Singer Gabriel Kakuru chats love, business, family and career

Gabriel Kakuru is a TV personality and musician who has been in the entertainment industry for some time.

He is also a businessman, the brains behind Brand Active, an advertising and promotions company.

Ritah Mukasa caught up with him on his love life, career and passion for music;

At what point in your life did you fall in love with music?

Music has always been my hobby, which is why I have been singing since childhood. In fact, I remember sharing a stage with celebrities like Juliana and Chameleon in the early 2000s. 

However, I quit shortly and moved into business because there was no money then in the music industry. The story is different today. 

It was a few years ago when I realized that I had nudged what I really love. I am back with an album dubbed ‘Done waiting' that comprises love and soul healing hits.

Are you back to earn from music?

For now, I am not prioritizing music as a career or profession but a hobby. Just like one goes to the gym or golf club, I head to the studio.

Down memory lane, almost 15 years ago, when I left the defunct WBS Television, CTV and KFM, I had to make ends meet.

I just got a wake-up call recently that the clock was ticking and the only passion I had was tucked away in a cold cob-web box. I told myself, now is the time, so I went to the studio last year.

Do you write your music?

I really love music. I sing from the heart but honestly, I haven't written the songs. These are stories from awesome songwriters.

I look for the best songwriters. The music, therefore, could be their own experiences. I just translate the emotions into voice.

I have worked with Tusker Project Fame Winner, Esther Nabaasa, Ray Signature, Yese Oman Rafiki, Smart Keys, Doctor Brain and a few others who I will disclose once the current projects are out of the studio.

Given your tight schedules, where do you get time for music? 

Just like anyone finds time for an evening jog, I walk into the studio because music is a hobby to me.

I also practice late night in my home studio. On a scale of 1-10, my passion is at three for now but hope to make it move to five. I am not into this as a commercial artist.

‘We just want love' has amazing lyrics and the video was on point, how did you pull this off? 

This was a perfect collaboration with Esther Nabaasa and production guru Michael Fingaz.

With a good sound from the duo, I had to hire Sasha Vybze for the video; my best in the industry.

Meanwhile, I appreciate that my songs are doing well on Ugandan airwaves, so, you should expect more of this. 16 track album is out and videos for most of the songs are in the works.

 
Who wrote your latest hit?