I let my rude stalkers starve - Ykee Benda

(Picture source: Facebook)

INTERVIEW

Twenty-five year-old local singer Ykee Benda, (real names Wycliffe Tugume) is a Rwandan born in Kampala. He is commonly known for his 'Farmer' song with Sheebah Karungi and Muna Kampala. New Vision's Martha Glorias Musiime caught up with him for a insight into his music and relationships.
 
Q: Do you do music for money? Or you have other sources of income?

A: Since I started singing in September 2015, music has been my life, my wife, my income and my everything.
 
What were you doing before?                            

I had just finished my studies at university and I went straight to music.
 
Who inspired you to go into music?

No-one inspired me. I used to watch movies, read books and made imaginations of my own life.
 
How many songs do you have and what song has made for you money?

I have nine songs and Farmer has really done it for me.
 
Many think Farmer is Sheebah's. Don't you think she owns it now?  Did you beg for a collabo from her since it's a remix?

No. Her management looked for me because they thought the song deserved more attention and audience and they were right as you can see how it turned out.
 
Do you 'beef' [hold a grudge against] her now for giving it popularity?

No. We are actually good friends now because she doesn't own it. We are all making money out of it.
 
How did you come up with the lyrics?

I did it while listening to Timaya's (Nigerian singer) song Body.
 
Are you 'cultivating' [in naughty reference to the Farmer song] someone?

[Laugh] No. I am dating
 
Who is the lucky woman?

It is a private issue.
 
Do you also 'beef' like other musicians do?

I don't beef any although others do, because it's too hectic and I have so much on my table so there is no time for such.
 
Do you consider yourself upcoming?

To some, yes, to others, no. To me, I will never stop growing.
 
How many broken relationships have you gone through and what happened?

They are only four and this happened because I was still a child.
 
What if you caught her cheating?

I simply walk away. I am not a violent guy.
 
Would you date your fellow musician?

Not on a serious note.
 
You are such a handsome musician, how do you escape women?

Most of them approach me, but I take them as my diehards.
 
Do you have stalkers and how do you deal with them?

I have many stalkers on a daily basis, but I do not do much. I talk to the polite ones and let the rude ones starve.