Singer Diziza (R) with his producer. The singer advises young artistes to respect those they have found in the game.
TRENDSETTER? Isaac Nsimbe Zizinga aka Diziza Madras came to the limelight after his collabo with the late AK47. Now he says their song Gal ah Bubble opened doors for dancehall music in Uganda.
Who is Diziza?
Diziza Madras is a dancehall and reggae artiste, writer and entrepreneur.
When did you join the music industry?
I used to sing while at school but I joined music commercially five years ago when I did a song with the late AK47.
Do you have any other songs?
Yes, I have quite a number including Bagala Diziza, One More Time, Amazina with A Pass, Likkledance, Njagala with Jose Chameleone, for which we are yet to shoot a video.
Why did you specifically choose to do a collabo with Chameleone?
I respect Chameleone and he is one of my role models in the Ugandan music industry. I believe he has done great and a collabo with him was a great honour.
When was your breakthrough?
I think it was when I released my collabo with AK47 Gal ah Bubble. It was the first ever dancehall video and most people ranked it the most Xrated dancehall video ever shot in the Ugandan music industry. With that video, I strongly believe that we opened the eyes of many local musicians to dancehall and today it has become the order of the day.
You have been in the music industry for quite some time, but some people don’t know you, why?
Those who don’t know me have a right not to know me because even up to now there are some people who do not know of Jesus’ existence. But I am sure they will get to know me through my music very soon.
AK47
Have you ever held any concerts?
I haven’t held any big concerts in Kampala yet but I have done several shows in several towns in Uganda, especially in Entebbe where I come from.
Which big projects have you worked on?
All my works are big projects; I have shot music videos for most of my songs, acted in TV commercials such as SEMA properties, held shows in Dubai and Kenya along with other artistes under my music label Wolipa System. For me that is something big.
What have you achieved from this industry so far?
I have been able to sponsor myself and complete my degree (Bachelor of Information Technology) from Nkumba University, I have bought a plot of land in Nansana and I am already constructing a house.
I have been able to make friends in and out of the country. I have also started up a business of importing phones and cosmetics from Dubai and China and bought a car.
Among Ugandan musicians, who is your role model?
Chameleone and Bobi Wine. They have been able to overcome a number of hurdles in life and they have emerged successful.
Your name almost sounds like Ziza Bafana. Who copied the other?
Ziza Bafana copied me because he was Bafana Bafana and I was Diziza since high school. We have been friends for long, so I was shocked three years ago when he changed his name to Ziza. That is, however no big deal because we are different and that is it.
Plans, hurdles and wise words…
CHALLENGES
There are many challenges but the major one is the ineffective Copyright Law that does not help artistes but rather pulls them down. A few days ago, I had a show at a certain bar in Entebbe but those copyright goons from Kamwokya came and confiscated my speakers and computers claiming they needed me to pay Shs1.7m. Why should I pay them yet they never do anything helpful for me? They should organise a platform where we benefit from eachother.
FUTURE PLANS
I want to have collabos with international artistes such as Popcaan. I believe that will help my career blossom. I also want to make hits that will improve on sales through downloads on the Internet.
TO YOUNG ARTISTES…
Upcoming artistes should try to work hard and not wait for things to work out by themselves. They should also learn to respect musicians that they have found in the industry as well as respect fans, lest no one will respect them.