Yours truly had an exclusive interview with young talented rapper Tucker HD, the other part of the AirporTaxi trio that includes Llyboc and Martha Smalls. We talked about a range of topics, more particularly, his new invention: Tucker Tuesdays. And this is how it went down.
1.WHO IS TUCKER HD?
Tucker HD (Tucker Kibirige) is a 21-year-old, Ugandan Hip Hop artiste, and member of Uganda’s freshest and hottest Hip Hop & RnB group, AirporTaxi.
2.STAGE NAME IS ONE OF THE MOST JEALOUSLY GUARDED INNOVATIONS. WHAT DOES TUCKER HD STAND FOR?
The HD stands for High Definition. Just like the screen resolution. All throughout my childhood and school years, I often ended up being misunderstood because I was a very quiet boy, I never found reason to say much (I still don’t), and it took a long while for people to find out, and accept that I could actually rap. Me adding the HD to my name was more of me… revealing that side of me; the poetic, musical side where I could fearlessly express who I am and what I stand for.
3.WHAT IS TUCKER TUESDAYS ALL ABOUT?
Tucker Tuesdays is a project I came up with shortly after BURN was released, to give the fans more than just music, and on a more regular basis. It’ll involve giving the fans a bigger picture about who Tucker HD is, from vlogs, decoding lyrics, exclusives, freestyles, interviews as well as events. Each of these will be presented to the fans in turn, on every Tuesday of the week.
4.MUSICALLY , WHERE DO WE SEE TUCKER IN 2014?
2014’s definitely going to be a more active year for Tucker HD. I already featured on Llyboc’s Prior To Lift Off Mixtape, which dropped a couple of days ago, and will be available to the fans very soon. I’m also looking forward to releasing a follow-up mixtape to my first one, the High Definition Mixtape, the release date is yet to be confirmed. But most of all, there’s the much-awaited Lift Off album by AirporTaxi, that’s due to drop sometime this year.
5.DOES BEING IN A GROUP LIMIT INDIVIDUAL PROWESS AND CREATIVITY?
Not at all, it allows me to be even more creative and versatile. Martha Smallz and Llyboc are different artistes, therefore they have different musical preferences and influences, and working with them allows me to learn how to adjust to all kinds of music and still be able to deliver my best.
6.ON A SCALE 1 TO 10, DOES BEING A RAPPER MAKE IT EASIER TO GET LAID?
Haha… I’d give it a 1, for the airplay, the fame and the news stories that it brings. But it all comes natural when you’re a charmer, being a rapper is just a plus. There are some rappers though… hehe nvm.
7.WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT RAPPPING IN ENGLISH IN UG?
I think the biggest misconception is that rapping in English is foreign. Most people get it wrong when it comes to that. This shouldn’t be the case, because if anything, English is the country’s official language and I’d say the closest Uganda comes to having a national language, since it’s widely spoken and understood in all regions. I believe the fans should look beyond the English language, and instead put more focus on the lyrics.
8.DON’T YOU THINK MORE RAPPERS IN UG APPEAL MORE TO THE ONLINE CROWD THAN THE TRADITIONAL AUDIENCE?
I agree, but it’s also good to know why. Hip Hop being a growing genre in the Ugandan music industry, it’s only the biggest section of Hip Hop fans belong to that age group that’s as of now hooked to the social networks, and the internet, so it’s only right that the appeal is bigger online.
9.WHY DO WE NEED INNOVATIONS LIKE TUCKER TUESDAYS?
I highly trust that such will allow the fans to develop a closer relationship, and understanding of their artistes, and the artiste the same understanding about what the fans want, or like and don’t… and this is probably what would elevate the Hip Hop genre in the Ugandan music industry to an even higher status.
10.LAST WORDS.
I’d like to salute all Tucker HD and AirporTaxi fans. It’s only right they know that we’re more than grateful for all the love & support we’ve received. And that they’ll be able to access the entire Tucker Tuesdays project on my Tumblr page Tuckerhd.tumblr.com! And that they must go get that Prior To Lift Off Mixtape by da homie Llyboc. And that next week Tuesday, UG On My Chest II + Sonny + Benny Black will premiere!! Yeah, that’s all.
Interviewed by Moses Abeka aka Hood Lighta
“[katogoaward]”