Processes of producing Ugandan Afrobeat: Case study of producers at Mulika studio

Abstract

This study examined the processes of making Afrobeat music at Mulika studio. The study was inspired by the need to find out the processes of creating Afrobeat music in Kampala with reference to Mulika studio in Ntinda Kampala Uganda. It explains what occurs in each process and shows what any producer should do and not do. I used a qualitative research approach, with fieldwork conducted in Kampala, the Capital City of Uganda which is located in the central region of Uganda. I used tools such as interviews, observation and participant observation to collect data. To supplement data collected from Mulika studios, I also gathered information from different websites through various search engines. I realised that making Afrobeat relies a lot on the digital audio workstation (DAW) which is a production software. The preparation stage is most important for the smooth production of Afrobeat music. Instruments like a computer and headphones are what a producer cannot do without. The study concluded that the technology today has made all the processes of Afrobeat production in Kampala very easy. Therefore, making Afrobeat in Kampala, Uganda, is going to keep getting easier and better and with fewer processes.