Doing it for her mother: Minayo, real name Brenda Naluzige has both Kenyan and Ugandan roots. She explains this and more to her fans Brenda and Shakira.
Hi Minayo. Please tell us more about you?
I was born at Nsambya hospital in 1987 to Ms Martina Wanjala and Mr Paddy Luzige and I’m the second born in a family of five. I went to Moi Forces, Dandora Primary and Wobulenzi Parents for my primary level and Limuru Girls, Equatorial College and Muyenga High for my secondary education before heading to Mombasa Polytechnic to do a Diploma in Tours and Travel. I also did a certificate in beauty at the Titan Beauty college in Nairobi two years ago.
What does your name Minayo mean?
Minayo means bright star. My mum told me that during their days, whenever a light skinned baby was born, it was some kind of blessing in their village and everyone would say a bright star has been born.
You are an artiste who did two different courses. Why didn’t you do jobs related to those courses than pursuing a music career?
My parents wanted me to first finish school before I could concentrate on music and I did those courses to please them. Music is something I was born to do and loved.
So it’s basically music that you are concentrating on right now?
Not only that. I’m also a farmer doing mixed farming of maize and rearing chicken in Luweero and Kitende plus selling clothes.
What are your hobbies?
I love playing football. Back then, I used to play for a club called Maisa in Kenya before my mum brought me to Uganda because she thought I was getting spoilt. 11 is my best position and I bet if it wasn’t doing music, then it would be football.What inspires you to do music?
My mum is my greatest inspiration. She has an amazing voice that is wasted. We always hoped and prayed she could become a musician but she isn’t interested and only uses it in church, so I decided to act as a substitute.
How often do you pray?
My dad is going to kill me for this one. To be honest, I have taken a long time without going to church. We used to pray a lot when growing up, so I kind of got disinterested but I’m working on going back.
Do you use anything intoxicating before performing?
No I don’t. I’m sober 24 hours a day.
What is your best song currently?
Kuzaala Kujaganya by Irene Namatovu. It has powerful lyrics and brings back our culture.
What style of music do you do?
I call it Afro dancehall Rn’B.
How many songs do you have so far?
I have many with others still in studio but the famous ones include 90 Degrees on which I featured Fidempa, Mafian Girl, Sagala Kumanya, The Way You Love Me and Kankwambale. I have also been on all-star tracks like Nonstop and Club Rotation.
How would you compare Kenya and Uganda musically?
Kenyans support each other and by that I mean there is less beef but Ugandans love music 99 per cent more than anything else.
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