Producer Eno Beats says established artistes tend to bully upcoming artistes when they find them in studio.
PHOTO BY GODFREY LUGAAJU
MAKING BEATS: Enock Kisakye, better known as Producer Eno Beats broke out on the music scene not long ago and some of the songs to his name include Katono by Bebe Cool, Sitani Tonkema by Roden Y, Sheebah and Fik Fameika, Muwe by Sheebah, Twelageko by Irene Ntale and Muwe by Sheebah.
Where was Eno Beats all this time?
Eno Beats has been around for five years but working under different studios and being employed by other music producers. It was only this year that I opened my studio called Beats Empire.
Many artistes seem to be running to you, what is the trick?
It is perhaps because of my work. When I worked under other producers, I established contact with artiste managers, song writers and artistes.
How did you make it possible?
It was after Black Skin, a singer and songwriter who was my longtime friend decided to work with me. He helped me write songs such as Twelageko by Irene Ntale, Sitani Tonkema and Katono.
Which song made Eno Beats who he is now?
Sitani Tonkema was the biggest hit the studio started with. The song received massive airplay, introduced other artistes to the studio and that is how Bebe Cool ended up doing Katono in my studio.
How did you come up with the song Sitani Tonkema?
When Black Skin wrote the song, I looked for who could fit it well and Roden Y came to mind. I sent the song to Jeff Kiwa, his manager, and he was pleased. He paid for the song and told me Roden Y, Sheebah and Fik Fameika would voice it.
How much did Jeff Kiwa pay for the song?
I cannot disclose the price right now but he paid me some good money.
You have been working with young artistes. How is it working with established artistes?
At my studio, I always emphasise equality and I always want artistes to respect each other. I also prefer giving more time to young artistes because I want them to break out.
Don’t you have scenarios where established artistes send young artistes out of studio?
It used to happen a lot in a way that when a big artiste finds a young artiste recording, they despise them and send them out so they can record. So I started asking each artiste to book studio sessions and not to come before it is their time.
How do you handle arrogant artistes?
I tell them that when you become arrogant on a producer, then you can never come up with good work. When they are working with me, I always encourage them to keep calm and let me be in control and they have actually been nice to me.
How do you handle people who want to sing and have the money but not the talent?
I work with vocal trainers and song writers who can take them for some training before they come to studio. The only problem is that only a few can accept to be trained but others do not accept that they need training.
Your fellow producer Danz Kumapeesa is sick, what are you doing as Eno Beats to help him?
I am not doing it as an individual but together with other producers. We have a group and we have collected some money that we plan to give him as a group.
Who do you attribute your success to?
My parents. My father taught me how to play instruments while my mother gave me some money to start my own studio.
A little bit about Eno Beats
WHO IS ENO BEATS
My real name is Enock Kisakye and I am 26 years old. I attended Naguru Infant School and joined City High School in Kololo for O-Level and St Paul Secondary School for A-Level. I joined Nkumba University for a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences before I went to South Africa for a Production course at Music Academy of Gauteng.
FUTURE PLANS
I have so many plans and some of them include signing artistes in my company, but I am not going to rush it. For now, I plan to form a band because I have the instruments to start. I also want to expand my studio and find rehearsal space and may be organise events too.
CHALLENGES
When I try to help upcoming artistes and they fail to understand me. For example, the amount of money I charge Bebe Cool is not the amount I will charge a young artiste. Even when I charge them little, they complain and say it is too much money.
BEST PRODUCER
Most Ugandan producers are talented but Washington and Allan Okia stand out for me.