Lwate’s Sicily: A Hustle Woven in Melody and Memory.

The first thing you will notice when Sicily by Lwate` starts playing is the groove. The beat is undoubtedly warm and inviting. This track hooks you before you even think about what Lwate` is saying. But listen closely and a deeper narrative begins to surface: one of ambition, sacrifice and hard work.

“…I had no money at first. I left it in the past, I had to hustle and fill up the purse,” Lwate` raps. This is both a confession and a mission statement. It is clear that he left behind what no longer served him and focused on the grind. Some of the verses unfold in Luganda, “..nkimanyi mumpulira, I’m one in a million,” “..skin ya black, engatto ya white I’ve never been racist..” These lines add a layer of intimacy but most importantly they ground the track in the real, lived, local experience. These lines definitely widen the song’s reach, while simultaneously keeping its emotional centre firmly rooted at home. What makes Sicily resonate with you is definitely how it turns a personal grind into a communal anthem. 

For anyone navigating the economic hustle of Kampala, or any city in Uganda where ambition is survival, the track captures work and sacrifice and the success that eventually comes from them.

..nkimanyi mumpulira, I’m one in a million,

The official video, which dropped on Youtube a month ago was directed by UG Titan. It is in stark black and white and this without  doubt deepens the song’s message. It moves fluidly between intimate and everyday spaces: a mall elevator, a supermarket, a petrol station, and open streets. The choice of locations grounds the song in real relatable  spaces, emphasizing the duality of reflection and action that runs through the lyrics. The editing is also dynamic, each frame reinforcing the narrative of the hustle, intimate introspection paired with outward striving.

With Sicily, Lwate` proves that a track can be both a head-nodder and a heart-stirrer too. It is a song that sneaks profound truths into a danceable, easy to enjoy and vibe with package; a reminder that  the pursuit of better days is indeed compelling. This is definitely a must listen track.

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