Elijah Kitaka: The artiste who grows on you

Ekyange – Elijah Kitaka

Reviewed by Dennis Asiimwe

Elijah Kitaka might just be the kind of artist who sneaks up on you. If I’m being honest, it took me a while to understand the hype—but once it clicks, it sticks.

His performance on Ekyange is deliberate, controlled, and masterfully executed. The song itself is an unusual gem from the very first note. It oozes retro charm, with its chord progressions, guitar licks, and brass section evoking classic kadongo kamu vibes—yet it’s anchored by a modern groove that bridges two eras seamlessly.

At its core, Ekyange is a love song, and it has spread like wildfire, dominating Instagram and TikTok reels. It’s a bold statement on where Ugandan music can go—a clever, genre-blending piece of artistry.

The song’s arrangement demands a charismatic vocal to carry it, because frankly, the instrumentation alone wouldn’t suffice. And Kitaka delivers flawlessly. His enunciation is crisp, his phrasing precise, each syllable rounded out with the polish of a seasoned performer. It’s genuinely impressive how he commands every word.

The retro feel is amplified by the song’s hook, where lush harmonies transport you decades back in time. This is the kind of track that will explode in a live setting—imagine the energy with a full band and backing vocals. It would be electrifying.

Here’s the magic of Ekyange: it’s a rare song that could unite multiple generations on the dancefloor. In Uganda, there’s an unspoken rule—if a song works at weddings, it’s destined for greatness. Picture it: a bridal procession gliding in to this tune, or the DJ dropping it as the first track, sending everyone—grandparents included—scrambling to dance.

This isn’t just a song; it’s a time-traveling gem, effortlessly spanning decades. A masterpiece in subtlety and swing.