Levixone (L), Tricky (R)
PEAS IN A POD. Sam Lucas Lugoloobyo, popularly known as, Levixone is one of the top gospel artistes in Uganda and Patrick Balinda, also known as, Tricky is his brother and manager. They talked to LAWRENCE OGWAL about their childhood.
Levixone
Describe Tricky?
Tricky is a hardworking and focused young man. He is always willing to do anything for me and he is my only brother and one of my closest people.
What is your earliest memory of him?
Because he is my manager, on the day of my Lugogo show, he was restless at the venue trying to ensure that the show was a success. He started limping because he was tired of walking but he was doing all to ensure I had a great show, which came to pass. It was named among the most successful shows last year and that was because of his efforts.
What nickname did you have for him growing up?
I call him Kid to date but he does not like it. This is because I always wanted to remind him that he is my young brother despite his height. Most people think he is my elder brother.
What is he most scared of?
Dogs. Whenever he goes to a place, he wants the dogs locked up first before he enters the gate or gets close to where they are. Also seeing blood irritates him.
What is the craziest thing he did as a child?
One day, our sister Dora ate his food because he was away and when he returned he didn’t seem bothered. When Dora slept, Tricky burnt polythene and dripped it on her. She bears the scars.
What is the craziest thing you did together?
A bodaboda cyclist attempted to cheat me of my money. We did not want to fight him but we scared the hell out of him. We threatened to beat him up badly yet we were just children playing on his psyche.
Were you always friends?
Yes. We are best friends.
How often did you fight?
We never fought and we respect each other.
Did you ever team up to fight someone?
We did that a lot as children. We teamed up to fight others several times.
How often do you meet these days?
We don’t meet a lot like back then but we meet as brothers. We always go together for shows and we plan everything together but I like to give him his time.
Tricky
How would you describe Levixone?
Levixone is my big brother, he is loving, caring, and he loves music so much. Growing up, music was his life. He loves to stand in the gap for me.
What is your earliest memory of him?
One day, I went with him to the studio while he was starting his music career. He did a song called Niwewe and after he was done, he assured me how the song was a hit loved by Ugandans and it was going to make us live a good life since we were still struggling to make ends meet. The song was a flop instead. We had wasted our money.
What nickname did you have for him growing up?
So, many and they changed with time but I remember Kingo.
What is the most scared of?
Liars. When he finds out that you lied to him about something, he can hate you to the extent of going silent on you for long.
What is the craziest thing he did as a child?
He joined boxing because he had always told me that he wanted to become a boxer after being inspired by the action movies we always watched. Our mother was angry with him. When he realised that our mother was not supportive of his dream, he quit the boxing club.
Were you always friends?
Yes, we have been best friends since childhood.
How often did you fight?
Occasionally, but we mostly argue. We still fight, but we make
peace in the end.
Did you ever team up to fight someone?
Yes, when we met some naughty guys, we did. For example, a certain guy who broke one of our friend’s phones. But Levixone was the one who would suggest that we go and fight them.
How often do you meet these days?
At least four times a week because I am his manager.
