Peter Miles and Menshan are a popular music duo in Uganda and have made a mark both at home and all over Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, United Kingdom and Germany among other places with fantastic hits like Owange and One Time These singles are being sold in German music stores with the promotional help of Out-Here Records based in Germany. One Time was the first track Peter Miles and Menshan sang and performed together and to their surprise, it exploded! Peter Miles' videos to songs like Rukus featuring Navio of the Hip hop group-- KlearKut, and One Time get airplay on MTV Base. Peter was announced the Best Ragga artist at the 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAMA) in Uganda. He recently released a new song Love plus its music video and it's getting a good response.
UGPulse Promo
Peter Miles a.k.a. Peter Kanyike Miles was born on 29th September 1980 in Entebbe, Uganda to a musical family. He studied at Lake Vic primary school, Buddo Junior Primary School, Bugema Secondary School, St. Lawrence Senior Secondary School for his O'Levels and Kabojja Senior Secondary School for his A'Levels where he was the Entertainment Prefect. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Tourism and Airways Travel from Makerere University.
Capleton.
Musically, Peter Miles is inspired by his brother John Miles a.k.a Coco Banton. He gets inspiration from other reggae artists like Jigsy King (known for his hit single Everybody Must Work), Bob Marley, Capleton, Sizzla Kalonji, Buju Banton, and Assasin among others. His career as an African dancehall artist started in 1994 at age 14. Over the years he has worked with artists like, 2face from Nigeria, Swahili Nation, Soul singer Jaqee based in Sweden, East African Bashment Crew, Mr Googz from Kenya, Gentle based in the U.K and Kristo Fabulous. Peter Miles now records music at his home-based ROAD BLOCK studio in Entebbe (Uganda), and the Ogopa DJs studio in Nairobi (Kenya). He writes and produces his own music, which is basically a dancehall style in a sense that he blends real ragga with a local African touch using languages like Luganda, Swahili and some English. He calls his genre African reggae dancehall.
Kube by East African Bashement Crew
At one point during his ascent to fame, Peter Miles got a chance to perform with UK-based Glamma Kid
(of the Sweetest Taboo
remix fame with Shola Ama) during the Miss Uganda London event at the Stratford Rex Arena in October 2001. Back home, he has had the honour of curtain raising for big stars like Chaka Demus & Pliers and Buju Banton. During the 2003 festival season, he was one of four local artists to curtain raise for Shaggy during his Ugandan Tour and in November 2004, he curtain raised for TOK, a Jamaican Dancehall Ragga group. He has performed in various cities around East Africa including Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar-es-salaam and Kampala.
On 22nd February 2005, MTV launched the first Pan-African music channel 'MTV base Africa'. Peter Miles was one of the three artists selected to feature on the channel. In the same year his track Owange featured as the title-track on an international reggae compilation of German based music promotion company Out-Here Records.
Miles hit a career apogee when he was nominated in two categories at the prestigious KISIMA Awards (2004) held on 19th June at The Carnival in Nairobi, Kenya. The nominations were for Best Male Artist from Uganda and Best Video for One Time. In the same year he was nominated at the Ugandan PAM awards for Best Ragga Artist. Peter Miles and his colleague, Menshan, have established themselves as ragga dancehall kings in and around East Africa.
Born on 10th November 1980 to Grace and John Besigye, Dan Besigye a.k.a Menshan is the 2nd last of four boys and one girl. He grew up in Entebbe and lives there even now. He started singing when he was seven years old and would do free styles. Later on in high school, he would have performance gigs at the then popular DV8 and Club Strikes in Kampala and mimic Buju Banton. He hung out with colleagues such as Kristo Fabulous, Bebe Cool, Gentle, Kid Fox, Red Banton and Peter Miles. They would all compete in free style. Menshan has such a deep voice that each time he does perform at a show, the ladies scream their lungs out. He and Peter Miles make such a good team that when they step out to perform, they give a power filled, energetic and vibrant performance, making their audience fall in love with them and get into frenzy! Menshan is a little quiet when you meet him off stage. He is a man of few words and is really cautious about whom he talks to or who approaches him but will not hesitate to say "Big up, big up!" (The duo's way of saying "hello" or 'hi" when you meet). If you were wondering what the secret to their solid friendship and musical success is, look no further than here as we bring you Peter Miles & Menshan, one on one.
Cleopatra: How did you come up with the name "Menshan"?
Menshan: That was in 1997 when Shabba Ranks came to Uganda for a concert. I was backstage with Peter Miles, Gentle and Bebe Cool and we were free styling. One of Shabba's drummers was listening to us and when I sung my rhyme, he said, "Yo, ya mention something." By that time I was using the name "Buju" so I thought to myself, 'why not use "Menshan" from mention since this brother thinks I got it in my rhymes? Why don't I mention it?' So I started calling my self "Menshan" meaning "To say something". It is original too.
How do you review your growth in the music industry?
Not very bad. It was not easy and there was wholipa (whole heap of) stress. I have been there with Peter Miles for a very long time. We went to the same schools (including St. Lawrence Creamland campus) and grew up together in Entebbe. So we have pushed through everything together. Right now, the music industry is growing and expanding fast and so things are looking good for us musicians.
What was your dream job as a child?
To be a pilot! My mom wanted me to take that profession. That was what I was looking at and most of my uncles were/are pilots.
What was your inspiration?
I did not start singing with the intention of seriously pursuing it. I would do free styles and sing Buju Banton's riddims. I would participate in competitions and it got bigger from there. I kept singing and realised it is what I could do best.
How did the Peter Miles & Menshan duo start?
It all started at school, I was into ragga and so were Kristo Fabulous and Peter. We would come together and hit the suitcases in our dormitories for a beat, then do freestyle singing. So one day, we linked up to perform together at Angenoir, Club Silk then Nairobi, Kenya and so on. Since our school days, we have been doing shows as a duo.
Your dreads are pretty long and nice. Clean too!
Thank you. Respect! Respect! (He makes a fist and hits it against my held out fist, the Rastafari way)
How long have you had them for?
It is coming to seven years now.
How do you maintain them?
Tis a natural ting so me kuda use some oil, avocado or cucumber as you wash it but keep it natural!
What instigated the desire to grow dreadlocks?
In the past, I used to plait twists for our shows in a period when wearing dreadlocks was a taboo. But my friends kept saying, "Hey man, ya look massive! Whyna leave dat?" So I left them the way they were and a year passed, then two and the dreads kept growing. So I made it my style.
Why choose music as a career?
Actually I was supposed to be a pilot. But I guess it was never meant to be. After my senior six (A'Levels), I went to Nairobi to stay with my parents for a while and I kept performing at some shows there. I was meant to go to the Soroti Piloting School after vacation but when I returned to Uganda, I continued performing and the people were responding and so I realised I was meant to be an artiste.
What is your worst fear?
Losing my faith! You know, every one is gonna die and even if you fear death, it will still come to you. We are going to be judged after that so we should respect faith and religion. I am not saying I am so religious but I value the divine. So people should never lose their faith no matter what they believe in.
What do you hate?
Lies! Me don like lying because it's what is causing all confusion. My friend today is my enemy tomorrow but if we had one love together, me tink everything coulda be kriss today.
DAN BESIGYE a.k.a Menshan
What is the funniest moment you have experienced?
My funniest moment was when I fell through the stage as we were performing at some place. The audience was so hyped up that I started doing the power jump (an energetic and vibrant act of jumping high that the duo love to do) and I fell through the boards. I was missing on stage for some time and it was "Peter Miles without Menshan". (He laughs out loud).
What are your future plans?
If Jah bless me, I want to work with an international label and perhaps do collabos with people like Wayne Wonder, Vybez Kattel, Elepahant Man and Buju. May be one time Mr. Menshan could represent Uganda out there.
Advice to your fans.
Keep it safe pan di streets. Life is hard but we should keep it straight and we could meet tomorrow and build one nation.
Any special person in your life?
No one at the moment. It will happen one day but I like my privacy. But if Jah bless, there will be a special girl in my life one day.
PETER KANYIKE MILES
Peter miles is a cheerful guy with a warm personality. He usually has a smile on his face when he speaks to friends, fans and the press but when he is talking business, he has a more serious attitude, speaks with confidence and respect. Because he is very discreet about his love life, we could not prey too much into it. He said, "That is not really necessary for the public to know." We let things be, so we had a chat
What type of child were you?
(He smiles) I was not a stubborn kid, but of course there were some loopholes here and there. I was not very social either but I would say I was a moderate child.
Who did you spend more time with? Your dad or mom?
I had equal time with both though I would get to spend it with my dad only in the night. At a certain time of life, I lived more with my father (from the age of about 5 to 10) but later on at age 13, I started living with my mom and became closer to her.
What inspired you to sing?
I have grown up in a musical family and we have been in possession of musical instruments all over ever since I was a kid. I started playing guitar at age 6 and then learnt to play the keyboard at age 9. Basically, everyone around me including my aunts, brothers and cousins used to do music. As far back as I can remember, I grew up with music and the inspiration came from family and close relatives.
Why choose music as a career?
I did not choose it as a career - it took me in. Um, I didn't really think I was going to do it as a profession but I drowned into it as I got more and more involved with the music scene. You know, the world just keeps moving you to places and at times you don't know where it's leading you to but you end up in a situation and you get used to it.
What was your childhood dream?
My childhood dream was to become a pilot but I was not an ace at maths so somehow the dream got shattered. (He smiles) But I think I like my profession now.
That's weird! Why is it that you and Menshan shared the same dream?
I think with people who live in Entebbe, there is a connection to the piloting profession. As young kids we thought pilots have great lives. We used to study with pilots' kids and their parents always brought them the latest new stuff and they would travel to England for holidays. It seemed like a good package and a priviledge.
How did you and Menshan meet?
We grew up in the same hometown and went to the same schools so we bonded. It's just the same way you can meet someone and you become very good friends.
What made you think you two could make a perfect match, musically?
For some reason, Menshan and I had to perform in Nairobi one day and we thought of doing a track together. I had written a song called One Time so we started working onit. Menshan was still doing the ruff-neck, which was common, and I asked him to re -invent himself and create another style, do it as a talking art but with his bass. I had just started singing high-pitched style so his deep voice with mine was going to be good but I did not expect the song to hit the way it did. That was how Peter Miles & Menshan came to be.
What drives you or keeps you determined?
Um, lots of things. I got to know that in life, other people do not decide your destiny. A typical example is my song One Time. The first time I brought it to Uganda, most people said it was a good song but it wasn't going to work because no one would understand the lyrics and it would not appeal to the local people. Surprisingly, the song proved them wrong. So I got to learn that in life, even the majority can be wrong. People cannot decide your destiny but it is only the Almighty that does so. We look up to another power to see our plans come through and that keeps me going and doing what I feel I want to do from my heart. Right now, I do not use the opinions of the majority of people or consultation to do what I do. I simply proceed with what I think is right and good. So I rule and follow my destiny.
PETER KANYIKE MILES
When did you start performing commercially?
I would say around 1996. We used to do shows such as curtain raise for big stars like Chaka Demus & Pliers, Maxi Priest or whoever but of course we would get ripped off. It was supposed to be commercial but we would not earn, you know, yet we were promised money beforehand. We would show up at a show and the event organisers would make it look like they are doing us a favour to get us on the line-up. It was quite hard but because of the love for it and for being a young lad, I didn't mind so we did it for the exposure. But right now, we are into the business aspect of the industry. We have done the music, established ourselves and grown up as musicians. It's bigger and we have to understand the business aspect and that is what Menshan and I are doing.
The name "Miles", is it your real name or your stage name?
When I was starting out in music, my older brother, John Miles, was a Radio presenter at Sanyu 88.2 FM and in those days, whoever started out by coming from under the shadows of a bigger name would be referred to as a "Junior something". So I used to be referred to as "Junior Miles" but I did not like the idea of being referred to as a junior so I put my name, Peter, to it hence Peter Miles. It is more or less my name.
Where do you see yourself six years from now? Any future plans?
I would not say for sure where I see myself in six year's time because most times we do not decide our fate but I would say; As regards my future plans and ambitions, yes, I want to take Ugandan music or what I would call African Ragga music (my genre) to the next level, which is to get recognition at an International level. I have achieved it in a way, with some companies like MTV and Out-Here Records in Germany but I want to expand it further on a larger scale and probably blow up and be an ambassador of Africa. I have managed to conquer East Africa as a Ragga Dancehall artist but I would like to be recognised as an African artist like Alpha Blondie or Lucky Dube . I would like to represent Africa as a whole and not just East Africa.
Tell us about Out-Here Records in Germany.
I signed two singles Owange and One Time to this International record label and it does distribution in Europe and Asia. I would say my music has been exposed further than that. They are available there on LP and CD and are playing in some parts of Europe, USA, the Caribbean, Scandinavian countries and some clubs in Germany as "Reggae musicfrom the rest of the world". The other category is called "Reggae music from Jamaica--the land of Reggae."
So my name pops up on the international Reggae music scene. I used to get calls from friends all over saying they are hearing my tunes so it is good.
What is your lyrical style?
With all my songs, I ensure that they rhyme and have an extra sweetness to them. The art of music is meant to rhyme. That's how it is supposed to be. If you get the music of big artistes like R. Kelly, Akon or any other star and listen, you will find that the words are poetic. Sometimes we do not compromise with quality that is why I cannot just speak words that will not make sense or rhyme. The way one presents their material matters. Music is poetry in a way so I never hinder the art of rhyming, it has to rhyme, be poetic and sound good!
Tell us what you dislike most in life.
I hate hypocrites and there are very many in my industry. It's hard to deal with people that are close to you or you are close to but think differently of you. Hypocritical people I do not deal with at all and I do not like them.
What is your message to your fans?
Just stick to what you do. People do not decide your fate. Sometimes it is not the right time for you to do certain things so they do not work out and probably the time will come later. Other times you may be discouraged from pursuing your dream yet you were just a step away from the gold mine. You can never foretell your fate for sure. So whatever you are into, it is best you just hold on. You never know what will happen sooner or later.
I want to thank my fans for being there for me and helping me in the struggle to establish Ragga Dancehall as a recognised genre of music around Uganda. It's been hard but I know my fans have been there 100% for me. I know that whoever likes my music; it is from their hearts. Big up to that!
