A few days before their concert, word went round that singers Radio and Weasel, arguably the best Uganda duo of our time were on the verge of breaking up.
Sources within the Goodlyfe camp say it all started two weeks ago after a fight between the two. Apparently, Weasel returned to their Neverland home in Makindye to find Radio beating up an elderly minder nicknamed Mzee.
Weasel asked why Radio was beating Mzee who was as good as their father, a man who has taken care of them and their property for several years and Radio replied that he is the boss so he can discipline his employees. Weasel was incensed and told Radio that he had to beat him first, before beating Mzee.
In an ensuing scuffle, Weasel rained blows on Radio and had it been in the boxing ring, there wouldn’t have been a Mayweather-Pacquiao kind of debate about who won, because Radio was floored.
The singers have not been on talking terms since the incident and even move in different camps as they head to gigs. Radio moves with their managers Chagga and Lawrence Labejja (they probably think Radio is a better moneymaking bet if the two break up), while Weasel moves with their minder identified as Stereo Ness.
Radio didn’t show up at the Buzz Teeniez Awards and Weasel picked up their Awards alone, a thing that had never happened since the two broke out in 2008.
Weasel (right) turned up for the Buzz Teeniez Awards with minder Stereo Ness.
The singers were like a cat and mouse at the recent Blankets and Wine Festival only uniting on stage and even at their concert, they didn’t talk to each other backstage like the situation has been over the past years.
Surviving the first test
The first time the Radio and Weasel musical bond was tested was last year when former manager Jeff Kiwa courted Weasel to leave Radio so that he could team him up with King Saha who has a voice akin to Radio’s. The duo stuck together, kicking Jeff Kiwa out of Goodlyfe and their Makindye home and he went on to form Team No Sleep.
During that time, Radio recorded his Tukikole Neera hit as a dedication to Weasel asking that they should do what they had been doing all along again and again. Weasel got the message and they got back together, recording a song Nkwetaga, that had the chorus Nkwetaga, nawe onetaga (I need you and you also need me).
How the concert saved the break up
When Radio and Weasel were having their rough patch, it was also the time that their fans expected the best from them in concert dubbed The Best Of Radio and Weasel. A lot of money was at stake and they couldn’t let their fights come between them making the money. “We who have money will always bring them together,” a source overheard a promoter backstage during the concert. It was obvious the chemistry was lacking and they only stuck to singing. The two still have several pre-booked shows lined up including a UK gig in September and they were also in talks for a weekly theme night at Club Amnesia. Probably these deals will keep them together until they are no longer mad at each other.
For now we can only watch the space.