10 things you didn't know about The Mith

Why Tom Mayanja chose the rap name The Mith (Myth) could easily have been a result of a lisp. A myth is something laid bare to explain an origin. He is far from that. His rap name should rather have been The Spynx if he insisted on going folklorically. He is that kind of puzzle, hard to solve, for he keeps information about him scanty.

The rapper, songwriter and one of Uganda's hip-hop pioneers has spent years building a reputation for clever wordplay, lyrical storytelling and an unapologetic celebration of Ugandan identity.

Ahead of his So UG Experience, this Saturday, November 14, at Kati Kati in Kampala, here are 10 interesting things you probably didn't know about The Mith.

An Indian billboard inspired the So UG identity

You might think the phrase So UG was born out of a studio session. No, its inspiration came from India.

The Mith recalls travelling to India and seeing a billboard with the words "This Is Indi" boldly displayed.

The message stuck with him. Later, as he began missing home, he realised that what he missed was not necessarily the big things but the little quirks that make Uganda home.

From the way Ugandans call every toothpaste Colgate to the food, nightlife and everyday expressions, he began appreciating the country's unique identity.

"I speak like this, I walk like this, and I do this like this, because I am So UG," he explains.

Orders for “All Food

Forget expensive kitchen containers. According to The Mith, a Ugandan home is not complete without salt stored in a tin.

He also identifies the love for combining foods as another unmistakable Ugandan trait.

Whether it is half chips, half rice or simply mmere yona (all the food), Ugandans have their own way of doing things. And when he orders all the food in the restaurant, there is still more left for others.

And if you have ever called every ride-hailing service, Uber, even when it is not Uber, congratulations. You are so UG.

Uganda is the world’s capital city of the party

For The Mith, Ugandan identity is about nightlife.

He describes Ugandans as people who can party from Monday to Monday, suggesting that the country's entertainment culture is in a league of its own.

He is certainly not complaining about it either.

He has been rapping since 1999

Long before the current generation of Ugandan rappers started dominating conversations, The Mith was already building his name.

He came into the music industry in 1999 as part of Klear Kut, one of the groups credited with shaping Uganda's early hip-hop movement.

The Mith Perfoming For His Fans At The Villa. File Photo

Having witnessed the genre evolve over the years, he says one thing has remained unchanged: the importance of being dope with the bars.

However, he believes today's rappers have become more versatile. "They are now musicians. When we started, we rapped. These artists now produce, write with melodies, play instruments and more. They are amazing," he says.

He does not chase trends

In an industry where artists constantly reinvent themselves to remain relevant, The Mith says he is not prepared to abandon his identity.

He acknowledges that younger audiences also appreciate lyrical music but says the challenge is finding creative ways to deliver it.

It explains why he has not changed his hairstyle in ages and still puts on baggy clothes and bitenge when his colleagues are donning skinny jeans.

Mith has severally performed on the same stage with Navio. File Photo

He sees himself as a musical bridge between generations

From working with hip-hop veterans such as Lyrical G and Navio to collaborating with younger artistes, The Mith has deliberately kept himself connected to different generations.

His approach is not about competing with younger musicians or trying to sound like them.

Instead, he believes every collaboration should find a balance between the artistes' individual skills, musical ideas and messages.

He believes Ugandans should know where they came from before looking ahead

The November 14 concert is designed to bring together different generations of Ugandan music.

For The Mith, this is particularly important because he believes audiences should appreciate the country's musical journey before celebrating where the industry is going.

"I have always felt like we have to show people where we came from before we show them where we want to go," he says.

The Mith loves his food. File Photo

The foodie and love for gorillas

If the Mith were a flight captain introducing a foreign visitor to Uganda, his first stop would be Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

He describes the opportunity to walk through the forest and encounter mountain gorillas as an extraordinary experience.

His second stop would be the Kasubi Tombs, where visitors can experience Uganda's cultural heritage, history and spirituality.

But there is no Ugandan road trip without food.

His third destination would be Jinja, particularly the Source of the Nile, with a compulsory stop at Namawojjolo along the way. Even a cultural tour with Captain The Mith must have a food stop.

Mith confesses his love for food. Instagram Photo

He believes his So UG identity was written into his name

Asked whether his personal journey reflects the Ugandan identity he has spent years promoting, The Mith says he understands the connection more now than ever.

In partnership with Uganda waragi, he believes he is increasingly discovering the things that make Uganda special and appreciates that the Mr So UG identity feels like something he was destined to embody.

He even throws in the phrase "Bali-okwabwe", adding that those who know, know.

Deep-Fried Tilapia and Women

When it comes to food, deep-fried tilapia takes the crown, which he enthusiastically describes as "alalala".

On boda bodas, he admits that although they are necessary for getting around Kampala, he does not particularly enjoy riding on them.

And what kind of women catch his attention? “All versions of them. There's nothing more beautiful than women," he says. He just likes all women; he eats all food.

He drives, although getting behind the wheel is not exactly his favourite activity. His father is a former rally driver, and he jokingly admits that his lack of enthusiasm for driving might disappoint him. Being a motoring enthusiast is one Ugandan trait he did not inherit.