Rachel Magoola: Busoga's Music Diva and Ambassadress

You can never leave a Ugandan party or event before you hear her music. In the Diaspora, her song Obangaina is particularly popular. Considering the fact that both her parents were music teachers, it is no surprise that Rachel Magoola rose to stardom on the Ugandan musical scene, first as a dancer and then as a singer. The former Namasagali College student, who currently lives in the UK, honed her musical talent by joining school choirs. Soon, luck simply knocked on her door when she was invited to audition for the famous Afrigo Band, where she became a singer. She blessed the group, not only with her musical skills, but also with her choreography and arrangements. Together with the group, she recorded a few songs, which became hits in Uganda and beyond.

UGPulse Promo

In 2001, she started her own group and embarked on a successful solo career. Magoola also hosted radio shows like Kampala's Top Twenty and The Morning Crew on Kampala's Capital Radio. Her radio appearances include: Radio Simba's Countdown Africa (on which "Obangaina" was voted number one); Radio Sanyu's African Express; Star FM's Munakatemba, Dembe FM and BBC's Focus on Africa in March 2003. Magoola was also voted one of the 100 most influential women during 1998-90 and voted one of Uganda's top 25 celebrities in 2001. Magoola has six solo albums to her name including Inhaife (1997), Tyenda Wundi (1998), Tonyiiga (2000), Atwibembe (2001), Songs from the Source of the Nile (2006) and her latest album Eisadha, which will be released soon, is still under production by London-based producer Kaz Kasozi.

Magoola is a busy lady. She is involved in charity work as an ambassador and a campaigner for Joyce Clinical Research Centre, spearheading the 'treat for life campaign' to encourage ARV therapies and teaches music to Ugandan children born with the HIV virus. She also runs projects with Hospice Africa. I managed to get her attention during the small break she had between her trip to Cornwall where she was facilitating dance workshops and a gig in Bath, England.

Rachel Magoola.

Jane: First off, I just found out that you are the auntie of another Ugandan musician I interviewed for UGPULSE, Beatrix Byakika...
Rachel: Yes and its lovely to hear from you too. I believe you did an interview with my niece Beatrix last year. That is when your name kept coming up when I spoke to her.

In a good way, I hope...
Of course, she was full of praises for you.

That is great to hear. So let us start this. Please tell us who Rachel Magoola is in your own words. No one knows you better than yourself.
Rachel Magoola is just Rachel Magoola. I love me, I love my family, appreciate my friends, thankful for the life I have, appreciate my God-given talents, don't interfere with other people's business and try to do some good where I can.

Why do people love Rachel Magoola the singer so much?
It is probably because I give 100% during my performances. I love what I do and I believe it shows and is infectious.

When did you decide to get involved in music full-time?
That was in 2001. It was becoming tricky juggling a public service job and running a music business. There were times when I needed to travel out of the country during the school term. It would take a very supportive head teacher to let me take time off.

Do you think that having two music-teachers for parents is what led you to become a singer?
No doubt about that. We were exposed to music at an early age. Kids tend to copy everything their parents do at - least in the early stages. I lapped it all up full throttle.

Do you have other side-gigs or is music all you are focused on?
I chip in whenever I can at my mother's private primary school in Uganda. For the whole of 2007, I was helping set up the private teacher training section there. I am proud to say that it is going very well. 27 out of the 35 pioneer students passed their promotional exams set by Kyambogo University.

As a Namasagali OG (old girl), would you say that going to that school influenced you, musically?
Namasagali helped me nurture what I already had. The school ethos, which encouraged creativity, dance and music of every kind, helped me become more adventurous, inquisitive and daring to go for what I believe in.

You were once part of one of Uganda's greatest bands, Afrigo. What was that experience like?
One that will remain with me for the rest of life. I love Afrigo. I got the kind of experience people pay loads of money to get free of charge. In Afrigo, you grow as an artist. You learn that there is no short cut to excellence or real fame. That is a lesson that helps one to survive this industry.

Endagaano - live with Kaz Kasozi (and tribute to late King of Busoga)

You released your first solo album Inhaife in 1997. What was your thought process as you were creating that album? How did you want it to be interpreted and received?
When I joined Afrigo, I brought in songs written in Lusoga. The reaction of some audiences was not very flattering. Lusoga was treated as if it was a joke. That hurt. I was brought up with a very high regard for my heritage. My grandfather was a chief and the first legislator from my home area. He was one of the three legislators who represented Uganda during the creation of the East African Federation in the 60s. My mother was accorded the same respect as men received whenever we returned to our home village. Wide-eyed, I arrived in the city (Kampala) singing in my native Lusoga and you think it was funny being considered unserious? This was a rude shock. In this album, I tried to celebrate my heritage. I highlighted who we are and that we have a very proud culture with a long history of excellence.

Very well said, and I am glad you gave us some insight into your heritage as well.
Thanks.

Rachel Magoola.

Now, you also released a solo album - Songs from the Source of the Nile in 2006. How is that album doing?
I was very blessed because this album was licensed to the ARC music label. Through a friend of mine, Douglas Patterson, I managed to get it licensed. East African music is not yet very popular on the world music scene. A lot of work is still needed to get the face of our music recognised and bought at a large scale.

What inspired it?
It is a compilation of songs selected from the four albums (Inhaife, Tyenda Wundi, Vooto, and Atwibembe) that I released over the years.

Where can your fans buy it?
It can be bought online from ARC music, Amazon.com and most major music shops.

"Obangaina" is, to date, one of your most popular songs. What inspired it?
Obangaina is an adaptation from a folk song. It was one of those things I did because I wanted to promote music from my home area. And what a lucky break I got! Since that song, it became O.K to say speak Lusoga in public or even admit you were a Musoga.

Did you expect it to be that popular?
No. No one did. When I first released it on 'Inhaife', I had it as song number one. However, it was a rickety recording, which was not very successful. On its second release, it was song 5 on the Afrigo CD. That is when it hit the charts.

You wrote the awareness song "Take Me As I Am" for the Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU). What is your special affiliation with sickle cell? What led to the creation of this song?
Kevin and Sue O'connor, who are old friends of mine, were helping set up the association. They got me interested in doing my part to help create awareness of the condition. My family have the sickle cell trait and I have siblings who have the sickle cell disease. This was personal.

You have now got a brand new album called Eisadha. When are you releasing it and what can we expect from this album?
The release date has not been decided yet. The album draws from my experiences during my stay in London, my participation in my mother's parliamentary re-election bid in 2006 (luckily she retained her seat) and experiments. I worked with a great producer, Kaz Kasozi, who has a different musical background from mine. It was a great experience experimenting with his style of playing and blending it with mine. In short, expect a great musical experience.

Where will we be able to get a copy?
I am talking to ARC Music, Abantu Arts and World Music Network to facilitate distribution of the album. As soon as this is sorted, it will be released.

I particularly like Endagaano. What inspired it?
The lyrics of this song were written by Grace Lutaaya. I find it hard to think and write poetically in Luganda and a lot of my Luganda-inclined fans had started asking when I was going to write a song in Luganda. Grace gave me two poems to see what I could do. The product is Endagaano and Akatabo.

...and the song Mirembe?
Strangely, a thunderstorm inspired that song. On a quiet Kampala evening while I was sitting on the balcony at my little sister's house in Namuwongo, Kampala, when out of the blue (literally) thunder then rain came in a flash. The thunder was like a greeting and then boom, came the rain. After experiencing English weather, sudden heavy rains become a nice surprise. In Uganda, you welcome the rain after a hot day! How it became a love song, I have no idea. Just evolved I guess.

It is such a beautiful song. There is something peaceful about it.
Thank you!

Rachel Magoola.

How would you describe your musical style?
Authentic African heritage music with a fusion of contemporary styles.

Who are your influences musically?
My biggest influences are my Busoga/Bugwere folk music roots. I also borrow from Miriam Makeba and Angelique Kidjo.

You hosted radio shows like Kampala's Top Twenty and The Morning Crew shows on Capital radio. How did you get gigs like that?
I was invited by the radio station because my music was on top of the charts at the time.

What is your greatest success story?
Success stories are hard to tell. Sometimes it is the failures that make the biggest success stories of your life. My success story for now is that I am here today, doing what I love to do and being appreciated for it.

How do you find the Ugandan music industry?
Taking five steps forward, three backwards. It is a totally mixed bag of fortunes. The corporate industry offers musicians in Uganda a platform to prosper. Nevertheless, what kind of music they support depends only on sales, sales and more sales. Not on promoting or preserving the county's heritage. But then, that is my opinion. Some of the biggest acts in Uganda are not recognised outside Uganda. With the current global economy, you cannot help questioning the whole structure. However, as long as Ugandans are alive there is hope. The Musician's Club 89 has worked tirelessly to put things in order. We will get there - eventually.

How has living in the UK affected you as a musician? Has it improved you in anyway, or has it facilitated the creation of new styles?
I met the most amazing musicians in London. Their work ethic puts our musicians to shame. And I thought I was disciplined! I have gained a lot of experience performing and watching music of the highest calibre in the UK. Collaboration with South African jazz trumpeter Claude Deppa, Ghanian Highlife singer Pauline Onduro and Nigerian Jazz singer Ayinke Martins took us on a six dates tour in the U.K. I ended this tour knowing I can never work in the same way I did when I was in Uganda.

Are you still acting, or do you not have the time anymore?
I love acting but have not done so since my school days in Namasagali.

Rachel Magoola.

Ok, on to some trivial questions. What is your favourite television show?
Difficult one. Depends which country I am in. Now in the U.K; The Practice, Jonathan Ross. Later with Jools Holland, Grey's Anatomy

And your five favourite books?
Les Miserable, Anna Karenina, Emma's War, The Ukimwi Road, The Audacity of Hope.

What music are you listening to now?
Good music, good music, good music is all ask for.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Touring the world with my band.

Any words of wisdom for the youth?
We seem to live in a generation that believes in instant gratification. You cannot be rich over night, you can't be a star over night, just as you can't grow to ten feet tall because you wish it. Be true to yourself and work hard to become the best at what you do. As the saying goes, 'Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard enough'.

For more information on Rachel Magoola, please go to rachelmagoola.com.

More on Rachel Magoola.