Deus Ndugwa, known to many as Grenade Official
GRENADE: Deus Ndugwa, known to many as Grenade Official is one of the youngest artistes in the industry. Although he has been in the industry for about five years now, it is only last year that he broke out. Lawrence Ogwal caught up with the artiste on his music and why it took him so long to break out.
1.You have been in the industry for a while, but many people are just hearing about you?
I have been in the music industry for a while but I was young and did not know how to go around things. Many people thought I was out of the country but I decided to take a break from the entertainment scene and I was somewhere learning how to do music. One of the songs that I returned with was Olina Work but it did not work out, so when Weasel heard it and suggested a remix, I did not think twice because after all, he was paying for everything. The remix was a hit.
2. There is rumour you paid Jeff Kiwa Shs5m to join Team No Sleep, how true is that?
I have never paid Jeff Kiwa and I am not in Team No Sleep, I am just working with Jeff because he was the one person who advised me to change the way I sing. I took up his advice and he promised to push my music as my manager, but not under TNS. Also after my vocal training, I did a song titled Replace Me, which I shared with him and he told me to redo it with John Blaq and Sheebah so that it could move faster. I can confidently say besides God, I attribute my success to Jeff and of course Producer Bushingtone, my die-hard fans and friends.
3. You and Sheilah Gashumba were once inseparable but right now you do not see eye to eye. What happened?
Nothing. Sheilah Gashumba was a good friend, although many people thought we were dating. I liked her because she advised me and in our conversations I could see that whatever came out of her mouth made business sense.
4. What about the things we have heard about you and Judith Heard, and Sue Ochola?
I know the two but I do not have any business with them, even though I know them and not on a personal level. For those who say I have relations with them for money, it is just a rumour.
5. You are only 19. Do you have any plans of going back to school?
I am already enrolled for an online course at Audio Institute of America studying a Certificate in Music Recording and Production. I think I will not be able to settle when I return to school and I think online schooling is the most convenient.
About Grenade
Real name Deus Ndugwa, Grenade was born on July 14, 1997 in Lyantode. He went to Kitebi Primary School and later Makindye Secondary School.
He did his first song in 2014, Walayi, featuring Kevin Killer and later followed it with Wagwan. He currently has a club banger called Nkuloga.
