Bush Baby comes to Xfm
He was always a diamond in the rough. Ironically, it took a stint on Tanzanian radio and TV for Ugandans to realise that DJ Bush Baby had it in him.
He was always a diamond in the rough. Ironically, it took a stint on Tanzanian radio and TV for Ugandans to realise that DJ Bush Baby had it in him.
Since his return to Uganda, he has concentrated on his hit TV show XXL. But now he is back to his first love — radio and yes, in Uganda.
Q: “Bush Baby†is that the coolest name you could come up with?
A: You know how it is. It sounded and still sounds cool, of course, for entertainment purposes, plus a bush baby is one of the coolest animals there ever will be , so you know. But my real name is Michael Owor.
Q: We are used to seeing you dissect the Ugandan entertainment industry on XXL but lately it is not you we are seeing. What is going on?
A: XXL is basically my brainchild and a hobbyhorse of some sort, so I will say I am still fully part of the show and the person you see now is my partner.
Being so busy with other projects kind of forced me to give the show a new image which, of course, came with the new face. My absence on the show does not mean it is dead.
Q: New projects... You mind shading some light on those?
A: I have moved on to bigger things like setting up a visual company which focuses on developing TV concepts, advertising, artiste management, events and a myriad more.
I am also involved in philanthropy and peer education with an organisation called Reach A Hand Uganda. We inspire and motivate kids through our personal experiences.
Q: What were you like growing up?
A: I was a humble boy-turned-bad and music was the only thing that mattered in my life which did not go well with my parents. They got used to it later though.
Q: And radio …?
A: Radio is my first love and I am glad I will be coming back to it soon. Immediately after school in 1998, I joined Radio Uganda’s Green Channel and later Radio One.
A year later, I left for Dar-es-Salaam where I helped create the first ever English radio station called Kiss FM. When I saw it grow into an entity of its own, I moved on and hard work handed me a huge pay check at East Africa Radio and TV.
Q: Tell us about this XFM you are going to work with.
A: Xfm is a fresh, funky station playing nothing but local and international hits burning up the charts. With intelligent and hip radio personalities, fun games and great give-aways, once you tune in to 94.8, you won’t want to go anywhere else!
Q: What has kept you in the media this long? So many people get bored fast.
A: I have the best discipline at work. Lots of people do not realise that respect for the hustle is the most important thing. If you do not respect your job, you will fall before you feel a pinch.
To me, it is about taking a day at a time and everyday is a learning process. See, it is 15 years and I am still a student.
Q: What have you gained from all this hard work?
A: Everything, my brother, everything! Media has given me all I ever wanted; gratification. I always thought I was one insatiable being but not anymore. I am humbled.
I have discovered and evaluated myself; for sure I know who I am now. I have done so many bad things in life and it feels so good to know my relationship with God has been renewed.
Q: Hold up... are you born again now?
A: Let us say I am cleansed. I have gotten back to my praying habits and I go to church as well. Dude, it’s been long.
Q: Amen brother! What turned you around?
A: Life did. I am now a new grown up man for I had totally forgotten about myself and used to think I am superman.
Soon, I am going to be a dad and my baby has to come to this world when its papa is on fresh ground. It is time responsibility came to my house.
Since his return to Uganda, he has concentrated on his hit TV show XXL. But now he is back to his first love — radio and yes, in Uganda.
Q: “Bush Baby†is that the coolest name you could come up with?
A: You know how it is. It sounded and still sounds cool, of course, for entertainment purposes, plus a bush baby is one of the coolest animals there ever will be , so you know. But my real name is Michael Owor.
Q: We are used to seeing you dissect the Ugandan entertainment industry on XXL but lately it is not you we are seeing. What is going on?
A: XXL is basically my brainchild and a hobbyhorse of some sort, so I will say I am still fully part of the show and the person you see now is my partner.
Being so busy with other projects kind of forced me to give the show a new image which, of course, came with the new face. My absence on the show does not mean it is dead.
Q: New projects... You mind shading some light on those?
A: I have moved on to bigger things like setting up a visual company which focuses on developing TV concepts, advertising, artiste management, events and a myriad more.
I am also involved in philanthropy and peer education with an organisation called Reach A Hand Uganda. We inspire and motivate kids through our personal experiences.
Q: What were you like growing up?
A: I was a humble boy-turned-bad and music was the only thing that mattered in my life which did not go well with my parents. They got used to it later though.
Q: And radio …?
A: Radio is my first love and I am glad I will be coming back to it soon. Immediately after school in 1998, I joined Radio Uganda’s Green Channel and later Radio One.
A year later, I left for Dar-es-Salaam where I helped create the first ever English radio station called Kiss FM. When I saw it grow into an entity of its own, I moved on and hard work handed me a huge pay check at East Africa Radio and TV.
Q: Tell us about this XFM you are going to work with.
A: Xfm is a fresh, funky station playing nothing but local and international hits burning up the charts. With intelligent and hip radio personalities, fun games and great give-aways, once you tune in to 94.8, you won’t want to go anywhere else!
Q: What has kept you in the media this long? So many people get bored fast.
A: I have the best discipline at work. Lots of people do not realise that respect for the hustle is the most important thing. If you do not respect your job, you will fall before you feel a pinch.
To me, it is about taking a day at a time and everyday is a learning process. See, it is 15 years and I am still a student.
Q: What have you gained from all this hard work?
A: Everything, my brother, everything! Media has given me all I ever wanted; gratification. I always thought I was one insatiable being but not anymore. I am humbled.
I have discovered and evaluated myself; for sure I know who I am now. I have done so many bad things in life and it feels so good to know my relationship with God has been renewed.
Q: Hold up... are you born again now?
A: Let us say I am cleansed. I have gotten back to my praying habits and I go to church as well. Dude, it’s been long.
Q: Amen brother! What turned you around?
A: Life did. I am now a new grown up man for I had totally forgotten about myself and used to think I am superman.
Soon, I am going to be a dad and my baby has to come to this world when its papa is on fresh ground. It is time responsibility came to my house.