A photo montage of Dagy Nyce and Tracy K, the new NTV the Beat presenters.
For the past couple of weeks NTV has been involved in a search for the next presenter of the NTV The Beat music show. The search, done on social media as the station called upon people to send videos of themselves presenting a mock episode of The Beat, saw eight out of 50 candidates make it to the final round held on March 16 at Club Guvnor.
The unveiling of the two winners was preceded by performances from Irene Ntale, Beenie Gunter, Fik Fameica and new comer, Wendy Thelma.
Dagy Nyce and Tracy K emerged victorious from the many talented people that auditioned for the position. Sqoop sat down with the winners for a quick chat.
Tracy Kababiito
Tell us a little about yourselves
Tracy: My full name is Tracy Kababiito. I am a 20 year-old pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Uganda Christian University in my 2nd year. I love music and dance. My mother is Ms Agnes Nsemere Agnes, she is into real estate while my father, Smart Obadiah is a business man.
Dagy: I was born Ngobi Isubikalu Douglas to Mr. Peter Ngobi and Mrs. Sarah Ngobi. My father heads an insurance company and my mother is a Pastor and vice president of Women of Vision Int. Ministries in LA California. She is now called Pastor Sarah Morgan because of her new husband’s name, Bishop Peter Morgan after her divorce with my father. I went to Vincent Alex kindergarten, Mwiri primary school in Jinja, joined Busoga College Mwiri, Crested SSS in Makindye and Makerere University.
Dagy Nyce with a colleague.
When did you get into the entertainment industry?
Tracy: I started my journey at age 12 on Come Alive children’s show on UBC TV. I also worked on Jazz FM as a radio hostess on the Jazz Cafe.
What were your aspirations before deciding to compete to be the next NTV the Beat presenter?
Tracy: My aspirations were to become the next big thing on YouTube and on my blog. I had worked tirelessly to make sure the two got enough attention considering I already had a following. I had also done a few shows with Denzel on XFM and that for me was already a great deal to look forward to. I was looking to become one of the best radio hostesses Kampala has ever had.
Dagy: My aspirations have always been TV. Somehow am always doing TV. It’s either a show, a promotion of a company or I am in the field but still on camera. I have represented brands including Airtel, MTN, DStv, Sadoline and Plascon. So when the opportunity of hosting The Beat popped up i thought i could give it a go, and here we are now.
The former host of The Beat, Douglas Lwanga was quite popular so you are stepping into big shoes. What makes you think that these are shoes you will walk in comfortably?
Tracy: I am very confident, eloquent and informed about entertainment and other areas of expertise. I’m also a very sociable person so I come off as lovable to many people.
Dagy: Stepping into Douglas’ shoes is to be tough. He has been on the show for 5 years, grown a beautiful and huge following and positioned the show in the number one slot. The challenge is to keep piloting it in that same direction and fly it even higher. Yes the pressure is on, but many times that is what defines the tough in us. Good job Dougy Lwanga.
The competition was very stiff. What was your winning formula?
Tracy: All I can say is don’t underestimate the power of your social media. That right there is a brand, and I’m sorry if you think it’s only for showing people the glam you have in your life. Follow news sites on those pages, do research, find valid information and tweet/talk about it. I prayed, read and promoted myself. It starts now…if you have no camera improvise. These smartphones you use on a daily are worth than what you value them for.
Dagy: I sold myself and gave the people the assurance they needed from me to know that am actually the best candidate for this kind of challenge, and the people have spoken. I also did do heaps of praying for this. Prayer does work.
How will you balance school with work and family?
Tracy: School has always been my first priority so no matter the weather I’m going to make sure all ends meet. If it means taking extra classes I’ll do it. So I can I have the best of both worlds that is good grades and an amazing show to deliver to the public.
Dagy: Family and work can be a challenge especially if one party lives in a different country which is my case. Sometimes you miss them so much that it hurts, but then again when you fly in and spend time with, it brings back the joy. At the end of the day somebody has got to work. Also technology helps a lot. You could see each other daily through video calls, WhatsApp pictures, Instagram and all of that.
