He, however, put music on hold but he has rebranded and come back under a new name. Quick Talk caught up with him for a chat.
You came onto the music scene at a very young age, then disappeared; what were you up to?
[Quick Talk finds him at his home studio in Munyonyo, where one of his unreleased songs is blasting through the speakers. nHe steps into the room in shorts and an unbuttoned shirt, carrying a big bottle of water.]
I started music when I was 11 years old under the name Young Zee, but I went through life, grew up and became Zagazillions. I started out with Swangz Avenue as my management but left and got another manager. I, however, didn’t last long with him and I became frustrated with music.
I became a party animal; I became a suburban hooligan. I ended up getting thrown out of the school because of my hooliganism and my father took me to Nairobi in a school where my brother was also studying.
How did that pan out?
I was in Nairobi for two years [2016 and 2017] but made a humongous impact there. I became even crazier and partied harder. I partied so hard that I failed my exams and the school refused to take me back and I transferred to another school which I found so boring that I became depressed. That is when I decided to wake up and accept that the party was over.
Luckily, there was a studio at the school and I started going there to do some music, which triggered me to beg my parents to let me come back to Uganda and resume doing music.
Did you miss Uganda while there?
No. Nairobi showed me the real life; Uganda was just showing me a baby life. I was in a boarding school, but with the opportunity of going to my guardian’s house every weekend. I would instead go to my friends’ place and we party the whole weekend. I was having the time of my life.
Why did you change your name to Zagazillions?
When I came back, I finished my high school but my focus was on resuming music. I had rebranded and had a new name because I had grown up and Young Zee no longer resonated with me. Many people don’t know that Young Zee and Zagazillions are the same person.
What does Zagazillions mean?
It has no particular meaning. It was one of my friends in Nairobi who gave me the name. He told me to change my Instagram handle from Zac Mukiza and came up with Zagazillions to swag it up…
Are you now finished with school?
I never officially graduated, though I had done almost all the assignments needed and had only four months left. But honestly, I was just attending for the sake of it, and I was like, “what am I doing here? I need to go do what God put me in the world to do, which is music.”
How would you describe Zagazillions?
Zagazillions is someone who does the things he likes without pressure or stress. I am a talent and a pillar of urban music in Uganda especially for the new generation. I am a legend in the making.
The public see Zagazillions as a crazy, unruly guy with no manners, but there are people who appreciate my sound and vibe. With me, you either love me too much or think I am nonsense.
How would you describe your music?
I have my own sound called Zaga vibe. It consists of a string hip hop foundation, a very heavy afrobeat influence and a mild but very strong dancehall and reggae touch to it, and a sprinkle of the old school.
But you started out as a rapper…
I have actually always been into the afrobeat sound [grabs a bottle and sips on water], though my foundation was hip hop. My first memory of music is T.I and Rihanna’s song Live My Life; I liked it so much I got into hip Hhop.
But the Nigerians started dominating the music scene and I was inspired by Wiz Kid; I became his super fan and literally obsessed with him. I feel like he has been one of those artistes who have made Africans believe that we can also make it to the global stage with afrobeat and that inspired me heavily.
Any chance of doing hip hop again?
Yeah, man. I actually have songs which I haven’t released yet where I am rapping. Rap is still part of my life and I will never disrespect hip hop because it was my foundation, but I don’t want to be boxed by it.
Do you write your own songs?
Yes, though I have worked with songwriters before. My style is a bit unorthodox; I write the music in my head. I just go to the studio, listen to a beat, repeat the words in my head, voice them and I have a verse.
How was it like being famous at a young age?
It was nice and weird at the same time. Of course, I didn’t have the life of a normal child because as most kids concentrated on school, every weekend, I would be in studio making music.
You are back with Swangz Avenue…
I recently signed to them again as an artiste and there is a big plan to elevate my career, because I had reached a point where I needed a push. I need to learn how to strategize and approach music from a more serious and business angle.
Who are your favourite artistes in Uganda?
The truth is that I don’t really look up to any Uganda artiste because all I have seen in Uganda’s music industry are the things I don’t want to end up like; so, nobody has inspired me here. The only people I have felt musically in Uganda are Peter Miles and the late Mowzey Radio; the rest? I am sorry.
Have you chilled with any of your fellow Swangz Avenue artistes?
Not really, and it’s not just them; to be honest, I don’t chill with anybody. You can’t catch me in clubs unless I am performing, because I was a party animal and I have now outgrown that. I represented that part of my life so well [grimaces while saying this] and now I have let it go.
What do you do in your free time?
When I am not in studio, I am at the gym. I currently exercise a lot and have a crazy workout routine. [Quick Talk is surprised by this, because he doesn’t see the six pack popping… Remember, Zagazillions’ shirt is unbuttoned]. I am from Kisoro where we are big naturally; so I always have to work out.
Ohh! Boy from Kisoro. Do you speak Rufumbira?
Hahahaa…. No, I don’t speak Rufumbira. I grew up speaking English. There was a time I wanted to learn how to speak it but no one was there to teach me. My mum is a Muganda and my dad who can speak Rufumbira is always busy making money.
But I wish I learnt it; it is a beautiful language and I sang a song in it.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I don’t and I have actually not had any relationship since 2017 [huh, really?] Music is now my lifestyle and does not permit me to have a girlfriend. I am still just trying to build myself and become a success; so, I don’t have time for a relationship.
Would you go for a girl who parties hard?
I wouldn’t. I like a quiet girl, focused on her life, and not a gold digger waiting for a man to support her in everything. I don’t like those things of calling me that you want to come over and I need to send you transport money.
So, you are one of those guys that don’t send transport money?
Of course I can send, but I don’t want to be with a girl like that. I want to be with a type of girl who is a boss so that we can boss together.
Musically, what are you cooking?
I just dropped my first single with Swangz Avenue called Kafunda and I expect my EP called Sumbie Vibes to drop at the end of the year; I can’t wait for all of you to listen to it.
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