1 on 1 with Herbert Kinobe

"Our positive interest in our own culture is very low and this really hurts. The modern music has overshadowed all the strength and meaning of our cultural music. It is high time we discover our roots but, at the same time we should not put away the other friendly cultures around us. We only have to bring them close, and accept them. I am confident the product will be even better."

UGPulse Promo

Kinobe (standing) with brother, sister and mother in the village.

There is just something about Kinobe that marks him out as a musician. To watch him perform is a delight. Certainly the story of his birth is quite fascinating. Right before he was born, his uncle prophesied to his parents that they would give birth to an extraordinarily talented musician. But to call him talented is an understatement. Herbert Kinobe, who was born on July 19^th, 1983, started playing with traditional instruments at the age of 5. Among many other things, he is a xylophonist and long drum player. He also plays the Akogo (Thumb-piano), Adungu (Bow-harp), Endongo (lyre) and tube fiddle. When it comes to traditional and contemporary Ugandan music, he is not only one of the youngest flag bearers but also one of the best.

Herbert Kinobe fine tuning a baby Kora.

Kinobe has played with many traditional performing groups in Uganda, and currently plays for Percussion Discussion Afrika a musical group in Uganda which focuses on both traditional and modern instruments. He has toured and performed in several countries including the Netherlands, Slovenia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Germany, Belgium and Sweden. He has performed at Africa Oyé Music Festival in the UK, the HIFA International festival in Zimbabwe as well as at the Zanzibar Film Festival in Zanzibar. He also performs with his band Soul Beat Africa.

Zanzibar International Film Festival 2007

Kinobe, who also dabbles in the theatre world, with special focus on the African traditional context, voluntarily teaches music, dance, storytelling and poetry in various schools in Uganda. Having gathered some experience in the theatre industry, he founded a performing theatrical organization in Uganda called the "Legends Afrika." With "Legends Afrika," his aim was to showcase the various African cultures and talents under one roof. As his website says, Kinobe is growing from being one of Africa 's youngest and best kept secrets to become an international star and one of the leading figures in African traditional and contemporary world music.

The sky is the limit for Kinobe. The singer/songwriter/musician and instrument maker was selected to perform at the Sauti Za Busara Festival in Zanzibar together with his band Soul Beat Africa in February 2007. On December 19^th 2007 he performed in Reunion Island and on January 12^th he participated in the 2008 Nyaka Eire! Concert in Kampala, Uganda where he simply rocked the crowd. Kinobe is currently in North America about to begin The Medicine Wind Tour in Canada with Michael Waters.

Early 2007: Interview with Soul Beat Africa

Jane: Did you always dream of having all these achievements when you were a child?

Kinobe: Very strongly!!!! As a child you always have dreams. One of mine was to go around the world, meet people and make music. I can truly say that I am achieving it today. But throughout my growth as a child, I always wanted to discover more about Africa, to actually discover the truth and one fact of this truth is the music. You will realize that there is certainly no African language that directly describes the term "music" which has existed in Africa for ages. So what did we call it before European languages were introduced in Africa? As a child I knew I would achieve something for my people and it's very exciting when dreams become reality.

You play various instruments including; Akogo (Thumb-piano), Adungu (Bow-harp), Endongo (lyre) and Eng'oma (Drums). Where did you learn to play traditional instruments?

Kinobe at the 2008 Nyaka Eire! Concert.

I actually don't remember that well, but one fact is, as an African born in Africa, I don't believe I learnt playing instruments or music... I only developed this art because it was born in me, like you, like anyone else. I remember playing several instruments in primary school, with guidance from my teachers but that was at a later stage. Earlier than that, music was always close to my soul. With the other instruments like the Kora, Tamani (known as the talking drum), Ngoni... etc, I started playing them through my travels to West Africa, and even if I am not born in there, it is still Africa.

Also I learnt that you construct all the traditional instruments you play. Where did you learn that craft?

I can't give specific names, but this I learnt from different people, in different countries, I can call them friends. It's interesting to do because you make it according to the way you really want it to sound.

Amazzi g'enyanja by Soul Beat Africa

Which is your favourite instrument?

That's hard to say. None I think... I play several and love them all... I've never thought about preferences.

You have performed in Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Slovenia. How do you get these gigs?

Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa.

Playing gigs isn't my main objective for travelling. Yes... it's true I have performed in several countries, because I've been invited to play there and how they get to know me... I don't know!!! I guess they have heard about me, or watched me play somewhere.

In Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Brazil, and other so-called third world countries, mostly in Africa, South America and Asia, I have been there just by myself, because I am interested in tracing my roots and discovering more of the cultures there...

Which was your favourite place?

At the moment I feel I am a world citizen, and after I have been every where, I will tell you.

Eya by Soul Beat Africa

Not too long ago, you performed in Slovenia. How was the audience in Slovenia?

One of the best I have seen. Slovenia is among the Balkan countries, which rarely programme African musicians on their television and radio stations. I guess it's also because of their political history where there has been no link between that region and Africa. So for them to see something new... you can imagine the excitement!!!

Tell me about your experience at the HIFA International Festival, Zimbabwe.

It's just one of so many festivals in which I have played but this one being in Africa, of course everything was different. The organisers, artists, audience, climate, etc... all I can say is that it was my first time to perform in Zimbabwe. This was with Herman Sewanyana of Percussion Discussion Africa, and I guess it is one of the greatest due concerts we have played.

You recently performed at the ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival). How did you get invited to the ZIFF?

Alliance Française de Kampala sent a proposal to the Ziff Committee on behalf of myself, Tshila and my band Soul Beat Africa and we got accepted.

What was your impression of the ZIFF?

The festival is helping in developing talents of all kinds of artists especially those from East Africa, a region which has not been artistically recognised and respected internationally. That is something beautiful and important I guess.

Aboolugave by Soul Beat Africa

What about of Zanzibar? What was your impression?

We all know about Zanzibar, but being there gives more wisdom and inspiration. This was my third time in Zanzibar. It's the birth place of Swahili, it is a place where many souls disappeared during slavery, there is a lot truth to see and remember in Zanzibar. After my third visit, I wrote a song, Zanzibar.

What was your experience at Africa Oyé 2005? How did you get invited?

It is a great opportunity for young an-up-and-coming artists to play in big festivals alongside big artists. You get a great audience and this is exactly what happened at Africa Oyé. They spotted me in Zanzibar where I had performed earlier on Sauti Za Busara Festival.

You are described as a musician who explodes with a hard-edged take on Uganda's ethnic sound with a new powerful style based in driving poly-rhythms of several traditional rhythms fused with modern instrumentation. How would you describe your style in your own words?

Kinobe at the 2008 Nyaka Eire! Concert.

My style is simply World Music, based on fusion. I have of course borrowed ideas from musicians I love and respect and want to use these ideas to create something with Ugandan instruments and modern instruments. We simply play all kinds of rhythms. Examples are: Folk, Latin, Samba, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Afro and much more, I however don't enjoy describing music with these names, I simply call it World Music...

Remember that in playing all these styles of music, I am playing my own music as an African. Without African people, there would be almost no music, for example Rock and roll came from Jazz, Jazz came from Blues, blues came from the Slaves and the slaves came from Africa.

Please tell me how you met the members of your band - the Soul Beat Africa crew.

Ekibbobbo by Soul Beat Africa

Two of them are my brothers and for the rest, I didn't meet them as musicians but as friends at home and school, and have known them for over 12 year, even today, we spend more time having fun rather than making music. Our personal relationship is much stronger than the professional one... so this makes everything easy among us.

You have been participating in the field of African music, dance and poetry for several years. Did you go to school for this or is it 100% talent?

All talent and passion.

Do you perform any poetry as well?

I do, and it's mostly connected with Africa and music.

Afro Beat by Soul Beat Africa

Tell us more about your project "Legends Afrika?"

It was a project I did with friends and artists from Uganda. We collected stories and legends and made a production with them which also included music and dance. It was a one time project so it's finished. Certainly in the future we shall work out something again with similar objectives...

Empewo by Soul Beat Africa

You mention on your site that the interest in our own culture is low. Why do you think that is the case?

That's hard to explain. There are so many reasons, and we know them all. I simply think its manipulation from the West. Mind you, I am not against any influences. I personally believe fusion makes a positive difference. I have to admit that modern cultures and influences have a lot helped in bringing African music to the World Music circuit but as much as we want so much, we should not lose what we have or forget who we are because in the end we shall have no identity... I have a lot influences in my music, but I am still true to my roots...

One of your objectives is teaching about the culture and folklore of Uganda Africa and African people through workshops. Do you feel that young people do not appreciate traditional music?

Of course yes, and still because of manipulation and modernisation, which makes them think that life that is not theirs is a lot better than what is really theirs.

Ok... with that said, how can we popularize Ugandan folk music among the youth?

According to me, no definite solutions though I strongly believe if it's taught in all schools and we have special media like TV, radio stations and news papers only specialising in this, it would make a big different. Most of all we who love this music just have to happily play it, certainly the future generations will pick up again.

Which musicians do you admire the most?

That is an endless list... I can say Youssou Ndour, Baaba Maal, Omou Sangare, Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba, Peter Gabriel, the late Ali Farka Toure, Anjelique Kidjo, Toumani Diabate, Jimi Hendrix, and everyone in the horizons of World music... I sincerely admire many musicians in their respective styles.

Is there a particular musician who you would like to perform with?

All of those I admire of course.

What is your driving force to success?

Ambition, passion and patience but there lots of people out there, that have done so much in helping me achieve this dream, I thank them all.

Where can we find your recorded music?

My CD was released in October by the World Music Store www.worldmusictore.com I can't say much more about it now until then.

Nakatanza by Soul Beat Africa

What can we expect from Kinobe in the near future?

My life goes on just everyday, without making big promises, simply expect more music from me, may be with a bit of more Vibe!!!! We will see.

For more information on Herbert Kinobe please go to www.nomadroots.com. Also look out for Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa at the Nyaka Eire! For You Gulu concert on January 10th, 2009.

World folk music camp in Sweden Feb. 2006.