Bebe Cool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bebe Cool
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Bebe Cool at the HiPipo Music Awards in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Musa Ssali |
| Also known as | Big Size |
| Born | 1 September 1977 |
| Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, artist, record producer, actor, philanthropist |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | c. 1997–present |
Bebe Cool (whose real name is Moses Ssali) was born on September 1, 1977. He is a famous Ugandan musician known for his reggae and ragga music. He began his music journey around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya. A few years later, he moved back to his home country, Uganda. Bebe Cool was one of the first artists to work with Ogopa DJs, a well-known music production company in Kenya.
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Early Life and School
Bebe Cool went to Aga Khan Primary School in Kampala. He also attended Kitante Hill School and Makerere College School. He studied subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. He started his music career while still in high school. Back then, he was known as Bebe Bunton. He was even the entertainment prefect at his school.
Music Career Highlights
Bebe Cool has won the Artist of The Year Award three times at the important HiPipo Music Awards. He also received many awards at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards). He was nominated for the Kora All-African Awards in both 2003 and 2005. He has performed concerts in the United Kingdom and the United States. Some of his popular songs include "Fitina" and "Mambo Mingi." In 2023, Bebe Cool was chosen to be the finance minister for the Uganda National Musicians' Federation (UNMF). This group is led by Eddy Kenzo.
He also worked with Halima Namakula, a well-known Ugandan female musician. They created a song together called "Sambagala." Bebe Cool has released two solo albums, which are music collections, named Maisha and Sente. He sings in Luganda, Swahili, and English. Bebe Cool also formed a reggae group called the East African Bashment Crew with a Kenyan music duo called Necessary Noize. This group released an album called Fire and two hit songs, "Africa Unite" and "Fire." The group was nominated for an award at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2008.
In 2013, Bebe Cool had a music battle with D'banj, a top artist from Nigeria. This event took place in Zimbabwe and was called "Battle for Africa." Bebe Cool gave a fantastic performance at this battle.
In 2014, Bebe Cool's remade song, "Born in Africa remix," was chosen as one of Africa's greatest songs ever. This song was originally by the late Philly Lutaaya. It was ranked number 15 in a list of "Fifty anthems for the African continent." Listeners of the BBC World Service suggested African songs that represented the continent to them. This was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the African Union.
Bebe Cool has performed inside the Big Brother house two times. He won an Afrima award in 2018 for being the best male artist in East Africa.
Personal Life
In January 2010, Bebe Cool was injured in his leg.
On July 11, 2010, Bebe Cool was performing at the Kyadondo Rugby Club. During his performance, a bomb exploded. This attack was carried out by a group called al-Shabaab. Bebe Cool later said that many people who died were very close to him. He described the blast as very loud.
Bebe Cool is married to Zuena Kirema. In 2022, they celebrated 20 years of being married.
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
In 2008, Bebe Cool performed at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in Hyde Park, London. Nelson Mandela also named him one of the 46664 African ambassadors. The 46664 campaign was started by Nelson Mandela to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
On August 3, 2018, Bebe Cool held a concert called The Golden Heart. At this concert, he raised money to help five children with heart problems. The money allowed them to get medical treatment in India.
Political Involvement
Bebe Cool supported the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, in the 2021 presidential elections. He is also a member of the MK movement project.
Awards and Nominations
Awards Won:
- 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 Artiste/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
- 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Reggae Song with Rema (Missing You)
- 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male REGGAE Song: Love Letter – Bebe Cool and Irene Ntale
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male RAGGA-DANCEHALL Song: Kokodiosis
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best on Stage Performer
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Artist on Social Media
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male Artist
- 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male REGGAE Song: Love You Everyday – Bebe Cool
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Video of the Year: Love You Every - Bebe Cool
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Concert Performance - Best of Bebe Cool Concert
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Most Active Fans Group - Gagamel Phamily
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male Artist
- 2015 HiPipo Music Awards – Artist of the Year
Nominations:
- 2003 Kora Awards – Best East African Artist
- 2007 MOBO Awards
- 2011 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song ('Kasepiki')
- 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Reggae Song (Ntuyo Zange), Best Dancehall/Ragga Song (No Body Move), Best Musician on Social Media
- Nominated in Afrimma Awards 2014
- Australia Radio Afro Song of the Year 2015
- Nominated in Afrimma Awards 2018 "Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best African Rock categories"
See also
In Spanish: Bebe Cool para niños
