By Nathan Eyagu 

The music industry in Uganda has long been growing tremendously, with different beef between the top legends in the game thus making gossip to always mushroom.

The recent difference that left netizens gossiping all over social media and in the public was between Bebe Cool and Bobiwine then previously the female music gurus, Cindy Sanyu who was dubbed Nokia, an "outdated" and long-lasting phone brand according to some people, and Sheebah as iPhone, one of the top phone brands commonly used by the "money carriers".

The battle between the two that was dubbed "the royal rumble" was one that left many gossiping and anticipating who would win.

In the early morning of Friday, 16th, 2023, hundreds of fans from different parts of the country had already traveled to Kampala to attend and witness the mighty music battle at Kololo dressed up with different t-shirts bearing portraits of their favorite singers, carrying iPhones and Nokia phone brands to display their sides.

It was like a new day, an event that had never happened around the country, the boss chics had to splash the cash, bikers displayed their rides, fashion was showcased and modernity was shown as the stage was set, the anticipation was palpable, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement as the much-anticipated music battle between Cindy and Sheebah was about to begin.

The evening’s entertainment kicked off with performances from talented artists like Ykee Benda and the social media sensation Zahara Tooto, who attempted to sing her way into the hearts of the audience.

Tick, tick, as the clock sounded, approaching to 10 pm, mindless of the cold weather, those in the ordinary and VVIP section waited patiently as the coin was tossed for the first singer to come over.

Sheebah took the stage first, followed by Cindy, each artist was given two rounds to showcase their talent as the MC, in his authoritative tone, commanded the audience to make noise for singers.

Dressed in white regalia together with her dancers, the Sheebaholics could not hide their joy but cheer up on top of their voices, the show was live on major social media platforms, tv channels and this kept even cheaters away from their WhatsApp and other dating platforms but rather focus on the battle. 

Cindy on the other side stepped onto the stage with an air of confidence, and the applause that greeted her was nothing short of thunderous.

She began her performance in true Lady Gaga style, seamlessly blending Luganda with her fluent English, accompanied by a chorus of talented dancers and models who executed their moves with grace and elegance. The audience was enthralled by Cindy’s fearless and captivating performance.

As Cindy continued to perform, the energy in the venue was electric as her hits resonated with the crowd, and she had them singing along with her. Even Zex Bilangilangi, another music icon in Uganda, couldn’t resist joining in, miming his own songs and adding to the chorus of Cindy’s supporters.

Minutes later, Sheebah returned to the stage with renewed vigor, proving that her music was not just local but international and modern in its appeal.

Social media was ablaze with praise for her exceptional performance. Comments flooded in, with many acknowledging that “Old is Gold,” and Cindy was the embodiment of that phrase on this memorable night.

Zahara Tooto, who had been sharing the stage earlier, couldn’t help but comment on the stark contrast in styles. She claimed that Cindy’s performance felt like church songs compared to Sheebah’s electrifying act. It became evident to everyone that Cindy was struggling to keep up and had seemingly run out of songs to perform.

Disagreements broke out among the crowd, with some accusing Kasuku, the event’s program controller, of showing favoritism towards Sheebah.

As time moved, it was undeniable that Cindy had won the hearts of the audience with her powerful and modern performance. Her captivating stage presence, international sound, and unwavering confidence had earned her not only the victory in the battle.

Sheebah had indeed named herself “iPhone" suggesting a certain level of modernity and sleekness in her music. On the other hand, Cindy had proudly taken on the moniker “Nokia,” a name associated with longevity and reliability. It was a playful comparison that would soon become a symbol of their battle.

As the debate raged on about who had won the music battle, one thing became clear, Cindy’s massive performance wasn’t just about a catchy name or a stage presence as her music was a testament to the fact that the essence of music lay in its ability to convey feelings and messages, not just in shouting or flashy performances.

Cindy’s songs were a fusion of timeless melodies and thoughtful lyrics that resonated with the audience. Her performance that night had transcended mere entertainment; it had struck a chord with people’s hearts and emotions. Her music had depth, and it was evident that she poured her soul into every note.

On the other hand, Sheebah’s performance, while flashy and modern, lacked the emotional depth that Cindy’s music possessed.

The battle had become a clash between substance and style, and it was Cindy’s substance that had won the day.

The debate on social media continued long after the battle had ended as fans of both artists passionately defended their favorite, this took hours as some even failed to turn up for work but rather stayed glued to their power banks and sockets to ensure that they kept being on TikTok, Instagram, what's app, Facebook and other social media handles as data wasn't a problem.