Although she is known for her soul-stirring music, what some would call world music, Naava Grey has not had a big concert, the size those in her league have had. But Naava says the year will not end without her having one.
Talking about Ndi, a song where she features Ruyonga, yesterday on the KFM D’Mighty Breakfast (Superstar Friday show), Naava said she wrote it out of daily experiences. “This song means that I am and I can survive without anyone but God,” she said, adding, “I’m having a concert this year for my fans but I’m still debating on the dates.” Naava’s only public show was when she launched her 20-track album in June last year at Gatto Matto.
During the show on radio, Naava admitted that she never thought she would one day wake up as a musician. Instead, she thought she would work in a bank.
“When I was young, I saw music as something to do to pass time. I sang along to songs with my brothers and sister but when I see myself singing today, it’s a dream that I never imagined would come true,” Naava said, on her courtesy visit.
Being the last born in a family of five children, from a humble and tolerant background, Naava came to be known during the 2008 Tusker Project Fame from where she admits different people in the music industry realised she was gifted at singing. “After this project, it became an eye opener. I got in touch with different artistes in studio and one thing led to another,” she recalls. Later in 2011 is when she released her song, Alibawani. She followed this with Nteredde, a song she says brought her to fame later in 2012.
Since then, music came to be a passion at the center of her life. Her other popular songs include Alib’omu, Kagume, Nja Kukwagala, Kyuusa, Ndi wano and Ndinga Omuloge, among others.
Unlike some artistes who every now and then make headlines in newspapers by engaging themselves in fights and beef, that is a no go area for Naava.
“By the time you get yourself involved in fights and any other bad public behaviour, it depends on your background and the way you were brought up. When I was growing up, God was key in my upbringing. I come from a humble and I grew up being taught how to behave well when I’m with other people,” Naava said. The reason she gives for not engaging in fights with other artistes, perhaps explains why she dresses decently even when she is on stage.
And as far as her relationship status is concerned, she confirms that she is relating with someone whom she, despite being pressed hard throughout the show, declined to mention. She also confirmed that she has a nine-year-old daughter.
rnasasira@ug.nationmedia.com
