Could you briefly tell Quick Talk about yourself?
I am Martha Mukisa, a recording artiste and performer signed under Black Magic Entertainment. I went to Kyambogo University, where I did a diploma in textile designing and technology. I am a hardworking girl, happy woman and a go-getter.
How did you get into music?
My talent for music has been there since I was a child. I have always loved music. I would always be this young girl singing and dancing in the bathroom. I was in the church and school choirs. But entering professionally into the music business was in 2020.
Was music all you ever wanted to do, growing up?
Yes, music is something I have always wanted to do in that the schools I went to – Kitante Hill School and St Balikuddembe SS Mitala Maria – I chose them because they were schools that were ready to push my music talent; they were so active when it came to music, dance and drama.
Were your parents supportive of your music?
They were very supportive. My mother is the one who would spot schools for us and she specifically would spot those good in musical activities.
Even when I had just started the whole musical journey professionally, when it came to shooting videos, she is the one who would go downtown to look for clothes for me. She was a hairstylist; so, she used to do my hair so that I look good in videos. She also comes and supports me on my shows once in a while [way to go, mum!]
Then my dad specifically created a studio at home for us to record our music. He partnered with a producer and gave him space to set up a studio without paying rent. I started from there, knowing about how music is created; so, most of the skills that I have started from home [some of us need to borrow your parents!]
How did you get signed to Black Magic Entertainment?
In 2018, I performed at Blankets and Wine and after my performance, I went back home and resumed my normal life. But I always wanted to be part of a team that would help me push my music. So, at the beginning of 2020, Black Magic came to me with an offer to sign me and I accepted. Unfortunately, that is when Covid-19 came.
That must have been a big blow!
Oh yeah. It wasn’t easy at all. At some point, I thought my name was not Mukisa because it means blessing. I had just got signed for two months and then Covid-19 and lockdowns came in. But then God proved me wrong, because we decided to use that time to record more music, shoot videos and push the music.
How is that going?
The music industry is just like any other business. You have to do a lot of learning, research and invest in it so that you can gain from it. Fortunately, very many people have now started taking it as a serious business.
As much as it is like any other business, it has a lot of risks. Most of the times we work late in the night and face people of different characters and your life is always at risk, because even though people love you; their love is kind of harsh; so, you have to be very careful with whatever you do.
You have worked with some of the big names in the industry in such a short time. How have you managed to scoop such collabos? [She has done collaborations with Eddy Kenzo and Eddy Yawe]
I should say it has been my management, because people are spotting me and want to work with me because of the hard work both my management and I have put in. Because of the hard work and good-quality work that we look out for, these big names have had the confidence to work with me. I am also a vocally good artiste and ready to keep on learning.
What is the best part of being a musician?
The best for me is being able to fill people with joy using my music and communicate to them. It is a blessing one can hardly find because seeing over a thousand people speaking the words you have spoken and relating to them I think is the most beautiful experience.
And the worst part?
Maybe the loss of privacy, because now I cannot be the normal Martha that I want to be. I have to be a little bit more careful about how I go out in public yet sometimes you would just want to be yourself.
Tell me about your first time performing on a big stage…
The biggest stage I have performed at has been the Galaxy FM post-lockdown concert. Oh my God! I was very anxious. It was scary, but exciting. I didn’t think I could tell the crowd to raise their hands and they do so. The feeling of command and to understand that people actually love me and are ready to support me was really amazing.
How do you manage the stage fright?
I speak to God. I tell him that this is no longer Martha Mukisa but you [God] who is going up there and I know you are not scared so, I am walking with you, if I get scared and fall, I know it is you but He doesn’t fall. He just walks within me and we do magic.
Have you had any embarrassing moment while on stage?
Nothing big so far, apart from fans wanting to touch me in places I am not comfortable with; that is a bit embarrassing. But again, it is the kind of job we do.
Do you write your own music?
I write but again I work with other songwriters to help me deliver exactly what I would want people to listen to.
What is your inspiration?
It is basically love. Love for music, God, myself, my family, other people and love for one another.
Speaking of love; are you in a relationship?
No. I don’t know. I think now I would just want to focus more on the music side than relationships. They say you are ever single until you have a ring on your finger. So, I am single.
Who is your ideal man?
Intelligent, God-fearing and rich.
Rich, you say. How important is being rich in a relationship?
It depends on being rich with what, because I don’t think being rich is only with the money, but money is important. Money does not define a relationship but it is important.
Is there anything else you do apart from music?
I am currently concentrating on music but there are lots of fun things I would want to do. I would like to be a therapist, preacher or race driver.
Wow! What do you do in your free time?
[Emphatically] I sleep. Lately I also work out, [and] watch movies; sometimes I read and just be on my phone. I also love juicing.
How is your normal day like?
I usually have shows. If it is a free day, I sleep for most part of the mornings because I come back late, wake up at around 3 pm to find something to eat and if I am not too lazy, I go to gym and work out.
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