Simocank

I am a Northern Ugandan artist based in Kampala by the name of Ocan K. Simon Peter aka Peter Simocank. I was born in Gulu to Mr. M.K Eriasafu and Naome Angut, on the 16th October 1977.
I went to Lacekocot Primary School in Pader district and later to Kasubi Primary School in Gulu town where I sat for my primary leaving exams in 1992. I attended Sir Samuel Baker School in 1993 for my Secondary education. Of which I finished in 1996.

Before you read any further, listen to Simocank's 'Guard your life' here
Due to the problem in Northern Uganda, I decided to come and study my A’ level’s in Kampala in 1997. At that time my guardian, passed away then I was unable to pay for my education, forcing me to drop out of school prematurely but I managed to register and sit for my examination at Kampala Grammar School in 1998.
In 1999, I was admitted at Makerere University on private sponsorship but I could not afford because I had no money so I decided to venture into small business to earn a living in Kampala.

MUSIC CAREER

I started singing at the age of seven in the school choir. My choirmaster liked me because he believed that I had a promising voice, which could eventually take me places.
Alongside singing I was playing some instruments like local guitar (Adungu), drums among others.
In my secondary school, I was acting in the drama group where I was acting, singing and miming songs like by artists like Koffi Olomide, Wenge Musica, Shabba Ranks and Vanilla Ice, because they were the hitting groups. In 1998 when I completed my A’level I decided to be serious and start composing my own songs since I was idle and I had a lot of time to sit alone and write a lot of songs. It took me time to start recording my songs because of financial constraints because recording is very expensive but after saving for quite some time. I happened to record my first single in May 2004. The first song was known as “Guard your life” which talks about HIV –AIDS awareness among the youths.
I decided to sing about HIV/AIDS because of a personal experience where I lost my guardian, brothers, sisters, friends, and as I speak now, I have a couple of dear ones who are victims of the same disease.
I also managed to release the video in August 2004. I have written an album of ten tracks which I need to record incase I get financial aid. The ten tracks are in English, Luo Kiswahili and Luganda. I do appeal to the well-wishers to support me in anyway to achieve my ambitions.
Basically my music is all about life, peace and unity. These are my major themes. However, I have also done some few love songs and dance hall hits.

SPONSOR.

At the moment I do not have any sponsor but I am hoping to get one since it was not easy for the sponsors to get in touch with me. I was still new in the field but I am appealing to all well wishers to come up and sponsor me to reach as many people as possible with my messages. I need to record my album, which I have already written. I also wish to appeal to the general public for those who can support me financially or morally; your help would be highly appreciated. For those who are willing to sponsor or support me, they can see the contacts here below. My entertainment group’s name is Simocank
Simocank Entertainment
P O Box 70244 Kampala
Telephone: +256 077 439 220
+256 077 977 919
Also my A/C Number at Nile Bank 0189906.
E-mail simocank@yahoo.com

APPRECIATION

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Music Uganda for putting us in the worldwide web (internet). I will not forget to thank all those who helped me produce my first album especially the producers, Marketers and my entire crew. I would not have made it without your moral support.
Finally to my family especially my MOTHER, who was by my side entirely through the trying moments, encouraged me and gave me the will to go on even when it seemed like things were tough.

STUDIO/PRODUCER.

I recorded my song from Namex Studio in Namirembe road- Kampala. My producer is called Moses N. I did both the audio and video production at the same studio.

PROBLEMS.

Since I started my music career I have faced a number of problems
· My mother was initially against my singing career because she believed that those who sing were crazy and were lost in the world of entertainment. Until I explained to her the reasons why I had opted to sing and she eventually came to understand and later gave me all the support.
· Financial problems has been and is still a big problem for me therefore I cannot be able to exploit my talents because of minimum resources.
· Being popular is not so easy initially when you join the music industry; this is the reason why many people give up at initial stages, because of lack of moral and motivation. This is very demoralizing.
· It is not easy to get sponsors at initial stages because of lack of exposure and proper access to the relevant sponsor.
FUTURE PLANS

I wish to develop my musical career, want to become a super star, not only in Uganda but also all over the world. I also wish to create a drama group that I can perform with and write plays since I am able to write plays. Eventually I would wish to create my own studio with state of art equipments having all the latest equipments money can buy so that I can support my dear upcoming artistes who have the talents but luck the resources.
I wish to be able to start my own theatre and help to promote the local cultures and be able to communicate to the public as a whole.
I need to join my fellow artistes and share the ideas to develop our country through positive communication in our messages. Thanks. For God And My Country.