Profile: Bebe Cool

Bebe Cool is an African reggae and raga musician from Uganda. He started his career in 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but soon moved back home. Together with Redsan and Chameleone, he was one of the first artists affiliated with Ogopa DJs, a production house and record label based in Kenya.

Two of his popular singles are “Fitina” and “Mambo Mingi”. He collaborated with female Ugandan musician Halima Namakula on a crossover track entitled “Sambagala”. Bebe Cool also released two solo albums, “Maisha” and “Senta”. He sings in Luganda, Swahili and English.

The numerous awards he has racked up include the prestigious HiPipo Music Awards and Pearl of Africa Music Awards. He was nominated for the Kora All-African Awards in 2003 and 2005 and has toured in the UK and US.

One of the biggest concerts he has performed at was the 46664 concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. After his performance at the concert, which was started in 2003 as a way of engaging the youth in changing the world and raising awarness about AIDS, Bebe cool was chosen as an ambassador for the organisation.

Together with Kenyan duo Necessary Noize, Bebe Cool formed a reggae group known as the East African Bashment Crew. They released an album called “Fire”  which produced two hit singles: “Africa Unite” and “Fire”.  In 2008 they were nominated at the inaugural MTV Africa Music Awards.

Bebe Cool is married to model and former Miss Uganda contestant Zuena Kirema and is now a father to a daughter and two sons. Make sure you watch this multi-talented family man on the Big Brother Africa eviction show this Sunday!