Singer and music executive Ykee Benda has voiced strong criticism against the organizers of the Galaxy FM Zzina Awards, following the 2026 nominations and winners announcements.
His frustration centers on what he perceives as a blatant “snub” of Joshua Baraka, the breakout star known for the global hit “Dalilah” and his recent international collaborations.
Ykee Benda, who has often positioned himself as a mentor and advocate for industry standards in Uganda, raised several points regarding the awards:
International Impact vs. Local Recognition: Benda argued that while Joshua Baraka is currently Uganda’s biggest musical export—headlining international stages and receiving nominations for continental awards like Trace Music Awards—the local Zzina Awards failed to give him the “Artist of the Year” or “Best Male Artist” nods he deserved.
Credibility of the Awards: He suggested that by ignoring artists with undeniable numbers and impact, local award shows risk becoming irrelevant. He noted that Baraka’s work in the past year, including his EP Wrong Places, set a standard that should have been the benchmark for the awards.
“Politics” in the Industry: Ykee Benda hinted that the snubs are often a result of internal industry politics and “camps,” rather than objective musical merit.
The controversy gained traction because Joshua Baraka had an exceptionally strong 2025/2026 run:
He was Uganda’s sole nominee at the Trace Music Awards in Zanzibar.
His song “Dalilah” dominated airwaves across East Africa and beyond.
He successfully held his “B’raka Land” concert, proving his local drawing power alongside his digital success.
While Galaxy FM and the Zzina Awards committee typically defend their choices based on fan voting and radio airplay on their specific station, the “snub” narrative has been picked up by many critics who feel the awards are leaning too heavily toward “street-style” dancehall and local pop while ignoring the “Urban/Afrobeats” crossover success that Baraka represents.
