Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Lianne the artist by1544c Ssejjombwe. (+256 782233273)

I’m not saying that Lianne  is unfortunate, but when I interviewed her, I was shocked to find out that she’s one artist with a ridiculously unfair career. She has received negative stories in the media, she was corned of her video and she cancelled her contract with after just three months.
Perhaps her crime is to have been too talented. She has become one of those rare talents of home-grown musicians to top the charts on both radio and television with just two tracks under her name.

1544C: Tell me about yourself?
Lianne: Born Nakawesi Lillian, Lianne (because the music industry already has a Lillian), is a naughty, passionate Ugandan artist who considers music to be the only thing she was born to do.

1544C: when did you join the music industry?
Lianne: I joined the industry in 2010 with “Singa” as my first single.

1544C: before joining the music industry, where had you been?
Lianne: I was busy doing my studies. I’m a graduate in Journalism and Mass communication at UMCAT Uganda.

1544C: Why music of all other professions?
Lianne: I believe I was born to do music. Its one thing I do without struggling. With this God given voice, music is the only way I can express my self

1544C: Who is your inspiration?
Lianne: Locally, it’s Irene Namubiru because she has a pretty nice voice and Internationally, I consider Alicia Keys because she’s multi talented. She sings and plays the piano as well.

1544C: How many songs do you have so far and what’s their story?
Lianne: So far, I have three songs but two of them have been promoted. “Singa”, “Holiday” and “Heart rate”. Singa and Heart rate were written by Peter Nawe and produced by Kiwuuwa at Gryce records; Denis Rackla wrote and produced Holiday.
“Heart rate” was my second single before “Holiday” but Hassan of Hasz media (responsible for shooting the video) swindled me. I have to re-do the whole project again.

1544C: We understand you were one time signed to UG Records, the company that had signed Rabadaba and Empress. What’s the story behind your departure?
Lianne: Ummm let me just say the management was too busy. And by that I mean they were not following up on my music, they never monitored how the song was doing. To me, they never  lived up to my expectations. One time one of the mangers told me there is no need to make a follow up because a good song always pushes itself.

1544C: What style is your music?
Lianne: so far, the three songs I’ve done are in Afro-beat but I’m going to do others in dancehall and zouk.

1544C: What else are you doing besides music?
Lianne: Besides music, I’m always at the family business, I foresee the daily running of the businesses that includes Ebenezer cheap stores which deals in domestic appliances, scrap stores and a supermarket.

1544C: Is Lian married, engaged or seeing someone?
Lianne: Not at the moment. I was seeing someone back then but we called it quits because he said he didn’t want his girlfriend in showbiz. I’m now single and loving it because I’m so focused on my music career.

1544C: Any collaboration you are looking at?
Lianne: my target is having a song with either Vampino or Michael Ross reason being that they are so energetic in their songs. I like their zeal and since I’m also the type, I think we could get along easily.

1544C: Coming to two years in the music industry, How successful are you?
Lianne: So far, my music is getting airplay on Tv, radio, clubs and on different ceremonies which is a good thing because many artists out there are still struggling to get their music played.
I’ve also been nominated in this year’s Diva’s Awards in the afro beat and new artist categories.
1544C: and the challenges so far?
Lianne: The main challenge I’ve received since joining the industry is negative stories in the media, you guys are always writing bad stories about artists and it tarnishes our images.

1544C: How is your day like?
Lianne: I wake up at around 8am, take a shower, have breakfast and head on to the family business to oversee what will be taking place during the day. Have lunch and go to studio (if I have a session) and then go to the gym at around 5pm. From there, I go for dance lessons up to 8pm. I then go for movies or performances or even hang till the wee hours of the morning.

1544C: Where do you see yourself three years from now?
Lianne: Of course more great songs, a mega album launch and international acknowledgement.

isac44@gmail.com