Ahead of Roast and Rhyme ‘Soul on Strings’ edition slated for Sunday, October 28 at Jahazi Pier, Munyonyo, Moses Abeka caught up with Benon Mugumbya at their new offices at The Square. We spoke about Swangz Avenue, Kanye West and everything in between.
From the country-wide tours, working with Tarrus Riley, then the concert and finally, Kanye West’s visit! How would you describe the ten years of Swangz Avenue?
It’s been an amazing year just like all other years. We have seen a lot of progress steadily. However, this year, we could say it has crowned off our ten years. It has been like the highlight of the ten years. Like you mentioned the show, tours, even working with Tarrus Riley producing a song about our country, then Kanye West, moving to our new space…we are now closer to our clients, almost in the middle of the city. This is like the icing on the cake. We hope we keep on growing steadily.
When you were starting out, did you envisage things to turn out this way?
Those that know me will tell you it’s been about passion. The things that fall along may not be planned for. They happen but it’s not something that you outrightly planned. Five, ten years ago if you told me that things would turn this way, I would say, ‘impossible’.
There so many people; very passionate and doings but the results don’t seem to come…
Consistence and persistence. Not everything will work out. There will always be those days when things will not work out. We have not achieved everything we thought we would.
Talking Kanye West! How was the atmosphere in the studio working with such a big name? Describe for us the experience!
The time that we interacted with him, you know, he wanted to know about our sound, our music, and he played for us his new material and wanted to know our views and get just the general reaction. We discussed lots of things; the state of the world, positivity, encouraging oneself, togetherness…it was really a mixed emotion; excitement, passion, a lot of things.
According to information on Swangz Avenue Facebook post, you set up four studios! What was really happening there?
There were six studios set up. Initially they had asked for four and they then asked for two more. It was really a big team; sound engineers, artistes…something came up and they left earlier than expected.
Which other artistes were there other than Kanye West and Big Sean?
There were other artistes and some that I did not know. One was Teyana Taylor, Big Sean…it was really a big team.
During Kanye West’s visit there so many people proposing that you mentor the youths among other things. Do you have such in your plans?
This is something we have been doing and we would love to continue. We were also mentored by people who were in the industry and working with Kanye West gave us a lot of learning experiences something we will just compile on that we have been doing. We shall always pass on the knowledge. At least almost every day, one or two young artistes come to our doors for advice, guidance and so many other things and we are always glad to share. There is also something we are going to do beginning next year that was inspired by what happened…just look out for that…I can’t reveal everything now but we believe it will be very impactful.
Talking Roast and Rhyme. Why did you select these particular artistes for this edition?
As you know Roast and Rhyme comes with different editions. This one is the ‘soul on strings’ edition. We have artistes that we know are soulful and will give our audience a very nice experience. There will be Shifah Musisi, Aziz Azion, King Saha and Kika Dance Troupe. I have seen them [Kika Dance Troupe] perform several times and I’m every very sure they will blow people’s minds.
What’s your say about artistes joining politics?
We are all Ugandans and I don’t think categorizing that a person is artistes should not be leaders. We are also able to be leaders and make a difference in our community and country and various aspects of life.
Roast and Rhyme is slated this Sunday, November 28 at Jahazi Pier, Munyonyo. King Saha, Shifah Musisi, Aziz Azion, and Kika Dance Troupe are slated to perform. Entrance is Shs50,000.