By Stuart G-Khast
When the dancehall hits Pull Up and Cheza Mama first hit Uganda’s airwaves, many thought the Voltage duo of Kent and Flosso, were Jamaicans. This was partly because of the exotic beats that were produced by a talented Ugandan audio producer.
Today we introduce to you this dynamic producer who has quickly risen to become one of Uganda’s most sough-after dancehall producers.
Vad is a 26-year old producer signed to Sound Prints, the same recording and distribution label where Voltage music is signed. On top of producing Pull Up, Cheza Mama and Sampo for Voltage music, he has done Olwalero for Bebe Cool and Chizzo; Onetoloza for Eddy Kenzo; Njabala for B2C; Mbawe for Jose Chameleone among other tracks.
Born Vad Namanda, the young and dynamic producer was raised in Mengo and Kawempe. At the tender age of 14, Vad started playing piano in church, where he later met and worked with gospel music icons like Levixon, Coopy Bly, Exodus, Pastor Bugembe among others. This early start equipped Vad with the necessary skills that keep him busy today.
Securing time with Vad was indeed an arduous task as he was busy putting final touches on Voltage music’s next mega hit song, Stamina. When we managed to catch up with him, the calm producer also mentioned that he was working on several projects, including with Nigerian stars Skalez and DJ Spinna.
Vad opened up to BigEyeUG that he is inspired by international music geniuses like Dr Dre, American producer Ryan Rasley and Jamaican Sound Engineer Don Caleon.
We thought we had heard the best of his work, but after the studio visit, we believe the best of this young man is still ahead of him. Watch out for him.