Mesach Semakula: From zero to hero
The Baganda have a popular saying that Mukama kyategekera omunaku tekivunda (whatever God has in store for the poor who toils never decays). Nothing better describes the journey of local singer Mesach Semakula from zero to hero.
By Sebidde Kiryowa
The Baganda have a popular saying that Mukama kyategekera omunaku tekivunda (whatever God has in store for the poor who toils never decays). Nothing better describes the journey of local singer Mesach Semakula from zero to hero.
The 28-year-old slender artiste scooped the Best Male Artiste of the Year honour at this year’s Pearl of Africa Music Awards. That he had to edge out fellow heavyweights including Jose Chameleone, Ragga Dee and Bebe Cool goes to prove the enormity of the award.
This was also a very close-fittingly contested award. That he beat all the other male musicians in the country to the award might have been begrudged by some parties, but his victory was by far more satisfactory.
Semakula, who lost the Best Live Band Single award for his immensely popular Kulika Baby to band-mate Geoffrey Lutaaya, was also up for the Artiste of The Year award. This is the highest honour in all the categories and carries a sh5m cash prize with it.
PAM Awards aside, Semakula had just won the prestigious, but less publicised ‘Star of Africa’ award in Cape Town, South Africa. The award was in honour of Kulika Baby.
Only two African artistes, himself and a Cameroon female singer scooped the award, presented by the International Theatre Institute. Semakula was the third Ugandan artiste to win the non-monetary award based entirely on songs’ meanings, after Paulo Kafeero and Lord Fred Sebatta. Although he won the continental award before official voting for PAM Awards winners began, Semakula detaches the two victories, saying the latter had nothing to do with the former. Semakula, a leading light in Eagles Production Band, says he believes he was voted best male artiste because of the impact his Teriyo Alumirirwa album has had on the music industry this year. The album, released in February this year, spawned hits Kulika Baby, a stirring tribute to women in labour and Yesimye. But how did Semakula come up with the million-dollar song Kulika Baby? “This song was born of a real life experience. My wife went through a lot of complications when she was pregnant. I thought she would die. This song was the only conceivable way I could say thank you to her for enduring everything she did for the sake of our baby,†Semakula says.
Hitherto moderately appreciated, but grossly underrated despite his toil in the business for close to a decade, Semakula first hit really big time last year. His album, Ebituwasisa produced what is largely believed to be his groundbreaking hit single, Tukwegomba Bangi. The song did not only top charts countrywide, propelling its mother album to the best sellers list, but also earned the smoky-voiced shy singer his first PAM Awards nomination at the inaugural gala last year. The title track of the album also achieved hit status, making Semakula one of the most sought-after acts on the lucrative concert scene and affording him star status. He became a millionaire too. This level of success made Semakula doubt whether he could duplicate it. But with Teriyo Alumirirwa, he has and it is bigger and better! Now he leaves in the lap of luxury.
Like most of his fellow artistes, Semakula cruises around in a luxury car and owns a multi-million bungalow near Kiwatule in Kampala. He is also currently constructing another bungalow in Namasuba, to where he hopes to relocate and move his video Studio soon.
Mesach’s wife, Sarah, with whom they have a two-year-old daughter, Melanie Nabatanzi, also drives her own starlet. But living it up in style has it’s associated drawbacks.
“Most people who deal with you want to exploit you. Someone will drag you to court over a misunderstanding which happened long before you came to all this. People will deliberately offend you, knowing that you will restrain yourself because you have a name to protect,†he says.
Then there is the pressure of fame, which Semakula says, “can become too much, you feel like you cannot handle.†To see him through all this was Semakula’s father, who unfortunately passed away last December. “My father had always been my solace. We could talk about anything. He taught me never to act on impulse. He always insisted I first calm down and seek a more informed opinion before I act,†Semakula adds. In the absence of his beloved father, Semakula, who is an ardent fan of soccer, turns to the game for relief. “It does not matter how terrible I feel. The minute I start to watch soccer, whatever is bothering me will almost surely vanish.â€
The singer who names Jimmy Katumba and the late Philly Bongoley Lutaaya as his earliest influences also enjoys the game of pool.
However, his ultimate pastime is working with and nurturing other artistes. An acclaimed songwriter and producer, Semakula has written songs for bankable stars like Mariam Ndagire, Sheila Nvannugi, Sophia Nantogo, Betty Mpologoma, Phoebe Nassolo and his latest protégé, Haruna Mubiru of the Ekitooke Kifansalira fame. How does he write all these songs? “Composing and writing songs comes natural to me. What can I say? It’s a talent. Ideas just pop into your head and when it happens very often, it becomes a part of you,†he says.
“When I get a melody in my head, I use my phone (the high-tech Nokia 6230) to record it. If it is an idea, I write it down, make my research around it, then later develop a tune and write the lyrics.†What would he change about his life if he could turn back the hand of time? “I studied S5 half way and dropped out due to lack of school fees.
There are times however, when I deal with complex issues in my career which require a little more enlightenment.
Unfortunately, it’s too late to do much about it now. When you are such a recognisable figure, going back to school comes at big price,†Semakula says.
Semakula started singing professionally at 16 years of age, while a S2 student at Kampala SSS. He says his happiest moment was when he first heard his song on radio. “That was 1997 and the song was Tondeka on CBS FM.â€
Ends
The Baganda have a popular saying that Mukama kyategekera omunaku tekivunda (whatever God has in store for the poor who toils never decays). Nothing better describes the journey of local singer Mesach Semakula from zero to hero.
The 28-year-old slender artiste scooped the Best Male Artiste of the Year honour at this year’s Pearl of Africa Music Awards. That he had to edge out fellow heavyweights including Jose Chameleone, Ragga Dee and Bebe Cool goes to prove the enormity of the award.
This was also a very close-fittingly contested award. That he beat all the other male musicians in the country to the award might have been begrudged by some parties, but his victory was by far more satisfactory.
Semakula, who lost the Best Live Band Single award for his immensely popular Kulika Baby to band-mate Geoffrey Lutaaya, was also up for the Artiste of The Year award. This is the highest honour in all the categories and carries a sh5m cash prize with it.
PAM Awards aside, Semakula had just won the prestigious, but less publicised ‘Star of Africa’ award in Cape Town, South Africa. The award was in honour of Kulika Baby.
Only two African artistes, himself and a Cameroon female singer scooped the award, presented by the International Theatre Institute. Semakula was the third Ugandan artiste to win the non-monetary award based entirely on songs’ meanings, after Paulo Kafeero and Lord Fred Sebatta. Although he won the continental award before official voting for PAM Awards winners began, Semakula detaches the two victories, saying the latter had nothing to do with the former. Semakula, a leading light in Eagles Production Band, says he believes he was voted best male artiste because of the impact his Teriyo Alumirirwa album has had on the music industry this year. The album, released in February this year, spawned hits Kulika Baby, a stirring tribute to women in labour and Yesimye. But how did Semakula come up with the million-dollar song Kulika Baby? “This song was born of a real life experience. My wife went through a lot of complications when she was pregnant. I thought she would die. This song was the only conceivable way I could say thank you to her for enduring everything she did for the sake of our baby,†Semakula says.
Hitherto moderately appreciated, but grossly underrated despite his toil in the business for close to a decade, Semakula first hit really big time last year. His album, Ebituwasisa produced what is largely believed to be his groundbreaking hit single, Tukwegomba Bangi. The song did not only top charts countrywide, propelling its mother album to the best sellers list, but also earned the smoky-voiced shy singer his first PAM Awards nomination at the inaugural gala last year. The title track of the album also achieved hit status, making Semakula one of the most sought-after acts on the lucrative concert scene and affording him star status. He became a millionaire too. This level of success made Semakula doubt whether he could duplicate it. But with Teriyo Alumirirwa, he has and it is bigger and better! Now he leaves in the lap of luxury.
Like most of his fellow artistes, Semakula cruises around in a luxury car and owns a multi-million bungalow near Kiwatule in Kampala. He is also currently constructing another bungalow in Namasuba, to where he hopes to relocate and move his video Studio soon.
Mesach’s wife, Sarah, with whom they have a two-year-old daughter, Melanie Nabatanzi, also drives her own starlet. But living it up in style has it’s associated drawbacks.
“Most people who deal with you want to exploit you. Someone will drag you to court over a misunderstanding which happened long before you came to all this. People will deliberately offend you, knowing that you will restrain yourself because you have a name to protect,†he says.
Then there is the pressure of fame, which Semakula says, “can become too much, you feel like you cannot handle.†To see him through all this was Semakula’s father, who unfortunately passed away last December. “My father had always been my solace. We could talk about anything. He taught me never to act on impulse. He always insisted I first calm down and seek a more informed opinion before I act,†Semakula adds. In the absence of his beloved father, Semakula, who is an ardent fan of soccer, turns to the game for relief. “It does not matter how terrible I feel. The minute I start to watch soccer, whatever is bothering me will almost surely vanish.â€
The singer who names Jimmy Katumba and the late Philly Bongoley Lutaaya as his earliest influences also enjoys the game of pool.
However, his ultimate pastime is working with and nurturing other artistes. An acclaimed songwriter and producer, Semakula has written songs for bankable stars like Mariam Ndagire, Sheila Nvannugi, Sophia Nantogo, Betty Mpologoma, Phoebe Nassolo and his latest protégé, Haruna Mubiru of the Ekitooke Kifansalira fame. How does he write all these songs? “Composing and writing songs comes natural to me. What can I say? It’s a talent. Ideas just pop into your head and when it happens very often, it becomes a part of you,†he says.
“When I get a melody in my head, I use my phone (the high-tech Nokia 6230) to record it. If it is an idea, I write it down, make my research around it, then later develop a tune and write the lyrics.†What would he change about his life if he could turn back the hand of time? “I studied S5 half way and dropped out due to lack of school fees.
There are times however, when I deal with complex issues in my career which require a little more enlightenment.
Unfortunately, it’s too late to do much about it now. When you are such a recognisable figure, going back to school comes at big price,†Semakula says.
Semakula started singing professionally at 16 years of age, while a S2 student at Kampala SSS. He says his happiest moment was when he first heard his song on radio. “That was 1997 and the song was Tondeka on CBS FM.â€
Ends