By Isaac Mites
During the festive season, Bigeye.ug decided to go a little more exotic and caught up with one of Uganda’s Music stars in the Diaspora.
Here is an interview with Japa Dollar — a youthful, talented, and hardworking artiste based in London.
IM is the interviewer and JD is the interviewee.
IM: For starters who is Japa Dollar?
JD: Japa Dollar is multi-talented, prolific music producer/artist who is constantly working hard on various musical projects and songs.
IM: Have u got any real names Mr. Japa Dollar?
JD: I was baptized Jude Othieno. I hail from Tororo, but was born in Jinja
IM: And what kind of family do you come from?
JD: Middle class I suppose. Parents from Tororo but I was born in Jinja to a God fearing family of four brothers and one sister. And am the fourth borne.
IM: Where did you attend your school from?
JD: Jinja College, then graduated at MUK BA (social sciences) then University of East London and now doing Masters in social sciences in social policy and planning and criminology at the Open University London.
IM: Sounds cool that you are working pretty hard on your Education Career? When did you start singing?
JD: Since I was a young boy. Lucky enough my mum was a music teacher. I was always in school choir and drama class which I enjoyed very much and it was a registered success. Then this resulted and encouraged me to advance on to recording songs.
IM: In which year did you get serious with music and how far have you gone?
JD: In my early years in the industry, I was in a group of 7 called La familiar. We were mainly doing RnB/Hip Hop songs. We recorded lots and lots of songs and used to go around performing in venues here in London. As time went by, the group fell apart. I was mainly keen on producing the music so I bought my own recording studio using Pro tools and from then on, I was responsible for most of the music production for the group and then many other artists in London and beyond.
After a while, I decided to record my own albums. The first of which was called Deep and Deeper _ EP which featured various UK and US stars like Solomon Childs of the Wu Tang Clan and Trife Dieasel among others. This album was released in 2009 in both CD and digital download format and is available for download all over the world. The first single for this album was called deep and deeper and it had massive air play in the UK and the video had a great rotation on different TVs too.
Deep and Deeper _EP was followed by another album called Certified Hustler and then Tonight plus a lot of single releases, the most recent of which is “Gaswadde” featuring Mikie Wine.
IM: So what you’re saying is that you’re actively involved in developing your education career as well as music career too? How do you manage?
JD: Not easy but I create a balance and somehow manage to get things done.
IM: And how do you manage to catch up and do collabos with Ugandan artistes like Mikie Wine?
JD: I flew to Uganda in June this year and that’s when we recorded the song titled “Gaswadde” coupled with a video shoot that was done the following day. And if all goes well I will be doing more collaborations with Ugandan artists very soon.
IM: Anything we need to know about your love life? Like are you dating any one?
JD: Yes, I have a Hungarian girlfriend. Her name is Adrienn. We just came back from a two weeks holiday in Uganda.
IM: Wow. We are happy for you. But from the conversation it seems you’re heavily loaded pocket wise. You did a collabo and a video in just a few days? How true is that?
JD: Very true 100%. I am a very hard worker. When I came to Uganda in November, landed on 6th and on 7th short the new video (I make you hot). And a week later it caught massive airplays on local TV and radio stations in Uganda.
IM: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now as far as music is concerned? Share your dreams with us?
JD: In 5 years time, I see myself owning and running a record company. That’s my big dream and I am working and hustling so hard towards achieving that and I hope achieve it within the stipulated time.
IM: Where do you plan your recording company to be based?
JD: I love it in Uganda. I like the music industry there. There are so many amazing talents there but they can’t make it on their own so I would like to contribute to the industry.
IM: So you think they need better services? Share with us your opinion about the Uganda music industry and its future?
JD: Not better services as such but in terms of signing and promoting great talents whose talents are dying off simply because they don’t have money to promote their music.
As regards Uganda music industry, I think it lacks structure and the media seems to want only a particular type of music there by limiting other artists of other genre to spring up. The music then seems to sound the same from one artist to another.
IM: What kind/Genre of music are you actively in?
JD: I am not in a specific genre of music. I do everything.
IM: Which international and local artistes do you look up to and would love to work with?
JD: hahahahaha (he laughs) I have not thought about that but I hope and believe I will do collaborations at some point in time. Internationally, I like Jay Z.
IM: What is your dream car?
JD: I am not really into cars. I am not so much of a flashy person. I am more into charity work and helping people.
IM: How often do you meet Ugandans involved music industry back there in London?
JD: Not very often. I am usually busy with other things. But still I managed to link up and meet with Eddie Kenzo on Uganda’s Independence Day here in London this year.
IM: Finally, say a word or two about Uganda’s music industry in general.
JD: Uganda music industry has come a long way and it’s doing well at the international level. The top artists are doing a great job and I am also going to play my part.
IM: Thanks Japa Dollar for your time.
JD: You’re welcome and thank you too. Happy 2014.
For updates and music from Japa Dollar check out his official page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japa-Dollar/163758660353817
To connect with Isaac Mites
Email: isaac.mites@gmail.com
Twitter: @Jigsaw_myts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/isaac.mites
Mobile: +256-788-522-010
“[katogoaward]”
