He is a respected songwriter with more than 15 hits to his name. A few weeks ago, Nince Henry alarmed fans when he posted on social media that he was contemplating suicide.
Quick Talk sounded him out on that and more:
Nince Henry You look so fine, Nince; it seems Covid-19 has not been that bad to you!
When the eyes appreciate, the heart beats better; so, thanks for that compliment. Covid-19 has not been good to anyone. And I don’t think I look better than before, because I stopped working out due to the lockdown and since restrictions were eased, I haven’t recollected myself back into the gym vibe. But soon… [Nince is indeed a fitness freak, who before the lockdown spent a lot of time at Paradise City Fitness Centre, at Acacia mall.]
On to your latest projects. Singing in English is not your trademark style. What inspired you to go for it?
I can’t say I am making music in English now. It’s just that this one Killer Potion has an English title because of its reference to a famous English story of Romeo and Juliet. I don’t have a good English accent, but I have realized that people don’t care as long as the line is catchy.
Killer Portion. What or who inspired it?
It’s a metaphorical expression of an extremely irresistible beauty that one can be willing to give up life for. Its inspiration is drawn from the story of Romeo and Juliet [by William Shakespeare]. A killer potion was introduced as the remedy for a contradicting feeling of love mixed with hate.
Born to a Muganda father and Munyankore mother in 1989 in Mukono, Nince Henry is talented both as a songwriter and singer.
With songs including Cinderella, Mpola Mpola, Sikyakaaba, Kabiriti, Kaberebere, Taata w’Omuntu, Basusi Bamenvu and Mali Yangu, Nince has also written hit songs for several artistes such as Iryn Namubiru (Birowoozo), Bebe Cool (Akamwako and Minzani), Rema (Oli Wange), Samalie Matovu (Omukwano Gunyuma) and Julie Mutesasira (Ekikunyumira), among others.
In his own words: “I am very short-tempered. It is bad. I am very principled. I am very picky and very selective. I am also very private and there is a limit to how much I give myself to the public.”
The artiste that started out as a rapper and looks up to Kanye West, went to Vincent Alex primary school, Jinja SS and Kampala International University for a degree in Business Administration, majoring in marketing. Killer Potion.
Then you said you were suicidal. What’s going on, man? [He laughs heartily]
That was a plan to get people’s attention and also make them talk, because I was going to release my song and Killer Potion was the answer to that!
That was not a kind attention-grabber, then. But moving on; what’s your take about musicians joining politics?
The musicians are taking advantage of the power of social prominence or popularity. And that’s called the benefit of the popularity contest. And of course that comes as a result of the psychological influence of music on a human being. Music is powerful.
If music is powerful, why do you take so long to release new music?
It’s been because of lack of a team to work with as management. You make music and try to handle things by yourself and you find out that it’s not within your capacity to handle the responsibilities that come along building a brand. So, songs keep dying and you lose motivation. That’s exactly how I’ve been.
But now that I have a team, I am going to make more music and release more though not as frequently as most kids do here. I don’t believe in that; but yeah, now it’s going to be better.
What are you most proud of in your music career?
The benefits of being a music celebrity transcend the immediate physical receipts! You’re easily connected to the world and that only can put so many opportunities at your disposal. The blessing of knowingness.
What can you tell upcoming artistes?
Once you achieve a breakthrough, keep up the consistency. Behave in a manner that can open other doors of the world for you than stage and music sales. Behave respectably.
How has Covid 19 affected you, Nince?
In ways innumerable. But most notably, I can’t go out for a performance; hence it affected our business as musicians.