This study addressed the role of cover songs in promoting selected upcoming musicians in Uganda. I conducted this study to find out how cover songs promote upcoming musicians. I set out to examine why, when, and how cover songs promote upcoming musicians. In addition, the study examined the benefits of singing cover songs. The upcoming musicians in Kampala have increasingly engaged in singing and recording cover songs because these songs expose them to the world and their target audience. In conjunction with the selected upcoming musicians, this study was conducted in different parts of Kampala. Based on the information acquired from my research, I carried out a qualitative study, with fieldwork in Kampala, (Makindye, Kawempe, and Rubaga divisions) that involved tools such as interviews, autoethnography, and observation. I gathered this data by conducting interviews with musicians who have sung or produced cover songs in the past five years. Additionally, with the help of the internet, and through attending band rehearsals and performances that involved singing and recording cover songs, I gathered various information concerning the current study, document analysis, and literature review for my dissertation. The research established that most upcoming musicians in Kampala benefit a lot from singing cover songs. They use cover songs as a shortcut. It is easier to promote themselves as musicians by singing cover songs. Upcoming musicians who have sung cover songs have tremendously increased their social media following, fans, audience, and the rate at which they get booked for paid performances. Some have become well-known and branded musicians, and are now performing on stage, recording songs, and shooting videos of their songs. My findings showed that the promotion and benefits are attained through sharing the cover songs on social media platforms hence gaining more audience and improving their skills. In conclusion, I discovered that singing and recording cover songs have greatly promoted upcoming musicians in Kampala. These cover songs have had a great impact on the music industry in Uganda.

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