About Eltou
Eltou is an artist and songwriter from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has lived in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in south-west Uganda for around nine years, and records with the studios that exist there, with whatever is available.
He sings mostly in Kiswahili, and he says the point of it is hope: that people in the settlement are champions even while they are living in bad conditions, that one day, one time, something will change, and that people who have been through a great deal still have the right to dance.
He works alongside YRUD in Nakivale. This page is his, hosted by YRUD Music Group; the music remains his own.
The music
The songs Eltou chose, in the order he chose, with what each one means in his own words.
01 · Kiswahili
Champion
In Eltou's words: refugees are champions, even though they are living in bad conditions. The song is there to tell them so.
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02 · Kiswahili
One Day One Time
The message he most wants to leave with people in the settlement: one day, one time, something will change — you will not stay like this.
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03 · Kiswahili
Washa
A dancing song, made to put joy in people. Even carrying sadness, even after everything they have been through, they have the right to dance.
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04 · Kiswahili
Tutafika (We will arrive)
Tutafika is Kiswahili for "we will arrive". He is telling people that they will not be left where they are: there will be a solution, and a place where they can live in security.
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05 · Français
Médaille en Or (Gold medal)
The fifth video he asked people to watch, released as Médaille en Or.
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New School Bukavu
Eltou started New School Bukavu, his own label, a few years ago. He uses it to record and film other artists as well as his own songs.
For Guylaine Nelly
My Number One (clip officiel)
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Photographs
If you make music here too
There is a WhatsApp group for musicians, dancers and performers living in Nakivale.
YRUD Music and Events
Musicians, dancers and performers living in Nakivale. Share what you are making, hear about rehearsals, shows and recording days, and meet artists outside your own community.
Please keep it to music and events. Nobody in the group will ask you for money.
Hear about new music
Leave an email or a WhatsApp number and we will tell you when Eltou has a show or something new out.
How this page works
This page is hosted by YRUD Music Group, a home inside YRUD for artists living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. YRUD shares the music and helps put it online. It does not own it, does not publish it, and takes no share of it — the work stays Eltou's own.
There is nothing to buy here and no donation asked for on this page. If you want to support the artist, the best things you can do are subscribe to his channel, follow him on Facebook, and share the songs.