)
)
Binyanya music, a unique subgenre of Ugandan riddim mixes, has been sweeping through the local music scene, thanks to its nostalgic appeal and infectious energy.
The style is a type of riddim mix where a DJ plays songs based on a particular underlying instrumental track, typically a reggae, ragga or dancehall track.
It gained massive popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown, largely thanks to DJ Suuna Ben, whose viral TikTok clips of him playing the music at home and in house parties captured the hearts of many.
Today, Binyanya has become a staple of Uganda’s nightlife, with DJs incorporating the style into various events, from weddings to bars and nightclubs.
)
)
)
)
The Origins and Revival of Binyanya Music
Although the Binyanya style first emerged in Jamaica, it found its way into Uganda’s music scene in the 1990s and early 2000s.
It gained widespread popularity in Masaka, where DJ Tonny Mbazira and his childhood friend DJ Suuna Ben became known for spinning the music in local spots.
Mbazira recalled how musicians like Eddy Kenzo, Mathias Walukagga, and Mesach Ssemakula experienced the rise of Binyanya first-hand.
“These are some of the people that can attest to what we did back there. We were all over the place,” he said in an interview.
)
“Binyanya has become so popular that even the biggest DJs now rely on it to revive the energy in the crowd,” Mbazira said.
“It’s for all people, regardless of age, religion, or background. It's permeating every corner of nightlife, and I believe it has become a genre in its own right.”
)
The Tree Branch Tradition and Misunderstandings
One of the most unique aspects of Binyanya music is the crowd’s reaction during performances.
The moment the music starts, people in the crowd often grab tree branches and wave them ecstatically in the air, a practice that has sparked confusion and criticism, with some suggesting it is linked to witchcraft.
However, Mbazira was quick to dismiss these claims.
“To be honest, I do not know how this practice started. It's crazy that even when we travel to play abroad, we find tree branches in the crowd. People just adopted it,” he said.
“The other day we were in Cairo, and people had branches in the crowd. The same thing happened in Dubai doing the desert safari. Imagine people getting tree branches in the desert!
He also mentioned that it is common to see people sipping local brew, mwenge muganda, from calabashes, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.