Eagle Online’s Catherine Namanya traces how the upcoming producer has been able to grow despite the crowded field of music production.
What is your name?
Sam Ssemwogerere aka Zuli Tums
How old are you?
I am 23 years.
Which schools did you attend?
I went to Ronnie and Violah nursery school, Kamwokya Islamic for primary, Kololo Secondary School for O level and Kololo High for A level and that’s where I stopped.
Why didn’t you continue with your studies?
I started earning from production in Senior three, so by the time I finished high school I found no value in education. People study to get money and I was already earning. It is not that I am encouraging school drop outs, because I dropped out for a reason.
What is the first song you produced?
Mabanja by Vampino and it caught the audience.
Who inspired you to be a producer?
Initiatially, in Senior One I used to sing and people inspired me by believing in me. Later I found out that I was a better listener than singer and that is why I joined production. But I do not have a role model yet.
What is your family background?
I am a second of four children and both my parents are business personalities.
Where do you come from?
I come from Lukumbi village in Nakaseke district.
Which famous artists have you worked with?
Palaso on Ssanyu lyange and Very sorry; Maro on Kikoko, an Xmas song, Vampino on Mabanja,Young Mulo aka Badman on gadget-better than them, Magla on Onkyusa and Aidan Quin on Biology.
What are the challenges you have encountered in this industry?
Musicians do not want to invest in their music yet they want good quality and producers are looked at as people with no focus yet we are the ones behind musician’s success and lack of copyright law is affecting a lot in this industry.
What have you achieved in this industry?
I have made friends, got room to explore and learn more and a platform to do what I can do best.
What are your future plans?
I am looking forward to having my own studio and if God wishes I want to go for a course in sound engineering.
Where do you see yourself in two years’ time?
I see this industry growing; people will be able to differentiate musicians from pretenders because music is going analog, shifting from digital where everyone can sing.
Why do most producers harass upcoming female musicians sexually?
Man, most of those girls are so hot. However much you may try to control yourself, olumu bigana. But for me I just look at them because I am too young to die.
Which song brought you in the limelight?
Mabanja by Vampino
Which female artiste would you want to be your woman?
Ever since my childhood I grew up admiring Grace Nakimera.
What is your best Ugandan production so far?
‘You do not know me’ produced by Nessim
Why do most producers live reckless lives?
Because they have fame and little money, they think they can have any woman they want. However, to me, my clients are my witnesses; I have never thrown a vibe at any of them because I like keeping a clean sheet in this industry.
