Music Is food for the soul. All over the globe, people, tribes, ages, backgrounds, everyone listens to good music and some even transcend to realms beyond the physical through music. It’s a spiritual language. In Uganda the music industry seems to be one the goshen for youth who want to be someone.
Music artists emerge day by day as the old ones dissipate into irrelevance, It takes a hardcore successful artist to become and remain relevant in the music industry which only a few manage to achieve this feat out of the army of singers marching on every day.
At the moment, the Top notch music acts in Uganda bank home with millions, sometimes daily and sometimes weekly.
So this financial splendor, to a large extent is the fuel behind many with just a paucity of music talent hopping into the bandwagon of the album release and falling out shortly owing to lack of understanding of how the industry works.
With a little research I break down ten ways one can become a successful artist in Uganda.
1. Find where you belong Talent or Hard work
While it is true that in every field, there are those born to shine and there are people who had to work their tirelessly to become successful.
Nonetheless what matters, in the end, is that they were successful.
So if one had the talent, you have the enthusiasm for music, and at the snap of a finger, you have fixed yourself some lyrics and a song is set, you are one step ahead. All one needs to do is to add up more personal efforts in improving whatever kind of music genre they are good in, then just follow the other sub-headings.
However, if you don’t fall into this “gift and grace” category, it means you have to work your nerves out. Hang around the studios often, read books on music, get a mentor, play a lapdog if you have to, learn a musical instrument, do all you can in all the ways you can to start singing really good songs.
When you have arrived at that point where someone can listen to your song and nod in affirmation of good music heard, then you have successfully crossed the very first bridge to being a successful artist.
2. Be different
The Ugandan music scene is cluttered with a jungle of artists doing basic conventional songs with household beats that everyone rolls their eyes to in intense irritation. If you can become unique and carve out a niche for yourself you’ll be popular and successful.
Ask Fik famieca, he went ablaze doing different trap infused urban hip hop, he got his fame and success.
WATCH VIDEO: Fik Fameica performs "My Property" at the club Beatz at home concert
Ask pallaso who took catchy introductions by his bare hands and crushes each song he starts.
You can go out of the country, get beats and styles from other African nations, come back and infuse it into your music.
Just do the extraordinary, do a song in an exceptional way against what everyone is used to hearing and then the spotlight can beam brightly on you.
3. Relate with your environment and home.
This route is even faster, especially if the beats are great and the lyrics talk about every good thing your people can relate in their everyday life.
Call names, socialites, ministers, business men , people with followings, hype them, say all the good things in the book.
Your song will be played regularly on radio as people will request.
You’ll be often called to come perform or be a guest on local media houses.
So going with relatable music can accelerate your ascension into tables where the big boys sit and then you can continue from there.
4. Enter a music competition
This boils down to a combination of talent and hard work. If you are talented and you think you can do it, enroll in one of these music competitions all over the place.
Go out and battle with other contestants, you could get lucky and become the winner. Kenneth Mugabi rose from these platforms, look where they he is today.
The good part is that, even if you didn’t end up as the winner, you could still shine with the popularity and experience you’ve gotten.
5. Create a unique dance or style
VIDEO : Eddy Wizzy and Sheila Saltofte Killing it on NBS Katch Up
Everyone loves to dance to the beats of a song. It might just be the game-changer for you any upcoming artiste. Fik famieca again mastered this from songs like “sconto”, we also see Lydia Jasmine on “Ebintu Nyange”
Dance styles have the energetic Ugandans wild in excitement especially with the likes of TikTok where fans love to mimic their artists. If one is a dancer think of something easy and danceable.
6. Raise some dust
There is nothing like bad publicity. Do something that will give you the “all eyes on me” attention. Don’t commit crime.
Just go a little controversial, grab the spotlight and shine it on your forehead by dissing a top artist, feigning something you’re not and getting caught, fall of the stage while performing, allow female fans molest you on stage, if you are a female, keep flashing some panties and boobs at every given opportunity, just do something crazy that can court attention for you, but I must warn here seriously.
Disclaimer:
This piece of advice is to be used with caution and at users’ risk. It might not make you successful pronto but it will give you enough popularity which might work for you.
7. Get close with the big boys and roll with them
There is an English adage If one fool rolls with four wise men, he makes them five wise men. When you roll with the A-list acts in the industry, some of their clear dazzling lights might tilt in your direction.
Lobby your way into being signed by one of these top record labels.
Hang around the big boys, submit under them as a hireling or something like that, be loyal and faithful, they’ll carry you along, and little by little you’ll start getting successful. Look at Dre Cali who chills with Ykee Benda. He is talented but Mpaka family embraced him in warm hands and the rest is history.
8. Get a collabo with a big name in the industry
Partly this is linked to number 7. Your continued alliance with the big boys in the industry might earn you a free collaboration with one of them.
But if it doesn’t, pay if you have to.Fame is not cheap. Sacrifices are needed in form of cash, sweat, and time. So if they ask you to give them some bread, don’t run away, look for the money, pay. That big name might just be the only reason why one would break through. Look at how “Sango” featuring Eddy Kenzo worked for Martha mukisa.
Plus, you might even receive free sound mixing and other sweet ingredients that will make your song sound pleasant.
Since a big act is involved, he won’t sit and allow you to disgrace him with crappy beats from any producer.
9. Get a musical partner
If you can succeed on your own better, if you think you can’t, find yourself a partner.
One who can compliment your talent for example one who has dope fluid punchlines, so while you do the solos, the other person does their thing. Best example is the Goodlyfe radio and weasel pure evidence that two heads are better than one.
Most times, some people’s success is tied to others, if they can find themselves, they become successful. In some cases finding a partner and later on splitting might just be the trick. Blue 3 for example each member is left with her own share of wealth and fame.
They did well together and some are still standing strong in the industry. So splitting at the right time is necessary, it’s not marriage, change is constant, what matters most is that you guys rode to success on each other’s back.
10. Get a definition.
Alternating between Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae will make you look confused.
Stick to one genre and be known for it.
Stop being versatile to your own detriment. Stick to what works for you.
Be consistent and success will be attracted to you.
Finally never stop your hard work, there are so many artists who once dined with the high and mighty because at one point in their music career they were termed “successful” but they rested and got wiped out. Put in a lot of hard work to go up there, and when you get there, double your efforts to stay up there.
