Music Review (Down Memory Lane): Abalungi Balumya – Bobi Wine FT Nubian Li

There was a time when Bobi Wine’s profession was ‘musician’. Oh, he had the usual social commentary thing going for him even then, with songs like Kiwani. But he also put out some really musical stuff, and songs like Abalungi Balumya fall easily into this category.

His repertoire of hits made him a huge hit and you could see why – this was a chap that singlehandedly influenced the slang vocabulary of the country. But when he put his mind to it, he could channel that trait into some material that was genuinely musical.

The first thing I noticed about Abalungi Balumya when it first dropped was how catchy it was. The melody was easy on the ear and infectious; the message was something folks could relate to in a heartbeat; oh, and Nubian Li simply ate that hook alive.

If anything, Nubian Li was the force that drove this song, with his syrupy vocals. You just do not want the man to stop that plaintive, addictive singing he does, when he takes on a verse, or when he is owing a hook.

https://youtu.be/nv9BAKIkbjw?si=mnu9XsYkAhbIrYJn

He stands out rather strongly on this track and another song the two collaborated on, Adam Ne Kaawa. If anything, I feel like he takes the spotlight away a little from Bobi Wine.

This is not me saying Bobi Wine was a slouch on the track. No sir – while his delivery is mostly rudimentary, he channels his considerable charisma into making his version of ragamuffin palatable.

The production style of the song was intriguing – it goes for a big band feel, which is emphasised by the song’s video, depicting a brass section. But anyone with an ear can tell those are synth crass sounds.

However, the big band fake out worked enough for the public to buy into the song.
A lot of the time, people query Bobi Wine’s musicality, and rightly so – he gets away with some absolute travesties sometimes. But those collaborations with Nubian Li were gems.