Innerman: The Next Big Thing in Ugandan Music

Innerman a.k.a Moses Nkurunziza is a young and upcoming Ugandan gospel artist who has given his life to Jesus Christ and believes that praising God through music is what will help him continue to climb the ladders of success in the country's music industry. Innerman believes he is God sent, as both his offstage and stage names suggest. His Rwandese name Nkurunziza means good news while Moses is remembered for delivering God's chosen people from slavery in Egypt. Indeed, Innerman says he is ready to spread the good news contained in the bible through music.

UGPulse Promo

Innerman looks at the American gospel icon, Kirk Franklin as a motivating factor and believes that with God's love, he too will reach such heights as Kirk's. He has released three singles done in Luganda, Swahili and English, all in praise of God. He did his Kiswahili single Nakupenda (I love you) while still an O' level candidate at Muyenga High School in 2004. Innerman then left school to focus on music all in the name of searching for success and achieving his dream of becoming the undisputed Kirk Franklin of Uganda.

Kirk Franklin.

The only difference between Innerman and Franklin is that Innerman wants to only focus on gospel music. Franklin on the other hand has now crossed into secular music. Franklin's venture into secular music has drawn condemnation from many Christians who claim that the lust for money is making him lose his Christian values.

Risdel: Why the name Innerman?

Innerman.

Innerman: Innerman is my stage name. It shows that inner spirit element in me. You know we believe in God's love and the spirit that guides us in the things we do.

Risdel: Why and when did you get mixed up with music?

I was brought up in a Christian family. I would go to church every Sunday. In my childhood, I didn't live with my parents a lot because they were up and down. My mother was working in Kenya and my father was a long distance truck driver. So I missed them but good enough they were Christians and believed in God's love. That guided me and my siblings a lot.

When I was young, I would go with my sisters and brothers for Sunday school and sing in the Sunday school choir. Since that time, I have not looked back.

Risdel: Is there any person in particular who could have inspired you to join music?

Innerman: My inspiration comes from regularly attending Sunday school. I also sang in the school choir. Sometimes, my father would lie back after work and play a guitar for us to enjoy.

Risdel: Tell us a little about your parents.

Innerman: My father comes from Rwanda and is retired now. My mother is a Muganda. She used to work in Kenya but she is also retired now. They live here in Kampala.

Risdel: Could you briefly tell us about your education?

Innerman: I went to Faith and Hope Nursery School when I was five years old. Then I went to Mukono Nagojje Primary School and later Mukono Nagojje Secondary School. In 1999 I left Nagojje and went to Namilyango SSS where I completed Senior Secondary Class 3 (S3). Finally, I joined Muyenga High School, a Christian founded school. It is there that I finished my O' level (ordinary level) schooling. I dropped out of school after my O' level.

Risdel: Why change schools? Were you expelled?

Innerman: In Mukono I was living with my grandmother but when my parents settled in Kampala, I decided to join them. Like I told you earlier, my mother was working in Kenya and my father was always on the road.

Risdel: When did you release your first song?

Innerman: It was in 2004. My friend Monitor took me to a studio called Kino Kika and I recorded my first single called Nakupenda. I did three versions of the same song in Luganda, Swahili and English. In the same studio I did another song called Lwakisa (Because of kindness) and then in 2006 I did Silina Manyi.

Risdel: How did you manage to juggle school and music?

Innerman: I used to 'time table' myself and if it was time for school I had to be in class. If it was time for music I would go for it.

Risdel: Do you perform at live shows?

Innerman: I do gospel music. Since the time I stopped school, many people have invited me to perform. I have gone to Tanzania, Kenya for crusades and in Uganda I normally perform at Kansanga Miracle Center. Every Sunday we do tours in churches. The other Sunday, (20th May 2007) we were in Entebbe and every Wednesday I perform at Blue Africa.

Risdel: You keep saying we. Who is 'we'?

Kkaddo MCs members Didi, Druandru, Gift and Cyrus.

Innerman: Fellow musicians in a group called Kkaddo MCs and other musicians in the country.

Risdel: Who is your role model?

Innerman: Kirk Franklin. He is my inspiration... Also Micheal Jackson. His performances on stage especially his dance and the voice... I like them.

Risdel: Where do you see gospel music in Uganda in the next five to ten years?

Innerman: God has given an opportunity to gospel musicians. If we work hard and persist, we shall make it. It's all about working hard and I think that with God's grace, we shall succeed like local secular stars like Chameleon and Bobi Wine.

Risdel: The Ugandan government recently approved the Copyright law to stop piracy. How do you think this will help you as a gospel artist?

Innerman: It has its advantages and disadvantages. When an upcoming artist records a single, it could be marketed easily on Ugandan radio stations. The bad side is that it will be hard for young artists to sell their compact discs directly.

Risdel: How does Innerman pass his free time?

Innerman: I read the bible, swim or hang out at beaches.

Risdel: Thank you for your time and please let us know when you release another song.

Innerman.

Innerman: Thank you.