BEEN THERE DONE THAT: From a mechanic, farmer and church dancer, Ziza Bafana found himself doing ragga music to the delight of many. He meets his fan Samson Mugalu, an aspiring artiste.
Bafana, when did you start doing music and what was your first hit single?
The first song I did was Abakazi Babatulugunya in 2008. I would consider Mugumu, a collaboration I did with Kenzo as the first hit song but it was never promoted, thus Tebakulimba alongside Yiya Moze becoming my first hit.
You guys were doing a great job together. Why did you separate with Yiya Moze?
When the contract we had signed expired, Yiya Moze never renewed it, but besides that, he never had vision, he used to relax a lot and wasn’t a team player. He was selfish.
What do you attribute your success to then?
I attribute my success to nice music, good behaviour, hard work, dedication and trust in God.
Why go for ragga, in a country dominated by Afrobeat, and kadongo Kamu?
I’m a different type of artiste who does ragga with melody. I have a heavy voice and I found myself in a comfort zone doing this style of music. It’s what I like and it’s what has made me who I am today.
How many songs do you have?
I have 10 albums each consisting 10 songs, that means I have about 100 songs so far. Some are hit songs, others popular, while others are ordinary. My latest song is called Pomini, but I have 20 songs that I haven’t released yet. So there is a lot coming up.
Among your songs, which do you attribute for the big name you have in the music industry?
Gyayo Ntekeyo. It has sustained me for the past one and a half years. It’s the most requested and most loved among my songs, though I also have other popular ones like Tebakulimba and Namagalo.
In your latest song Pomini, a lot has changed in your voice and style. What do you have to say about that?
For starters, Pomini was a freestyle track that was meant to feature many artistes but when I put my verses in the song, it came out the exact way the producer, Bless Touch, wanted it, therefore scrapping the initial idea of an all-star track. It’s from this track that I invented my own style called urban dancehall.
Who is that one particular artiste you would die to have a collabo with?
None at the moment. Initially it was Juliana but I realised I can do it on my own.
I haven’t failed to notice that you rarely have songs with female artistes, why is that?
I’m sorry to say this but they are not serious. They are too slow in executing something. I’m a fast worker. I hate to have my song stay in studio for a week.
Many people out there, including myself compare you so much with Weasel. Did you copy his style?
I’m so different from Weasel. First and foremost, he isn’t flexible yet I am and his voice isn’t musical at all, while I can fuse all styles of music.
Where did you stop, in your education pursuit?
I’m not much of a scholar. I went to Bright Community Academy for my primary, then joined City View up to S.4. I started repairing motorcycles until I knocked someone and ran to Masaka to stay with my uncle. He taught me how to repair motor vehicles. I did tomato farming at some point, got saved and returned to Kampala. I became a dancer in church, did crusades and gospel music until one of my good friends Mark Africa advised me that my voice wasn’t meant for church but something else.
When are you doing your first concert?
Before this year ends, and it will be called Nywezza Zippu Yo.
What advice would you give me if I wanted to be as good as you are?
Be original, creative, work hard and expect a lot in the industry. Beefing isn’t healthy and work towards your goal.
