Dre Cali, whose real name is Stephen Andrew Katende, is a Ugandan singer and songwriter renowned for his reggae dancehall tracks. Born on February 23, 1995, in Entebbe, Uganda, he is the eldest of three sons in a Christian family. He is signed to Ykee Benda's Mpaka Records, a prominent music label in East Africa.
Dre Cali grew up in the Wakiso area of Entebbe. He completed his primary education at White Angels Primary School in 2007. He then attended St. Henry's College Kitovu in Masaka, where he earned his O' level certificate in 2011, and later graduated from Mengo Senior School in Bukesa in 2013. He pursued higher education at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, earning a Bachelor's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2019.
Despite an initial interest in sports, Dre Cali started his music career in 2015. He soon secured a record deal with Mpaka Records, showcasing his versatility in genres such as Afro beats, dancehall, R&B, and reggae.
Dre Cali gained prominence in 2019 with his debut single "Zigi Zaga," a reggae track released under Mpaka Records. He has since released several successful singles, including "Onanagiza" featuring Lydia Jazmine, "Ebisooka n'ebisembayo," "Efikuba," "Singa Omanyi" with Weasel Manizo, and "Akayimba" with Myko Ouma.
Dre Cali has performed at numerous events across Uganda and has been nominated for several awards. He has become one of Uganda's most popular and beloved artists, serving as an inspiration to aspiring musicians, particularly young people looking to enter the music industry.
