A number of children have tried their hand at Uganda’s bludgeoning music industry. One most notable player is Little Tammy (real name Tammy Tamale).
Daughter to Desire Mbabazi and Fred Musafini both business people in Kampala Tammy at just at 11years of age launched her second Album “the African Child” on 22nd August. The young singer is a pupil of Kings School Seguku and is in Primary five.
She recently had the chance of rubbing shoulders with the African Music legend Yvonne Chaka Chaka at the Hakuna Wakati Concert that took place at Hotel Africana. She now says she will soon record a song with Chaka Chaka. Tiberindwa Zakaria had a chat with her on the music and aspirations in such a young body and soul. Here are the excerpts.
Who is little Tammy?
Little Tammy is a musician.
Who is she apart from that?
Hmm….. Also an actress
Being a pupil and musician, how have you found balancing studies and singing?
Studies are in their own time and during holidays is when I sing.
What do your teachers and fellow pupils say or think about you? Do they admire you or look up to you?
(Smiles) They say that I am a good musician! Some pupils look up to me and admire me.
When did you start singing and for how long have you been singing.
I started singing when I was eight years and that was in 2007. So I have been singing for three years.
Did you start recording songs in the studios at that age? In which Studio did you record your first song?
Yes I recorded songs at that age. My first song was Anthem for homelessness and parentlesness and I recorded it from dream studios.
Who brought up the idea of recording a song? Are you the one that composed the song or somebody else composed the song and asked you to sing it?
Somebody brought up the idea of writing for me the song and that is my uncle Yiga Kassim. He then asked me to go and sing it in the Studios.
I believe at school you are a musician. Did you start singing at school before you started recording songs or you recorded songs before you started singing at school? And at school have you achieved anything personally in music or with the choir? Have you won anything or any competition?
I started recording songs then moved to singing at school. At school I actually sing in the choir. I am heading them. We have won a competition before. It was about children’s rights and we were singing songs, acting and dancing creative dance. So we won a certificate. Though there was a school that headed us, at least we were the second. Though I do not remember the exact date of when this competition took place at least I remember it was at Makarere College.
How do your parents feel about your singing?
They encouraged me to start singing because they used to see me cram songs in very short times. For example I would take like two minutes after listening to a song and I would get the song into my head. My first song was Sigwe Onsimila for Mesearch Semakula (Sings a line) Sigwe Onsimila, Tompalampa fala nawe… I wanted to translate it, change it and sing it in English but I failed completely.
I understand you are inspired by Whitney Houston and her song Greatest love for all but in Uganda, Particularly which Ugandan artist inspires you or which artist do you look up to and why do you look up to that artist.
Juliana; the way she sings, the way she flows her songs. That is why I like her…more on page 2 below
Apart from those Juliana Kanyomozi and Whitney Houston, do you have other role models?
(Keeps quiet) hmm Mariah Carey and Beyonce.
Do you have any other role models outside music?
No. I only like music. Okay may be also acting. Actually among actors I admire Mariam Ndagire and Internationally Will Smith.
Tammy, what do you dream to achieve now that you started singing early at this stage? What do you hope to achieve in your music career?
I want to achieve the rights of the children. That is why I sing about Child Abuse.
May be you sing about children because you are still a child. Do you think after growing up you will still sing songs advocating for children’s rights and will they be your focus then when you grow up?
Yes. They will still remain my focus even when I grow up.
Any other thing you hope to achieve apart from children’s rights?
Achieving… (Says this meditatively) No. No.
By the way when was the first time you stepped on stage? How did it feel? Weren’t you scared of the crowd?
That was when I was singing at the first album launch of Irene Namubiru and it was in 2007. I was feeling shy and I was nervous but by the time I reached the middle of the song, which was anthem for homelessness and parentless ness, they made me sing and I continued sing it. So I gained confidence along the way.
And what is your biggest moment since you started singing
It was my first Album Launch which was in 2008. It was called Aids is Erosion.
Your first Album was Aids is Erosion which I believe had songs about HIV/ AIDS and your second Album is African child which I know basically to be about the African Child. But you began with Aids, how is that you changed to the African Child?
No. I began with Aids because I used to go to their concerts but besides I also never began with Aids altogether. I began with Anthem for homelessness and parentless ness. So I sang about HIV/AIDS but encouraging those parents who have HIV/AIDS to tell their children the truth. So it was also about children.
Which songs should your fans look out for on this Album or which you think are the best on this Album.
Ngoma, Switi Owa Kati and many others.
Talked of Ngoma what is this Ngoma about?
Ngoma is a dancehall song about being positive in life, looking at what is ahead and forgetting the past. It is also about the fact that life is going on. You do not know whether your Calendar is off or on. So you better do something useful.
Then what did you mean when you sang Switi Owa Kati and how did you come up with the idea of Switi Owakati?
Sweet just Sweet. That is how it is.
Can you sing just one or two lines of the chorus for the people out there?
(Sings) Bwokomawo Mummy ondetera nga switi owakati,
Bwokomawo mummy towerabira switi owa kati.
I believe you must be busy at this stage what else are you planning?
I have recorded a song with Goodlyfe called condemn them which is about child sacrifice and hope it will be out soon before my Album launch. I am also planning to sing with Yvonne Chaka Chaka. I made an application and she already allowed my application. (Looks visibly excited) So she said yes.
Speaking of Chaka Chaka, recently you met Yvonne Chaka Chaka at the Hakuna Wakati concert and she actually admired your singing. How did it feel being admired by an African Music Legend like Chaka Chaka? And was that one of your best experiences in life?
(With a beaming smile) It feels very good. Yah. It was one of my best moments in life.
And when do you expect to record the song with Chaka Chaka?
In September. I will be flown out to South Africa and I hope it will be a successful one.
Anything that you would like to tell the Children and parents out there
I would like to tell the children to tell the parents to allow them carry out their talents. Never know you will achieve something out of it. I also advise parents to look after their children and see what is ahead of them, what their talents are. Never know, your child could achieve something out of his or her talent.
Okay. Wish u the best. Thank you.
Engoma by Little Tammy