In that song, you seemed to have special beef with Fik Fameica’s then ‘relationship’ with Sheila Gashumba. Were you jealous?
Honestly, I don’t care because I am not bothered. Fik Fameica is not in my league and I just used it on my track for the fans; so, no big deal.
Gravity Omutujju claims that GNL Zamba is the only hip-hop rapper better than him; what’s your comment?
Let me make this clear; seriously speaking, Gravity is not a rapper. He rhymes on the beats but that doesn’t make him a rapper. [Huh? Poor Gravity; then what genre is Ekyakuzaala Kyekirikutta? Well…] So, it’s not all about claiming, it’s doing what you have to do then fans can tell. Gravity only tried to be a rapper in the Who Is Who challenge where he did his Black Panther. It was a flop.
Huu! I can see you take no prisoners. How was life growing up?
I grew up in the ghettos of Nakulabye, Nabulagala in a family of five – three girls and two boys. I am the lastborn. We weren’t rich, but we weren’t poor in our hearts. My mother [Nalongo Mary Baganizi] sold charcoal and waragi for us to survive. I lost my dad in 2009; may his soul rest in peace! He was the greatest dad of all time [He describes his late dad as a clever man who reportedly told him never to be violent against women, and supported his love for hip-hop.] I thank God He kept us strong and He is still there for us.
Where did the name Feffe Bussi come from?
The name Feffe Bussi started a long time ago when I was a little boy. There are some words that children cannot pronounce and mine was fene ( jackfruit). Instead of saying fene, I called it feffe and instead of mubisi (it is raw) I said bussi. [In Feffe Bussi’s childhood, saying the jackfruit is not ripe came out as feffe bussi] That stuck as my nickname for long and so when I started doing music, I decided to use it as my stage name. [Aww. A strange stage name that actually has sentimentality to it.]
You were to hold a concert this May… Have you set new dates yet?
I was supposed to hold it on May 29 at Freedom City but because of Covid-19 everything came to a halt. And for now, we have not yet set dates for concerts but will be communicating. Let’s see where the situation will go. [So, Gravity can stick around! Gravity in 2018 reportedly vowed to quit music of Feffe Bussi ever held a big concert.]
Have you made many losses?
Yes, not only me but generally businesses have made a lot of losses and with the entertainment business, many of us have made big losses from artistes to promoters. I feel bad, but God has plans for everything. [And the entire business community said, Amen!]
I think it will take a long time to get back to [normal].
By the way, where is your food donation? Artistes are lining up before the cameras with donations.
I thank everyone who has donated; let’s share the little we have with those around us. Not everyone can donate, but we can all share with our neighbours and others.
How have you spent the lockdown?
Ever since we went into lockdown, I’ve been in the studio doing music, because the studio is so close to home.
Really? What are you working on?
I have Onkuba, a new single, and I have a collabo with Dax Vibes from Firebase. It’s called Naye.
No corona song? Which was your best, by the way?
I thank everyone that took time and did songs to teach the masses how to keep themselves from getting the virus. But I love Nubian Lee and Bobi Wine’s song; it is very simple and straight to the point. It carried all the measures of how to prevent the virus. [Are you sure you have listened to the other one too? The one that goes: ‘zero, zero, munana zero…’?]
Who are your favourite Ugandan rappers?
Ugandan hip-hop has come a long way and my best are GNL Zamba, Felista, Navio, and Maliswene. GNL Zamba and Navio are some of the big names that set the trend of hip-hop high. [Come to think of it, Navio is quiet!]
If you were not a musician, what would you be doing?
I think I would be a radio presenter.
Where were you last Friday; #NBSKatchUp vs NtvMixShow?
Hahaha, I can’t tell you that, because they both play my music.
Background
He went to Nakulabye Junior School, Cityland College Matugga for O-level (where he met Lydia Nabawanuka Jazmine, whom he describes as very bright in class) and Nile High School Mukono for A-level. He then went into music.
His specialty is Lugaflo and has hits such as Nsekula (ft Sheebah), Mbuuzabiriyo, Bagala and Juliana.
He is single and has previously said on Galaxy TV:“I am so in love with my music and it is jealous, I cannot cheat on it.” But that were he to date, he would like the ‘Barbie Kyagulanyi’ type – a “woman who has dreams, a woman who is ready to stand with me”. He wishes Barbie could start ekisaakaate (grooming camp) for slay queens.
Internationally, Feffe looks up to Wiz Khalifa. He started rapping in his S.2 with inspiration from GNL Zamba.
atiluknathan@gmail.com
