There is something special about music that has aged over twenty years. It carries a kind of power, surreal and emotional, with the ability to pause life and rewind time.
For example, when Ginuwine's 1997 hit, Same Ol G, a soundtrack from the film Dr Dolittle, comes on, it instantly triggers nostalgia.
The song may not be considered a timeless classic, but in that moment, it takes you back to what you were doing, where you were, and who you were spending time with when it first dropped.
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It is that kind of emotional connection that has made Strictly Soul one of the most anticipated gatherings on Kampala's party calendar.
Carefully curated over the years, the show has often aligned its editions with major holiday moments, such as Good Friday, Independence Day eve, the Christmas weekend, and more.
Powered by Johnnie Walker Blonde and curated by Sese Nation, this particular edition, held on Valentine's Day eve, offered a rich blend of love ballads that defined the 1990s and early 2000s, while also celebrating Ugandan artists who have serenaded lovers through the years.
That is why it felt natural to hear songs like Maurice Kirya's Never Been Loved, Herbert Ssensamba's Away, widely regarded as one of Uganda's finest RnB tracks, as well as current hits like Joshua Baraka's This Time making their way onto the playlist.
Many guests arrived ready for music and dance, but ended up settling in to enjoy the whisky too, thanks to the delicious Johnnie Walker Blonde cocktails and bottle service offered at friendly prices.
Renowned bartender Jane D'Apio led the experience behind the bar, crafting a variety of cocktails, mostly sweet ones, because Ugandans are known to have a serious sweet tooth. From experimenting with neat serves to discussing which foods pair best with different cocktails, it was clear that whisky culture in Uganda is steadily growing.
"Our partnership with Strictly Soul is about celebrating moments that move people, much like a great song, a great whisky has the power to transport you," said Christine Kyokunda, the Johnnie Walker Brand Manager.
"With Johnnie Walker Blonde, we wanted to complement the nostalgia of timeless R&B classics and the pride of homegrown hits from artists like Maurice Kirya, Joshua Baraka, and many others. We sought to create an experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly modern. Seeing guests connect over expertly crafted cocktails while singing along to the soundtrack of their youth is exactly what the Blonde spirit represents, vibrant, sociable and always moving forward," she added.
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The DJs, mostly from Sese Nation, clearly understood their assignment. They pulled from a wide range of soul favourites, including legends we have lost such as D'Angelo, Static Major, and Angie Stone, while also recognizing that soul is a unique genre that not everyone fully appreciates. They balanced it perfectly with RnB and, at times, pop selections to keep the energy flowing.
From top socialites to CEOs, the crowd reflected a mix of backgrounds, all united by their shared love for the music. Guests sang along in unison, and whenever the beat demanded dancing, they delivered with passion.
With Valentine's Day just hours away, the night still felt young even as morning approached. People continued streaming into the venue well past midnight, right up to the moment when the man behind Strictly Soul, DJ Akio, stepped onto the stage, not just to play music, but to connect directly with his audience.
