1. So who is Richy anyway?
Richy Kaweesa is a recording artiste who does fusion music with R&B and reggae being his biggest influences.
2. What is Richy cooking of late?
I am currently promoting my album, “My Words” and in addition to that, I have been blessed to be among the top ten finalists in the RFI Discoveries Awards.
3. Talking of the Ugandan music industry, what do you think is lacking? Is it easy for an artiste to break through the industry?
The industry lacks a formal structure. The unavailability of enforcement of the copyright law; to a young Ugandan artist this would help protect their craft and also provide more than one way to generate funds from their work. As Richy, I believe the only way to enforce change is by being influential and that comes with great achievements so I’m going to need some time to prove myself.
4. Your signature definition?
My signature definition is definitely my sound and I’ve come to believe through my friends that my favorite intro in most of my tracks could also be one of those things that could definitely define me… “Richy in here”.
5. Describe your music style
My music style is best described as fusion, with R&B, Reggae, Soul and a little touch of Afro-fusion.
Growing up funk was the biggest sound around me, and I fell in love with R&B through that channel. As the sound kept on evolving from one thing to the next, and when I grew into a teenager, my brothers introduced me to reggae and then later on soul. So with all these different genres I decided that fusion would be the best way to express myself musically.
6. What inspires you to take on this style of music?
The greatness of all the different genres and the history of each. For example the glamorous power of a sweet voice and the breath taking performances from the great Michael Jackson and the great power of poetry and life teachings that played along the simple and yet touching vibes of reggae by the legendary Bob Marley.
7. Take us through some milestones on your journey
Richy is in school right now, finishing up a degree in Music but not taking a break from making music. Apart from the 14 tracks from my debut album “My Words” I’ve got many other songs.
8. Five years from now, where do we see Richy?
Five years from now I am going to be representing Uganda internationally.
9. Speaking of life, what’s your philosophy about life?
I grew up in a Christian family; my Father and mother are both evangelists and being in a Christian home the love of God was the foundation of the house. We learnt to learn how to love and over the years have adopted many brothers and sisters. So I grew up in a space that had a lot of different people and that slowly built in me a great sense of community.
10. Is there more to your life away from music?
My life is centered around music and apart from my regular hobbies,playing soccer and hanging out with friends, there’s really nothing much.
11. And on relationships are you seeing someone?
There’s nothing much to tell in that area. I am at a place where my career matters more than anything and relationships do swallow up an enormous amount time, but life tends to be full of surprises, let’s watch the space.
12. What’s the furthest point your music has taken you?
The furthest point my music has taken me has been the 50-year national jubilation. It was a great honour for me to be part of the birthday of my nation Uganda by featuring on the official song of the festivities as we celebrated 50 years of Independence. The song is called Yoga Yoga.
13. Talking of music instruments, which ones are you a master at?
I play both the guitar and piano, but I still consider myself a student of those instruments, there is still so much to learn and perfect.
14. Your top 3 Ugandan songs at the moment
Ebiro Byaffe by me 🙂
Daddy by Philla
Newunya nyo by Robinsan
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?
“Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.”
Editor’s Note: Richy Kaweesa is one of the ten finalists in the RFI Discoveries Music Awards. Maurice Kirya was the 2010 winner of this prestigious award. The RFI Discovery Award is organised in partnership with CulturesFrance, the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
Watch Richy’s song True Love here:
Interview by Ian Ortega