For our 11th episode of INSIGHTS, we had the pleasure of speaking with Amanya Frank aka Swordman Kitala! The Ugandan artist is one of the most distinctive MC’s in the world right now and has gained significant attention in both the East-African and UK electronic music scene’s, working with everyone from Slikback & MC Yallah to Tom Blip, K-Lone & Kouslin! In underground electronic music circles, his outstanding 'Kimbalagala' EP is already a classic and we are honoured to hear him share the incredible story surrounding it.
Over the course of this interview, Swordman Kitala discusses Kampala's vibrant music scene, how he was first inspired to pick up the mic and the art of being an MC, working with Tom Blip and discovering UK electronic music, the story behind 'Kimbalagala' and other projects, as well as his experience of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Special thanks to both Amanya Frank and Tom Blip for allowing the use of audio clips from 'Kimbalagala' and 'Malanga Ja' in this episode. You can support both artists by purchasing the record using the link below.
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SUPPORT SWORDMAN KITALA & HIS COLLABORATORS:
'Kitala Beat': https://blipdiscs.bandcamp.com/album/kitala-beat-blip008
'Kimbalagala EP': https://blipdiscs.bandcamp.com/album/kimbalagala-ep
'Basta': https://lorenzo-bitw.bandcamp.com/track/basta-feat-mc-yallah-swordman-kitala
'Kikommando': https://still-pan.bandcamp.com
'TEWARI': https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/tewari
SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours