On spot with Grace Nakimera by Isaac Ssejombwe                              

Beyond reasonable doubt, Grace is perhaps the most successful female artist there has been so far. With 5 years in the game, Grace has conquered the music fraternity in the East African region and with hits Sukuma, Anfukula, kiva kuki, welaga ki and the recent Kawonawo; the striving has a vision of dominating the African continent through music.

I caught up with the ever smiling Artist at her pinky saloon and below follows the details of what’s happening with one of Uganda’s finest.

Rumor has it that you got saved and that Kawonawo is the last song from Grace. Is this true?
Let me clarify that I’m a staunch Christian and music is my Profession and Kawonawo is simply the beginning coz I have a lot in stock for all my fans. I’m just going continue with entertaining the fans and won’t stop at anything.

Is Kawonawo an Experience for you?
Of course it is because many people wanted to tarnish my name and image because of my success yet others felt jealous thinking I’m from a well to do family yet I’m not. I worked pretty hard to be a Kawonawo (Survivor) and with the determination, I was able to overcome all those playa haters.

Please talk about Kawonawo Video?
Well the Video was shot by Sky Rock in different places. The 1st scene was taken in Katwe then Santos in Kabalagala especially the kitchen part after which we went to Crocodile restaurant in Kisement and finally at T1 club in industrial area. I decided to make the video appear like that (in stages) basically because of two reasons one to give people hope that with perseverance, one can achieve a lot in future and to show people my musical journey, were I came from and were I am in the music industry.

Why did you choose music as a career?
I chose music as a career because of experience. My first performance was way back when I was 7 years old so by the time I came up with ani akumanyi, I already had a history in music. I’m also into music to relate to people and for people to love my music.

It is often said that witchcraft is the only solution for success in the music industry and many people believe you are involved in this act going by your Sukuma video. Elucidate on that.
That is totally not true. My success is based on Talent, hard work and innovativeness and being a Christian, it’s a disgrace to use witchcraft.

You’ve succeeded were others have failed, what’s the trick?
Well, I attribute my success to the amazing people who are always there for me especially my mentor and elder brother juju, my mother, sisters and all my fans for supporting me.

You are the only artist who genuinely produces expensive videos but many people out there would love to know who finances them?
Actually, I do finance both my audio and videos and the sole reason as to why I produce expensive videos is because I want to always go for the best. It’s unfair to the fans if you out a great hit and then produce a ridiculous video.

How do you classify your music?
 I do Afro-pop though people refer to it as pop.

Apparently, word had it that you and Juuju fell out because you did not include him in Kawoonawo video. Is this true?
I’ve also hard those rumors but let me use this opportunity to tell the world that I have and will never fall out with my brother Juuju. Besides his support towards me, he also inspired me to do music as a career so falling out is the least I can ever do with him.
That was simply drama created by the press.

You are obviously on top of your game, what strategy do you have that will help keep you on top all the time?
In Uganda, we have a lot of excellent artists and I’m very happy with that and I’m watching my guard by listening to producers, fans and those superior to me  but most of all I’m being natural with my music and by this I mean singing what I fill is right to be said.

Can you tell us of some of the challenges you’ve faced in the industry?
I have many challenges in the Industry but the specific one that not only distorts me but also other Female artists is exploitation from male parsons.
Due to the reason that the industry is dominated by men who are the presenters, promoters and producers, our lives can easily be squashed if their demands are not fulfilled so we have to meet extra costs to get what we want.

So what is Grace up to now?
Well I’m planning a mega Kawonawo concert which is going to be off the hook and this is going to take place sometime in November.
It’s going to be an experience because this is going to be the first concert from Grace since her debut in 2004.

You were out of the country for two weeks, tell us about you tour?
I had traveled to the U.K courtesy of promoter Sengo and it was such an experience because people who came from all corners of U.K loved my entire performances and their support was simply magnificent.

Now that you’ve started getting international exposure, should we expect anything different from Grace?
Definitely, because I’m looking forward to working with different producers and artists from the entire region before I embark on my International journey.

Where is Grace 3 years from now?
Three years ahead, Grace will probably have conquered Africa through music and into charity because she has a giving heart to those who deserve to be helped.

A brief profile about Grace!
Grace is a wife, mother, business minded kawonawo lady born 24 years ago to mr David Kalema and Mrs Rose Nalubega. The last born out of 5 and attended Bat Valley primary school and Old Kampala Senior Secondary School for both her O and A level before attending a hair dressing course in Nairobi.
Grace is a mother and a wife.

Any last words for all your fans.
Just want to tell them to keep on surviving and that I’m so grateful for the love and support and meeting them is the greatest gift of all.

Isac44@gmail.com

Click here to read past interviews on Grace