Elijah Kisakye: Forgetting Coca-Cola Rated Next heartbreak

Elijah Kisakye was one of the top 10 finalists in last year's Urban TV and Coca-Cola organised singing competition, dubbed Coca-Cola Rated Next sing it!

He was recently announced winner of the Vodafone singing competition, Whatsappmania. 

We caught up with him and discussed his latest achievement and generally life after Coca-Cola Rated Next. 

What is your name?

Elijah Kisakye aka "Eli Songz"

Eli Songz … ha?

Eli is the short form for Elijah and "Songz" stands for my early childhood role model Trey Songz.

Okay. Who is Eli Songz?

Well, I am a Muganda. The last in a family of 21 children born to Samson Mubiru, in a place on Rubaga Road called ‘Ku Mabaanda' (bamboo). Being the youngest, I got so much attention from my family, especially my mother who called me, baby.

Okay ‘baby' Eli-Songz, did you go to school?

Yes I did. I went to Old Rubaga Road Children's Centre for nursery, then Old Kampala Primary School for P1 & P2. However, I was so lazy in class and very playful and naughty outside class, which pushed my late mother Margaret Muhwezi to send me to boarding school in P3 in my aunt's school. Thus I joined Wisdom Primary school Lugala from P3 to P7. I then went to Lakeside College Luzira from S1 to S6, which I completed in 2011.

In 2013 I was set to join Nakawa Vocational training institute for an Advanced Certificate in Plumbing Engineering, but I lacked tuition fees. That is when I left school and followed my passion, music. In 2015, this passion saw me join Coca-Cola Rated Next, a singing competition held in conjunction with Vision Group's Urban TV.

Was that a wise move?

Oh yeah, it is by far the most important thing I have ever done for my musical career. It was a turning point in my life. I learnt a lot from the people I met; the judges and fellow contestants.

Even after you were evicted, you still kept returning to watch the live performances. How come you stayed that humble?

Although I did not take the sh50m, I took home so much after every show I watched. I learnt a lot. Like I earlier said, it was not just about the money. The competition might have required a few things that I did not have then, but through coming back I got to learn more.

Or was it because, a certain…you know, young woman was still in the competition? Really, many would argue there was a love interest, Tracy perhaps. 

Hahaha… it was not there then, but if you ask me now, I would say yeah; I love her because she's not only a great vocalist, but also has a golden heart!

Hmmm! That aside, did you get any attention yourself, as a result of the competition?

Yes! Those guys really got me into deep trouble. The people, you know those in my area, called me a celeb and started asking for my music. 

Are you sure? Aren't you hiding anything?

Well…er...er. Okay, I had some ladies inbox me, you know, I don't wanna talk about it?

I will not continue if you just tell me what at least one said… just a bit, right?

Hahaha. Er… er…you know those things. "Hi Eli, we saw you on TV, could we meet?"

Okay, like I promised, no more. So, would you advise anyone to try their chance at Coca-Cola Rated Next?

Yes I would. All they have to do is be confident, humble and ready to learn. But also not to be too expectant, but practise, practise and practise!

Did I see something about you winning a singing competition? What is that about?

It is a three-month competition that started on January 31 to April 14. I joined by buying a Vodafone line, then sent a voice note, a pic. After that, I started to encourage people to vote for the song and made it to the top 10. Then the top 10 got to compete in the live performances where we sung in three levels and I was the winner.

Were you not afraid, you know of not winning again?

It was hard! But music chose me; otherwise, I wouldn't join whatsappmania.

What did you win? 

I won a record deal of four songs with Talent Africa and Dueces entertainment worth sh20m.

Tell me about what you are working on and who you are working with. 

I'm working on my 1st single #Gwempaana with Talent Africa, doing the audio and video will be done by Dueces Entertainment.

Good stuff. So, what should we look out for?

Oh yes. Expect great music from a pure musical soul and great entertainment from #EliSongz".