The song “Rare” by Navio and Shena Skies, considered some of Uganda’s best, is a return to more traditional Ugandan Hip Hop songwriting and producing. The love song focuses on establishing a shared understanding between a romantic couple, represented by Navio and Skies’ characters. 

What I found most interesting about the song though is not just the story they are trying to tell about creating a safe environment for a young couple. In the description of the piece, Navio says:

“It is both a local and international song-simultaneously able to cater to all markets that enjoy good music. The song is a love track that rekindles the international flair that Ugandan acts were once known for, with a local touch that makes it accessible to all.”

“Rare” is supposed to be something familiar for Navio’s audience, but also serves as his take on where Ugandan hiphop should go in the future.

Navio is no stranger to his industry, he has been involved in the Hip Hop scene of Ugandan for decades. This includes being a member of the group Klear Kut which was prominent in the early 2000s and maintains a strong fan base to this day. Being around when the community was just starting out provides Navio with perspective on why HipHop took hold in Uganda and within himself. That almost institutional knowledge Navio is drawing from inspired the “Rare” lyrical arrangement and beat.

Another way I see “Rare” is it is a love story that talks about partnership and mutual love as well as respect in a relationship. The music video shows Navio and Shena Skies standing on a roof with each other as Navio says “you’re the last piece of the puzzle” and “you are the Bonnie to my Clyde”. As opposed to some other artists, the track portrays a man who views his love as someone who contributes to himself as a person. Outside of music, Navio works on issues such as women’s rights and domestic violence, so this theme will not surprise anyone who knows him.

It is creative work like this that encourages a society to change its perceptions for the better.