Over the week, Ian Ortega caught up with Chimey MC, one of the next big icons in the Ugandan hip-hop industry and probably the hottest export from Busoga in this genre. He speaks about music, life and his philosophy.
1. First of all who’s Chimey MC? How did the name Chimey come about? Where was he born and to who?
Chimey Mc is a proud Musoga, poet, emcee, Indigenous hip-hop movement builder, hip-hop entrepreneur, recording & performing artiste.
I was born Musolo David, 21 years ago to Mr Elijah Gabazila Musolo & Mrs Musolo Amoit Immaculate from the royal clan ‘Abaise Igaga’.
My dad was a deejay but a magistrate by profession; this background exposed me to the art. In 2010 my dad noticed my so much love for music and added Chime to my name which meant a ring that moves round making sound. I added Y & Mc to make it Chimey Mc
2. Describe your style of music?
It’s conscious indigenous hip-hop. I emcee in my native language which is Lusoga and my music is educative.
3. What inspires you to take on this style of music?
I’m inspired by my life, given that my father is a magistrate & am living the side B of life. Music is for the people, a lot is happening here at home and the continent at large that inspires me too & most of all my slogan – ‘I can’t change the world but my music will’. Hip hop is a voice for the voiceless
4. Take us through Bantu Clan the tribe, what’s it all about and what do you do?
Wow, Bantu Clan The Tribe! Brothers Alliance Navigating Towards Unity is an indigenous hip-hop band with Zimbabwean female Kendie, Lava who sings and raps in Shona, and three male emcees: Chimey Mc from Eastern Uganda who raps in Lusoga, Geno Mafeey from Western Uganda who raps in Rukiga and Tkay15 from central Uganda who raps in Luganda.
Bantu Clan was founded by Chimey Mc & Geno Mafeey in 2013 after the first Hip-Hop Bootcamp that was organised under the Youth & Hip Hop Uganda project of BAYIMBA. Bantu Clan’s music is conscious, authentic and characterized by signature African sounds which give it a home feel. “Language is Key”
Besides music Bantu Clan has ventured into Hip-hop entrepreneurship and community building through Bavubuka community programs. It is affiliated to Bavubuka community & Bayimba records. One thing people should know about Bantu Clan The Tribe is that it is a full band with instrumentalists.
5. Talking of the Ugandan music industry, what do you think is lacking? Is it easy for an artiste to break through the industry?
Professionalism is lacking and even those who are professional are not authentic. I’m proud to say that there are rich sounds we can borrow from our cultures, all those classical instruments are modernised instruments of our own native instruments.
Let us create music that relates with our people and culture. For God’s sake 65 tribes with their different cultures, imagine that wealth in terms of sound. Sounding like them doesn’t make us them, we need to be us.
It is easy to break through our music industry (my own opinion). Pages are turning so fast, produce quality, authentic good music, be able to touch emotions & take the music to the people…..it’s the trigger.
6. If you could describe yourself to someone who’s blind? What would be your description of Chimey MC?
Your going to make me blow my own trumpet
– Casual, soft spoken
– 5ft & 68 inches tall
– 5ft & 70 inches wide with arms spread.
– Dog face, a little dark skinned and always happy
7. How many songs does Chimey have so far and what are those milestones in his journey?
I have been working on several projects with my team Bantu Clan The Tribe (a few projects already out and plenty still in the works). I’m working on a solo compilation as well as my brothers and sister.
We are also working on a 7 track Bantu Clan album entitled Boarder II Boarder featuring 7 artistes from 7 different countries. Having a good working relationship and working with beautiful talents has always made me draw closer to my turning points and I thank God for that.
8. 5 years from now, where does Chimey MC see himself?
We all have dreams, visions & goals and I’m working extra harder to walk way past my dreams, vision & goals in 5 years
9. Speaking of life, what’s your philosophy about life?
Its very simple ‘Each one Teach one’. ‘Visualize before you materialize’
10. Going to the heart? Are you in love and who’s that person who stole your heart? What’s the problem with today’s relationships?
Damn! I won’t say it’s complicated. I’m dating nobody, I don’t want to wake up without my heart though I can’t cheat nature forever, so hopefully someday.
These days it’s not about the affairs of the heart, it’s about the money, wheels, fame, standards, fun & friends of benefits.
11. Your top 5 musical inspirations in Uganda?
1.My producer Mukalazi David & my fam Bantu Clan
2.Our lifestyle ( Politically, Socially & Economically)
3. Brother Silas Babaluku(Every time we spend on that dinning table is magic)
4. My life story (Its action parked)
5. Bayimba Cultural foundation (They have always believed in me)
12. When you are not rapping, what are you doing?
I’m always thinking. I’m a hip hop entrepreneur so I’m always growing it; meeting creative minds, writing & teaching.
13. You recently featured at the Bayimba, how was the whole experience?
So far, it’s my greatest moment in my music career. Being lined up to perform live for 45 minutes was kinda challenging and given that they were different stages at the festival venue and we still pulled, kept the crowd grooving to our music was such an experience. To be honest we only practiced for only one & half hours but we were on point like we had practiced for days.
Now the magical moment was being lined up an hour to Maddox’s showcase. The other great experience was the studio sessions with Santuri Safari & Sarabi Band.
14. Your top 3 Ugandan songs at the moment and why?
- Ebiro Byaffe – Richy ( Its motivating and besides that Richy is an extra ordinary talent. He is always on point)
- Africa, Jump Around – Lilian Mbabazi (The sound is so African & the lyrics are on point, it’s our time, it’s time for Africa, Africa is now.)
- Cherry Lips – Kaz Kasozi (He never disappoints, funk, blues fused with our own groove and music scale.)
15. If you were given a chance to pass on your message to the whole world in a sentence, what would you tell the world?
Africa Ni Leo – ‘Africa Is Now‘ – They wanna fight tomorrow but we wanna fight today.
Check out his music here: Soundcloud, Reverbnation, and MTV.com For bookings contact: bantuclan@gmail.com +256703644553