Mary Bata scoffs at Ziza Bafana, Big Eye over labelling her music 'local'

Singer Mary Bata has scoffed at those who used to mock her style of music - Afro pop - saying she now has the last laugh.

According to Bata who has spent 12 years in the industry,  singers Ziza Bafana and Big Eye dissed her first song released in 2016 under Kream Productions .

She said she had just joined the band which was managed by Haruna Mubiru.

Bata said the song titled Disappointment was based on a true story, teaching lovers how to be trustworthy. In the song, Bata revealed that women are disappointed by men through empty promises.

"When I started singing, the artistes of my time who were my friends then -  Ziza Bafana and Big Eye  - never believed in my music. They labelled it 'local', but today it’s still trending and making more money than their so-called dancehall. They used to call my music fake, that it stresses people rather than entertaining them. They said Afro pop has no market and that I should start doing dancehall," she revealed.

Bata made the remarks during a one-on-one interview at one of her homes in Mengo, a city suburb, on June 6, 2024.

She asked  Ziza Bafana and Big Eye to let people sing message-laden songs, crediting  God for where she is now in life.

"My music journey was blessed by God although some people never believed in me until Hajji Haruna Mubiru discovered my talent," Bata said.

She appreciated Mubiru for his guidance and direction that she said has changed her life today.

Bata said Mubiru urged her to stick with quality Afro pop music laden with messages.

"I took his advice and I managed to break through with my so-called 'local' songs. From the day I started commercial music, I have never declined and my music has remained relevant up to date. I do not regret singing local music because it's what has made me what I am today. My life changed. Those ones who used to undermine my local songs, saying they are singing Jamaican and international music have limited business today," Bata said.

She boasted that she is one "richest women in Kampala now because of the so-called local music."

"I have apartments in Buziga (Kampala) which I am finishing. I have finished my mansion on Entebbe Road and my children are in good schools. God has done wonders in my life. I have performances day and night. I perform at weddings every two weekend days and even in bars and concerts I as well perform which has increased my opportunities to shine 

Bata advised her fellow artistes to take Afro pop music serious.

"If they do songs with good massages, they will never regret in their life," she said.

Ziza Bafana and Big Eye respond to Mary Bata's accusations
 Ziza Bafana regretted misjudging Bata's music genre.

"Music is a universal language which can easily be heard by anyone, so Mary Bata was not targeting seasonal music. She maintained her style of music. We were wrong to try and determine her future," he noted.

Big Eye said he made his judgements on Bata's music according to what was on the ground.

"People listen to and enjoy music according to their situations. Live band performances have made music much lively, which was different in our days. People used to love dancehall," Big Eye said.