As part of his mission to break into the global music scene, Ugandan music icon Bebe Cool has revealed the challenges he has faced in securing collaborations with top African artists like Burna Boy and Davido.

During a recent radio interview promoting his newly released album Break the Chains—which features songs like African Love ft. Yemi Alade, Cheque ft. Joshua Baraka, and Zero Omission—Bebe Cool shared candid insights into his long journey of seeking high-profile collaborations.

“For about five years, I have been pushing for collabos with Africa’s top-tier artists,” he said, noting that his attempts began well before the COVID-19 pandemic, during a time when he was actively working with other African stars such as Rude Boy, Tay Grin, and Sauti Sol.

He explained that while he had the reputation and legacy as a major artist in Uganda, his lack of digital numbers became a barrier.

“Yes, I had the name, but I didn’t have the numbers online,” Bebe Cool admitted. “They Googled me, saw that I was big in Uganda and experienced, but when they looked at my streaming numbers and social media following, it wasn’t enough.”

Even with the ability to invest up to $100,000 for a collaboration, he said the response was still lukewarm.

“They told me I had nothing to add to their careers,” he added. “Music had moved online, and my old songs didn’t reflect that shift. That was the biggest problem.”

Despite the setbacks, Bebe Cool remains optimistic and encourages young musicians to prioritize building their digital presence as a core part of modern success in the music industry.