SWILILI STAR: Zambian singer Mampi is back in the country, this time to perform at SC Villa’s 40th anniversary. Edgar R. Batte talked to her.
We know you as Mampi, what is your full name?
My name is Mampi Miriam Mukape, and I come from Zambia.
You were last here in 2013 when your Swilili song was the biggest song in the land. How does it feel being back to Uganda for the second time?
I am very excited. I feel at home in Uganda so it is so exciting whenever I come back to Kampala. I first came here in 2012 when our Zambia national team was playing Uganda.
What excited you the last time you were in Kampala?
The warmth of the people. Everything about this place is nice. It reminds me of home.
We are known for good food. Did you taste and like it?
Honestly, yes.
You also did some music collaborations with Jose Chameleone and Bobi Wine, how is the music faring out in Zambia?
With Bobi Wine, we remixed my song Why, and for Chameleone we did a collabo titled Nimakwanisa. The songs are doing well in Zambia. People love them.
Have you shared stage with Bobi Wine for the music collaboration you did?
Yes, we did the last time I performed here.
And with Chameleone?
Yes, we did in Zambia.
What was the reception like for Chameleone in Zambia?
It was great. They love him. They have always loved him back home.
Should we expect any more collaborations this time round?
Oh yes. I am not going to reveal but there is something I am cooking with an artiste here. It will be something fresh.
Who is the artiste you are working with on this fresh stuff?
Okay let me tell you since you insist. It is Eddy Kenzo.
How did the two of you link up for this music collaboration?
We met at a concert in Cameroon.
What do you think of him as an artiste?
He is very talented and what I like about him is that he is very down to earth. He is a very humble person.
Talking about personality, how do you describe yourself?
I am a fun-loving person with a free spirit.
And about your name Mampi, what does it mean?
It means a group of warriors.
You look like a calm person. Where is the warrior in you?
In every aspect of the way I do my thing. Wait and see me on stage.
Who is the Mampi we don’t know, the lady away from the musical queen?
Well for me, what you see is what you get.
Away from the stardom, how do you enjoy or live your life?
I love to stay home, cook and clean the house.
What do you enjoy cooking the best?
It is mostly Zambian food.
Are there any similar foods between Zambian and Ugandan dishes?
Yes, I don’t know how you call it but we call it jima, maize meal, made of pounded maize.
Is that posho or ugali?
Oh yes. That is it.
What other similarities are there between Zambia and Uganda?
The cultures and out languages sound similar. When we you speak Luganda, it sounds like our language. If you listen to my collabos with Chameleone and Bobi Wine, you will notice the similarities in our languages.
Are you family woman? Do you have any children?
I have someone in my life but I don’t have children yet.
When should we expect little ones?
When the time is right.
You will be on stage tonight as Sport Club Villa celebrates 40 years, what should your Ugandan fans expect?
The best and nothing but the best.
When you are on stage, what do you enjoy the most?
Everything about my performance, from singing to dancing.
You are coming for Villa’s anniversary and you have also ever accompanied your Zambian team for a Ugandan show. That means you are a football fan …
Yes, I am. Back home I support local teams like Zenaco and Green Buffalos.
What plans do you have for your career for the next couple of years?
I am not going to say anything, because only God knows what my life will be like. I am working hard to achieve all my goals and to get everything that I want to get. At the end of the day, God is the one with the final say so that question is a bit tricky.
… she is here for SC Villa Anniversary
Local football club, Sports Club Villa, will tonight host fans, football players and well-wishers to a gala dinner at Hotel Africana. This as the club celebrated 40 years of existence, having been started in 1975.
The club has bagged more than a dozen league and Ugandan Cup titles. They have also won consecutive championship titles.
Zambian rhythm and blues music star Mampi flew in on Tuesday night and will headline the fete. She promised to put up her best performance.
There will be Ugandan musicians performing too, including the legendary Afrigo Band which comprises Villa’s club’s treasurer, Moses Matovu, as well as Juliana Kanyomozi and Golden Band’s Mesach Semakula.
According to the club president, Immanuel Misaga, the celebrations are running under the theme No fun without fans, and will kick off with a cocktail party that will be hosted at Hotel Africana’s poolside. Thereafter, guests will mix and mingle as they are entertained.
Later on there will be an auction session during which a replica jersey of the club, auto-biographed by President Museveni, will be on be auctioned. Also, there will be three other items which, according to organisers, will be a surprise.
Entrance to the club’s 40-year-party will be 50k for ordinary tickets, 200k for VIP tickets and Shs2m for tables.
About the zambian star
Mirriam Mukape (born August 4,1986), popularly known as Mampi, is an Rn’B singer. She also performs kwaito and reggae music.
Mampi’s first album Maloza was released in 2005. Her second album,Chimo ni Chimo, was released in 2007. But her most popular music in Uganda was off the 2012 Swilili album. Singles like Why and Walilawolela are also popular in Uganda.
Mampi was one of the Big Brother Africa contestants in 2012. She was one of the celebrity housemates in the seventh season that was dubbed Big Brother Africa Star Game. Mampi was evicted from the house after 21 days.