A Pass: The Tale of Bagonza, His Musical Journey, His Origins, and His Family
Alexander A. Pass Bagonza stands as one of Uganda's premier Reggae Ragga Dancehall performers and lyricists. Initially under the wing of video producer Bashir Lukyamuzi at Badi Music, Bagonza eventually ventured solo.
He's crafted club anthems like "Tuli Kubigere," alongside numerous tracks featured in international films and widely spun in clubs. Notably, his music found a place in the 2017 film "Queen of Katwe."
A Pass penned chart-toppers like "Love Affection," "Memories," and "Tuli Kubigere," among others, shaping his stage identity from his surname, Alexander, and his nickname, Percy.
Background and Education Born on December 21, 1989, Bagonza Alexander, aka "A Pass," hails from Fort Portal, earning the moniker "mutoro" from his tribe. His family includes father Ronald Mutabazi and mother Jane Namyalwo. He stands as the eldest son among five siblings, all sisters.
His educational journey began at Nakasero Primary School and Kampala Kindergarten, followed by Maryland, a Seventh-day Adventist institution in Entebbe, for his O-levels. Pursuing further studies, he attended St. Lawrence Cream Land Campus for his A-levels before delving into the music industry.
Musical Career Bagonza's affinity for music dates back to his formative years. Exposed to his father's musical talents, he absorbed tunes from artists like Shaggy, effortlessly reciting their lyrics even as a child.
His musical inclinations flourished during high school at Maryland, where he started composing songs, predominantly gospel tracks following his newfound Christian faith. Despite an initial studio encounter with gospel artist Sseku Martin yielding an unfinished project, Bagonza showcased his compositions at school events, particularly mime contests.
Transitioning to St. Lawrence for his A-levels, Bagonza found a more conducive environment for his musical aspirations. There, he crossed paths with Don Mc, collaborating on compositions for their class and school activities. In 2007, during his senior year of high school, A Pass returned to Fairways studio in Kireka. There, he crafted tracks like "Love Is a Beautiful Thing," facilitated by his friend Don Mc, who connected him with producer Imo from South Cyde Studios. Collaborating with Dave Dash, he produced tunes such as "Can't See You," "Life Is Getting Harder," and "Kiki Kyomanyiko," fostering a fruitful musical bond until Dash transitioned into a radio career.
In 2011, A Pass crossed paths with Lukyamuzi Bashir, known as Badi, a videographer, at South Cyde Studios. This encounter led to Badi introducing A Pass to various recording studios, laying the groundwork for their future collaborations.
The following year, Badi established BADI MUZIKI studio to facilitate A Pass's recording endeavors, enlisting Nessim as the studio's producer. Their collaboration bore fruit with the release of "Love Infection" in 2013, garnering mainstream attention with a music video shot in Tanzania. Subsequent releases included "Am Loving," featuring Don Mc and Cindy.
"Tuli Kubigere," A Pass's breakout hit and club anthem, marked a significant milestone in his career. The video, helmed by Jamaican producer Damain Gyle, solidified his presence in the music scene. A Pass's repertoire boasts collaborations with various producers, including Alex of AIP Records and Spyda from Jamaica, alongside local talents like Nessim, Baru, Just Jose, and Nash.
A Pass draws inspiration from diverse genres and artists like Michael Jackson, Lucky Dube, and UB40, incorporating elements of dancehall, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, and afro-pop into his music. Since parting ways with BADI MUSIC, A Pass has taken control of his artistic direction.
Acknowledging his talent and contributions, A Pass has received accolades such as Best New Artist at the HiPipo Music Awards and Best Dancehall Artist at the 2014 Uganda Entertainment Awards. His nominations include Video of the Year at the Sound City MVP Awards and Best Male Style Artist at the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards.
His discography includes tracks like "Mummy" (2018), "Mariana" (2017), "Chupa ku chupa" (2019), and "Didadada" (2019), showcasing his versatility and evolution as an artist. Collaborations with artists like Ku Honda, Lillian Gamululu, Konshens, Ykee Bender, and Weasel and Radio further demonstrate his collaborative spirit and musical prowess. Controversies Since Ykee Benda rose to prominence, A Pass has been involved in several altercations with him. A Pass claims to have mentored Ykee Benda, but alleges that Ykee Benda harbored ill feelings towards him. However, they recently reconciled, collaborating on the track "Turn Up" to mend their relationship.
A Pass's relationship with Bebe Cool has been tumultuous, characterized by frequent clashes and periods of estrangement. A Pass has openly criticized Bebe Cool on multiple occasions, and their conflict once escalated into a physical altercation during their appearance on Spark TV's Koona show.
In 2019, A Pass penned a heartfelt farewell letter to his longtime crush, Flavia Tumusiime, upon learning of her engagement to sports reporter Andrew Kabura. A Pass expressed his emotions to Flavia, only to receive a response indicating that she did not view him in the same light.
Rumors abound regarding A Pass's romantic involvement with Martha Kay, suggesting a possible cause for his discord with Ykee Benda. It appears that Martha Kay has chosen A Pass, further fueling speculation surrounding their relationship.
