the Clinton Foundation Fundraiser in New York.

Babaluku's Luga FLow Historical highlight performing with Michael Franti and the spearheads at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Saba saba & Awadi at the UN African Summit - South africa

Saba saba & Knaan at the UN Africa Summit representing Bataka Squad and the LugaFlow Movement

Saba saba & babaluku with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Green Technology Expo

                   Saba saba, Babaluku rocking it with Wanlov the Kubolor in Los Angeles 

On the Bataka Squad team was Babaluku, Momo MC,  Gental, Jemal, La Rat, and Lyrical G, N.T.O Newton, Chagga, Shillingz, Furious B from Burundi and Tshila who be came bataka squad's first lady.

Babaluku, Tshila and Saba Saba - Bataka Squad Revolution reloaded 2005

The Bataka crew had their first major performance in Mwanza in 1996 on sanane island at the time when hip hop in Tanzania was leading in the context of emceeing in Indigenous dialects on the east coast, This Coca Cola Sponsored journey provided a great experience and challenge to the crew to take rapping in their local language seriously as the great percentage of emcee on the island where proud to represent there people in their own uniqueness.  On their return from Mwanza they recorded their first single 'ATOOBA', Originally written by Babaluku and produced by Mukalazi with the colloboration of the Bataka Underground memebers Momo MC, Krazy Native, La - Rat and Lyrical G.  This single was only able hit the airwaves three years later, as a result of the lack of hiphop appreciation and the negative stereotype associated with hiphop by radio stations. The song became a favorite on the underground hiphop scene and is still regarded as a Ugandan hiphop classic. This song was one of the first major hiphop songs sung performed in Luganda, the most widely spoken indigenous dialect in Uganda. This marked the beginning of taking Luga FLow to greater heights with every inch of opportunity that opened up.

In 1997, Bataka Underground recorded their second smash hit, `Ssesetula'  which featured Krazy Native Momo MC, La - Rat and Chagga MC this single got them on a stage rampage spree across Kampala, from Club Pulsations to Lido Beach, Club Silk, Botanical Gardens, Little Flowers, Bingo Cinema, Sharing youth Center and several other locations.

In 1998, the Bataka crew continued to dominate the hip hop scene and in December, Saba beat a long list of musicians of the day including members of his crew and won the `Mr. Club Silk' Contest for his social-political ballistic rhymes of the day.

In 1999, the Bataka Crew was at the climax of their game rocking at most of the major events of the time. `Bana Beka' one of their other songs got crowds bobbing heads to the sound of one of the realest Ugandan hiphop songs.

They then began working on their major project, the overdue hiphop album from Bataka, `Foundation'. `The Foundation' album was released in 2000 and hit the underground hiphop scene containing songs like `Ndimubi' (Am bad), `Lets ride', `The Foundation', `Eno Ensi' (This world), the hit singles `Ssesetula' and `Atooba' and other songs.

In 2001 Bataka Squad went for a tour in Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi. Bujumbura gave Bataka so much love and are still revered up to today. The same year, they hooked up with `Niga Soul' one of the best rap groups in Bujumbura and had several performances together in places like Havana and Casanova, Burundi.

Bataka Squad With K'Naan Of Somalia

From 2002 to 2003, Bataka Squad, was silent due to various reason as times were changing many of the members traveled abroad, while others worked on solo projects. Saba and babaluku stayed committed to bridging the gap keeping the spirit alive. during this same period Babaluku released his album in Canada. In his own words, Saba says "I'm really happy that I was there when this hiphop movement in Uganda began and I participated in all these memorable moments". Bataka Squad also know as Uganda's hip hop legendary crew celebrates the journey of this beautiful struggle to create a youth voice for young people in Uganda.

Babaluku, Burney MC, BB Muwanvu, MC Hope & SP Omugunjule - Bavubuka COmmunity Outreach

MC HOPE in expression at the hip hop tent during the La Ba Art Street festival

The LUGA FLOW MOVEMENT has went on to inspire youth allover Uganda to utilize the power of Hip Hop to bring back HOPE and RESTORATION in the hearts of the youth, giving them the confidence to take responsibility in being apart of the change they want to see in their communities. This has egnited the spirit of community peace building and transformation within the youth who have grown up in ubarn settings by encouraging unity with those raised in the villages through the experience of the hip hop culture. www.bavubuka.org