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"I take myself to be that simple man with a simple profile. I am a strong man who does not look at things that set me back but rather those that are vital in boosting my prospects."
UGPulse Promo
There is no doubt that the Ugandan music industry is definitely booming. Now behind us are the days when only Kadongo Kamu, Jimmy Katumba, even our celebrated Philly Bongoley Lutaaya and other bands dominated the music scene. With the younger generation expressing themselves, Ugandan music is now a melange of contemporary Ugandan music, hip-hop, Reggae, Ragga, Zouk, Afrobeat, Bongo Flava, Gospel, Dancehall, Rn'B and other modern music genres. As many young Ugandan musicians are making an effort to carve out an identifiable Ugandan sound and get the mainstream media to listen to them, one of them stands out as having been in the game for a long time.
Recognised as one of the pioneers of contemporary Ugandan music, Ragga Dee was born in 1973 to the family of Mr and Mrs George William Kyeyune - a judge in Uganda. With 18 albums under his belt this artist has been around. Famous in the mid 1990's for producing hits like Bamusakata and Mukwano while part of a group called Da Hommies, today, he is known for songs like Mpeta, Mbawe and Nugu. He has won the Pearl of Africa Music Award for best Ragga artiste of the year as well as the Best Male Artist of the year and was profiled on BBC. In 2005 his reggae Album was crowned the Best Album at the Golden Awards in Uganda. Known for also being a comedian, Ragga Dee's music is an amalgamation of do reggae, ragga, hip-hop, and Lingala. He has performed at several of the Ugandan North American conventions.
He also does charity work and has been involved with Public Services International (PSI), an NGO which fights Aids in Uganda. He does road shows with PSI, encouraging safe sex and highlighting the HIV issue. One of the things which sets Ragga Dee apart from many other musicians is his business acumen. He has a degree in Business Administration and uses it to negotiate good concert payments as well as endorsements from companies such as MTN and Club beer. In the 90's he co-owned a nightclub at Sheraton Hotel called Crocodiles which gave him the foundation to enter Uganda's showbiz.
He is currently on tour, performing in the UK and will be starting his North American tour in Toronto in May 21st, 2006 courtesy of Zink Productions a Ugandan-owned, Canadian-based promoting firm. He will also be performing in Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver and the USA.
Tell us a bit more about you. Who is Ragga Dee?
My true names are Daniel Kyeyune Kazibwe aka, Ragga Dee. It all becomes Ragga Dee after adding raga music and the Daniel at the end.
When did you first start singing?
I started singing during my nursery days. I can't tell the right date I started exactly. I think it is past a decade but I remember my hottest hits come out around the late 80s and the early 90s especially in 1994 with the Bamusakata song.
In a Monitor interview, you describe your musical style as Ugandan-Zairois intermix. What exactly is that?
I am a versatile artist and I call my music everything but mainly depending on what people term your music you just keep producing more. I do reggae, ragga, soukous, kwaito, and the bongo flava style meaning that I myself don't term my music as that but I fuse ideas from music around the world to make a sound suitable for all ears. For example Mpeta is ragga with Afropop and zoukish sounds.
When did you fall in love with reggae music?
Reggae music is like a language in life. The reason I fell in love with reggae its not so difficult to do as compared to other sounds.
You had a super hit Bamusakata, when you was still part of Da Hommies. What does it mean?
Bamusakata is a simple song without any hard meaning. It's a song about a woman who cheats on a man and was punished for it. Okusakata is to punish or to beat someone thoroughly.
Did it really have a dirty or sexual meaning behind it?
The song did not have any dirty meaning but the club-goers make their own remixes so you can't stop them.
What about the song Mpeta (The ring)?
What inspired the song Mpeta was a day to day life situation. One time we went to a club and we saw someone who was beaten for taking someone's money for grabs.
You are known as one of the pioneers of contemporary Ugandan music. You were there long before a lot of these present day musicians became known. How were you able to maintain longetivity in the Ugandan music business?
I have been able to be on this music scene for a long time due to a number of factors. There is my home background, my education, my brains to think straight, the struggle I have been through to actually become Ragga Dee. Some of the new artists you have seen and heard don't know what they call a pay slip or a wage.
Most of your music is done in Luganda, which is carefully blended with phrases in English. Is singing in Luganda a conscious decision you have made? Why?
My music is done in all languages but mainly Luganda because at least 70 percent of the people in Uganda understand Luganda. If I become big at home it means I am gonna spread worldwide but wisely.
Do you speak any other languages?
I speak a little bit of French and Lingala. While living in London, UK in my early years, I used to live with Aurlus Mabele the singer.
Ragga Dee: At the 2005 UNAA Minnesota Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
You performed at the UNAA Minnesota Convention in USA last year. What was that experience like?
I have performed at about four American Conventions which is a good thing for the fans who may listen to my music but never get the opportunity to see me. The experience, I think, is always the same.
Will you be performing at the UNAA Convention again this year?
Yes, I am gonna perform soon in New York for this year's convention.
You won the Pearl of Africa Music Award for best Ragga artiste of the year last year. For those who may not know, what is the difference between ragga and reggae?
The difference between reggae and ragga is the tempo or the mood in which you do your sound. Reggae is mainly for easy listening and Ragga [dancehall] for the dancing mood.
What would you say to critics who say that you no longer have that ragga sound which was your trademark?
Maybe the people who criticize my music don't know music. But if you understand that what makes ragga [dancehall] is the vibe you give it then that's half the battle. Listen to songs like Digida. If you are a DJ and you mix it with Jamaican songs you will tell me the result. It's the combination of the African guitars and the keyboards that make them think otherwise but I am still strong on my sound.
After you left St. Henry's College Kitovu you linked up with the late DJ Berry. I remember that he was a heartthrob for many young Ugandan girls in the 1990's. What was he really like up-close?
DJ Berry was a good man with a good heart. He wished good for others and he liked all people men or women.
You both started up a nightclub at Sheraton Hotel called Crocodiles. What was that experience like?
The experience of the club gave me a lot of courage to leave and work as an entrepreneur with a mind of a fun man and a businessman.
How did meeting him affect your life as a musician?
Well as a result of meeting Berry, I learnt how to live like a celebrity and soon I became one.
Talking about being a celebrity, I read a report that you live a celebrity life style and cruise in cars which hip-hop stars from the USA ride in. I read that you love fast cars and bikes, own a silver grey G-500 Mercedes Benz Cross country Wagon and you even purchased a Hummer from USA. Apparently you have a five-bedroom bungalow built in Kizungu Makindye. Last I read you were building a double storied extension that would house a multimillion studio called Dee's world, alongside a Jacuzzi. Is this all true?
About the studio, yes I've got it. As for the cars, well that is my other game.
Then business must be good...
It's not bad...
You have worked with the likes of Shanks ViviDee, Rasta Rob, Perfect Generation, Prim n' Propa and Demapark. Any special memories?
The special memories I have for the names you mentioned is I wish we were all still in this game. Things would have even been better. I worked with all of them and I think they where better artistes to deal with than some of these new names.
Where do you record your music and who produces your music?
I do record my music in my house. I have my own studio and at the moment am producing it alone.
Do you have a manager? How do you get your good business sense?
Well as far as my management, I have a degree in Business Administration. I would prefer to use my education where it worketh. (Smiles)
Any advice for those following your footsteps?
My advice to the new artiste is that they should know that singing is a gift from god not there own making. They shouldn't over brag, insult or fight over small things. Another thing is they should learn to work together so as to gain more respect. Respect is the most important thing in this game. Give the fans what they want and also keep thinking of new ideas all the time. That's the way I have tried to do my things all throughout my musical years.
What is next for you?
To sleep and travel well is my plan. Of course you know that I will be coming to Canada on the 21st of May to perform in your city -Toronto. I will perform at Lula Lounge in Toronto. Then I will go to Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver. From there I will be going to the USA. Zink Productions has the details.
What can we expect from the show?
Be prepared to be entertained! By the way this show will aim at creating awareness for children who live in war-conflict areas in Uganda. As you know the North has been involved in war for two decades.
Thanks for the interview.
It was my pleasure.
Related links:
www.zinkproductions.info
www.lula.ca
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaonyourstreet/raggauganda_feature.shtml
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