Ugandan music has been changing over the years. Initially, most Ugandan artists imported the Ragga music culture into the country and faced a lot of competition worldwide. But that all changed in the early 2000s when musicians like Bebe Cool entered the music scene. Although Bebe focused on African reggae and ragga early in his career, he quickly transitioned to hip hop and allowed other musicians to expand to different genres.
Bebe Cool is a Ugandan singer-songwriter, artist, record producer, actor, and philanthropist. He is known for his hit songs Missing You, Love Letter, Love You Everyday, and Kokodiosis.
He is among the few Ugandan musicians credited for revolutionising the Ugandan music scene. The award-winning musician continues to produce the best music in the industry despite the entrant of some young artists with different ideas.
Bebe Cool profile summary
- Full name: Moses Ssali
- Nickname: Bebe Cool
- Citizenship: Ugandan
- Age: 43 years
- Date of birth: 1 September 1977
- Birthplace: Kampala, Uganda
- Gender: Male
- Zodiac sign: Virgo
- Eye colour: Black
- Hair colour: Black
- Parents: Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (father)
- Height: 2.11 m (6 feet 11 inches)
- Sexual orientation: Straight
- Religion: Muslim
- Profession: Singer, songwriter, artist, record producer, actor
- Marital status: Married
- Spouse: Zuena Kirema
- Ethnicity: African
- Education: Aga Khan Primary School, Kitante Hill School, Makerere College School
- Net worth: $ 2.6 million
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Bebe Cool biography
The singer was born on 1 September 1977 in Kampala, Uganda. His real name is Moses Ssali. The biological father of Bebe Cool is Jaberi Bidandi Ssali. Bebe Cool attended Aga Khan Primary School in Kampala.
After graduating, he joined Kitante Hill School, a public, mixed, day school located in Kitante, a neighbourhood in Kampala. In high school, he discovered his passion for music. When Bebe Cool finished high school, he joined Makerere College School; a co-educational government-aided O and A Level School founded in 1945 by Makerere University.
Despite enrolling at Makerere College School, he did not graduate. Instead, he dropped out of college one year before completing his studies. Soon afterwards, he followed his passion of becoming a musician.
Professional career
Bebe Cool has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades. Within that period, he has transitioned from being a singer-songwriter to an artist, record producer, actor, and philanthropist.
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When did Bebe Cool start singing? Bebe began singing in 1997 and has remained active since then, releasing many albums and songs. His successful career has also allowed him to win many awards, both locally and internationally.
Although he is Ugandan, the artist moved to Nairobi, Kenya, to kick-start his musical journey. Furthermore, he was one of the first artists who began recording music with Ogopa DJs, a Kenyan music production house and record label. Bebe Cool attracted a large following throughout Africa because of his lyrics.
In addition, he records his songs in Luganda, Swahili, and English, a factor that makes it easier for many Africans to listen to his music. Bebe Cool has collaborated with many African musicians, including Halima Namakula of Uganda, Necessary Noize of Kenya, D'banj of Nigeria, and many others.
Some of his earliest albums include Maisha and Senta. In recent times, the musician secured a collaboration with United States pop star Jason Derulo and collaborated with Kenya's multi-award-winning music group, Sauti Sol.
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Bebe Cool awards and nominations
Unlike many musicians in Uganda or East Africa, Bebe Cool is one of the few artists that have won many awards throughout their careers. He began winning awards as early as 2004 and has continued to receive them even late in his career. Here are some of his awards and nominations:
- 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group
- 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group
- 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group
- 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Song of the Year
- 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Reggae Artiste/Group
- 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artiste
- 2007 Channel O Music Video Awards – Video of the Year
- 2008 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artist & Best Reggae Artiste/Group & Best Ragga Artist/Group
- 2010 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Artist of the Year 2010, Best Reggae Artiste/Group and Album of the year
- 2011 Pearl of Africa Music Awards – Best Male Artist
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Between 2013 and 2015, Bebe Cool won 14 HiPipo Music Awards in different categories, including Artist of the Year, Best on-Stage Performer, Best Male REGGAE Song, Video of the Year, Best Concert Performance, and more.
The Ugandan musician has also received many nominations, including:
- 2003 Kora Awards – Best East African Artist
- 2007 MOBO Awards
- 2011 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song
- 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Reggae Song, Best Dancehall/Ragga Song, Best Musician on social media
- Nominated in Afrimma Awards 2014
- Australia Radio Afro Song of the Year 2015
In 2018, he received two Afrimma Awards nominations, including Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best African Rock categories.
Wife and children
Bebe Cool exchanged marriage vows in 2003 at a wedding ceremony in Uganda. Bebe Cool's wife is Zuena Kirema. The couple has six children, four sons, and two daughters. The names of his children are:
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- Allan Hendrick Ssali
- Alpha Thierry Ssali
- Beata Ssali
- Caysan Ssali
- Deen Ozil Ssali
- Eman Ssali
Although Bebe Cool has six children, five of them are from his marriage to Zuena Kirema. Allan Hendrick Ssali resulted from a previous relationship the Ugandan musician had before meeting and marrying Zuena Kirema. Bebe Cool's daughter, Eman SSali, is the last born in the SSali family.
Bebe Cool's religion is Muslim despite being born with a Christian name, Moses. However, he has defied some Islamic rules on several occasions, including taking alcohol.
Bebe Cool cheating death
On 11 July 2010, Bebe Cool was performing at the Kyadomdo grounds in Kampala, Uganda. But the event soon turned tragic after a bomb planted by al-Shabaab, a Somali Islamic terrorist group, exploded, killing several people. Nevertheless, the Ugandan musician survived the ordeal that left tens of people dead and many others injured.
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Bebe Cool politics and philanthropy
Like many musicians in Uganda, Bebe Cool has associated himself with politics throughout his career. He is affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling political party in Uganda, since 1986. The singer has also performed in many NRM events, including one in 2015 at Akpokor Primary School in Tororo.
In the 2020 elections, he mobilised for the NRM and called for people to vote for the incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Apart from politics, Bebe Cool is a philanthropist. In 2008, he performed for the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute held in Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom.
He was also among the 46664 African ambassadors, a campaign that raises awareness against HIV/AIDS. In 2018, he attended a concert called The Golden Heart, where he fundraised to sponsor five children with heart diseases to receive medical treatment.
Bebe Cool's net worth and house
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Bebe's net worth is estimated to be around $ 2.6 million. The Ugandan musician has a house in Lubowa along Entebbe Road in Uganda. The value of Bebe Cool's house remains unknown. He moved into the new home around 2018.
Bebe Cool is a Ugandan musician, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist best known for his hit songs Missing You, Love Letter, Love You Every Day, and Kokodiosis. The musician has six children, one from a previous relationship and five from his marriage to Zuena Kirema. He is one of the few Ugandan musicians who have won the Pearl of Africa Music Awards nine times.
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