Essays of a Revolutionary MC: Echoes of the Past, Visions of the Future

๐Ÿ’ญ "The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind."

- Random Quote, read in Cuenca, Ecuador

August has been a month of deep introspection for me, guided by meditation and the power of silencing the mind. One of the most profound insights came through angel number 834, a symbol of encouragement, enthusiasm, and action. These themes have not only shaped my life in August but will continue to guide me in the months and years ahead.

For many years, August has marked new beginnings for meโ€”whether starting school, embarking on a new job, or making life-changing decisions. This August, however, has been different. It has been a time of reflection, a moment to strategize for the busy months and years to come.

On a lighter note, I had the pleasure of attending a Damian Marley concert, which brought a wave of nostalgia and took me back to the first time I met him. The year was 2010, and I was traveling to Europe for the first time as part of the Eodub Global, representing Uganda at the mc challenge world finals in Berlin, Germany. That year, Damian Marley was touring with Nas, performing tracks from Distant Relatives, an album that ranks among my top 10 of all time. We crossed paths at the Splash Festival, and it was a surreal experience to relive those memories at the recent concert.

Bana Mutibwa together with the Eodub Global Family posing with Damain Marley at Splash Festival 2010

For anyone traveling from Africa to Europe for the first time, the experience is unforgettable. For me, it was also my first time leaving Uganda. Beyond the usual cultural shocks, that 2010 trip ignited a deep desire in me to travel more and see the world. That same year, I traveled to Mwanza, Tanzania, as part of the Bavubuka All Stars, and in 2011, I made my first trip to Denmark for the CKU and Images Festival, followed by a journey to Nairobi, Kenya, to create music.

Earlier in 2011, I had faced a disappointment when I was denied a visa to Europe. Along with others like BB Muwanvu Wanvu, I was supposed to represent Uganda at the Eodub mc challenge world finals in Paris, France. It felt like a harsh reminder of the limitations of my Ugandan passport. These experiences and more inspired my mixtape Uganda Passport, which I released on 12/12/12. The intro reflects my longing to travel the world and the challenges that come with the passport I hold. Some tracks like Walk to Work will reappear in new versions on Essays of a Revolutionary MC.

My music has always been a reflection of my life and a manifestation of the life I want to live. The first three tracks of Essays of a Revolutionary MC are a mirror of who I am and how I present myself to the world. The intro, "Ndi Revolutionary," translates to "I am a Revolutionary." Itโ€™s followed by "Ghetto Child," a storytelling piece in Lugaflow that I believe will resonate deeply with many in Uganda, like "Letter to Babaluku" did.

The third track, "Nze Ani," already released, is a lyrically profound masterpiece inspired in part by the Netflix documentary Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America by civil rights lawyer Jeffrey Robinson. This song dives deep into the complexities of self-discovery within the framework of societal expectations, colonial influence, and contemporary Ugandan politics.

As I continue to reflect, I'm excited to announce the release date for Essays of a Revolutionary MC: December 23, 2024. In the coming editions, Iโ€™ll share more about the album and the significance of this release date. Looking back, these reflections grow even brighter when viewed through the lens of ten-year cycles.

September will be another month on the road with my Uganda Passport, as I live the life I manifested.

 ๐Ÿ“ Kyiv, Ukraine

 ๐Ÿ“… Sept 13 โ€“15, 2024

 ๐Ÿ“ Tbilisi, Georgia 

 ๐Ÿ“… Sept 18 โ€“ 21, 2024

 ๐Ÿ“ Lviv, Ukraine  

 ๐Ÿ“… Sept 27 โ€“ 29, 2024

Catch me if you can!

Until then, thank you for your support and stay tuned for more. Iโ€™ll be sending only one email per month where Iโ€™ll share something about my music, life in Denmark, or about Uganda. If you enjoyed reading, donโ€™t hesitate to follow up or even share with a friend.