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Bebe Cool

{{short description|Ugandan recording artist}}

{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Bebe Cool

| image = Bebe Cool at HiPipo Music Awards 2014 Artist of The Year.png

| caption = Bebe Cool at the HiPipo Music Awards in 2014

| birth_name = Musa Ssali

| alias = Big Size

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|09|1}}

| origin = Kampala, Uganda

| instrument = Vocals

| occupation = Singer-songwriter, artist, record producer, actor, philanthropist

| years_active = {{circa|1997}}–present

| website = https://bebecool.co.ug/

}}

Bebe Cool (real name Moses Ssali; born on 1 September 1977) is a Ugandan reggae and ragga musician. He started his career around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but later moved back to Uganda. Bebe Cool was one of the first artists affiliated with Ogopa Deejays, a production house and record label in Kenya.

Early life

Bebe Cool attended Aga Khan Primary School, in Kampala, Kitante Hill School, and Makerere College School, where he attended school studies, but dropped out of school one year prior to completion. At high school, he studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics (PCB/M) at Makerere College School. Bebe Cool (formerly Bebe Bunton) started his music career right from high school when he was an entertainment prefect.{{cite web| url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/81488/|title=Celebrity Central: Bebe Cool |newspaper=New Times (Rwanda) |date=2000 | access-date=26 September 2019 |author=New Times Reporter | place=Kigali}}

Music career

Bebe Cool is a three-time winner of the Artist of The Year Award at the Prestigious HiPipo Music Awards{{cite web| url=http://www.hipipo.com |title=Music For Nature | Videos | News | Uganda | East Africa |date=3 August 2013 |publisher=HiPipo.com |access-date=2 June 2015 |author=HiPipo}} and won several accolades at Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards).{{cite web|date=7 November 2010 | url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1279359/pam-awards-winner |title=PAM Awards: The Winner Is.. |access-date=28 October 2019 |newspaper=New Vision |author=Joseph Ssemutooke |place=Kampala}} He was nominated for the Kora All-African Awards in 2003 and 2005. He has toured in the United Kingdom and the United States.{{cite web|date=2004 |place=Kampala |url=http://www.musicuganda.com/Bebe%20cool.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905020736/http://www.musicuganda.com/Bebe%20cool.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-05 |title=Bebe Cool by Steven Tendo |access-date=28 October 2019 |publisher=Music In Uganda |author=Steven Tendo | format=Archived from the original on 5 September 2012}} Two of his popular singles are "Fitina" and "Mambo Mingi".{{cite web|title=Profile of Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool |date=28 September 2007 | format=Archived from the original on 28 September 2007 |url=http://www.mtvbase.com/mtvbaseafrica.com/music/article.jhtml%3Bjsessionid%3DAMTFCT1IDES1TQFIAIICFE4AVABBCIV0?backLink=profiles&id=30119486 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928110302/http://www.mtvbase.com/mtvbaseafrica.com/music/article.jhtml%3Bjsessionid%3DAMTFCT1IDES1TQFIAIICFE4AVABBCIV0?backLink=profiles&id=30119486 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=29 October 2019 | publisher=MTV Base Africa |author=MTV Base Africa}} Bebe Cool was elected as the finance minister of the Uganda National Musicians' Federation (UNMF) headed by Eddy Kenzo in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Asingwire |first=Mzee |date=2023-05-05 |title=Musician Federation: Kenzo elected president; Bebe Cool finance minister |url=https://www.pulse.ug/entertainment/celebrities/musician-federation-kenzo-elected-president-bebe-cool-finance-minister/exh9d6b |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Pulse Uganda |language=en}}

He also collaborated with Halima Namakula, a Ugandan veteran woman musician, on their crossover track "Sambagala".{{Citation |title=Sambagala |date=2008-04-03 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2GRLDu1z9OcCWTjaI9uXEL |language=en |access-date=2023-02-18}} He released two solo albums, Maisha and Sente. His lyrics are in Luganda, Swahili, and English. Together with Kenyan duo Necessary Noize, Bebe Cool formed a reggae group known as the East African Bashment Crew. They have released one album, Fire, and two hit singles, "Africa Unite" and "Fire". The group was nominated at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.museke.com/node/2230 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714134121/http://www.museke.com/node/2230 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2011 |title=MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2008 - The Nominees |publisher=Museke.com |access-date=29 October 2019

|date=8 October 2008 |author=Alireid42 |format=Archived from the original on 14 July 2011}}

In 2013, Bebe Cool had a music battle with one of Nigeria's top artists D'banj in a neutral place, Glamis Arena Harare Zimbabwe.{{cite web|date=28 October 2013 | url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/10/dbanj-disappoints-bebe-cool-shines/ |title=D'Banj Disappoints As Bebe Cool Shines

|newspaper=NewsDay Zimbabwe

|access-date=29 October 2019 |author=Tinotenda Samukange | place=Harare}} The show was organized under the theme "Battle for Africa". Bebe Cool put up a great performance at the battle.

In 2014, Bebe Cool’s remade Born in Africa remix song, a remake of the late Philly Lutaaya's song was voted among Africa’s greatest songs of all time.{{cite web |url=http://chano8.com/bebe-cools-song-in-top-50-bbc-anthems-for-the-african-continent/ |title=Bebe Cool's Song In Top 50 BBC Anthems For The African Continent |publisher=Chano8.com |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=29 October 2019 |author=Roy Ruva |place=Kampala |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081553/http://chano8.com/bebe-cools-song-in-top-50-bbc-anthems-for-the-african-continent/ |url-status=dead }}{{Citation |title=Born In Africa by Bebe Cool |date=2000-11-28 |url=https://music.apple.com/ug/album/born-in-africa/1574340976?i=1574340982 |language=en-GB |access-date=2023-02-18}}

The song came at number 15 in Fifty anthems for the African continent. BBC World Service listeners suggested the African songs that summed up the continent to them. This was to mark the 50th anniversary of the African Union – formerly the Organization of African Unity, From the suggestions, the BBC’s DJ Edu, who hosts a weekly African music show on BBC radio, compiled them into a special five-minute mix of 50 songs from 50 countries.

Bebe Cool has performed in the Big Brother house twice. From 2016 to 2018, there was rising controversy against Bebe Cool for being a chief organizer for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the president of Uganda who had been described by international media outlets as dictatorial. Ugandans at one time chased him off the stage in a show before he could sing.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-19 |title=11 suspects arrested for pelting bottles at Bebe Cool |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/11-suspects-arrested-for-pelting-bottles-at-bebe-cool-1879398 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Monitor |language=en}}

Bebe Cool won one Afrima award for the best East African male artist in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Bebe cool wins best male East African artist at AFRIMA awards |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/undefined |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=New Vision |language=en}}

Personal life

In January 2010, Bebe was injured when a policeman shot him in the leg.{{cite web |title=Bebe Cool Shot, Rushed to Nsambya Hospital

|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/688334-852442-ca1pydz/index.html |newspaper=Daily Monitor |date=30 January 2010 |access-date=29 October 2019 |author=Monitor Online Team | place=Kampala}}{{cite web |title= Ugandan Artist Bebe Cool Shot Following R. Kelly Concert |website=theboombox |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=|author= NADESKA ALEXIS |url=https://theboombox.com/ugandan-artist-bebe-cool-shot-following-r-kelly-concert/}}

On 11 July 2010, Bebe Cool was performing at the Kyadondo Rugby Club when a bomb set by Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab exploded (July 2010 Kampala attacks). According to Cool, "Most people who died were just in front of me. The blast was so loud—the next thing I saw were body parts flying over."{{cite web| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704288204575362400675683926?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories#articleTabs%3Darticle | title=Militants Find Symbolic Targets in Uganda |date=13 July 2010 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=29 October 2019 |author=Peter Wonacott and Nicholas Bariyo}}

File:Zuena Kirema.jpg

Bebe Cool is married to Zuena Kirema. In 2022, the couple celebrated 20 years in marriage.{{Cite web |title=Bebe Cool appreciates Zuena as couple celebrates 20 years and together the couple has four children.|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/125300 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=New Vision |language=en}}

Philanthropy

In 2008, Bebe Cool performed for the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in Hyde Park, London. He was also named by Nelson Mandela as one of the 46664 African ambassadors. 46664 is a campaign of raising awareness against HIV/AIDS that was initiated by the late Nelson Mandela.{{cite web|newspaper=The Observer (Uganda) | url=https://observer.ug/lifestyle/entertainment/29045-meeting-mandela-was-better-than-music-awards-bebe-cool |title= Meeting Mandela Was Better Than Music Awards - Bebe Cool |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=28 October 2019 |author=Andrew Kaggwa |place=Kampala}}

On 3 August 2018, at a concert called The Golden Heart, Bebe Cool fundraised to sponsor five children with heart diseases to receive medical treatment in India.{{Cite web|url=https://bigeye.ug/bebe-cool-sees-off-kids-with-heart-problems-to-india-for-surgery-photo/|title=Bebe Cool sees off kids with heart problems to India for surgery. [Photo]|last=Eye|first=Big|date=2018-09-03|website=BigEye.UG|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://trumpetnews.co.ug/golden-heart-concert-bebe-becomes-first-ugandan-artiste-to-perform-under-dome-at-kololo/|title=Golden Heart Concert; Bebe Becomes First Ugandan Artiste to Perform under 'Dome' at Kololo|date=2018-07-18|website=Trumpet News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-27}}

Political life

Bebe Cool supported Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 presidential elections in Uganda and also a member of the MK movement project{{Citation |title=Bebe Cool performing live in Soroti at Gen. Muhoozi Teso tour |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3IZ3f5dlMM |access-date=2024-01-26 |language=en}}

Awards

Won:

  • 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group{{cite web |url=http://pamawards.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage |title=The Pearl Of Africa Music Awards |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204005728/http://pamawards.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage |archive-date=4 February 2005 |df=dmy-all }}
  • 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group{{cite web|url=http://pamawards.com/pages/2005.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702053829/http://pamawards.com/pages/2005.php |archive-date=2007-07-02 |title=PAM Awards |date=2007-07-02 |access-date=2015-06-02}}
  • 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group{{cite web |url=http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204190055/http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-04 |title=2006 Uganda Pam Awards Winners |publisher=Uganda Online |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 }}
  • 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Song of the Year{{cite web |url=http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204190055/http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-04 |title=2006 Uganda Pam Awards Winners |publisher=Ugandaonline.net |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 }}
  • 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group{{cite web |url=http://www.museke.com/node/1617 |title=Home of the African Music Fan |publisher=Museke.com |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190544/http://www.museke.com/node/1617 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
  • 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artiste{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/Entertainment.asp?about=2007+PAM+Awards%3A+The+Winners&ID=748 |title=2007 PAM Awards: The Winners |publisher=Ugpulse.com |date= |access-date=2015-06-02}}
  • 2007 Channel O Music Video Awards -Video of the year{{cite web |url=http://www.museke.com/en/node/1534 |title=Home of the African Music Fan |publisher=Musek.come |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709045050/http://www.museke.com/en/node/1534 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
  • 2008 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artist & Best Reggae Artiste/Group & Best Ragga Artiste/Group{{cite web |url=http://www.museke.com/en/node/2396 |title=Home of the African Music Fan |publisher=Museke |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605193501/http://www.museke.com/en/node/2396 |archive-date=5 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
  • 2010 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Artist of the Year 2010, Best Reggae Artiste/Group and Album of the year[http://videos.2shyentertainment.com/articles/read-bebe-cool-triumphs-at-the-2010-pam-awards_105.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106012820/http://videos.2shyentertainment.com/articles/read-bebe-cool-triumphs-at-the-2010-pam-awards_105.html|date=6 January 2011}}
  • 2011 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artist{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15818:pam-awards-never-short-on-surprises |title=The Observer |publisher=Observer.ug |date=2011-11-11 |access-date=2015-06-02}}
  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Reggae Song with Rema (Missing You){{cite web |url=http://www.hipipo.com/hma/news/494/Hipipo-Music-Awards-2013-Winners-Bebe-Cool--Navio--Walukaga--Rema-Win-Big |title=Music For Nature | Videos | News | Uganda | East Africa |publisher=HiPipo.com |date=2013-08-03 |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709141542/http://www.hipipo.com/hma/news/494/Hipipo-Music-Awards-2013-Winners-Bebe-Cool--Navio--Walukaga--Rema-Win-Big |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}
  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male REGGAE Song : Love Letter – Bebe Cool and Irene Ntale{{cite web |url=http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 |title=HiPipo Music Awards | The Fans Decide |publisher=Hipipo.com |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163446/http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 |url-status=dead }}
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male RAGGA-DANCEHALL Song : Kokodiosis
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best on Stage Performer :
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Artist on Social Media
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male Artist
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male REGGAE Song : Love You Everyday – Bebe Cool {{cite web |url=http://hma.hipipo.com/08/02/2015/winners-of-the-3rd-hipipo-music-awards/ |title=Winners of the 3rd HiPipo Music Awards | HiPipo Music Awards |publisher=Hma.hipipo.com |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404132229/http://hma.hipipo.com/08/02/2015/winners-of-the-3rd-hipipo-music-awards/ |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Video of the Year : Love You Every - Bebe Cool
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Concert Performance - Best of Bebe Cool Concert :
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Most Active Fans Group - Gagamel Phamily :
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male Artist
  • 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year

Nominated:

  • 2003 Kora Awards – Best East African Artist{{cite web |url=http://www.koraawards.co.za/english/musicawards_finalists_res03.asp?Category_en=Best+Artist+-+East+Africa |title=Kora Awards |date= |access-date=2015-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040302070738/http://www.koraawards.co.za/english/musicawards_finalists_res03.asp?Category_en=Best+Artist+-+East+Africa |archive-date=2 March 2004 |df=dmy-all }}
  • 2007 MOBO Awards
  • 2011 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song ('Kasepiki'){{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201102220178.html|title=Tanzania: '20 Percent' Grabs Seven Kili Music Awards Nominations|publisher=Allafrica.com|access-date=2015-06-02}}
  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Reggae Song (Ntuyo Zange), Best Dancehall/Ragga Song (No Body Move), Best Musician on Social Media{{cite web |url=http://www.hipipo.com/hma/news/481/List-Of-Nominees-For-The-1st-Hipipo-Music-Awards--hma--Released- |title=Music For Nature | Videos | News | Uganda | East Africa |publisher=HiPipo.com |date=2013-08-03 |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104220/http://www.hipipo.com/hma/news/481/List-Of-Nominees-For-The-1st-Hipipo-Music-Awards--hma--Released- |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}
  • Nominated in Afrimma Awards 2014
  • Australia Radio Afro Song of the Year 2015
  • Nominated in Afrimma Awards 2018 " Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best African Rock categories" .{{cite web| url=https://bigeye.ug/bebe-cool-nominated-in-prestigious-afrima-ghana-awards/ |title=Bebe Cool Nominated in Prestigious AFRIMA-Ghana Awards |publisher=BigEye Uganda |date=12 October 2018 | access-date=28 October 2019 |author=Big Eye |place=Kampala}}

References

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

External links

  • [http://www.howwe.biz/BebeCool Bebe Cool Music]
  • [http://www.howwe.biz/BebeCool/videos Bebe Cool Videos]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cool, Bebe}}

Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Ugandan male singers

Category:Musicians from Kampala

Category:People educated at Makerere College School