Quick Talk caught up with the Buligita singer and talked about music, and what has kept him on top.
What have you been up to, Fik Fameica?
Well, we were all affected by COVID-19 and this gave me a lot of time to do lots of work as seen for the past two years [during the lockdown, Fik released an album in 2020, another in 2021, and even this year he has new music.]
Quick Talk sees Unik Star Agency organizing your concert this year; why the changes?
My first show [at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds – it was not a huge success, by the way] was organized by my former management under Karma Ivan, whom I parted ways with because of mistrust that came from them. [As for Unik], I got to work with him as a person because he has been my friend from way back and I admire his work.
You are steering clear of the sports grounds this time…
Well, change is part of life and also because I like challenging myself to greater things. We have been off for two years and in those two years we have been busy working on more good music and besides, it has been a long time without giving my fans a show. That is why I had to do this for them and it will be at Africana.
Hit after hit from you, man. How do you do it?
It is the grace of the Lord that enables me to do so!
This year Nigerian artistes seem to have dominated the live music scene in Uganda. What does that even mean for the industry?
It continues to open our eyes and we get to know what to feed our audience, because these concerts never flop. We also need to work hard to make good quality videos, among other things [this year alone, Uganda has hosted Ruger, Tiwa Savage, Fireboy, Kizz Daniel, Adekunle Gold, among others at Lugogo Cricket Oval in massive concerts. Others including REMA are still lined up for later this year, making the cricket oval inaccessible to cricketers in a ridiculous twist of irony].
One Nigerian said our music has not penetrated their country the way theirs is dominating airwaves here. How do we make them dance to our tunes?
That is just one. I know of more than five that have confessed to dancing to our tunes [Quick Talk agrees; Big Tril’s Parte After Parte was a huge hit in Nigeria and even featured in Nollywood movies].
What keeps you on top, Fik? And somehow you stay out of trouble too…
I will say this: I learn from others and also from my mistakes. Plus, I now know and understand my audience and give them exactly what they want.
Aren’t you scared of a flop?
Why would it be a flop? I have performed across the nation for promoters and no one has ever registered a loss, meaning the fans love me and my music. I urge every fan of Fik Fameica and all music-loving people to turn up at Hotel Africana for an experience from King Kong.
How do you rate Ugandan music today and back when you joined?
Nowadays there is a lot of competition; you have to work hard because there is a lot of pressure from the fans who demand a lot of good music; you have to produce good music to stay relevant.
If you were not a musician, Fik, what would you be?
I would be a stylish fashion designer [makes sense; dude has an amazing sense of style].
Which artistes do you look up to?
I look up to Jay Z, because every rapper admires him and I know I will make it.
Good luck, bro. You have done music in Luganda and English, how many languages can you fluently speak?
I only speak two languages, Luganda and English.
Brief background
• Fik Fameica was born in 1996, as Shafik Walukagga to a Muslim family.
• He went to Kawempe Royal College for O’Level, Kawempe Muslim senior secondary school for A’Level, having started out at Greenhill Academy for primary education.
• He started singing in his form six vacation but had his big break in 2015.
inarticle} inarticle}
