The saying ‘Charity begins at home’ finds meaningful expression in Namugga’s debut EP, City Fox. The 4-track project is a love letter to Namugga’s London context. From racism and police brutality to street crime, Namugga writes of the experiences she has witnessed and been affected by with courage, strength and a palpable pain relayed in bluesy, soulful melodies. In doing so, she embodies a girl-next-door turned activist for the people and community she loves by highlighting and protesting against injustices that many might have grown numb to either collectively or at the individual level.

The title track is an allegory of the relationship between the roadmen and police of London, terming the often underage roadmen as foxes, and the police as hunting hounds. 

Fears eating up your insides/ As you try to get home/ And whilst he's dogging your tail/ You'll be dodging that cell.

This is the kind of thought-provoking writing that Namugga offers across the EP, painting a picture of what she sees and offering a word of caution for those who may not know better such as in ‘Started Off As’. This points to the fact that many of the issues Namugga addresses are systemic, therefore calling for a myriad of changes ranging from reparations and inclusion to education. Themes of identity, self awareness and growth also feature heavily particularly in ‘Escapism’, which features fellow Ugandan-British rapper Kalê. Namugga also honours her Ugandan roots through the brief spoken word interlude which is in Luganda. 

With alternative soul & RnB sounds carrying the majority of the project, it is sometimes easy for some of the songs to feel similar. Conversely, Namugga’s consistent vocal delivery is uplifting and befitting of her chosen genres. All in all, City Foxes reminds us to remember where we are from, and stand in solidarity with the weak and marginalised. 

Stream City Foxes and keep in touch with Namugga here