Curvaceous: Maisha dancer and singer Shamim Namawa says her most precious assets are her curves and she calls herself Uganda’s Nicki Minaj. She has also been compared to Desire Luzinda in the ‘assets’ department. She talks to her fan Charlotte Ann.
When is your birthday?
It’s on the October 9. I share it with Uganda, as Independence day falls on the same date.
What is your favourite and worst food?
My favourite food is matooke and beans and worst is katogo of cassava and beans.
How do you spend your free time?
I play with my dogs, watch movies and play with my nieces as well.
Where do you hang out from?
I only hangout when I’m going to perform but besides that, I’m not an outgoing person.
You look like Sheebah. Have you realised that?
I have heard many people tell me that, but I just think we have some things in common, like we are both energetic in our performances, light skinned and dancers.
What is your favourite gadget?
An iPhone 6, because it’s cute.
What is your biggest childhood memory?
There is this one time I brought police officers home to arrest my sister for beating me, but my dad paid them after explaining that we were sisters and he caned me after that. In fact that was the first and last time he ever did.
What do you hate the most?
People judging me and then the pretenders.
If given a chance to change anything in Uganda’s music industry, what would that be?
I would make sure local music is promoted more than international music. The media should play more local music.
What is your favourite ride?
A Range Rover Sport.
What would I find in your closet?
Lots of shoes, shorts, leggings and bling bling.
What do you love most on your body and why?
My thighs and butt because they are natural, God given.
How many albums do you have so far?
I don’t have an album yet, but I’m just piling up singles. So far eight are done namely; Tukwatagane, Breaker Breaker, You Stole My Heart, Secret, Jukila Gyova, Nabukwasi, Kasikonda and Accelerator.
What is your source of inspiration?
I look up to at artistes like Nicki Minaj and Bebe Cool who I think can be Africa’s Lucky Dube.
What drives your energetic performances on stage?
The thought I get that people really don’t know me and have never heard my music pushes me to get there and prove a point.
Do you write your songs?
No, I don’t. So far I have used guys like Peter Nawe, Washington, Mr Woods, Bakri, Saxess and Brian Ivy.
Tell me more about Shamim Namawa?
I’m 26 years old, jolly, a Mugisu by tribe, Muslim by religion and a stylist. I was born to Hajji Abbas Namawa and Hajjati Faridah Namawa and I’m the sixth out of nine children.
What do you have to say about female celebrities that take nude pictures?
They should just stop because the pictures can get in the wrong hands at one time and for the guys leaking them, you are inhuman and just know you are doing it to mothers.
What music do you do?
I do Afro dancehall, ragga and Rn’B.
Which artistes would you love to work with?
Bebe Cool, Coco Finger, Jackie and Cindy.
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