TRACY MELON is one of Uganda’s budding singers. With her song Kakkana rocking the airwaves, she promises that more is yet to come.
Quick Talk caught up with her for a chat about her music journey and her love for TikTok.
[Quick Talk finds her in her car at Kampala Serena hotel interacting with her fans live on TikTok. She is donning all black; jeans and T-shirt, plus sneakers. As the interview starts, she leaves the TikTok live on, so that her fans can listen in].
So, who is Tracy Melon?
I am a Ugandan singer, songwriter. My real name is Tracy Mirembe. I was born in Iganga district, a Musoga by tribe but was raised in Kampala in Mutungo Bbiina.
I grew up with my aunt because my mum passed away when I was 10 years old. I was a very disciplined and humble child though naughty once in a while. I have so many siblings that I don’t even know the exact number [bursts into laughter].
I am my dad’s second born, but from mum, I am really not sure how many we are. [Melon lives by the adage, “A woman never reveals her age”]
How far did you go with school?
Literally after my HSC [Higher School Certificate], I jumped into music. Though I went to Makerere University Business School [Mubs] to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Office and Information Management, I only studied one semester and dropped out.
Yes, there was a lot of pressure from my parents to continue but I wanted them to understand that what I was going for [music] was something that I loved to do and, after some time, they understood and supported me.
How do you start doing music?
Music is something I have always loved. I discovered I could sing at a very young age. I used to always sing while doing house chores at home and I am very lucky that I grew up around people who understood and embraced my talent.
Everywhere I have been and there is an opportunity to sing, I have taken it up, whether at school, home or church. Professionally, I started doing music at the end of 2022.
I participated in the music competition called Pearl of Africa Star Search when I was fresh from school. I emerged third and also met my managers from there.
Shortly after the competition, I started doing live band gigs until I started releasing my own music in October 2022. I have 12 songs out.
I released four singles in the beginning plus an EP of six sings. I released Kakkana after the EP and then the latest one, Sumagiza.
What inspired that EP?
The EP is titled Smile, and it came at a time when my management was trying to discover a sound for me because discovering my sound is something I was struggling with. So, we were trying out different writers and genres.
That EP was for us to get one sound out of the six and embrace it, which we did.
Meanwhile, Kakkana has done so well…!
Yes. I didn’t expect Kakkana to blow up that much. I wasn’t seeing myself having a song with over a million views on YouTube in 2025; I didn’t imagine it could happen. [Puts hands together and looks up, thanking God].
Kakkana has been like my little miracle. We were looking for a song which could help me break through and we went in for it wholeheartedly, and thankfully people received it well.
As an upcoming artiste, what are some of the challenges you have faced?
Navigating the industry is a bit difficult. That is why you see some musicians making stunts and creating chaos here and there so that people can give them attention, or they dress a certain way so that they can be noticed.
But when it comes to Tracy Melon, I am not a chaotic person, I am not going to dress skimpily to entice your eyes. The only thing I have to show is my voice; promoting my music and having people listen and welcome it without doing any stunts has been one of the difficult things I have faced.
People have compared you to the late singer Sera, what do you think about that?
I loved Sera. I remember every time we would be going somewhere with my aunt, she used to play Sera’s song Contagious in the car and I would sing it every now and then. But when people started comparing me to her, I was shocked, because I don’t see the resemblance.
They say we have the same voice and that I kinda look like her. Even though I don’t see it, if people say so, then it is fine.
What is the biggest stage you have performed at?
I think it’s Blankets and Wine in 2023.
Do you still get stage fright?
I do. Always. Before going on stage, I don’t want to talk to anyone. I usually want to be alone and not have anyone trying to morale-boost me. I be feeling so nervous that I just want to be in own space, encourage and give myself strength.
Have you ever had any embarrassing moment on stage?
Not really embarrassing, but there was a time I performed for people who were green about my music. I went on stage and everyone was looking at me like, who the hell is this?
I was performing at Afropalooza in 2022.
What musicians have you looked up to?
I have looked up to Iryn Namubiru a lot; Tiwa Savage, Brandy, Jennifer Hudson and Irene Ntale.
And who would you wish to collaborate with?
I want to collaborate with so many artistes. I would like to collaborate with Ykee Benda; I have always said it and I hope he gets to see this. I would also wish to collaborate with A Pass and Winnie Nwagi.
Why has it taken you this long though, to do any collaborations?
I have been first establishing myself as a solo artiste but right now I am in studio working on a collaboration with someone I am not going to reveal now so as not to ruin the surprise, but just be ready for it.
Are you dating? [Promptly]
No. I am choosing to focus on my career right now. Ok.
But who would be your ideal man?
Ohh God! This is tough. I would want someone who is respectful and empathetic. There are people who are cold and mean and I wouldn’t settle for someone like that.
Even if you are not mean to me but mean to other people, I wouldn’t go for such a man.
You were known for doing song covers on TikTok, what is the best cover you ever did?
There are like two. The first was Believe by Vinka and Dax Vibez but the most viral one was Fou De Toi by Element Eleéeh, Ross Kana and Bruce Melodie. It got me a lot of audience even outside Uganda.
How much has TikTok contributed to your career?
So much [turns to address fans on her TikTok live] These ones are my guys. Where would I have been without them? I love TikTok so much because I grew a following on TikTok that later became a fan base.
They started by listening to the covers I used to do and when I started releasing my own music, they continued supporting me. As the year goes on, what should your fans expect from you? I am in studio day in, day out and I am not resting until I am your biggest female artiste and being on your minds, rent-free. I am going to be giving you nothing less than good music; so, brace yourselves.
